Suits or Swimsuits? Why Not Both with a Bleisure Trip?

As one of the top places in Japan for business and leisure travel, you’re probably gearing up to travel to Osaka and wondering, where is the best place to stay in Osaka (or commonly referred to as 去大阪在哪里住好？ in Japanese). You won’t have a shortage of accommodation, attractions, and activities to enjoy, that’s for sure. But you’re traveling for work purposes, which probably means you may not have plenty of opportunities to go sightseeing. Or so you think.

Decoding the True Meaning of Bleisure

As time goes by, mixing business with leisure or pleasure has become easier for many employees. But there’s more to it than taking a break or exploring a destination.

There are several forms of bleisure trips, and each one allows you to prioritize work commitments without sacrificing fun and excitement.

• Weekend extensions involve extending your trip through the weekend so you can enjoy a destination after you’ve handled all your business obligations.
• Early arrivals mean scheduling your trip one or a few more days earlier than your scheduled meeting, conference, or similar business events.
• Workcations combine work and vacations and are mostly applicable for people who are allowed to work remotely. This level of flexibility lets you choose a leisure destination as your temporary headquarters. You work like you would in an office and then explore a destination after your shift or during the weekends.
• Stopover trips, as the name implies, are where you choose a destination between your assigned areas for sightseeing and exploration. If you’re visiting client sites in different countries in Asia, for example, you might as well explore the appeal of other Asian nations in between.

People travel for business and leisure for many reasons. For some, it’s an opportunity to travel and work at the same time. For others, the leisure part of the trip is the relaxation and recovery phase of the business trip. Whichever is the case for you, there are benefits you can enjoy.

Why Is Bleisure Travel the New Employee-Employer Benefit?

Managing expenses for business and leisure travels may seem like a nightmare for employers. Managed correctly, however, it is as beneficial to employers as it is to the employees. But why should companies explore the employee-employer benefits of bleisure?

Improve Work-Life Balance

• The opportunity to unwind and explore a destination after a business meeting or work trip can enhance overall well-being.
• You’re less likely to be stressed out if you don’t need to rush back home or to the office after every meeting.
• Whether your work trip is stressful or not, adding leisure to your itinerary helps you rest and recharge.

Improve Job Satisfaction

• Employees are more productive when they are happier or feel more satisfied with their work.
• Bleisure travel has been known to improve well-being and reduce burnout.
• Recent surveys show that the number of employees who want to combine work and leisure has increased. Many employees also turn down work trips that exclude leisure time.

Enhance Employee Retention

• Allowing employees to extend their work trips indicates that a company values them.
• As a recipient of that level of respect and flexibility, employees get more satisfaction from their job and are unlikely to look for opportunities elsewhere.
• Bleisure trips can become a competitive benefit, allowing a company to retain employees while acquiring high-quality candidates during recruitment.

Build Stronger Business Relationships

• Employees who enjoy or are motivated to attend business trips are more likely to pursue their work commitments with energy and zest.
• Their motivation can have a positive impact on their performance. If the purpose of their trip is to establish a network, connection, or partnership, they can effectively achieve their goals.

Where to Go in Japan for the Perfect Bleisure Experience

Tokyo

• As the capital and global city in Japan, Tokyo is the quintessential business destination.
• It has a mix of old and modern Japan and has no shortage of attractions and activities.
• It’s well-connected to the rest of the country, with bullet trains to get you from one city to the next quickly and easily.

Osaka

• As the second largest city, it offers tourists many diverse experiences.
• Dubbed as Japan’s Kitchen, Osaka will serve you with unique dining and culinary experiences.
• The city is where you can go from boardroom to nightlife in minutes.

Sapporo

• The perfect destination if you want to see a different side of Japan after your business commitments.
• It’s best known for skiing, colder climates, and winter festivals.

Kyoto

• If culture is what you want to experience during the leisure part of your trip, Kyoto is the best place to be. As the ancient capital, you’ll experience rich traditions from the architecture to the food.
• With Osaka, Nara, and other cities nearby, you can easily plan a workcation, stopover trip, or weekend extension.
• Sightseeing in between meetings is easier, what with the many attractions available.

Whether to Japan or other destinations, travelling for work and leisure is better than ever. With an international travel checklist in hand, you can easily navigate between destinations as you work and have fun at the same time. If you’re headed to Osaka for your next work trip, book your stay at the Swissotel Nankai Osaka, where amenities for both business and leisure are provided.