Crowne Plaza Release New Whitepaper on Blended Travel

The new whitepaper highlights the growing trend of blended travel, which combines work and leisure, and the subsequent shifts in the hotel industry to accommodate this emerging traveller need.

Crowne Plaza has released its second white paper, “Leading the Charge in Blended Travel.” The report outlines the significant shift towards blended travel, a mix of work and leisure, driven by companies and individuals who value flexibility, personal growth, mind-body equity, and connection when travelling.

Survey Findings on Blended Travel

Crowne Plaza commissioned a YouGov survey involving over 12,000 respondents from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and India. The findings indicated that 70% of respondents in the U.A.E. and 65% in KSA see more benefits and flexibility in blended travel compared to five years ago. This trend suggests travellers increasingly use their travel time to pursue broader personal goals, particularly in the GCC region.

Emerging Trends in Blended Travel

The white paper identified four emerging trends driving the shift towards blended travel:

1. Improve and Grow: Travellers now connect their journeys with personal and professional growth, skill development, and creative exploration. The YouGov survey revealed that 40% of global respondents combine work and leisure travel to explore destinations they wouldn’t have otherwise visited.

2. Mind-Body Equity: Wellness is now integrated into every aspect of life, including travel. The survey revealed that 35% of global respondents believe blended travel helps establish healthier routines and reduce stress.

3. The New Personal Travel Economy: Travellers are increasingly focused on getting the most value from their time and money. In this regard, AI and other tech solutions are increasingly used to make travel planning more seamless.

4. Intentional Togetherness: As much of life is lived online, travellers place greater value on in-person connections with colleagues, loved ones, and new acquaintances.

Download the Leading the Charge in Blended Travel whitepaper.