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Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, has published a report titled “The Future of Hybrid Travel” using data from over a thousand travelers in the US and UK to identify the latest trends in blended travel – aka Travel that combines leisure travel with business travel.
“As US employers struggle to fill vacancies, there is pressure to attract and retain the best talent. We’ve been playing in this space for many years, and we’ve kept a close eye on evolving work and entertainment trends. Since the pandemic began, the turnaround has been incredibly fast,” said Ginger Taggart, Vice President of Brand Management, Global Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.
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“Across our hotels and resorts, we’ve seen a growing trend in people combining work and leisure, and by building 107 new hotels over the next three years, Crowne Plaza has laid the groundwork for creating spaces and service styles that specifically cater to these needs. People want to connect in person, and place space away from traditional 9-5 want to satisfy needs outside to increase their well-being.
Flexibility and remote work is key.
Many travelers in the United States want more flexibility in their work schedules and travel, with 66 percent of U.S. travelers agreeing that telecommuting has allowed them greater opportunities for travel, and 72 percent agreeing that they can work remotely from a location other than their hometown. An interesting benefit of remote work.
Leading the pack in the flexibility trend seems to be the two youngest generations of workers, Gen Z and Millennials. Sixty-five percent of Millennials and 59 percent of Gen Z employees are more interested in working for a company that offers frequent travel opportunities or flexible travel opportunities.
80 percent of Americans are interested in adding a few extra days to their next business trip to take part in leisure activities. 36 percent agree that adding two to three leisure days to work travel will encourage them to travel more this summer.
Work priorities are changing, so Will Business Travel
Many workers in the U.S. say maintaining a good work-life balance is more important than a good salary (72 percent versus 69 percent), which is even more important than what changed during the pandemic. As a quarter of North America’s workforce shifts remotely by the end of the year, so will the way companies think about business travel.
More than thirty percent of U.S. travelers believe that combining leisure and business travel options will increase their productivity, and more than 83 percent believe they appreciate vacations more than before the pandemic.
With more emphasis on remote work, travelers can live anywhere in the country and gather for physical collaboration and team building events, combining aspects of both business and leisure travel at the group level, allowing individuals to continue the team culture. To choose where and when you want to work.
More workers prefer combined travel
Many business travelers may choose to turn a portion of their business trip into a leisure trip, and this can come with some unexpected benefits, not just for the traveler.
An astonishing 80 percent of travelers report an improvement in a work problem while on vacation.
Businesses should encourage business travelers to take a few extra days to enjoy leisure activities. Half of all Gen Z and Millennial respondents regret not taking more trips during the year, with 56 percent of respondents feeling pressured by their companies to not take a short vacation or trip.
Travel as an opportunity for growth
Focusing on work-life balance goes hand-in-hand with hobbies, side hustles, and learning new skills.
Remote workers are more likely than ever to learn new things or start new hobbies or ways to make money, with 58 percent using videos to learn new skills during the day and 34 percent already reporting a side hustle.
This new trend is indicative of the biggest: an “in-progress” mindset where people value learning and development in all areas of life. Integrated travel, then, can be a way for these travelers to enjoy being in person and learn or practice their new skills or talents and learn and develop as people.
Family and combined travel
Family can have a big impact on mixed travel. 36 percent of travelers say the main reason they travel is to meet friends and family; As priorities shift, integrated travel may be tapping into this trend.
The trend is now shifting from a mindset that prioritizes work above all else to striking a balance. With travel as a tool for bonding and self-care, many business travelers may want to bring their families along on their trips, especially during summer vacations.
Integrated travel is not going away anytime soon; Employees are likely to evolve from a work-centered mindset to one that focuses on work, family, personal growth, and well-being, and take time off in conjunction with business travel.
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