Mixing business with pleasure is always a tricky balance. You want to treat all your hard work with a glamorous overseas trip, but you have absolutely no time. Your acquired holiday leave is currently sitting at about 10 days, and the only time you set foot in an airport is when you’re jetting off for a business meeting or saying goodbye to friends and family.
Well you can have the best of both worlds. A popular global trend taking off with savvy Aussie professionals is bleisure, a mix of business and pleasure.
“Work trips are being extended to take advantage of paid return airfares to explore cities like New York, London and Hong Kong for longer. Done right, you’ll save precious travelling time as you’ll already be there once your holiday begins.” Nathan Graham, Regional Sales Manager at Cheapflights ANZ.
Take advantage of your spare time overseas; tackle those grueling meetings whilst gaining some cultural insight from your destination to share in the workplace. It’s a win-win.
#1 Plan Ahead
First check whether your company has a policy regarding combining work with play. It’s best to check with your boss before you blur the lines. Getting approval not only instills confidence, but can also help you avoid any last minute requests back to the office. Plus, while your mid conversation, sell the benefits of extra tourist time. You can engage with clients outside of the business realm, whilst gaining your own local tour guide.
#2 Timing Is Everything
Off to Melbourne for business meetings from Monday to Friday? Tack on a weekend getaway, travel the Saturday before and then head back the next Sunday night. It gives you reason to be at your destination without asking for extra time off. Plus we all know the weekends are the times you want to be out and about adventuring a city.
#3 Pack Wisely
Avoid over-packing. Learn how to turn your business attire from day to night. Wear the same outfits twice and be sure that your items are easy to wash and dry, and require as little ironing as possible. If you plan to squeeze in tourist time, comfortable footwear is a must.
#4 Accommodation
Ask if the hotel offers discounts such as a group meeting rates or the third night free, giving you all the more reason to extend your stay. Also ask your company to consider services apartments, they can often be cheaper and gives you more access to home comforts like a washer and kitchen. No luck with hotels? AirBnb for a few nights is always a great last minute option.
#5 Alternatives If Extra Time Isn’t Possible
Spend a few hours before or after work commitments. Walking tours are always a great way to explore, most run in the early hours of the morning till late at night. Plus night life is always a great way to explore a city, head to gigs, find some killer bars or even visit some night markets.
Image Source: Pexels, Thought Catalogue
