‘Bleisure’ travelers redefine global work and hospitality norms
NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — From bustling coworking spaces in Mexico City to mountain-view cafés in Lisbon, a growing number of professionals are proving that work is no longer tied to a single location.
These are the “bleisure travelers”—individuals who merge business with leisure travel and, in doing so, are rewriting the rules for careers, hospitality, and global work culture.
The term “bleisure” was coined in 2009 in a trend report from The Future Laboratory, co-authored by Jacob Strand and Miriam Rayman.
The trend extends well beyond traditional digital nomadism, reflecting a deeper shift in professional values—efficiency, autonomy, and work-life balance.
According to Pumble’s recent data, 98% of remote workers want to continue working remotely, and bleisure professionals are leading the way in demonstrating how this model can be sustainable, productive, and even profitable.
Digital tools power location independence
The bleisure travel boom has been fueled by an explosion of digital tools, including AI-driven content creation platforms, cloud-based project management systems, and real-time collaboration software. Entrepreneurs and consultants alike now operate fully remote businesses with global teams and automated processes. These technologies reduce the need for physical offices.
Companies are responding. GitLab, a fully remote organization, supports bleisure flexibility with location travel stipends, globally dispersed teams, and multinational retreats.
Hospitality industry and professional skills evolve
The rise of long-term, work-capable travel has spurred hotels and hospitality providers to reinvent their guest experience.
Properties like the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Montana are adding coworking spaces, high-speed internet throughout, and workspace-friendly amenities.
This shift makes business sense. Extended stays reduce turnover costs and improve margins, while appealing to a new market that seeks comfort and connectivity.
Professionals also benefit. Bleisure travelers develop cross-cultural communication skills, sharpen time zone management, and cultivate adaptability —traits that align closely with the World Economic Forum’s top skills for the future, including creativity and leadership.
A model for the future of work
Bleisure travel is becoming a competitive advantage. With the right technology, mindset, and planning, professionals are building careers that allow them to work from anywhere without sacrificing performance.
As remote work solidifies in the global economy, the bleisure model looks less like a trend and more like the next phase of modern professionalism.
