Travelling For Business And Fun: How To Make The Most Of Every Trip

By Author: keilykurukula
Total Articles: 18
Comment this article

Business travel has become an inescapable reality for professionals across industries. From executives closing million-dollar deals to consultants offering specialised expertise, the corporate traveller is a familiar figure in airports and hotel lobbies worldwide. Yet, amidst the packed schedules and pressure-filled meetings, a new philosophy is emerging: why not inject some leisure into business trips? This concept, aptly termed "bleisure" travel, is revolutionising how professionals approach their work journeys. With enticing Colombo hotel offers appearing in my inbox recently, I've been reflecting on how travel can serve dual purposes without compromising either business objectives or personal enjoyment.

The Evolution of Business Travel
Business travel has undergone remarkable transformation over the decades. What once involved bare-bones accommodations and strictly professional itineraries has evolved into a more holistic experience. Today's business travellers expect comfort, convenience, and increasingly, opportunities for personal enrichment alongside their professional obligations.

The statistics ...
... tell a compelling story. According to recent industry reports, nearly 60% of business travellers now add leisure components to their work trips. This shift is not merely about personal preference—it reflects broader changes in workplace culture, with companies recognising that well-rested, culturally engaged employees perform better in professional settings.V

Meanwhile, hotels and travel services have adapted to meet this changing demand. Many now offer special packages designed specifically for the business traveller who wants to extend their stay through the weekend, explore local attractions, or bring along family members for the "fun" portion of their journey.

Finding Balance: The Art of Effective Business Travel
Success in business travel begins long before you board your flight. Thorough preparation ensures you can fulfil your professional obligations while leaving room for personal enjoyment.

Start by understanding your company's travel policy thoroughly. Many organisations now include provisions for additional personal days attached to business trips, provided the extra accommodation costs do not exceed the savings on airfare from traveling on off-peak days. This financial incentive aligns perfectly with the bleisure philosophy.

Packing strategically also supports this dual-purpose approach. Today's versatile business wardrobes can transition smoothly from boardroom to bar, while modern luggage solutions make it easier to pack for varied activities without exceeding airline weight limitations. Consider packing items that serve multiple purposes—comfortable dress shoes that can handle extended walking, or a blazer that works for both client meetings and upscale restaurants.

Time management becomes crucial when balancing professional and personal priorities. Consider scheduling meetings at the beginning of your trip, leaving later days free for exploration. Alternatively, cluster your obligations to free up specific time blocks for sightseeing or relaxation. Communication tools make it possible to stay connected with your office while creating boundaries that protect your leisure time.

Destination Spotlight: Colombo for Business and Pleasure
Sri Lanka's commercial capital, Colombo, exemplifies the perfect bleisure destination. This vibrant metropolis combines cutting-edge business facilities with rich cultural experiences, making it ideal for travellers seeking professional success alongside personal enrichment.

Business infrastructure in Colombo has seen substantial development in recent years. The city now boasts world-class conference facilities, co-working spaces, and business centres equipped with the latest technology. Reliable high-speed internet and professional support services ensure that corporate objectives can be met efficiently.

Once business concludes, however, Colombo reveals its other face—that of a culturally rich, historically significant coastal city with endless opportunities for exploration. The contrast between colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers tells the story of a city in transformation, while diverse neighbourhoods offer distinct experiences within short distances.

Hotels in Fort Colombo, the city's historic and financial heart, provide ideal accommodation for business travellers. These establishments understand corporate needs, offering services like express check-in, business centres, and meeting rooms. Simultaneously, their central location means you are just steps away from cultural attractions like the Dutch Hospital shopping precinct, Galle Face Green, and the vibrant Pettah Market when your workday ends.

Accommodation Strategies for the Dual-Purpose Traveler
Selecting the right accommodation forms the cornerstone of successful bleisure travel. Your hotel serves as both workspace and sanctuary, making thoughtful selection essential.

Location should be your primary consideration. A centrally situated property minimises commute times to meetings while placing you closer to attractions for your leisure hours. Neighbourhoods with mixed business and entertainment options often represent the ideal compromise.

Hotel rooms in Colombo vary widely in style and amenities, catering to different traveller preferences. Business-oriented accommodations typically offer work desks, ergonomic chairs, abundant power outlets, and strong Wi-Fi signals—essentials for productive remote work. Meanwhile, leisure-focused features might include swimming pools, fitness centres, or spa facilities that help you unwind after intense negotiations.

Many properties now design rooms specifically for the bleisure traveller, incorporating flexible spaces that transition smoothly between work and relaxation modes. Features like convertible desk/dining tables, comfortable seating areas, and technology integration allow you to move between professional and personal modes without changing locations.

Service offerings have similarly evolved. Extended breakfast hours accommodate varying schedules, while 24-hour room service ensures nourishment regardless of time zone adjustments or late work sessions. Business services like printing and scanning remain accessible outside traditional office hours, recognising that global business operates around the clock.

Maximising Limited Free Time
Even the busiest business schedule usually includes pockets of free time—early mornings before meetings, lunch breaks, or evenings after obligations conclude. Learning to leverage these moments transforms the travel experience without requiring additional days away from home.

Morning hours offer unique opportunities to experience a destination before tourist crowds arrive. Consider an early jog through a local park or historic district, providing both exercise and orientation to your surroundings. Breakfast at local cafés rather than your hotel introduces you to authentic flavours while observing resident routines.

Lunch breaks can be extended slightly to include brief cultural experiences. Museum galleries, historic sites, or architectural landmarks can often be experienced meaningfully in 60-90 minutes. Alternatively, select restaurants that offer not just sustenance but cultural immersion through local specialties and ambiance.

Evening hours typically present the most substantial free time block. Rather than settling for room service and streaming entertainment you could enjoy at home, venture out to experience local nightlife, cultural performances, or culinary adventures. Rooftop restaurants in Colombo have gained particular popularity for business dinners that transition into leisure experiences, offering stunning views across the city and harbour while serving innovative fusion cuisine that blends Sri Lankan traditions with international influences.

Networking Through Shared Experiences
Business relationships flourish beyond conference rooms and formal meetings. Shared leisure experiences create authentic connections with colleagues, clients, and potential partners, often yielding stronger professional bonds than conventional business interactions alone.

Consider inviting business contacts to join your leisure activities when appropriate. A guided walking tour, cooking class, or sunset cruise provides natural conversation opportunities in relaxed settings where guards lower and genuine connections form. These shared experiences create memorable associations that distinguish you from countless other business contacts.

Local knowledge becomes valuable currency in business relationships. When you can recommend the perfect restaurant for a client's dietary preferences or a weekend activity suited to their interests, you demonstrate attentiveness that extends beyond business transactions. This personalised approach builds goodwill that translates into professional advantages.

Digital platforms make sharing these experiences increasingly seamless. A thoughtfully curated social media post about your business destination (maintaining appropriate professional boundaries) creates conversation points for future interactions while establishing your reputation as a culturally engaged professional.

Technology: The Enabler of Seamless Transitions
Modern technology has transformed the bleisure travel experience, making it easier than ever to balance professional responsibilities with personal enjoyment.

Cloud-based productivity tools ensure you remain connected to workplace systems regardless of location. Project management platforms, communication tools, and file sharing services function identically whether you are in your office or beside a tropical pool, enabling productive work during designated hours.

Meanwhile, travel applications streamline the leisure component. Navigation tools help you maximise limited exploration time, while translation apps break down language barriers in international destinations. Reservation platforms secure dining experiences without lengthy phone calls, and experience marketplaces connect you with authentic local activities tailored to your available time windows.

Physical technology has similarly evolved. Noise-cancelling headphones create productive environments in bustling hotel lobbies, while portable chargers ensure devices remain powered through long days combining work and exploration. Lightweight laptops and tablets offer professional functionality without weighing down your exploration.

Responsible Bleisure: Ethical and Sustainable Considerations
As bleisure travel grows more prevalent, responsible approaches become increasingly important. Ethical considerations include transparent communication with employers about how company resources and personal expenses are separated. Most organisations appreciate the wellness benefits of bleisure travel but expect clear boundaries between business expenditures and personal pleasures.

Sustainability represents another crucial dimension. By extending business trips rather than making separate leisure journeys, bleisure travellers often reduce their carbon footprint compared to taking distinct vacations. However, mindful choices during the leisure component—supporting local businesses, minimising resource consumption, and respecting community norms—ensure your presence benefits rather than burdens your destination.

Cultural sensitivity takes on particular importance when business and leisure intertwine. Understanding local customs helps you avoid behaviours that might compromise your professional reputation while demonstrating respect for the communities you visit. This awareness should extend to dress codes, dining etiquette, and interaction styles across both business and leisure contexts.

Looking Forward: The Future of Integrated Travel
The distinction between business and leisure travel continues to blur. Remote work trends accelerated by global events have normalised the concept of working from anywhere, creating new categories like "workations" and "digital nomad" lifestyles that further integrate professional productivity and personal experience.

Corporate policies increasingly acknowledge the wellness and retention benefits of flexible travel approaches. Progressive organisations now build bleisure allowances directly into travel policies, recognising that employees who enjoy their business travel experiences show greater job satisfaction and willingness to accept future assignments.

Hospitality providers continue evolving to serve this integrated approach. We are seeing the emergence of hybrid accommodation categories with stronger work amenities than traditional leisure properties but more lifestyle elements than conventional business hotels. These spaces are designed specifically for travellers who move fluidly between professional and personal modes.

Conclusion: The Integrated Journey
The forced separation between business obligations and personal enjoyment belongs to a bygone era. Today's professional traveller understands that meaningful experiences enhance rather than detract from work performance, while business travel provides access to destinations that might otherwise remain unexplored.

By approaching every journey with dual objectives—professional success alongside personal enrichment—we transform obligatory business trips into opportunities for growth in multiple dimensions. Through thoughtful planning, strategic accommodation choices, and technology utilisation, even the busiest professional schedules can incorporate elements of exploration, relaxation, and cultural engagement.

The next time work requires your presence in a distant city, consider how you might extend your stay, bring along loved ones, or simply carve out moments between obligations to experience your destination authentically. You may discover that your most productive business trips are also your most personally rewarding journeys.

Colombo Hotel Offers - https://www.fairwaycolombo.com/offers/

Hotels in Fort Colombo - https://www.fairwaycolombo.com/

Hotel Rooms in Colombo - https://www.fairwaycolombo.com/accommodation/

Rooftop Restaurants Colombo - https://www.fairwaycolombo.com/experiences/