VDR annual conference: Bleisure and workation in the focus of the industry!

VDR annual conference: Bleisure and workation in the focus of the industry!

The VDR annual conference 2025 took place successfully at the Ingolstadt location. The author Leander Geitemann opened the event with an urgent plea for a change of perspective in the travel industry. A total of 13 different topics were discussed in numerous sessions. The focus was particularly on aspects such as the New Distribution Capability (NDC), corporate credit cards, as well as the new trends Bleisure and Workation.

The discussion about NDC has been a central topic in the industry for more than 15 years, and it is clear that this technology solution is becoming increasingly important. The next event, which will take place in a Saxon city in 2026, was also announced at the annual meeting.

New travel trends: Bleisure and workation

In recent years, the concept of bleisure travel, which is made up of the terms business and leisure, has become established. Bleisure includes business trips that are also used for private purposes. An example of this is when employees extend their business trips, for example to attend concerts or explore sights. Working hours and free time merge, which is particularly appreciated by younger employees as it leads to greater satisfaction and motivation in the company.

In contrast, workation, in which work and vacation are combined, is different. This form of travel usually takes place over a longer period of time in a holiday region. In terms of social security law, a workation is viewed as a posting, while with bleisure the destinations are determined by the company.

When traveling on business within the EU, employees must present an A1 certificate. Insurance coverage for employees abroad is provided by the employer, but this ends when they go on personal vacation. In Germany, normal insurance coverage applies during paid vacation; When it comes to unpaid leave, the period is crucial.

Employees are responsible for their own personal activities in terms of travel costs, meals and insurance coverage. Companies, on the other hand, bear the travel costs or can offer a tax-free reimbursement provided that the professional share is at least 10% or the vacation covers a maximum of 5 working days. Business and private costs must be strictly separated, and mixed expenses must be divided plausibly.

The developments surrounding Bleisure and Workation demonstrate how important it is for companies to create a balance between working and living time. This is particularly important in today's working world, where flexibility and work-life balance are becoming increasingly important. For further insights into trends in business travel management, interested readers can read reports from fvw.de and tk.de track.