The bleisure trend continues its momentum in 2025 as Flight Centre Travel Group’s corporate brands report up to 75 per cent of business travellers are adding extra nights to their work trips. However, one city and state are outshining the traditional domestic destinations as bleisure capitals for corporates.
The Sunshine State is leading the way in the rising length of stay and bleisure trips, a trend supported by Brisbane Airport‘s analysis of corporate travel demand.
Cairns came out on top with an eight-day average length of stay, while Brisbane remains the bleisure capital, beating out Sydney and Melbourne with an average stay of five days compared to four days in the southern capitals.
The Sunshine Coast also superseded the Gold Coast last year with corporates spending an average of five days on the Sunshine Coast compared to the Gold Coast’s four days, underlining Queensland’s array of bleisure capitals.

In addition, Crystalbrook Collection, which has hotels in Cairns and Brisbane, saw a 29 per cent year-on-year increase in corporate stays in 2024.
FCTG’s Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel found that single-day trips grew at the slowest rate in 2024 while business trips of four to five days’ duration saw 18 per cent year-on-year growth.

Corporate Traveller Global Managing Director Tom Walley said its latest survey showed up to 75 per cent of FCTG customers are adding leisure travel to their work trips.
“Events like sporting showpieces and concerts seem to play a tactical role in business trips and business at a well-known leisure destination is always a drawcard for an extended stay,” he said.
“But whether it’s Taylor Swift or Coldplay in Sydney, NRL Magic Round in Brisbane, Australian Open in Melbourne, or simply bringing the family along and extending a business trip, extended stays around major events seem to be a trend that continues to soar worldwide, according to our booking data.”

Brisbane Airport Executive General Manager of Aviation Ryan Both said Brisbane offers professional opportunities and leisure appeal, making it one of the state’s standout bleisure capitals in Australia.
“Brisbane continues to see strong demand from corporate travellers who are choosing to spend more time here compared to Sydney or Melbourne,” he said.
“They’re extending their stay to attend conferences and also experience Brisbane’s vibrant cultural scene, major sporting events and enjoy a quick getaway to the stunning Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.”
Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts Group Director of Sales & Distribution Kylie Brajak agreed: “When business travellers can trade their laptop for poolside lounging and spreadsheets for cocktails, why wouldn’t you stay a little longer?”