A group of frolleagues enjoying a day out. Picture: Unsplash
In an interesting turn of events, nearly 30 percent of global travellers are opting to vacation with “frolleagues” - friends who also happen to be colleagues, according to Hilton's Annual Travel Trends Report.
This intriguing social shift suggests that the bond between work and leisure is evolving, with predictions that frolleague trips will be among the top travel trends of 2025.
But what is propelling this surge in co-worker getaways?
Jan Luescher, CEO of the travel social network ASMALLWORLD, offers some compelling insights into the driving forces behind this intriguing phenomenon.
A blend of business and pleasure
The rise of frolleague travel can be traced back to the broader concept of bleisure travel, a term reflecting trips that intertwine business obligations with leisure activities.
Luescher said that thanks to the escalating popularity of virtual meetings and remote work, the nature of professional travel is changing.
According to data from American Airlines, over 50 percent of trips taken between late 2021 and early 2022 combined leisure time with work, a remarkable jump from just 20 percent in previous years.
He said this trend underscores a collective yearning among employees for a better work-life balance, with companies recognising that such initiatives can boost retention and employee satisfaction.
“Properties that cater to bleisure travellers, offering co-working spaces alongside leisure amenities, are witnessing rapid increases in bookings,” said Luescher.
In this nuanced realm of travel, having a frolleague as a companion can significantly enhance the experience.
Luescher explained: “For many individuals, these trips merge productivity with the opportunity to experience the best a destination has to offer. A colleague’s presence can elevate focus and enjoyment, making the journey both enjoyable and efficient.”
The challenges of adult friendships
Developing friendships in adulthood can be far from straightforward.
Research indicates that the ideal conditions for making lasting connections involve “continuous unplanned interaction and shared vulnerability.”
Luescher said that while children naturally forge bonds through shared activities, adults often find such moments elusive amidst career pressures and family obligations.
Workplaces have thus become prime environments for nurturing friendships, yet as 91 percent of companies embrace remote work, opportunities for casual bonding are scarce.
“In virtual meetings, workers login, engage in tasks and log off, leaving little room for the spontaneous social interactions that help colleagues connect over coffee or a lunch break. As a result, more professionals are seeking travel as a means to reconnect with co-workers,” said Luescher.
ASMALLWORLD has seen a marked increase in professionals embarking on trips with colleagues, not only for bleisure experiences but also for frolleague adventures in picturesque locales.
“Travel creates the ideal backdrop for organic interactions that remote work has diminished - be it in breakfast chats, train journeys or simply exploring new destinations together. Such shared experiences often lead to meaningful friendships,” he said.
A new landscape for dispersed teams
Luescher noted that the shift towards flexible work arrangements means teams are more geographically dispersed than ever, with members spread across multiple cities, nations or continents.
He added that rather than just visiting each other’s hometowns - which can become complicated due to family commitments - colleagues are now opting to meet during holiday trips.
“This offers a chance to connect in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere,” he said.
Lastly, Luescher said: “Frolleague trips not only allow for collaborative productivity but also provide the joy of discovering new places together, reinforcing collegial bonds in ways that traditional office interactions cannot.
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