You’re working diligently at the office, wondering how you can extend your allotted personal time to enjoy a much-needed vacation. Sound familiar? The solution for many people these days is a bizcation (mixing business with a vacation), and there are many cost-saving benefits.

Bleisure (business/leisure) travel became popular more than a decade ago when travelers would extend their business trip to do a little sightseeing. Why not? You’re already at your destination, so it makes sense to add some leisure once the business is complete.

“The pandemic took this concept to a whole new level,” said Carol DiOrio, vice president of travel at AAA Western and Central New York. “We saw people working from home, and hotels created special packages offering Wi-Fi and a business center so clients could work remotely from the resort and tie in a vacation.”

With the rebound of travel and the advent of hybrid work schedules, the latest trend has U.S. workers taking a vacation and working remotely for a portion of the trip.

“Travelers can take advantage of cheaper mid-week flights and work remotely for a few days, then enjoy the resort for a long weekend before flying back again mid-week to avoid higher-priced weekend flights,” DiOrio said.

It’s a reversal from the original trend when business came first, and hotels and resorts are taking full advantage of the opportunity to cater to businesspeople who want to vacation.

Take the Harbor Hotel Collection, for example. It has AAA Four Diamond hotels across the region, including the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel. General manager Ann Marie Angus says travelers have been very receptive to special offers.

“We see an abundance of guests who choose to work remotely from the hotel and then tie in a getaway in the 1000 Islands region,” she said. “Our business center, along with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, creates the perfect environment for guests to work remotely.”

Looking to go a bit farther?

Brian Murray, senior manager of travel products at AAA Western and Central New York, says the sky is the limit. “We are seeing hotel partners around the globe with extended stay offers encouraging travelers to stay and play a bit longer,” he said. “Today’s technology makes anything possible. You finish up work for the day, and you step outside to a well-appointed resort. Who wouldn’t want that type of workday?”

Murray suggests choosing a hotel with a wide array of amenities so you can enjoy a spa, beach, or pool when your work is complete.

While traditional business travel isn’t expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until late 2024, domestic travel has rebounded, and international travel is up more than 200 percent this year compared to last. With hybrid work schedules here to stay, the time has never been better to mix business with pleasure. So, what destination will you clock in (or punch out) from?

Ready to take your own bizcation? Let the travel experts at AAA plan the perfect productive getaway.

AAA TRAVEL