Johannesburg – If you want to know where South African business is being done in 2026, just take a look at Corporate Traveller’s booking data. One of South Africa’s leading travel management companies (TMCs) for small- to medium-sized businesses, their top four international destinations have remained the same for the past three years: Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and the United Kingdom.

And although there’s been some jostling for position, they’ve consistently dominated the top of the table. Three African neighbours and one long-haul anchor – each with compelling reasons to stay a little longer.

Bleisure still firmly on the agenda

Yes, flights will cost you more this year. Middle East airspace disruption is in partial recovery – Emirates announced on 4 May that it had restored 96% of its global network – but the knock-on effects remain. Rerouted long-haul flights are running between two and five hours longer than pre-crisis on many routes, and the price of jet fuel has more than doubled over the past month.

The cumulative effect is simple. Getting your people to a meeting in Lusaka or London now costs much more – be it in money, hours or traveller fatigue – than it did a few weeks ago. Which is precisely why bleisure is about to look a lot more attractive to South African business travellers, and a lot more sensible to the people approving their trips.

As Herman Heunes, GM of Corporate Traveller, explains, the smart play is to make every flight count for more.

“We’re seeing clients batch their meetings, sequence their itineraries more carefully and build in incentive opportunities, where you combine business and leisure,” says Heunes. “If you’ve already paid for the flight, the carbon and the time away, you may as well get more out of being there.”

That “more” is increasingly bleisure – the practice of tacking a few personal leisure days onto a business trip – and the data shows it has crossed firmly from perk into policy.

The Global Business Travel Association’s Industry Outlook poll, published in October last year, found that 43% of corporate travel programmes now have defined bleisure policies, with 71% of buyers citing improved employee satisfaction. Research from Skift puts the figure even higher: 60% of business travellers took a blended trip in 2024.

There’s a retention story underneath those numbers too. International research consistently shows that employees who travel for work are more likely to stay with their employer, with the figure climbing to over 75% among Gen Z. For SMEs that can’t match multinational salaries, a thoughtful bleisure policy is one of the highest-leverage, lowest-cost levers available, even in the face of cost pressures.

Planning a trip?

Zambia, which has held Corporate Traveller’s number-one spot for three years running, is at its most spectacular right now. Victoria Falls is at near-peak flow following the rains, and the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa camps are reopening for the dry season. A Lusaka meeting could extend into a Livingstone weekend, and May to June is a shoulder window with rates noticeably softer than the July-to-September peak. For seriously memorable incentives consider a Victoria Falls sunset cruise, a private bush walk or a game drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Short on time? Lusaka itself rewards a single free day: a guided tour through the Kabwata Cultural Village for handwoven crafts and traditional Nyama Choma, the Lusaka National Museum for a feel for the country’s history, and a short drive out to the Lilayi Elephant Nursery to watch orphaned calves at feeding time.

Tanzania is similarly well-timed. The Great Migration is moving through the central and western Serengeti, with herds heading towards the Grumeti River crossings in June – a less-photographed but equally dramatic counterpart to the Mara crossings later in the year. Travellers in Dar es Salaam or Arusha can extend into a three-night Serengeti add-on, or build in a Zanzibar weekend if the calendar, commitments and budget allow.

A day to spare? Catch a boat from Dar’s famous Slipway to Bongoyo or Mbudya Island for white sand and snorkelling or stay on the mainland for the colourful chaos of Kariakoo Market, grilled octopus and live music on Coco Beach, and an evening of Swahili seafood somewhere on the waterfront.

Kenya is in a similar rhythm. The long rains are tapering, and the Maasai Mara is in its build-up to the river crossings that begin in earnest in July. The Great Migration remains a bucket-list trip for many – and incentive or reward like no other.

A gap in your itinerary?

Nairobi rewards the time generously. A half-day safari in Nairobi National Park puts lions and rhino within sight of the city skyline, while the Giraffe Centre and Karen Blixen Museum make for an easy afternoon in the leafy Karen suburb. For those with a free weekend, a 4×4 transfer down the Rift Valley delivers cycling and boating at Hell’s Gate and Lake Naivasha – or, with a single short flight from Wilson, the Maasai Mara itself.

And then there’s the United Kingdom, which offers what is arguably the most obvious bleisure or incentive opportunity: Wimbledon, running 29 June to 12 July. For travellers with London meetings in late June or early July, it’s the easiest extension on the calendar. The public ballot has closed, but hospitality routes and Debenture options remain available, and the queue system still allows same-day ground passes for those happy to queue (and soak up the atmosphere). Beyond the tennis, London in the summer is hard to beat: think long days, Thames cruises, pub lunches, Kew Gardens, shopping and more.

With flight costs and traveller fatigue both climbing, a smart bleisure or incentive add-on is one of the easiest ways to stretch the value of a trip your team is already taking: a thank-you that doubles as a productivity boost, and a chance for your people to see Africa and London in a light no boardroom ever offers. It pays, though, to do it properly. Heunes says a good TMC will help you design itineraries that work, negotiate the right rates and, importantly, build in the duty-of-care considerations required. “The trip is already happening,” says Heunes. “Chat to your TMC about making it an unforgettable one, even in the current climate.”

Table of Contents

Johannesburg – A consultant flies to a regional hub for a late-week meeting. Their partner joins for the weekend; they use loyalty points to upgrade the room, book a set‑menu Valentine’s dinner on the Saturday evening, and add a day of local exploring before flying home. This is business travel done right.

It’s an open secret that multi-day business travel is less “exciting time away in a new city” and more “lonely and exhausted”. It’s a recipe for decreased productivity and, critically for your business, a negative impact on mental and physical health, says Herman Heunes, GM of Corporate Traveller South Africa.

We all know the drill: waiting at airports, transfers, delays, traffic jams, jetlag, long days in meetings, hotel food eaten alone. It’s a drag. Companies have woken up to this, and many are supporting employees who tack a few leisure days on to their business trip, says Herman. Think: Monday is the new Sunday and Thursday is the new Friday.

Human connection

It’s not just about leisure time, though, but how you spend it. And crucially, with whom. Loneliness is now widely described as an epidemic, with younger men especially affected. There is strong evidence that close, in‑person connection is protective for mental and physical health.

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing published in the UK’s BMJ Journals, for example, found that people with the highest loneliness have about a 30% higher risk of new cardiovascular disease and a 48% higher risk of related hospital admission than the least lonely.

Additionally, a meta‑analysis of 16 longitudinal studies published by the US’s National Library of Medicine, found that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a 32% higher risk of stroke, which is on par with established risk factors like job stress.

In mental health terms, social support consistently predicts lower depression and anxiety.

Of course, business travel can offer its own social rewards – colleagues bonding over delayed flights, discovering hole-in-the wall restaurants together and navigating foreign cities as a team. But an adventure with a loved one? Priceless.

Love is in the air

In a 2024 Deloitte corporate travel study, 41% of travellers said time away from loved ones was a top drawback of business travel. Simultaneously, research into work‑life balance and satisfaction in romantic relationships suggests that spending quality time with a supportive partner significantly lowers the damage of high work stress.

“This supports the idea that using business trips as opportunities for couple time, such as a Valentine’s long weekend around meetings, can strengthen relationships, provided there is deliberate planning and partner inclusion,” says Heunes.

Bringing a partner along on a work trip is both rational choice and preventive care. It replaces evenings alone with shared experiences, turns anonymous hotel time into couple time, and gives the travelling partner a built‑in source of emotional support and stress‑buffering presence.

Instead of date night, plan a Valentine’s Day bleisure date-cation. Convert a solitary three‑night trip into a shared experience, especially around Valentine’s Day.

How to do it

Be transparent. A “stealth trip” or “hush trip” might be tempting – especially if you work remotely – but it can have huge duty of care ramifications. Instead, openly discuss your plans with your boss, team and travel management company (TMC). Your TMC will be able to use their buying power to secure the best rates and upgrades – and ensure details like travel insurance and visas don’t trip you up. Your employer is unlikely to pay for your partner’s flights and excursions – but loyalty points, special rates and negotiated fares can go a long, long way.

Plan the “relationship time” properly. Your partner does not want to spend all their time on their own. Block out one or two non‑negotiable windows for couple time, such as a Valentine’s dinner plus a morning walk, and keep those off‑limits for calls.

Manage expectations; transparency extends to your partner too – be honest about your workload, when you will be working, and when you will be fully present.

Keep logistics as smooth as possible and choose accommodations and locations that serve both purposes. Corporate Traveller’s analysis of longer average stays and their own client communications show a shift towards central, amenity‑rich hotels that are walkable to both meetings and restaurants or cultural sites, which is ideal for squeezing in a Valentine’s lunch or evening out.

Look for hotels with strong WiFi, quiet workspaces, and late checkout, but also easy access to romantic experiences (views, spa, wine bars, or safe evening strolls), so you don’t waste limited shared time.

If you can’t book chunks of couple time, use micro‑moments. Build small rituals into your day, even on days of back-to-back meetings: early morning coffee together, a sunset walk between sessions, or room‑service dessert after you’ve logged off.

Once you’ve made your plans, protect your time. Don’t over‑schedule sightseeing on top of work and add your leisure days at the end of the trip, so your break is not overshadowed by next‑day presentations. “For more guidance on structuring bleisure travel that works for both your business and your people, speak to your TMC or travel expert about travel policy considerations, duty of care, travel insurance and the accommodation options, rates and excursions that it make it worthwhile,” says Heunes.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to find a way to have someone else foot the bill for your flights? Enter bleisure travel. Imagine a weekend down the coast after catching up with clients in Cape Town. Or spending a few days after a business meeting with the ex-pat family in London.

“Globally, over two-thirds of business travellers take at least one bleisure trip per year. Bleisure travel is a great way to maximise your annual leave and save on holiday travel costs. With bleisure, you can enjoy all the benefits of business travel, plus add in some leisure time to make the most of your trip,” says Bonnie Smith, GM of Corporate Traveller.

3 inspiring ideas for bleisure trips this summer

1. Add some exercise into the mix

Got a business trip planned for Cape Town? An international break may not be in your budget this year, but you can experience a small taste of France in the Western Cape’s Franschhoek, only an hour from the Mother City. Burn off the stress of your weekday meetings with a mountain bike tour through the vineyards with a Bikes ‘n Wines tour (bikesnwines.com).

2. Make the most of your journey

Heading to Durbs for a meeting? Make the return trip luxe and slow. Rovos Rail Tours offers a two-day “safari” between Durban and Pretoria. The 800km ride includes battlefield excursions, a game drive and meandering in the Midlands.

3. Consider local airports

For your weekend break, you can avoid the chaos of international terminals like Heathrow. For example, when you’ve completed your work to-do list in London, you could hop on a plane at London City Airport and be skiing in France within hours.

Follow the money

So, how does it work? Who pays for what? Your employer likely won’t be footing the bill for your bleisure trip. Generally, they’ll pay for anything related to the business portion of your travel, but as soon as you transition into leisure time, you’re on your own.

“You can expect your employer to book flights for you to and from the destination where you will be working. However, any other travel (for example, to a different destination on the way home) will likely need to be paid for by you. You may also be asked to contribute towards the flight costs. Be sure to check the travel policy for exact details,” warns Smith.

Your employer won’t cover any of the costs of your trip that are for personal reasons. This includes things like meals, accommodation, and incidentals. You can only claim these expenses when you’re staying overnight for work purposes. So make sure you know what you can and can’t spend before shelling out for that seafood platter!

Accidental tourists

There’s another thing you need to be aware of before you sign up for shark diving or book your Table Mountain abseiling adventure. What if something goes wrong? Will your company’s travel insurance cover you?

“There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether or not you need travel insurance for a bleisure trip. It depends on your employer’s business travel insurance plan and what coverage it provides. You may need to purchase a separate policy for the leisure portion of your trip, so it’s best to check with your HR department first,” says Smith.

Smith has the following tips for building your first bleisure trip:

• Take advantage of weekends

By planning your trip, so it starts on a Monday or ends on a Friday, you can arrive on the Saturday before or leave on the Sunday after your business concludes. This will enable you to stay the weekend before or after without having to take any of your precious paid holidays. For week-long trips, you could build two free weekends into your trip.

• Stitch on public holidays

Take advantage of public holidays to get some extra travel days in without using up any of your paid holiday days. Just be aware that national holidays can often mean higher prices for flights and accommodation, so book early to get the best deals in line with your company’s travel policy.

• Be prepared to travel further

No rule says your leisure trip has to be in the exact location of your business trip. Many people take advantage of business trips by adding another city to their itinerary for leisure purposes. This can be a great way to see more of Europe since different countries and cultures are always just a short train ride away.        

When Expedia revealed their biggest global travel trends for 2022 they coined two new phrases: “no-regrets” travel and a “GOAT” (greatest of all trips) mindset.

Put simply, rather than travelling on a whim, people are becoming more purposeful about their next trip. In the words of Expedia’s senior PR manager, Christie Hudson, “2022 is the year we wring every bit of richness and meaning out of our experiences.”

Six months in, and the trend shows no signs of abating. According to Skyscanner’s latest search and booking data (May 2022), travellers are planning to spend more this year: long-haul flights are coming back, travel budgets are higher, travellers are booking longer trips and spending more on accommodation. This despite new COVID variants, the war in Ukraine and high jet fuel prices.

For Guy Stehlik, CEO and founder of BON Hotels, purposeful travel is the antidote to what’s happening in the world. “Purposeful travel is a response to the pandemic, but also to decades of overconsumption and over-tourism. Travellers, local and international, are now wanting to spend money on trips that count.”

It’s true that purposeful travel is often linked to sustainable, more eco-conscious tourism – where travellers feel like their presence and spend has a positive impact on local communities, or where they can get actively involved in conservation projects or the preservation of natural environments. But it can also take other forms, including:

Goal-driven travel, where travellers aim to tick off bucket-list ambitions like cycling from Land’s End to John o’Groats (LEJOG), seeing the Big 5 in the Kruger, hiking the Fish River Canyon, or completing a marathon in a special part of the world like the Petra Desert Marathon in Jordan.

Adventurous travel, where you get to do something a little out of the ordinary. Stehlik says their Buckler’s Africa Lodge by BON Hotels offers horseback riding, tiger fishing and quad biking – while at Shishangeni by BON Hotels guests can enjoy walking safaris in the bush, followed by dinner under the stars as well as immersive and interactive tours in the local community. A “GOAT” trip if there ever was one.

Health, wellbeing and self-improvement, for example, yoga and meditation workshops. South Africa has an enviable selection of retreats on offer, from art classes in Clarens, to mindfulness in Greyton, and even yoghurt and cheese-making courses along the Garden Route.

Pilgrimages like the Camino de Santiago, Japan’s Kumano Ancient Trail or the Char Dham in India are expected to grow in popularity over the next few years. They’re an opportunity to step completely away from everyday life, connect with the great outdoors, and enter a world of self-reflection, self-discovery (especially if you’re tracing your roots), peace and solitude. In South Africa, you can find all this and more on a trek across the Karoo along the Tankwa Camino.

Solo trips, digital nomadism and the chance to work from anywhere in the world. According to Stehlik, BON properties which lend themselves beautifully to the ‘work from anywhere’ and ‘Bleisure’ trend, like the Royal Palm Hotel and Apartments by BON Hotels in Umhlanga, are proving popular with people who want to extend their stay and work in a productive, stress-free and beautiful environment.

Family reunions, reconnections and milestone moments have become really important, says Stehlik. “We know that purposeful travel also means that people are saving up, spending their hard-earned money, not to mention precious leave days, in order to finally reconnect with family and friends. And they’re doing it in style. Think family road trips that allow you to immerse yourself in local life, bush breaks with family-style accommodation where you can make unforgettable memories together.”

“Buckler’s Africa Lodge by BON Hotels,” says Stehlik, “offers luxury accommodation on the banks of the Crocodile River. The views are extraordinary, and you can while away happy hours watching wildlife from the pool deck. Beautiful rooms and suites are perfect for family members looking for privacy, while 2-bedroom family chalets are great for families looking for a self-catering option. Multi-generational travel is big, and it’s wonderful to see families reconnect at both Buckler’s Africa Lodge and Shishangeni by BON Hotels, our two private properties around the Kruger National Park.”

It’s important to note, says Stehlik, that accommodation is an important consideration in purposeful travel. “Obviously, you’ll be looking for new adventures and unique experiences, like a turtle safari along the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in St Lucia. But guests are also making very considered choices when it comes to their stays. They expect real value for money, exceptional service, extras and amenities. These trips are all about enjoying life – and making every moment (and penny) count.”   

In fact, 89% of global business travellers have indicated that they wanted to add a private holiday to their business trips over the next few months, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2022 State of the Hotel Industry Report.

According to Oz Desai, GM Corporate Traveller, we’re seeing a similar trend in South Africa. “Companies have started to introduce more flexible work and travel policies. This means employees have more freedom to add a few days’ bleisure to their work trip or even plan a workcation. Whereas before companies would ‘consider’ bleisure trips, we see that they are now encouraging it and proactively offering it as an employee perk. Not only is it an important shift in terms of employee wellbeing but it’s becoming increasingly important in terms of attracting – and keeping – the right talent,” he says.

The Bleisure Guide:

Finding the right bleisure formula can take a bit of reflection. After all, you’ll need to find the right balance between work and play.

Desai shares five important tips for planning the perfect bleisure getaway:

1. Business first

Although it’s easy to get carried away by planning the ‘fun’ part of your holiday, never forget the main objective of your trip. Make sure you do the work, prepare for your meetings, and maintain your professionalism.

2. Get the balancing act right

Is it better to take a few days before your work obligations or tag on a few days after your work obligations are done and dusted?

The answer to this question will depend on the context. Although it’s usually advised to first work, then play, this is not always the case. If you’re travelling to meet with a new client for a project that will start straight away, you may want to take a few days’ leisure and catch your breath before the hard work kicks off.

3. Make sure you’re covered

In a world where health and security concerns are top of mind, your company has a legal and moral duty of care to keep you safe.

But before you dust off your scuba gear, you should know there are limits to the company’s responsibility, especially when you’re adding leisure days to your business trip. Your company travel policy should outline your obligations and the permittable activities included in any bleisure trips. It needs to say what activities are off-limits for business travellers in as much detail as possible.

4. Determine who will foot the bill

Make sure the company is aware you are planning to take some leisure days, and that all sides are clear about who is paying for what. It is best to be completely open and upfront about the expenses involved and the expectations about who is footing the bill. This will include issues of travel insurance and S&T credits.

It is very likely that business travellers will want to stay in the same place for their leisure add-on, so the travel agent or travel manager can ask the accommodation establishment to provide an incentive for the extended stay – either a discount or complementary services or meals.  

5. Get the timing just right

If you can squeeze your business trip in between a public holiday and weekend, you can easily get three days of traveling in a foreign country without losing a single paid holiday day. 

Corporate Traveller has lined the best days up for you:

Monday, 21^st March – Human Rights Day.

This makes a long weekend, with business placed either up to the Friday or starting on the Tuesday.

Friday, 15^th April – Good Friday

Monday, 18^th April – Family Day

By scheduling business on the Thursday and Tuesday, there is a four-day bleisure trip in between.

Wednesday, 27^th April – Freedom Day 

Sunday, 1^st May – Worker’s Day

Monday, 2^nd May – Observance

Taking leave for Thursday and Friday leads to a six-day holiday.

Thursday, 16^th June – Youth Day 

Only one day’s leave gives you a four-day weekend.

Tuesday, 9^th August – Women’s Day.

Take Monday off for a four-day weekend. Business can be scheduled on Friday or Wednesday.

“2022 will see the corporate nomad revolution take off. After all, bleisure or workcation trips are the perfect way to satisfy the needs of employees to meet with clients face-to-face but also to unplug and see the world,” concludes Desai.

What is ‘revenge travel’?

In many ways, ‘revenge travel’ refers to a heightened desire to get out and about, spread your wings, explore beautiful new destinations, and make up for lost time. It’s about getting ‘revenge’ on the virus and the many unfortunate and unpleasant consequences brought about as a result of lockdown restrictions.

“The pandemic caused everyone to lose out on the opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest for well over a year, whether that meant having to put much-anticipated adventures on hold or not being able to spend time with loved ones living far away,” explains Oz Desai, Corporate Traveller’s GM.

Revenge travel, therefore, revolves around taking action to make up for this. Travelling as much as possible, experiencing new things, and just enjoying the feeling of slowly being able to return to ‘normal’.

“Revenge travel is primarily leisure oriented, but it also extends to business travel. Obviously, many business professionals had to sacrifice opportunities to nurture relationships, as well as connect with new clients, partners, and suppliers abroad, which inevitably took a massive toll on companies’ bottom line – as well as on employee morale and productivity. Now, as traveller confidence continues to rise, we are seeing a huge increase in demand for corporate travel,” says Desai.

“Professionals are starting to travel more frequently and further afield, and exuding a strong passion for getting more out of a business trip than ever before,” he adds.

‘Bleisure’ is the ticket to ‘revenge travel’ in current times

Along with packing more into professionals’ travel itineraries to maximise progress and productivity, the world is also experiencing a rise in the demand for ‘bleisure’ trips. People are experiencing intense wanderlust, but are finding that their holiday days and their savings are depleted, making it challenging for them to embark on the revenge travel that they are so craving. The answer for many lies in making the most of their business travels, cramming in as much leisure activity and adventure as possible without steering too far away from their business mission.

As such, up to 60% of all business travellers are enjoying ‘bleisure’ experiences (i.e. fitting in leisure activities when travelling specifically for business purposes), as well as workations (i.e. planning a getaway during which the person intends to work remotely and ‘play’ outside of ‘office’ hours). This generally means that most travellers are sticking around for much longer periods in a certain destination. It also means that seasonality no longer has such a dramatic influence on travel decisions. 

“With people enjoying the freedom of remote work, there’s little stopping them from embarking on a workation at any time throughout the course of the year. Few are waiting for the usual peak holiday season to take leave and get away. That’s fantastic news for their own pockets, as well as for accommodation providers’ bottom line as they’ll be optimising capacity more consistently, as opposed to generating the majority of their income at very specific times throughout the year,” explains Desai.

With flight, car rental, and accommodation costs set to rise significantly as we approach the festive season – due in large part to higher vaccination rates and the re-opening of borders across the globe to fully vaccinated visitors – it’s safe to say that many individuals may opt to forego their traditional end-of-year holiday and replace it with a workation or a ‘bleisure’ trip sometime during the first half of 2022.

“As the revival of the travel and tourism industry kicks into high gear, concerns regarding climbing costs will come to the fore, leaving prospective travellers pondering whether to put their plans on hold. But those with a strong urge to partake in ‘revenge travel’ needn’t let higher prices put them off. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities available to you, optimising every bit of travel that you’re lucky enough to enjoy, and taking full advantage of the freedom of movement that remote work affords you,” Desai concludes.

“This is a game-changer for South African business travellers,” says Oz Desai, GM Corporate Traveller. “Lengthy and expensive quarantines are a major deterrent for companies and business travellers alike. The fact that vaccinated South Africans can now travel freely to some of our top business destinations will be a significant boost to business travel in the months to come.”

But the opening of international borders is also sparking the revival of the bleisure trend, seeing employees add a few days’ leisure to their business travels. A similar trend is the flexcation.  Instead of travelling somewhere ‘for work’, employees now travel to a destination of their choice and extend their holidays by working ‘on location’.

Desai cites three reasons why the combination of business and leisure (bleisure) travel is becoming even more appealing in a COVID-19  business environment.

1.         Move your office to the bush or the beach

Thanks to the new ‘flexcation’ trend, employees can travel from anywhere. Hotels across the world are exploring the possibility of offering tempting ‘remote working’ packages with office-ready rooms and fast, secure wi-fi.

Internationally, MGM Resorts has introduced its Viva Las Office programme. Corporates can explore packages that include not only rooms and food and beverage credits but also the use of an executive assistant, VIP pool day passes and poolside massages.

Marriott introduced new long-stay properties across the world — all with kitchens and living spaces. Hyatt has launched The Great Relocate, a series of reduced rates for stays of a minimum 29 days, with boardroom usage and “IT concierges” parts of the package.

2.         Incentivise business travel during uncertain times

The idea of business travel can be daunting during COVID-19 times as people are reluctant to leave their families behind.

The benefits of bleisure can turn the inconvenience and possible fears of a business trip into a perk. Even before COVID, bleisure travel proved to generate more productive meetings and better performance. With personal time on the horizon, employees were motivated to make the most of their time working when on business trips.

The same is true during COVID times. Companies find it easier to convince employees of the benefits of travelling for work if employees can likewise enjoy the benefit of personal time with their loved ones.

3.         Make your budget stretch

Millennials are the most eager and likely to travel in a post-COVID world. They also still largely comprise the most junior segment of employees and their leisure spending is likely to be the most impacted by COVID-19. Bleisure trips will be an attractive way to travel for cash-strapped millennials in the post-COVID-19 world. Desai explains that as the company foots the bill for air travel, travellers prefer to make the most of international trips when they decide to take a bleisure trip.

“Business travellers can be expected to be seeking wellness packages after an unprecedented period of uncertainty in their lives,” concludes Desai. “Bleisure travel allows them to not only resume their professional activities but also enjoy the wellness and relaxation benefits that come with travel.”

Travel is finally opening up, but many people are yet to hit the road for their first business trip. 

“It’ll feel a little strange. And even the most-seasoned business travellers among us might make a few rookie mistakes – at least until their travel muscle memory kicks in,” says FCM General Manager, Bonnie Smith.

Smith coined the term ‘travel unready’ to describe her first post-lockdown trip, and has shared a few tips and hints to help travellers on their way.

“When getting back to travel, what surprised me most was how travel ‘un-ready’ I felt. The airports were relatively busy, local flying had no onboard servicing, and hotel check-in processes had been changed to accommodate adherence to the COVID regulations,” she says.

“I forgot to pack a warm jacket for Cape Town, and I was at the airport way too early for my flight. Before COVID, I was so used to travelling, I had it all down to a science, but all of that had since been forgotten and I actually felt like I was doing it for the first time!”

Luckily, she has plenty of advice for ‘unready’ travellers and bookers alike:

Keep your traveller profile up to date

Your company’s travel management company (TMC) will provide you with guidance and support before, during, and after your trip, so it’s vital to keep your traveller profile properly updated for your safety, peace of mind, and comfort.

Take a few minutes to double-check that your emergency contacts, travel preferences, frequent flyer numbers etc. are still current and update anything that’s changed. Remember: your TMC will keep you directly updated with travel alerts and changes – so make sure they can get hold of you if needed.

Take note of your Ts&Cs

You’ll hear the term ‘flexible’ a lot lately. Unfortunately, not all flexible fares or accommodation bookings are created equal.

“A ‘flexible’ booking policy could mean the ability to make a penalty-free, last-minute cancellation, or it could mean the ability to make a single and minor change to a booking before penalties are enforced. Read the fine print!”, cautions Bonnie.

Read up on your destination

No, not only in terms of the activities and attractions on offer so you can convert your business trip into a full-blown ‘bleisure’ escape – but also in terms of COVID-related restrictions and occurrences.

What COVID regulations are currently in place? What is your destination’s mask policy? What do the numbers currently look like? What are the experts predicting for the region’s near future? It pays to be prepared. If in doubt, ask your TMC for a breakdown.

Re-read your company’s travel policy

There’s a good chance your company’s travel policy has had a post-pandemic update. Make sure that your trip is 100% compliant with the policy’s guidelines as they currently stand. Ensure that you understand what is required, what is expected of you, and who to speak to if you encounter any problems or challenges along the way.

Talk about insurance with your Travel Manager

Travel insurance is now an absolute non-negotiable when venturing further afield. Have a chat with your Travel Manager to make sure that you’re covered for the duration of your trip, and to ascertain what exactly you’re covered for. Furthermore, be sure to familiarise yourself with the procedure involved in making a claim should you need to do so while you’re away.

Know what resources are at your disposal

The best way to boost travel confidence? A place to go to be in the know.

“FCM’s Traveller Hub is the perfect example of a comprehensive resource for travellers on the move. It’s where they’ll find up-to-the-minute alerts organised by region, as well as alerts for an array of other categories including ‘airline’, ‘cruise’, and ‘rail’,” Bonnie says.

“There’s also access to a COVID-19 travel map, powered by Sherpa, providing details regarding individual countries’ entrance requirements based on passport, country of departure, and vaccination status,” she adds. 

Get an app for that

Your smartphone is your best friend during travel, so make sure it’s fully charged – and that you’ve packed in spare chargers. Take the time to input your company’s TMC’s emergency contact details, along with any details for after-hours support – and download a travel app.

“Interactive travel apps have become indispensable,” says Smith. “Through FCM Mobile, we can ensure that any flight updates, changes, reminders or alerts instantly go to the traveller on their mobile device. And if they need support, even after hours, it’s available at the touch of a button.” 

Understand the ins and outs of traveller tracking

According to Smith, duty of care and traveller safety is now more important than ever. Companies want to be able to track their travellers while they’re on the road. They want to know exactly where their travellers are if they need to bring them back. And they look to their TMC to flag any potential risks, alert travellers (and the team back home) to any developments, and actively liaise with local consulates and embassies should the need arise.

Technology facilitates traveller safety. Ask your TMC about their duty of care capabilities, like customised dashboards where travel managers can get an immediate snapshot of where their travellers are, including flight times, ETAs, accommodation, itineraries – or 24/7 chat and call-back functionality so travellers can ask for advice and support any time, any place.

Pre-arrange lounge access

The business-class lounge is the perfect spot in which to unwind and perhaps get some work done ahead of your flight. However, in an effort to comply with COVID-19 health and safety regulations, the majority of airport lounges have had to reduce capacity. This means that access definitely isn’t guaranteed – unless you pre-book your place, of course. Chat to your travel consultant and they will be happy to arrange access on your behalf.

Pack the essentials

It’s no longer just a well-fitted suit and comfy shoes that you need to worry about when packing your bags for a business trip. You also need to ensure that you’ve packed your chargers (you definitely don’t want to find yourself without a functioning smartphone in these uncertain times), sanitiser, face masks, and lots of immune boosters.

It’s a good idea to draw up a list of the essentials a few days before you’re due to depart for total peace of mind that you haven’t left anything important behind.

Know what tests and documents you’ll need

Whether or not you’ve been vaccinated will play a massive role in dictating the options available to you when it comes to international business (and leisure) travel. Bring along proof of vaccination and get clued up on what other tests may be required in order to seamlessly gain entry into your chosen destination.

“More often than not, proof of a negative PCR test will be required regardless of a traveller’s vaccination status. It’s also important to note that different countries have different restrictions in place regarding the timings of when this test should be conducted ahead of a flight – usually between 48 – 72 hours,” explains Smith.

Check-in online

You’ll save yourself a lot of time and stress by opting to check-in online before your flight. In fact, check-in generally opens 24 hours in advance (depending on the airline) and so arriving at the airport to check-in is already too late (if you want to avoid standby). 

Keep these guidelines in mind and you’ll be sure to sail through your first post-COVID corporate travel experience without a hitch and like the well-versed traveller that you are.

Business travellers contend with everything from lack of sleep and loss of productivity, to work pressures, family stress, illness and burnout.

Good travel management companies (TMCs) prioritise a traveller’s health and wellbeing by looking at the entire journey, the challenges faced and workable ways to mitigate them. This includes avoiding tight connections, booking longer layovers (for bleisure purposes), arranging lounge access – and booking accommodations that offer fitness facilities.

Today, COVID-19 looms large and as business travellers take to the skies once more, health and wellness has never been more important.

According to Oz Desai, General Manager Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT), here are just five ways a travel expert can help you navigate business travel in a COVID world:

1. Putting health and wellness front and centre

Travel experts need to keep their clients or employees safe, but also their families and the wider population. A traveller might be fit and healthy but returning to a family member with co-morbidities.

Today, you have to focus on your client’s destination (what is the current COVID-19 situation on the ground?), their accommodation (are the necessary health and safety protocols in place?), their own circumstances (if they have an underlying health condition, should your travel policy allow them to travel?) – and what you can do to ensure they travel safely and return home healthy.

The mental toll of COVID-19 is significant. Loss of income, survival of one’s business and a desire to ‘get back to normal’ may all play into a business traveller’s need to get back on the road – but this is balanced by a very real fear of the risk COVID-19 poses to one’s own personal health.

TMCs can assist by providing information around:

• Different airline regulations
• New travel policies (for example, health passports or compulsory vaccinations)
• Flexible cancellation policies (in case of illness)
• Recommended health and safety measures (for each step of the traveller journey)
• A destination’s protocols and restrictions (for example, compulsory quarantine for inbound travellers)

Knowledge is power. By demystifying the current red tape associated with business travel and by providing solid advice around health and wellness, TMCs give travellers added peace of mind.

• Keeping an open line of communication

Part of this peace of mind is ongoing communication. Business travellers are entering a dynamic, ever-changing environment. As different destinations (including South Africa) ease or reintroduce lockdown measures, so regulations and requirements change.

A travel expert will stay on top of the situation, providing you with up-to-the-minute information – and making the necessary changes on your behalf. 

This might include:

• New travel permits
• Visas
• Flight changes
• Advice around quarantine regulations (once international travel reopens)
• New travel bans or border closures

Importantly, good channels of communication include honest and comprehensive feedback.

Always chat to your travel agent post-trip, so you can analyse everything from ease of travel, stress levels, productivity, and the guest journey (including hotel stays, connectivity and service).

Desai believes that ‘traveller friction’ and return on investment go hand in hand: “If your traveller is feeling unhappy or burned out, your business travel ROI is going to be affected. Business travel is so much more than getting a client onto a plane and into a boardroom. It’s about time, well-being and ultimately, success.”

Travel consultants can deliver a seamless, relatively stress-free travel experience – but only if you keep the channels of communication open, track data collected from your travels and review your travel plan on a regular basis. 

• Never compromising on duty of care

What happens when a border closes – or an unexpected crisis hits? The greatest responsibility of a travel agent is to bring their clients home safely. This is called duty of care, and includes:

• Vetting all travel service providers (airlines, shuttles, accommodation and more)
• Evaluating the risks a traveller might face
• Alerting travellers to any threats nearby
• Liaising with local embassies or consulates

A good TMC is your best port of call in any crisis.  Not only will they be able to change your plans quickly and efficiently, but their job is to bring you home.

• Putting bleisure back on the agenda

With interprovincial travel once again open for everyone, bleisure travel is back on the table. Travel experts understand the importance of combining business with leisure. A few days off at the beginning or end of a trip can make a world of difference to a traveller’s health, mental wellbeing and morale.

 A TMC will be able to suggest safe bleisure options – very appealing to those who have been cooped up and are now ready to explore either by themselves or with their families in tow!

Without a safe, reliable COVID-19 vaccine, the world is unlikely to return to ‘normal’ any time soon. Travel experts, travel managers and travellers need to be agile and resilient, with health and wellbeing now at the very heart of business travel.

At the beginning of this year, South African Tourism reported that people who visit South Africa for trade shows tend to stay longer or return and bring their families at a later stage. International event organisers confirm this trend and say that clients see the value of what the country has to offer and want to explore South Africa beyond their business trips.

Research by SAP Concur shows the trend of combining leisure elements with work trips is on the rise across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). SAP Concur Travel and Expense data collected between January and December 2017 shows bleisure trips jumped 46 per cent compared to 2016.

However, the most popular bleisure destinations for EMEA travellers don’t include South Africa – or even Africa. They are  Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Dubai and Frankfurt.

“South Africans still prefer international bleisure travel,” says Oz Desai, General Manager of Corporate Traveller, a division of the Flight Centre Travel Group. “As the company foots the bill for air travel, travellers want to make the most of their long-distance travels. In fact, research shows that intercontinental trip rates for bleisure travel are three times higher than domestic trips.”

However, Desai explains that South Africa has a lot to offer for local business travellers too, so a bleisure trip in your own country should be a consideration.

Corporate Traveller recently launched CT Lifestyle, a dedicated leisure service for busy South African business travellers. CT Lifestyle provides exclusive access to the Flight Centre Travel Group’s strategic partnerships and global buying power for their clients’ leisure and bleisure travel.

Graham Cannings,one of the two highly specialised Leisure Travel Experts for the newly launched Corporate Traveller Lifestyle agrees with Desai. “I always say: if you haven’t seen South Africa yet, then you really have quite a lot left to explore. By travelling your own country on a bleisure trip, you can keep your personal savings for overseas trips.”

“The bleisure trend is booming in South Africa because it has become exceptionally easy for corporates to extend their trips and add in a leisure element,” says Sharmila Ragunanan, Marketing Manager for Dream Hotels & Resorts. “Hotels, lodges and resorts are continuously upping their game with what they can offer, not just in terms of rooms and conference facilities, but rather tours and on-site events and activities.”

Within South Africa, Flight Centre’s research shows that Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban continue to be the most popular air travel routes. Meanwhile, George is the fastest growing business destination in 2019, with 70% year-on-year growth.

Johannesburg

By adding a few days onto your next  Johannesburg business trip, you can explore some beautiful and exciting parts of the country.

Travellers can visit the trendy Maboneng Precinct with its hipster markets, galleries and cafés, or get their adrenalin pumping bungee jumping, abseiling or zip-lining at the Soweto Towers.

Cannings explains that popular attractions such as God’s Window and Pilgrims Rest are just a few hours’ drive in one direction.  The Drakensburg is only a couple of hours’ in another direction. “By being organised and by capitalising on long weekends, corporates can explore everything South Africa has to offer,” he suggests.

Cape Town

A recent survey conducted by Travel + Leisure, the ‘World’s Best Awards’, named the City of Cape Town the best city in Africa and the Middle East for the 18th consecutive time. It’s definitely worth a visit for locals as well.

“If you are visiting Cape Town on business, make sure you go up Table Mountain, explore Robben Island and walk along Bo-Kaap’s colourful streets,” says Cannings.

The Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most distinct neighbourhoods with a lot to see, taste and explore. Home to Cape Town’s historic Cape Malay community, Bo-Kaap features rows of charming houses all painted bright shades of pink, blue and yellow.

Travellers can spend the afternoon taking pictures or sampling local Cape Malay treats. The oldest building in the Bo-Kaap is in Wale Street and currently houses the Bo-Kaap Museum. It is the best place to discover the real history of the area and to get a glimpse into the life of a typical Malay family.

Durban

If you have business in Durban, consider a trip to Mzinyathi Falls or Inanda Mountain, suggests Cannings. The Mzinyathi Falls are a short 20-minute drive from Umhlanga and offer travellers beautiful views with towering cliffs and thick forests.

A meal at Surf Riders Cafe on South Beach also makes for a lovely afternoon out, according to Cannings. “It offers the best food and best views on the refurbed Durban Promenade.”

Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa is the ultimate business playground, according to Ragunanan. “Located on the shores of Lake Jozini in KwaZulu-Natal, it respectfully resembles a traditional Zulu stronghold, and is incredibly popular with corporates and government groups,” she explains.

“In between meetings and conferences, delegates can indulge at the Mangwanani Spa, try their hand at tiger fishing or embark on sunset game viewing cruises. The surrounding region of Zululand is also brimming with culture and outdoor experiences. The reserves here, like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, also give the Kruger a run for its money seeing as they boast all the members of the Big 5 and are malaria-free.”

George

George is situated on the Garden Route, one of the most beautiful, awe-inspiring stretches of land in South Africa, if not the world.

A must for bleisure travellers to the Garden Route is Fancourt, a beautiful resort in George. The resort was recently recognised as a ‘leading conference and incentive destination’ in South Africa. 

Peter Dros, Director of Sales and Marketing Fancourt, explains he has seen bleisure travel evolve over the past few years. Guests now want to participate actively during their holidays, not just be a bystander observing the local culture. They want to challenge themselves and experience something they wouldn’t ordinarily at home. 

Says Dros: “For guests staying at Fancourt, there’s an opportunity to enjoy a meal at a local’s home as part of the Dine with a Local initiative in George. Fancourt is also working with Explore Our Hood which offers guests a raw and authentic African wellbeing and culinary experience through exposure to the daily lives, culture, traditions and customs of locals.” 

Bleisure travel is set to rise over the next few years as more companies offer this benefit to employees. “Whether it’s a short adventure trip, or a few days off to visit family, bleisure travel is a great way to maximise your annual leave and save on travel costs for holidays – even in your own country,” concludes Desai. “So, next time you’re heading off for business travel have a look at the local sights or nearby cities and see how you can maximise your holiday time.”