BLEISURE
Welcome to the bleisure era, where professionals blend work with rest and purpose with pause.
Not long ago, business trips involved quick airports, tepid hotel coffee, and returning home jet-lagged all in the name of productivity. With hybrid work changing routines, travel now appears different.
International travel data reveals that over 65 % of business travellers extend their work trips for leisure. South Africa, with its strong tourism connections and favourable exchange rate, is embracing this trend. Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg promote themselves as“ workation capitals.” Flexible hotel packages, coworking lounges, and wellness extras make it easy to stay productive and relax in one trip.
Hospitality has evolved. Wi-Fi is now as vital as hot water, and“ business centre” means more than just a desk and printer. Radisson Blu, Protea Hotels, and The Capital offer stay-andwork packages with day-use suites, ergonomic workstations, and quiet call spaces. Boutique stays are following suit. On the Garden Route, guesthouses blend meetings with coastal walks. Johannesburg’ s inner-city hotels partner with galleries and rooftop bars to encourage guests to linger, laptops in hand.
Airlines are also adapting. South African Airways and Lift provide flexible ticket options for travellers combining work and leisure. A midweek meeting can extend into a long weekend without penalties. For nearby escapes such as Mauritius, Windhoek, and Maputo, flight schedules coincide with hotel check-ins, making it easier to switch from inbox to island.
Tourism boards are boosting the trend. The Western Cape’ s Remote Work Hub showcases coworking-friendly options from Hermanus to Paternoster. KwaZulu-Natal promotes itself as South Africa’ s“ warm desk,” inviting remote workers to exchange heaters for ocean air. Smaller towns are also participating. Franschhoek vineyards serve as retreat venues, and Dullstroom
THE IDEA IS SIMPLE BUT SMART: REST ISN’ T THE OPPOSITE OF WORK, IT SUSTAINS IT.
lodges host strategy sessions. The concept is straightforward: rest supports work.
For many professionals, the shift is as much emotional as it is practical. After years of remote fatigue, travel provides a chance to reconnect – with colleagues, places, and oneself. Companies supporting this balance report higher morale, better problem-solving skills, and less burnout. A day spent dealing with emails followed by a sunset paddle might become the new meaning of balance.
With Gen Z entering the workforce, bleisure will increase. Younger workers prioritise experiences and blend work with leisure. Expect more microworkations, creative collaboration trips, and loyalty rewards for both travel and local stays. This shift is not just about travel, but also about time. The pandemic reshaped priorities. Hybrid work enabled movement. South Africa, with its landscapes and relaxed pace, aligns well with this rhythm.
Sometimes the best ideas don’ t originate in boardrooms but from a sunlit terrace, laptop open, sea air in your hair, with one thought: maybe I will stay one more day. IB
December 2025 / INBOUND SA 25