‘Bleisure travel’ trend booms in Asia-Pacific, with Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam on top: Report

Business travel is evolving: The Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are leading Asia-Pacific’s bleisure boom as professionals combine work with leisure, boosting local tourism and redefining corporate travel.

• 76% of Asia-Pacific business travellers plan to combine work trips with leisure
• Philippines leads bleisure trend with 95% of business travellers extending stays
• Bleisure travel market projected to reach $1.71 trillion globally by 2032

Did our AI summary help?

Business travel in Asia-Pacific is undergoing a quiet but decisive shift. Professionals are no longer flying in and out just for meetings—they are increasingly staying back to explore, unwind, and travel for pleasure once work wraps up.

According to digital travel platform Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, a striking 76% of business travellers across Asia-Pacific plan to combine work trips with leisure activities, underscoring the rapid rise of what the industry calls “bleisure” travel.

In several markets, interest levels exceed 90%, signalling a fundamental change in how corporate travel is being planned—one that turns boardroom visits into extended getaways.

Business travel remains strong—but leisure now follows

While business travel continues to remain a priority in 2026, the motivations behind these trips are evolving.

Indonesia leads the region in business travel intent at 27%, followed by the Philippines (20%) and Vietnam (19%). However, the real shift becomes evident once official meetings conclude.

Among travellers planning business trips, the appetite to extend stays for leisure is overwhelming—particularly in Southeast Asia.

Philippines tops the bleisure rankings

The Philippines has emerged as the region’s biggest bleisure hotspot. The report found that 95% of Filipino business travellers plan to add leisure time to their work trips—the highest among all surveyed markets.

Industry experts say this reflects a growing desire among professionals to slow down, explore destinations beyond commercial hubs, and make the most of renewed travel freedom post-pandemic.

Thailand and Vietnam close behind

Thailand and Vietnam are not far behind in the bleisure race.

Thailand: 92% of business travellers plan to mix work and leisure

Vietnam: 86% intend to extend their trips beyond work commitments

Both countries continue to attract business travellers due to improving infrastructure, affordability, and diverse leisure offerings—making them ideal for professionals seeking a balance between productivity and downtime.

Bleisure gains ground in conservative work cultures too

Interestingly, the trend is also gaining traction in traditionally conservative business travel markets.

In Japan, where corporate travel has historically been tightly scheduled, 58% of business travellers now plan to add personal time to their itineraries. South Korea shows even stronger adoption, with 76% expressing interest in bleisure travel.

The data points to a broader cultural shift across Asia-Pacific, with professionals increasingly prioritising work-life balance alongside productivity.

What is bleisure travel?

Bleisure travel refers to trips where travellers combine business obligations with leisure activities, either by extending their stay or exploring destinations during downtime. Once considered a niche trend, it has now entered the mainstream of corporate travel planning.

A trillion-dollar opportunity

The report's findings align with broader industry forecasts. The global bleisure travel market is projected to grow to $1.71 trillion by 2032, as more professionals seek flexible travel arrangements that accommodate both work and personal experiences.

Travel platforms, hotels, and airlines are already responding by offering longer-stay packages, flexible check-in options, and amenities designed for remote work.

Boost for local economies and tourism

The rise of bleisure travel is expected to have a positive ripple effect across local economies, particularly in emerging tourism markets.

Extended stays mean higher spending on accommodation, food, transport, and experiences—benefiting small businesses, hospitality players, and local communities. For destinations like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, bleisure travellers represent a valuable segment that blends high-value business travel with experiential tourism.

The future of business travel

The report makes one thing clear: business travel in Asia-Pacific is no longer just about meetings.

As professionals increasingly blend work with personal exploration, bleisure is fast becoming the new normal. With Southeast Asia leading the charge, the line between business trips and holidays is set to blur even further in 2026 and beyond.