Spring break is in full swing. Chances are you’re planning a getaway now or already thinking about summer vacations. Unfortunately, though, some Americans will forego vacations because of plummeting consumer confidence and the tight economy. But there’s good news on the horizon. A new trend called blended travel–a flexible perk of remote work as companies continue to embrace return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Some innovative companies are encouraging a turnaround for employees to mix vacations with business, because the blended vacation trend is a retention perk, work stress reducer and production motivator.

Blended Travel Is Gaining Steam Among Companies

In today’s always-on world, the pressure to stay connected can make it difficult to truly unplug. Enter “quiet vacations” and “hush cations”—two strategies employees have used to find their much-needed respite from work unbeknownst to their employers. With both strategies, workers take paid time off (PTO) on the down-low from their employers.

But now, more companies are starting to support blended travel–also known as bleisure–the ability to combine work and leisure while traveling. It’s different from quiet vacations or hush cations. Employers encourage blended travel where vacations and business intersect, and it’s totally above board.

Squaremouth polled 2,500 customers and discovered that 43% say they have taken a blended trip in the past, and 24% say they plan a blended vacation within the next twelve months. With the American workforce leaving vacation days on the table, Squaremouth believes blended vacations is a creative solution to work-life balance.

I spoke by email with Ginger Taggart, VP brand management–Premium Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts. She told me that blended travel has evolved from merely extending a trip into a seamless integration of work and life. And she explains the difference between other “under the radar” silent vacations and blended travel.

“Unlike quiet vacationing, which often involves maintaining the illusion of being at work while taking time off, blended travel fully embraces the power of hybrid work,” she explains. “I like to refer to it as the third category of travel because it’s no longer just a trend—it’s a way of life.”

Crowne Plaza’s commissioned a global YouGov survey of 12,000 respondents across nine countries reveals the advantages of blended travel:

  • 34% of U.S. workers say blended travel reduces stress and promotes healthier routines.
  • 34% of U.S. workers now prioritize the ability to combine work and leisure travel over four-day workweeks and trendy office perks.
  • 66% of travelers in the U.S. and U.K. now blend business and leisure, up from 53% in 2022.
  • Among them, 56% say the ability to travel while working is a key benefit of remote work.
  • U.S. workers consider flexibility in working hours (55%) just as important as a high salary when choosing an employer.

4 Ways Blended Travel Reduces Stress

Taggart says it’s no secret that wellness is a must-have, not a nice-to-have. “As the modern workforce evolves, people are increasingly seeking to integrate mind and body wellness into every aspect of their lives, including their professional lives,” she points out. Taggart cites the YouGov survey, showing 34% of respondents report that blended travel helps them establish healthier routines and reduce stress. She boils down four ways in which blended travel aides workers to reduce stress.

1. Fosters Social Connection. Taggart suggests that blended travel creates opportunities for employees to build relationships, engage in meaningful interactions and strengthen professional and personal networks, all of which contribute to a greater sense of well-being. “Crowne Plaza properties provide environments where guests can connect and unwind together, offering weekly social events in relaxed, informal settings,” she says.

She mentions that these social events range from local beer tastings in Florida, local Chiba sake tastings in Narita or fireside s’mores in Hawkesbury Valley, Australia. “To add onto this, we are seeing that travelers are placing a greater value on in-person connection, with many citing spending quality time with family and friends around their work as a reason to combine business and leisure travel,” she states.

2. Encourages Time for Healthier Routines. “Today’s travelers are actively seeking wellness experiences when they travel, whether it be through eco-friendly accommodations, outdoor activities or wellness-focused itineraries,” Taggart explains, adding that her company has developed a series of daily rituals designed to promote mental and physical health during guests’ stays. They range from offering energizing smoothies packed full of ingredients to kick start your morning during breakfast to hosting weekly guided runs to help guests release stress and wind down.

3. Supports Work-Life Balance. Taggard acknowledges the importance of supporting work-life balance to reduce stress and maintain mental health. “Vacations and time away from work are widely recognized for their positive impact on well-being,” she notes. “Our Crowne Plaza survey shows that nearly half of U.S. and U.K. travelers stay active while on business trips to support their health, while 42% focus on getting enough sleep.”

The company has responded to the findings by offering guests complimentary access to online workouts and promoting well-being through movement and recovery. She also describes an upcoming plan to provide traveling workers with access to expert-led master classes, covering topics like finding happiness and improving—perfect, she believes, for those looking to blend travel with personal growth.

4. Harnesses the Power of Nature. “Travel is a powerful tool for mental rejuvenation, especially when it connects us to nature,” Taggart insists. “Prolonged time indoors can negatively affect both our mental and physical health, which is why many travelers are increasingly seeking wellness experiences—especially those centered around outdoor, nature-focused retreats to escape daily stress.”

To support blended travel, she emphasizes the need for lodging with biophilic design–a concept that connects traveling workers with nature through various design features to help guests feel refreshed and connected to their surroundings. For example, some of her properties are located on 38 acres for a peaceful, distraction-free environment, while others are designed to create an oasis in a busy airport setting, including a tropical outdoor pool.

A Final Word On Blended Travel

“Blended travel fuels creativity by providing new perspectives, sparking inspiration and fostering meaningful connections,” Taggart asserts. “At Crowne Plaza, we’re helping to support this more dynamic, fulfilling way of travel by re-imagining our hotel designs and rolling out new and inventive guest experiences that we hope will empower our guests to thrive both personally and professionally.”



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