According to the results of the "Chefsache Business Travel" study commissioned by the German Travel Association, the ability to work from home or while on the move also impacts business trips. Sixty-seven percent of those on business trips already adapt their planning to their individual work-life balance. Four out of ten employees are already relocating their home offices abroad, at least temporarily, and working from there.

Flexible working has improved the work-life balance for many business travelers. Andreas Neumann, Managing Director of ADAC Reisevertrieb GmbH, says, "Due to increased digitalization, home offices and remote work have become an integral part of the working world not only for general managers but also for professionals and executives." More than two out of every general manager surveyed believe that digitalization opportunities have improved the balance between professional obligations, private life, and renewal phases. And four out of ten professionals and executives share this view. Additionally, more than three-quarters of all participants believe that flexible workplaces and hours will become even more important for the next generation of employees; general managers (84%) believe this much more strongly than professionals and executives (71%).

New trend: home office abroad

Neumann says, "A new trend is also emerging in companies: 'workation,'" a term that combines work and vacation. Neumann continued, "Through individual arrangements, companies can allow their employees to work abroad for a few weeks each year, for example, responding to emails, attending meetings, and advancing projects in places where others are on vacation." So far, 45% of survey participants have had the option to temporarily move their main office abroad. However, according to the study, 78% of men and 66% of women believe that work will become even more important in the future. The next generation of employees can further enhance their own work-life balance in this way.

Individual business trips increase employer attractiveness

Workation should not be confused with Bleisure Travel. Forty-four percent of the respondents take advantage of this trend toward mobile working. They combine a private vacation with a business trip, arriving earlier or staying longer. Today, this New Work option is much more popular among young business travelers than older ones: 53% of those under 40 either practice Bleisure Travel themselves or observe their colleagues doing so. This is only true for just over a third of older people. However, seven out of ten participants believe that this trend will become more important in the future. "Workation and Bleisure Travel are two building blocks that increase the attractiveness of employers in times of skilled labor shortages. Companies that offer these options clearly have an advantage," explains Andreas Neumann. "Business travel agencies help plan and coordinate such trips. They also help manage travel expenses and ensure that all aspects of the trip comply with company policies."