Bleisure 2026: How Gen Z Is Redefining Travel, Work and Luxury

In 2026, the concept of bleisure — the fusion of business and leisure, working while traveling and turning a business trip into a life experience — is no longer a niche phenomenon, but one of the most relevant trends driven by Generation Z.

Bleisure: more than a trend, a travel philosophy

According to the latest EY Future Travel Behaviours Observatory, 79% of Gen Z say they want to combine work and travel, a higher percentage than Millennials. This confirms that, for younger generations, mobility is an integral part of work-life balance and the search for meaning in their professional lives.

This vision translates into a desire to:

• extend business trips to explore destinations,
• work remotely from inspiring locations,
• value personal experience as part of their professional journey.

Gen Z, experience, technology and personalization

Gen Z doesn’t just travel — it redefines how travel works. Digital technologies, AI and smart platforms enable highly personalized itineraries that seamlessly integrate work, culture and lifestyle.

Their approach is characterized by:

• advanced use of digital tools for planning,
• a strong focus on authentic and meaningful experiences,
• sharing travel moments as an integral part of the experience.

Growing spending power and a new definition of luxury

Traditionally seen as budget-conscious, Gen Z is now showing growing spending power, especially when it comes to high-value experiences. More young travelers are willing to invest in international travel and innovative mobility models.

In the luxury segment, this translates into:

• high-end bleisure experiences with premium hotels, integrated coworking and wellness services;
• tailor-made journeys combining professional networking and local discovery;
• the centrality of free time, seen as an identity marker rather than a status symbol.

For Gen Z, luxury is not about ostentation, but about experience quality, authenticity and personalization.

Luxury Bleisure Experience: Gen Z’s new “premium playgrounds”

In 2026, bleisure reflects an additional shift: a more aware Generation Z with increasing purchasing power, choosing luxury as privileged access to environments, services and high-quality time.

Several destinations are emerging as true premium playgrounds:

• Global cities such as Tokyo, London and Seoul, where business, culture and lifestyle coexist within a fluid ecosystem: high-end hotels with integrated coworking spaces, digital-first services and cultural offerings that naturally extend business travel.
• Luxury workations in destinations like Bali, the Maldives and the Caribbean, where exclusive resorts offer advanced connectivity, wellness programs and full immersion in nature. Here, luxury becomes reclaimed time — a balance between productivity and well-being.
• Iconic alpine destinations such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and St. Moritz, appealing to a Gen Z drawn to a more discreet form of luxury rooted in design, nature and bespoke services.
• Cities of art and reinterpreted heritage, such as Florence and Kyoto, where culture, boutique hospitality and work flexibility merge into deep, contemporary experiences.

The new luxury according to Gen Z

The common thread is clear: luxury is no longer about the destination itself, but about the overall experience. Generation Z is willing to spend more when it perceives:

• genuine personalization,
• a natural integration of work and lifestyle,
• authentic values, sustainability and attention to detail.

In 2026, Gen Z is not only leading the bleisure movement, but redefining what it means to travel — and to invest in travel. Work is no longer a break from life, and travel is no longer a break from work: both become expressions of a fluid, mobile and conscious identity. This is where luxury bleisure finds its most authentic space.