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Approximately 22 million working adults in the United States work from home full time. This represents approximately 14% of the workforce. Of those who work from home some or most of the time, 71% say working from home has had a significant impact on their ability to balance work and personal life.
Thanks to the rise of remote work culture, new trends are blurring the line between work and leisure. Forget about the days when you have to choose between taking a dream vacation or meeting a deadline. Workation, also known as “bleisure,” allows professionals to seamlessly integrate their work schedules and travel adventures.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the workplace, with remote or hybrid working models looking like they're here to stay. Remote workers see one clear advantage to this model and relatively few drawbacks.
Hotels and travel agencies are also paying attention.
“As the lines between work and personal life begin to blur, more people are looking to combine business travel with extended vacations and family time. Leisure travel is taking the business and travel worlds by storm.” says Alex Weinstein, founder of ASAP Tickets.
The rise of “workation”
Americans take more than 405 million long-distance business trips each year, about 60% of which are for leisure. Approximately 67% of these workations begin as conferences.
“Hotels not only understand that remote work is slow, but at least 10% of their employees are participating in remote work without informing their employer that they are on vacation,” Founder of Carli PR says Carli Brinkman, CEO and President.
ideal work place
Many regions are taking advantage of the increased traffic of business travelers to improve work efficiency and offer amenities that incorporate elements of luxury and leisure.
With these travelers in mind, Florida's AC Hotel Clearwater Beach has launched the Hush Trip Haven program. The Tampa Bay area is one of the fastest growing markets for meetings and conventions, and AC Hotels has responded to its growing popularity by offering unique benefits to remote travelers. .
Upon arrival, guests will receive a welcome packet containing a portable charging dock, printing credits, and a webcam cover. There is also dedicated coworking space in the business center and media salon. Each room door has a special hanger on one side that says “Work from Home” to keep housekeeping out of sight.
A world-class beach awaits you, just one block away. Tampa's famous food scene makes the area an ideal workday destination, as remote workers can indulge in tacos along the boardwalk in between virtual meetings.
The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the busiest facilities in the world, and as an entertainment hub, it also ranks as a top workcation destination.
At Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, located just steps from the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, approximately 30% of weekday business guests extend their stays into the weekend.
said Konrad Gustrein, general manager and regional vice president of Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. “What I love most about Four Seasons Las Vegas is that we are happy to serve guests who arrive on business and then transform into luxury leisure travelers. We offer the ultimate work-life balance. Four Seasons Located just steps away from our modern oasis, guests have access to the finest world-class entertainment, exceptional dining, retail and professional sports.”
Beaches lead the list of 'leisure' destinations
The ideal workday is a combination of productivity and paradise. In our 2022 survey, more than half of respondents said beaches are a great destination for either “leisure” or “business leisure.”
The crystal clear waters and soft sands are not just for relaxing. Finish work by the pool with a margarita and a basket of chips and salsa, or relax with a book on the beach as the sun sets.
“My favorite vacations are always those that combine work and leisure,” says Adriana Copaceanu of Backyard Garden Lover. “My husband and I go to an all-inclusive in the Caribbean twice a year. We both enjoy our downtime while doing lots of things. The resort has everything we need (good food, luxury… We made it a habit to enjoy the beach and pool early in the morning and in the evening and work from 10am to 3pm when the sun was shining. It’s a win-win.”
Casa Cameleon in Las Catalinas offers remote packages for both individuals and businesses working remotely. Both options include access to a personal girlfriend assistant, allowing guests to simplify routine office tasks like gathering supplies, making copies, and scheduling conference calls. Our skilled assistants can also help arrange complimentary adventures, spa treatments, and all-inclusive meal plans.
Martin Gasparian, a lawyer at Maison Law, is enjoying the burgeoning vacation trend to enhance his work-life balance. Gasparyan says: “To reduce my workload, I always do some of my legal work during my vacations. I was able to work.”
the mountains are calling
Located less than two hours from Manhattan, the Blue Fox Motel is a 1950s mid-century boutique hotel offering distinctive workcation packages.
Digital nomads and those with flexible work schedules can stay for 5 nights for just $100 per night, which also includes a $100 meal voucher. Or, if he stays 3 nights during the week, he gets a $50 meal voucher.
For telecommuters looking to move from a noisy, cramped New York apartment to the Catskills, this option promises perfect Wi-Fi along with a quiet night's sleep.
Airbnb Workation
Short-term vacation rentals were once a popular alternative to hotels. However, in recent years, rising real estate prices and new rental regulations around the world have made this option less common. In February 2024, ASAP Tickets conducted a survey on consumer travel habits and found that only 9% of survey participants preferred renting an apartment while traveling.
Not all travelers agree. Will Hutton, founder and CEO of The Broke Backpacker, prefers staying in Airbnb and boutique-style accommodations. “Similar to working from home, when you have to work from Airbnb, you are often surrounded by a home-like environment, which reduces stress and puts you in a more productive mindset,” Hutton said. I am.
For business travelers who sit in endless Zoom meetings, the cozy backdrop of an Airbnb doesn't alert colleagues to your absence the way a hotel room does.
Hutton continued, “The lines between business and leisure are becoming increasingly blurred, especially when working remotely or hybridly, but I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. It's fun to mix things up, and we believe hosts and businesses can benefit greatly from it.”
This article was produced by Media Decision and distributed by Wealth of Geeks.
