New research has revealed that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are embracing the rise of “bleisure” travel, with an increasing number of employees extending their business trips for leisure time. This trend signals a shift in how companies approach travel and employee well-being.
The study, conducted by Travel Counsellors for Business and based on a survey of 1,000 UK SMEs, found that 76% of respondents now typically extend their overseas business trips for leisure or personal time. This is a significant increase from 48% in 2024. Of those who do extend their trips, 57% do so by 1-2 days and 32% by 3-4 days, indicating a growing desire for balance and well-being alongside business productivity.
The trend also extends to family travel, with 58% of SME travelers now saying they would bring a partner or family member on an overseas business trip. This is up from 42% last year, reflecting a shift towards a more holistic view of business travel that prioritizes personal time.
The majority of SME travelers (96%) reported enjoying traveling overseas for business, with only 4% saying they never enjoy it. This suggests that business travel is increasingly seen as a valued and rewarding experience rather than a professional burden.
Interestingly, one in five SMEs (20%) now actively encourage employees to extend their business trips for leisure purposes. Other well-being measures include reducing indirect flights (20%) and minimizing travel outside of working hours (18%). These initiatives demonstrate a broader shift towards more sustainable and people-focused business travel policies.
Melanie Quinn, Director of Travel Counsellors for Business, commented on the findings, saying, “The move to actively build leisure time into business trips reflects a fundamental shift in how SMEs value corporate travel. Traveling for work is no longer just about productivity and profit, it’s also about people. Whether it’s taking time to relax and recharge after meetings, exploring new cultures, or spending extra days abroad with family, businesses are increasingly recognizing that supporting employee well-being delivers long-term benefits for engagement, retention, and performance, far beyond the bottom line.”
As a company that prides itself on its “high-tech, high-touch” approach, Travel Counsellors for Business is well-positioned to cater to this growing demand for a more personalized and well-rounded travel experience. They offer flexible itineraries, online support platforms, and a human travel expert always on hand to support the trip, empowering travelers to make their corporate travel both efficient and enjoyable.
The study was conducted by Censuswide and surveyed 1,000 UK SMEs who book business travel trips abroad. The data was collected between August 28th and September 3rd, 2025. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.
For media inquiries, please contact Hudson Sandler at travelcounsellors@hudsonsandler.com.
Travel Counsellors is the UK’s largest technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, connecting over 2,100 independent business owners and enabling them to provide exceptional customer service. In the first six months of 2025, sales on the platform reached £566 million, a 10% increase from the same period in the previous year.
The company operates in six countries and employs over 300 people. They provide a high-touch, digitally enabled platform for travel entrepreneurs and small business owners, allowing them to build their businesses in a way that suits them, with limitless potential and scale. This is supported by a global community and a strong people-first culture.
Travel Counsellors also operates its own ATOL supported financial trust, safeguarding customers from any failure of a travel supplier involved in their booking.
In 2025, Travel Counsellors was recognized as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the third year in a row.
To learn more about Travel Counsellors, please visit: https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/our-story/
