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Bleisure Travel Specialist Program

What Is Bleisure Travel?

A client flies to Singapore for a three-day conference, but instead of heading home right after the event, they stay an extra four nights to explore Sentosa Island, shop on Orchard Road, and take a quick getaway to Bali. The flights and hotel were already partially covered through the work trip — making the holiday extension more convenient and cost-effective.

That is bleisure travel.

Bleisure travel blends business and leisure into one trip, allowing travelers to add personal experiences before, during, or after their work commitments. Instead of treating a corporate trip as strictly professional, travelers turn it into an opportunity to relax, explore a destination, or spend quality time with family while already abroad.

The Bleisure Traveler Profile

1. The Senior Executive

Typically between 45–55 years old, travels frequently for work, and often brings a partner along. Prefers premium hotels, seamless experiences, comfort, and upgraded leisure extensions.

2. The IT Consultant

Usually between 28–40 years old and travels for project-based assignments. More flexible with schedules and highly open to extending work trips into short vacations.

3. The Solo Conference Attendee

Often travels alone for conferences or industry events. Since many events end mid-week, they are likely to add extra leisure days to explore the destination.

4. The MICE Group Lead

Manages or influences group itineraries for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Has strong potential to encourage pre- or post-event leisure extensions for the entire group.

5. The Junior Sales Rep

Travels on shorter business trips with tighter budgets and stricter company policies. More price-sensitive, but still interested in affordable bleisure opportunities when possible.

Bleisure vs. Workcation vs. MICE Extension

Travel Type	Who Initiates	Who Pays	Agent Role
Bleisure	Individual traveler	Split: company (business) + individual (leisure)	Package the leisure add-on
Workcation	Individual	Fully personal	Book the entire trip
MICE Extension	Group/event organizer	Split: company + individual	Coordinate group and personal extensions
Corporate Leisure	HR/company wellness	Fully company-paid	Corporate contract, bulk deals

Identifying Bleisure Opportunities in Your Portfolio

Most agents already have the clients — they just are not looking for the signal. Here is what to watch for:

• Client has an international or domestic multi-day business booking

• Trip ends mid-week (Wednesday or Thursday) — the weekend is then free

• Destination is a leisure hotspot or is within 2 hours of one

• Client has traveled to that destination before and enjoyed it

• Client mentions a spouse, partner, or family member

• Corporate policy allows the traveler to change return dates at personal cost

Domestic vs. Outbound Bleisure

Type	Popular Corridors	Extension Opportunities	Avg. Extension Value (Approx.)
Domestic	Delhi–Goa, Mumbai–Jaipur, Bengaluru–Coorg, Chennai–Munnar	Weekend stay, heritage tour, wellness spa	INR 8,000–INR 20,000 per person
Short-Haul Outbound	India–Dubai, India–Singapore, India–Bangkok	Desert safari, theme parks, island resort	INR 30,000–INR 80,000 per person
Long-Haul Outbound	India–London, India–New York, India–Frankfurt	European city break, UK countryside, US road trip	INR 80,000–INR 2,00,000 per person

Corporate Travel Policy: What Agents Must Know

Many corporate clients have travel policies that restrict what they will reimburse. Agents who understand policy nuances can position leisure add-ons correctly.

• The company pays only for travel and accommodation within the approved business dates

• Flights changed to accommodate leisure extensions are often reimbursed up to the original ticket cost — the agent should always check this

• Some companies have blanket policies against bleisure — in those cases, the booking must be clearly split

• A clean, itemized invoice separating business and leisure costs protects the traveler and the agent

Agent Tip

Always ask the client: 'Does your company allow you to extend the return date at your own cost?' Many corporate policies permit this and travelers are simply unaware. This single question opens the bleisure conversation.

How to Choose the Right Destination Extension

The best bleisure extension is easy to get to, safe, photogenic, and offers varied experiences for different traveler types. Below are the top bleisure destination pairings for Indian travelers.

1. Singapore + Bali

• Business hub: Singapore (conferences, tech, finance)

• Leisure extension: Fly Singapore–Bali (approximately 2.5 hours, flights from INR 5,000–INR 12,000 approx.)

• Ideal stay: 4–5 nights in Ubud or Seminyak

• Package anchors: Private villa (INR 8,000–INR 18,000 per night approx.), cooking class, Tegallalang rice terrace tour, sunset at Tanah Lot

• Sell to: IT professionals, senior executives, couples

2. Dubai + Maldives

• Business hub: Dubai (trade, retail, logistics, GITEX, Arabian Travel Market)

• Leisure extension: Dubai–Male (approximately 4 hours, direct flights available from all major Indian carriers)

• Ideal stay: 4 nights in a water villa resort

• Package anchors: Overwater bungalow (INR 25,000–INR 60,000 per night approx.), snorkeling, sunset cruise, spa

• Sell to: Luxury segment, executives with spouse, anniversary travelers

3. London + Edinburgh or Cotswolds

• Business hub: London (BFSI, pharma, legal, government delegations)

• Leisure extension: Train to Edinburgh (approximately 4.5 hours) or drive to the Cotswolds (approximately 1.5 hours)

• Ideal stay: 3–4 nights

• Package anchors: Castle stay in Scotland, pub trail in Cotswolds, Scotch whisky distillery tour, private car hire

• Sell to: Senior professionals, couples, culture travelers

How to Choose the Right Destination Extension Contd.

4. Bangkok + Phuket or Chiang Mai

• Business hub: Bangkok (manufacturing, trade, food & beverage expos)

• Leisure extension: Bangkok–Phuket (1-hour flight, approx. INR 3,000–INR 8,000) or Bangkok–Chiang Mai (1 hour)

• Package anchors: Beach resort, elephant sanctuary, Thai cooking class, island hopping

• Sell to: Young professionals, families with teenagers, adventure travelers

5. Frankfurt + Paris or Amsterdam

• Business hub: Frankfurt (auto industry, banking, trade fairs — Automechanika, IAA, Frankfurt Book Fair)

• Leisure extension: Frankfurt–Paris by train (approximately 3.5 hours via ICE/TGV) or Frankfurt–Amsterdam (approximately 3.5 hours)

• Package anchors: Canal cruise, Louvre, Rijksmuseum, Eiffel Tower dinner, private guided tours

• Sell to: Culture-focused travelers, couples, first-time Europe visitors extending after trade fairs

6. Mumbai + Goa (Domestic)

• Business hub: Mumbai (corporate headquarters of most Indian enterprises)

• Leisure extension: Short flight to Goa (1 hour, approx. INR 3,000–INR 6,000 one-way)

• Ideal stay: 2–3 nights at a boutique beach property

• Package anchors: Heritage village tour, private beach access, farm-to-table dining, water sports

• Sell to: Mumbai-based corporate clients with Friday meetings, MICE overflow

The Three Tiers of Bleisure Packages

Agents should present bleisure extensions at three price points to match different corporate seniority levels and personal budgets.

Tier	Label	What It Includes	Approximate Add-On Cost (Per Person)
Tier 1	Essential Extension	Hotel extension only, breakfast included, airport transfer	INR 8,000–INR 25,000
Tier 2	Explorer Extension	Hotel + 2 guided experiences + travel insurance + SIM card	INR 25,000–INR 70,000
Tier 3	Signature Extension	Premium hotel + private guide + bespoke experiences + airport lounge + concierge service	INR 70,000–INR 2,50,000

How to Price a Bleisure Add-On

Pricing a bleisure extension correctly requires understanding the original booking's cost structure and building the add-on so it feels like excellent value compared to a standalone holiday.

• Start with the hotel: negotiate the same room rate for additional nights if the same property is being extended

• Factor in flight change fees: airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and international carriers charge date-change fees (approximately INR 2,500–INR 8,000 per ticket in some cases)

• Add markup on experiences: aim for 15–25% on tours and activities

• Bundle to obscure margin: presenting a flat package price rather than itemized costs simplifies the decision and protects your margin

• Always add travel insurance to every bleisure package — this is non-negotiable for international extensions

The Three Tiers of Bleisure Packages contd.

Flight Date Change Strategies

Bleisure add-ons often require changing the return leg of a corporate ticket. Here is how to handle it cleanly:

1. Check the original ticket's fare rules — is it changeable? Most corporate fares allow one free change.

2. Calculate the cost difference between the original return date and the new return date.

3. If the change generates a higher fare, the client pays the difference. If the new flight is cheaper, some airlines offer a credit (but not a refund).

4. Document everything clearly — the invoice should show the original fare and the change fee separately.

5. For group MICE bookings, always coordinate with the corporate travel desk before changing any individual ticket.

Companion Booking (Spouse/Family Add-Ons)

1. Spouse Joining From India

When a traveler’s spouse plans to join the trip from India, agents can offer an additional one-way or return flight to the leisure destination. This creates an opportunity to earn margins on the added airfare booking.

2. Spouse Already at the Destination

If the spouse is already in the destination city, agents can recommend upgrading the room to double occupancy and adding couple-friendly experiences such as meals, spa sessions, or sightseeing tours. This increases revenue through room upgrades and add-on experiences.

3. Children Joining the Trip

For travelers extending the trip with children, agents can suggest family room upgrades, kid-friendly attractions, resort activities, or hotels with kids’ clubs. These upgrades often lead to higher room values and additional family-focused experience sales.

4. Friends Joining the Leisure Portion

When friends join the traveler after the business segment ends, agents can build group leisure packages that include shared tours, dining reservations, and local activities. This creates stronger group margins on experiences and bundled services.

Objection Handling Scripts

Objection 1: 'My Company Will Not Approve It'

Response: 'Absolutely — the company only covers your business portion. The leisure extension is a completely separate booking in your name, billed to your personal card. Your company does not need to approve it at all. I handle the invoice separation so your expense report stays clean.'

Objection 2: 'I Do Not Have Time to Plan a Holiday'

Response: 'That is exactly why I am here. You do not plan anything — I put together the entire extension: hotel, transfers, a couple of experiences. All you do is say yes. You arrive at Bali airport and everything is waiting for you.'

Objection 3: 'It Will Be Too Expensive'

Response: 'Your flight back to India is already paid for by the company — so the only real cost is the hotel and activities for those extra days. Compare that to planning a separate Bali trip from Mumbai: you would pay INR 45,000–INR 60,000 approx. just for flights. Here, that cost is zero.'

Objection 4: 'I Need to Check With My Spouse'

Response: 'Of course! In fact, many of my clients bring their partners along for the leisure portion. Would it be helpful if I put together an option for two — I can show you how affordable it becomes when the flights are already sorted?'

Objection 5: 'What About Visa Complications?'

Response: 'Great question — I always check this upfront. For the extension I am proposing, your existing visa [or visa on arrival] covers the leisure destination. I will also prepare your travel documents checklist so there are no last-minute issues.'

Negotiating Hotel Extensions

Hotels love bleisure travelers because they fill rooms mid-week and often upgrade to higher categories for leisure. Agents who understand this can leverage it.

• Always request an extension rate match — most hotels will honor the corporate rate for 1–2 additional nights rather than lose the booking

• If the corporate property is not suitable for leisure, negotiate a property transfer to a leisure brand under the same hotel group (e.g., a Marriott business hotel to a JW Marriott or W)

• Ask for room upgrades during the leisure portion — hotels are more flexible on personal stays than corporate contracts

• Weekend rates are often lower than weekday rates at business hotels — use this to your advantage when pitching the cost of the extension

Working With DMC Partners for Leisure Add-Ons

For destinations outside India, you will often work through a Destination Management Company (DMC) for ground operations.

Activity	How to Source	Approx. Margin Expectation
City tours	DMC partner or direct with local operator	15–25% markup
Transfers	DMC partner, often bundled	20–30% markup
Experiences (cooking, diving, etc.)	Curated via DMC or niche operators	20–35% markup
Fine dining reservations	Concierge service or direct — charge a INR 500–INR 1,500 reservation fee	Service fee model
Visa facilitation	In-house or via VFS/embassy partners	INR 800–INR 2,500 service fee

Building a Bleisure Supplier Panel

Agents who specialize in bleisure should build a reliable, prequalified supplier panel so they can turn around a leisure extension proposal within 2–4 hours of identifying the opportunity.

• 1–2 preferred DMC contacts in each of your top 5 outbound bleisure destinations

• A travel insurance partner with a quick quote API or portal access

• Hotel relationships with key properties in business and adjacent leisure destinations

• A transport partner (car rental or private driver network) for seamless ground movement

• A visa facilitation partner for UK, Schengen, and Gulf destinations

The Bleisure Booking Checklist

1. Identification: Spot the bleisure opportunity early during the booking inquiry by understanding the traveler’s schedule, flexibility, and interest in extending the trip.

2. Pitch: Present suitable leisure extension options within 24 hours of the initial inquiry while the traveler is still actively planning the trip.

3. Confirmation: Keep the leisure extension booking separate from the corporate booking to avoid confusion with company-approved expenses.

4. Documentation: Prepare separate invoices for the business and leisure portions of the trip to maintain clear accounting and easier reimbursement processes.

5. Visa Support: Check whether the traveler’s existing visa covers the leisure extension or any additional destination. Assist with extra visa requirements if needed.

6. Insurance: Arrange a personal travel insurance policy specifically for the leisure extension, especially if it falls outside the corporate coverage period.

7. Coordination: Work closely with hotels and suppliers to manage smooth check-out and check-in processes for extended stays or upgraded room categories.

8. Pre-Departure Briefing: Send the traveler a complete itinerary covering both the business and leisure portions, including hotel details, transfers, tours, and emergency contacts.

9 Post-Trip Follow-Up: Follow up through WhatsApp or email within 48 hours of the traveler’s return to gather feedback and build future travel opportunities.

Tools and Technology for Bleisure Agents

• GDS (Amadeus, Sabre): Use for flight change scenarios and fare comparison between original and extended returns.

• Hotel portals (TBO Holidays): For quick availability checks on extension nights.

• WhatsApp Business: For fast, personal communication with corporate clients — set up quick-reply templates for bleisure pitches.

• Google Workspace / Zoho CRM: Tag clients by corporate frequency and travel pattern to identify bleisure prospects systematically.

• Canva: Create visual bleisure proposal PDFs that look professional and are easy to share.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Pitching bleisure too late — raise it at booking, not the day before departure.

• Mixing business and personal invoices — always issue separate documents.

• Forgetting insurance for the leisure extension — this is where liability lies.

• Not checking corporate travel policy before recommending a ticket date change.

• Underpricing the extension to win the add-on — bleisure travelers are premium clients who expect quality.

• Over-scheduling the leisure portion — corporate travelers are tired; build in downtime.

60-Day Action Plan

Week 1–2: Foundation

• Audit your current client database — flag all clients who have made 2+ corporate or business travel bookings in the last 12 months.

• Identify the top 3 business destinations you most frequently book and research the leisure extension options from each.

• Build your supplier panel: DMC contacts, insurance partner, hotel contacts for 3–5 key bleisure destinations.

• Create a Bleisure Pitch Card (one page, template) for your top 3 routes.

Week 3–4: First Pitches

• Pick 5 active corporate clients and send a personalized bleisure proposal for their next trip.

• Use the email template from Module 5 as your base — customize with real destination pricing.

• Follow up by phone or WhatsApp within 48 hours of sending the proposal.

• Set up a WhatsApp broadcast list: 'Corporate Travelers' — send one bleisure tip per week

Week 5–8: Scaling

• Close your first bleisure add-on booking and document the revenue comparison (corporate-only vs. bleisure total).

• Request a referral from the bleisure client.

• Post one bleisure case study (anonymized) on LinkedIn: 'Client went to Singapore for a conference. Here is how we turned it into a Bali holiday.'

• Build a conference calendar for the next 6 months — identify 5 major events your clients are likely to attend and prepare ready-to-send bleisure proposals for each.

• Aim to convert 2 out of every 10 corporate bookings into a bleisure extension — track this weekly.

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