‘Bleisure’ tourism combines business and leisure travel, and is quickly positioning itself as not only popular but also an economically prudent idea, a travel management platform in the region, has revealed.

Musafir Business, an all-in-one corporate travel management platform in the region by musafir.com, says this shift is evident as individuals extending their business trips by one to two days for leisure, and vice versa, has become increasingly common.

Forecasts predict these trips will span more destinations extending to longer durations. Larger international companies are quick to adopt this trend, while smaller-scale and local firms, which are not multinational corporations, may take more time to embrace it.

Statistics echo this sentiment, with 'bleisure' tourism accounting for 30-35% of the global business tourism market and boasting a staggering worth of $500 billion (Dh2 trillion) in 2022. The upward trajectory is set to keep rising, with a projected growth rate of 20% over the ensuing decade.

Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-Founder of musafir.com and Musafir Business, said: "Following the pandemic, the sphere of 'bleisure' travel is witnessing a significant upswing in the region, with nearly 20% of corporate travellers thoughtfully weaving leisure experiences into their business journeys. Projections indicate that this number is destined to rise further by 15% in the times ahead."

The average ticket price for corporate travel within the GCC ranges from Dh3,500 to Dh4,000, and this trend is expected to continue through 2024. Amid the scorching summer heat, corporate travel primarily entails outbound trips from the UAE.

Prominent business travel destinations like Europe, the USA, and South East Asia proficiently address the diverse demands of corporate globetrotters, with ticket prices ranging between AED 5,500 to 6,000 for these regions, says Musafir.

Additionally, there is also a marked rise in preference for business and first-class travel in the evolving landscape of business travel.

"Musafir Business has also observed a remarkable 25% increase in average corporate transaction value, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This growth underscores our commitment to elevating customer experiences, embracing digital innovation, and gaining invaluable insights into our customers' preferences,” said Gadoya.

“With a proven track record of delivering substantial savings for Middle Eastern organisations, having processed over 600,000 transactions in 2022, we are resolutely focused on sustaining this momentum in 2023. Our goal is to achieve approximately 1.1 million transactions, solidifying our position as a leader in corporate travel solutions.” - TradeArabia News Service