New data from Flight Centre Travel Group has revealed that business travellers in Australia are spending more nights away on trips, suggesting the ‘bleisure’ trend is ramping up – particularly for travellers landing into Queensland.
A national analysis of Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) corporate flagship brands, Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel, showed that single day trips grew at the slowest rate, whilst 4-5 days of travel came out on top with a growth of 18 per cent year on year.
Corporate Traveller Global Managing Director Tom Walley said, the trend of combining business and leisure travel was growing, with as many as 75 per cent of customers adding leisure travel to their work trips, according to FCTG’s latest survey*.
“Cairns is leading the country in bleisure trips for Australian corporates, with an average length of stay of eight days,” Walley said.
“Brisbane also took out the top spot against Sydney and Melbourne, with corporates spending an average of five days in Brisbane, compared to four days in both Sydney and Melbourne.
“Both Cairns and Brisbane are mainly attracting the construction and mining sector workers, in addition to finance and insurance, services, health and social assistance workers.”
The data comes as Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point Bridge was unveiled in December 2024, and following the Queen’s Wharf opening at the end of August last year, attracting large volumes of construction related travellers to the city.
“The Sunshine Coast has beat out the Gold Coast this year, with corporates spending an average of five days on the Sunny Coast, compared to the Gold Coast’s four days,” Walley said.
“Events like sporting showpieces and concerts seem to play a tactical role in business trips, and business at a well-known leisure destination is always a draw card for an extended stay.
“But whether it’s Taylor Swift or Coldplay in Sydney, the NRL Magic Round in Brisbane, the Australian Open in Melbourne, or simply bringing the family along and extending a business trip, extended stays around major events seems to be a trend that continues to soar worldwide according to our booking data.”
Ryan Both, Executive General Manager of Aviation at Brisbane Airport, says that Brisbane is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for corporate travelers seeking a balance between business and leisure.
“Brisbane continues to see strong demand from corporate travelers who are choosing to spend more time here compared to Sydney or Melbourne,” Mr. Both said.
“They’re extending their stay to not only attend conferences but also experience Brisbane’s vibrant cultural scene, major sporting events, or enjoy a quick getaway to the stunning Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
“This combination of professional opportunities and leisure appeal is helping Brisbane stand out as a premier destination for bleisure travel in Australia. And with Brisbane Airport Australia’s most connected domestic airport, it’s easy to get to from virtually anywhere.”
Crystalbrook Collection, which has four hotels in Cairns and one in Brisbane, was capitalising on the bleisure trend, reporting a 29 per cent rise in corporate stays in 2024, compared to 2023.
“When business travellers can trade their laptop for poolside lounging and spreadsheets for cocktails, why wouldn’t you stay a little longer?,” said Kylie Brajak, Group Director of Sales and Distribution at Crystalbrook Collection Hotels and Resorts.
“At Crystalbrook Collection, we know business travellers desire more than just a desk and a bed— they want a reason to extend their stay.
“Our properties are centrally located in vibrant entertainment and lifestyle precincts, giving guests easy access to the destination’s attractions. With beautiful pools at all our Queensland hotels and resorts and at least two dining venues at each property, we’re serving up the ideal balance of work and play.”
Mr Walley said there were several reasons why business travellers were extending their stays.
“It’s a ‘two birds one stone approach’, where corporates can roll multiple meetings, events, or conferences into one trip being another,” he said.
“Not so long ago, mixing business with pleasure while away for work was a real luxury and wasn’t necessarily the done thing, but that’s changed significantly in the last couple of years.
“This data delivers a valuable insight into emerging and prolonged business travel trends, providing organisations an opportunity to cater to the evolving needs of their employee’s business travel requirements, as well as providing a welcome recruitment tool.
“Health and wellness have also climbed the agenda ladder in recent times and by tacking on time before or after a meeting, event, conference or trade show is a great way to get the best out of your people, while allowing them to recharge at the same time.”
The data is supported by the 2024 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook – Annual Global Report and Forecast. Released in July and based on the responses from 4,100 business travellers across five global regions, the report found they rated the one-day trip as the least popular in terms of length.
