Australia’s ‘bleisure’ capital — where corporates linger for longer than anywhere else

Tacking a couple of extra days onto a work trip is an increasingly popular trend, with one Australian destination benefiting more than any other.

Cairns Airport has seen encouraging growth in passenger numbers in the year to September, aided by the city’s appeal to business travellers.

Cairns has been crowned Australia’s “bleisure” capital for 2024, after corporate travel bookings revealed business trips to the far north Queensland city were the most likely to be extended. Data from Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller revealed the average trip to Cairns stretched to eight days this year, as workers tacked on a couple of days of recreation.

In comparison, work trips to Sydney and Melbourne averaged just four days, while business visitors to Brisbane stayed for an average of five days.

Corporate Traveller global managing director Tom Walley said the trend of combining business and leisure travel was growing, with as many as 75 per cent of customers adding some rest and recreation to their work trips.

“Essentially it’s a ‘two-birds-one-stone approach’ where corporates can roll multiple meetings, events or conferences into one trip,” said Mr Walley.

“Not so long ago mixing business with pleasure while away for work was a real luxury and wasn’t necessarily the done thing, but that’s changed significantly in the last couple of years.”

He said the data delivered a valuable insight into emerging and prolonged business travel trends, giving companies the chance to cater to the evolving needs of their employees’ business travel requirements.

“Health and wellness have also climbed the agenda ladder in recent times and by tacking on time before or after a meeting, event, conference or trade show is a great way to get the best out of your people, while allowing them to recharge at the same time,” Mr Walley said.

The data was supported by the Global Business Travel Association’s annual report, based on responses from 4100 people across the world.

The report found they rated the one-day trip as the least popular in terms of length, while four to five-day trips came out on top.

Cairns is the most popular place for corporate travellers to extend their trip and see more of the region, according to Corporate Traveller data. Picture: Getty

Hotels and resorts were capitalising on the “bleisure” trend, with strategically located properties offering pools and restaurants as well as business centres and meeting rooms.

Crystalbrook Collection sales director Kylie Brajak said they had seen a 29 per cent rise in corporate stays in 2024 compared to 2023 at their three properties in Cairns, and one in Brisbane.

“We know business travellers desire more than just a desk and a bed – they want a reason to extend their stay,” said Ms Brajak.

“Our properties are centrally located in vibrant entertainment and lifestyle precincts, giving guests easy access to the destination’s attractions.”

The Corporate Traveller data capped off a sterling year for Cairns, which saw more than 4 million people pass through the city’s airport, up 2.3 per cent on the year prior.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said Cairns had a strong reputation as a “bleisure” destination.

“With our dual World Heritage areas, the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region is well positioned for delegates to bring family or friends and extend their stay to share time out in nature,” Mr Olsen said.

Other Queensland destinations also proved popular with travelling corporates, with the Sunshine Coast edging out the Gold Coast for length of stay.

Mr Walley said Sunshine Coast bookings averaged five days, compared to the Gold Coast’s four in 2024, with construction and mining sector workers leading the “bleisure” push, ahead of those in finance and insurance, services and health.