Cities that can serve both sides of that equation are thriving.
The Rise of Bleisure Travel
“Bleisure” started as a niche perk and is now mainstream. An American Express Global Business Travel report found that 60% of UK business travellers have extended a work trip for leisure, with Millennials (62%) and Gen Z (61%) leading the way. Hybrid schedules and flexible travel dates are fuelling demand, according to the same report, so adding a long weekend to a conference trip now feels natural. For many, it is a chance to see somewhere new without booking a separate week away.
Why Convention Cities Are Benefiting
Cities that host major events gain more than ticket sales. ICCA’s 2025 rankings analysed 12,438 international association meetings, with Lisbon, Paris and Barcelona leading the city table. Delegates fill hotels, restaurants and attractions, and those who stay on add further nights. For the host city, that is a valuable pattern: a conference can stretch into a longer visit, with spending spread across the wider tourism economy. The report noted that destinations such as Barcelona, Dubai, Seoul and Vancouver have invested heavily in convention facilities because the returns are proven.
What Business Travellers Are Looking for Beyond the Conference Centre
Venue quality still matters, but delegates judge a city by what happens after hours. The same Amex GBT research found that the majority of business travellers prefer work trips to new destinations. So the appeal lies in good food, cultural attractions, lively districts and easy transport links, ideally close to the venue, so evenings are spent exploring rather than commuting. Reliable wifi and comfortable rooms still matter, but so does a destination that feels worth the journey. Cities that deliver efficiency by day and atmosphere by night are the ones travellers extend their stays in.
Destinations Leading the Business-and-Leisure Trend
Few cities combine business infrastructure with holiday appeal like Dubai. It welcomed a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, has more than 154,000 hotel rooms and is home to the world’s busiest airport for international passengers. Delegates attending an event there can easily turn a few nights into a Dubai holiday around their conference dates, mixing beaches, shopping and desert excursions with downtime. As the Middle East situation remains unpredictable, check the Foreign Office’s latest UAE travel advice and arrange appropriate insurance before booking.
Bleisure shows no sign of fading. As convention cities court visitors who stay longer, the best destinations will be those that make business easy and downtime irresistible. Whether you are heading to a trade show or a congress, it pays to plan the extra days as carefully as the agenda.
