Chapter 16: Cultural and Social Dynamics in Bleisure: A Case Study

The travel scenario has changed globally in the last couple of decades, especially the business travels. The core business tours are now transforming into a blend of business plus leisure and the factors responsible for the transformations are numerous. The advancements of technology, flawless network connectivity, wanderlust, cultural explorations, and the need for relaxation and recreations during the work are some factors responsible for the change and emergence of new concepts like bleisure travel. The concept was first coined by a European firm. The phenomena explain a scenario of amalgamation of work and recreation. The amazing blend gives the professional a space to breathe and relax during core business meetings. This arrangement provides the professionals to socialize and also explore the local customs and traditions along with engaging in the business meetings.

The chapter investigates the cultural and social aspects of the bleisure travel. Through the lens of case studies of multinational tech firms, who implemented this concept in their firms. These firms altered their policies and started hosting the meetings for the employees that provided them an opportunity to enjoy the work in vacation mode. The aim of this research is to assess how the amalgamation of work, recreation, and leisure sways the communication and exchanges with the society, traditions, and local customs.

The study has employed a research study that blends both the qualitative and quantitative research designs. The collection tools include survey and interview method. The study identifies and analyzes key findings on the social and cultural effects of bleisure travel.