More young professionals are quietly bending the rules of business travel — by bringing along their partners or friends, often without informing their bosses. The trend, dubbed “blended travel” or “bleisure,” is gaining momentum among Gen Z and millennials, who are eager to mix a little pleasure with their professional commitments.
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Crowne Plaza reveals that nearly 74% of respondents would bring a loved one on a work trip if given the chance. The enthusiasm is particularly high among Gen Z and millennials. Interestingly, about one in five admitted they’ve already done it — without informing their employers.
Brian, a millennial working in the film industry, is one of them. Recalling a 2017 trip to the Cannes Film Festival, he shared with Business Insider that a friend discreetly stayed in his hotel room. “He didn’t tell his boss because he didn’t want to seem unprofessional,” the report said. Despite the secrecy, the experience turned into a memorable one. “He and his friend ended up meeting people with whom they still hang out to this day,” the report adds.
Work-Life Balance Is the New Priority
Psychologist Jean Twenge, author of Generations, believes Gen Z’s approach to work is driving the shift. “They don’t want their work to be their whole life,” she told Business Insider. With fewer domestic responsibilities and a strong emphasis on personal time, younger professionals are more inclined to extend business trips into mini-vacations.
Twenge also pointed out that some Gen Zers might avoid discussing these arrangements with their bosses simply because they’re new to the workforce and unsure of company norms. “They’re just not sure if it would be okay,” she noted.
Some Employers Are On Board — Quietly
Not all companies are turning a blind eye. In fact, some are beginning to embrace the concept of blended travel. According to Ginger Taggart, Vice President of Brand Management for Global Premium Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts (which owns Crowne Plaza), the idea of bringing a plus-one is no longer considered taboo.
“Bringing a plus-one on a work trip is no longer a ‘dirty little secret’,” Taggart told Business Insider. She added that some employers now actively support the concept, viewing it as a way to reduce employee stress while maintaining productivity. “It enables all of their workforce and their employees to benefit from the productivity of their business demands, but at the same time having their life enriched,” she said.
Still, experts caution that boundaries should be clearly defined. Stephan Meier, Chair of the Management Division at Columbia Business School, emphasised that companies need to set clear guidelines for such trips. Whether it’s a strict 9-to-5 schedule or post-work team bonding, expectations should be transparent.
“Everybody knows then what the rules are,” Meier explained. “There’s no hiding in the lobby or pretending we don’t know each other to make sure that somebody else doesn’t see that I’m together with my significant other.”
While the line between work and play is increasingly blurring for young professionals, the message is clear: communication is key. As bleisure becomes a more accepted part of workplace culture, employees and employers alike will need to strike the right balance between personal freedom and professional responsibility.
