Professionals are increasingly turning short work trips into extended getaways, as a growing global trend known as “bleisure” travel reshapes how Queenslanders approach business travel.
The shift is being driven by flexible work arrangements, cheaper long-haul flight strategies and a desire to balance productivity with personal experience – and it’s gaining traction among local business owners, freelancers and corporate workers alike.
For many, what was once a quick interstate or international trip is now an opportunity to explore new destinations without the cost of a separate holiday.
It’s a pattern familiar to Queensland entrepreneur Amelia Bailey, who recently travelled to Bangkok for a two-day supplier meeting. Instead of flying home immediately, she stayed the weekend to explore temples, try local food and experience the city.
That approach is becoming the norm rather than the exception.
According to recent global data, about 42 per cent of business travellers now extend their trips for leisure, with the trend particularly popular among younger professionals and remote workers.
In Australia, demand is even stronger, with business trips now averaging around six nights – nearly double the global average.
On the Sunshine Coast, the trend is being fuelled by a workforce that is increasingly mobile and digitally connected. Many local professionals regularly travel through Brisbane Airport to major business hubs such as Singapore, Tokyo and London, making it easier to add a few extra days without significantly increasing costs.
For small business owners and consultants in particular, the appeal is clear: one international flight can serve both work and leisure purposes.
However, while the idea of blending work and travel is appealing, staying connected remains one of the biggest challenges.
Reliable internet is essential for attending virtual meetings, managing clients and keeping operations running smoothly – even while sitting at a beachside café or navigating a foreign city.
Traditional international roaming options can be costly, with Australian carriers often charging between $5 and $10 per day, and additional costs quickly adding up if data limits are exceeded.
For Sunshine Coast travellers working to tight schedules, there’s also little time to deal with buying local SIM cards, navigating language barriers or switching phone numbers mid-trip.
Newer technology, such as eSIMs, is increasingly being adopted as a solution.
Unlike traditional SIM cards, an eSIM is embedded in a smartphone and allows users to download mobile data plans digitally before they even leave Australia. Once they arrive at their destination, the connection activates automatically, linking to local networks without the need to swap physical cards.
Providers like Yesim are targeting this growing market, offering global coverage across dozens of countries and allowing users to manage their data usage through an app.
The technology is proving particularly useful for travellers visiting multiple destinations, as it can automatically connect to the strongest available network without additional setup.
For professionals embracing bleisure travel, tools like this are becoming part of a broader shift in how trips are planned.
Flexible booking platforms are helping travellers identify cheaper return flights, while apps for navigation, dining and local experiences are making it easier to maximise leisure time without compromising work commitments.
The result is a new travel mindset – one where business and personal experiences are no longer competing priorities.
Instead, they are increasingly seen as complementary.
As hybrid work continues to evolve, professionals appear well positioned to take advantage of the trend, combining global business opportunities with the chance to explore new destinations along the way.
