The way Canadians travel for work is changing with Gen Z leading a shift in one area: bleisure. According to new research from American Express Canada, younger employees are approaching business travel differently than their Gen X and Boomer counterparts.
Here are a few highlights from the American Express report:
- Travel still drives satisfaction and growth. 71% of Canadian business travelers across generations say it positively impacts their job satisfaction, and two thirds (67%) believe it supports their career development.
- Bleisure preference shifting. While nearly half of Millennials (45%), Gen X (47%) and Boomers (53%) are more likely to extend business trips for leisure (i.e., ‘bleisure’), only a third (34%) of Gen Z travelers do the same and only 25% were interested in exploring this option in the future (compared to 46% of Millennials) – indicating a stronger preference for keeping work and personal time separate.
- Shared benefits across all age groups. Regardless of generation, business travelers agree that improved team collaboration, stronger client relationships, and increased employee satisfaction are the top benefits of corporate travel.
This survey was undertaken by The Harris Poll Canada. It ran overnight on May 14 and 16, with a total of 3,024 randomly selected Canadian adults, 603 of whom are business travelers and 336 who book business travel for others.
Some additional poll findings from the American Express report:
- 71% of Canadian business travelers said that business travel has an impact on their job satisfaction
- 67% of Canadian business travelers said that business travel has an impact on their career growth
- When booking business travel, 71% would consider extending their trip to make it a longer vacation
- 63% of business travelers would have liked an extended stay on their last business trip to make it a longer vacation
- 76% of those booking travel said that they believe business travel is important for their company’s growth
- Only a third of Gen X business travelers (34%) have blended work travel with leisure and just a quarter (25%) would like to experience it in future business trips
- 44% of business travelers expressed interest in blending business with leisure, with Gen X / Boomers+ (55%) most likely to have interest.
- 37% of business travelers and bookers believe business travel strengthens client or partner relationships and improves team collaboration, while 33% agree that is has a benefit for providing new business opportunities.
- The survey found that new business opportunities (27%), conferences (26%), and professional development (25%) are the top factors influencing corporate travel destinations.
Phanikar Yenamandra, Vice President Customer Marketing and Engagement at American Express Canada, said Gen Z may be more intentional about drawing boundaries between work and personal time.
“Unlike Gen X or Boomers – of whom nearly half extend work trips for leisure – only a third of Gen Z travelers do the same, and even fewer (25%) are interested in doing so in the future,” he said. “It’s possible many of them entered the workforce during a period of blurred work-life lines and they’re now reclaiming that separation.
“Companies should think about what their business travel incentives look like and if it matches up with their employees’ needs and preferences. For younger employees, it’s about travel with clear value, efficient itineraries, and flexible policies. We may see a shift toward tools that respond to this by offering greater choice. That’s where the things we do at Amex can help – with flexible rewards, premium access and tools that make business travel feel like it offers employees a competitive edge.”
Yenamandra said American Expreiss is building for the kind of business traveler who wants flexibility, speed, and personalization.
“That means smart, intuitive tools for managing expenses, access to exclusive perks that upgrade the travel experience, and rewards that go beyond the basics. Whether it’s point accelerators on flights, lounge access between meetings, or simplified mobile expense tracking, our travel solutions are designed to support a modern, mobile workforce,” he said. “Our Platinum Cards for example help you earn points on business travel, which you can redeem for personal trips, plus enjoy access to 1,400+ airport lounges. Gen Z values convenience, control, and efficiency – so we’re designing products and platforms that let them travel on their terms, while still delivering the premium service Amex is known for.
“Business travel remains a powerful way to build relationships, drive growth, and foster innovation regardless of generation. In fact, 71% of Canadian business travelers say it boosts job satisfaction, and 67% say it supports career development. We’re helping companies maximize that value by streamlining the travel and payment experience. From smart expense management to curated travel perks, our goal is to make business travel feel purposeful and productive for employees, while giving employers the data and insights to make smarter decisions.
“Business can focus on smarter, more strategic spending in response to changing attitudes – and investing in experiences that deliver clear ROI, like team offsites or client-facing travel. And they’ll need tools that offer visibility, flexibility, and personalization. That’s where Amex can add real value, helping organizations balance employee expectations with business outcomes.”
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