For years, business travel was defined by tight schedules, meeting rooms and time measured down to the minute. Today, that way of travelling is evolving. Companies are looking for something more: experiences that inspire, connect and create real value for people. In this new context, a key trend in MICE tourism is gaining strength: bleisure.
Bleisure travel, the combination of business and leisure travel, has become one of the most relevant corporate travel trends, especially in destinations capable of offering much more than event infrastructure. This is where Donostia – San Sebastián stands out as an exceptional destination to integrate work, leisure and local culture into a single, seamless experience.
What is bleisure and why is it transforming MICE tourism?
Bleisure is not simply about extending a business trip. It goes far beyond that. In MICE travel, bleisure represents a new way of understanding corporate travel experiences, where work naturally coexists with enjoyment, wellbeing and a deeper connection with the destination.
Within MICE tourism, bleisure offers clear benefits: greater engagement and motivation among attendees, more meaningful networking in relaxed environments, and experiential corporate travel that feels more human and memorable. It also strengthens the emotional connection between teams and companies.
As a result, corporate events and bleisure are no longer confined to closed meeting rooms. They open up to the city, the landscape and the local culture. The outcome is business travel combined with leisure, designed for people, not just for agendas.
Donostia: a natural bleisure destination for business travel
Not every destination can successfully balance professional demands with personal enjoyment. Donostia can.
Its size, rhythm and character allow a smooth transition between strategic meetings and authentic local experiences. Here, business travel combined with leisure does not feel forced; it happens naturally.
San Sebastián offers an ideal setting for congresses, incentive travel and MICE travel, with well-connected meeting spaces, high-end hotels and venues, and a walkable, elegant city that invites exploration. This context allows work to be efficient while encouraging genuine disconnection and inspiration.
Sea, nature and wellbeing as part of the journey
One of the greatest values of bleisure in Donostia is the constant presence of the sea and nature as part of the experience. The Cantabrian coast is not just a backdrop; it sets the pace and creates balance.
After a meeting or a full working day, the environment invites travellers to unwind in an authentic way. Walking along the bay, feeling the sea breeze or enjoying activities connected to the ocean helps release tension and restore energy. These moments, integrated into tailor-made corporate travel and customised incentive trips, enhance wellbeing and clarity, reinforcing the feeling of time well spent that defines luxury bleisure travel.
Corporate events in San Sebastián that leave a lasting impression
When bleisure is naturally integrated into MICE tourism, corporate events take on a new dimension. In Donostia, corporate events unfold in an environment that encourages closeness, conversation and shared enjoyment.
A conference can continue with a carefully designed local experience. An incentive travel MICE programme can turn into an emotional memory linked to the destination and the people who share it. In this way, exclusive corporate events move beyond efficiency to become experiences that are remembered and talked about long after they end.
Bleisure: a trend shaping the future of corporate travel
The growth of bleisure travel clearly reflects the evolution of corporate travel trends. Companies are seeking more balanced, conscious and meaningful experiences, aligned with employee wellbeing and motivation.
In this scenario, Donostia positions itself as one of the most attractive bleisure destinations for companies, particularly for those embracing a premium approach to luxury MICE tourism. A destination where luxury is expressed through quality, authenticity and attention to detail.
Experiencing bleisure from a different perspective
When work blends with the sea, local culture and the pleasure of discovering a destination, travel is transformed. Time feels different, and experiences gain depth.
At Spirit Experiences, we design high-end MICE experiences for those seeking the perfect balance between work, leisure and emotion. Exclusive, tailor-made MICE experiences where bleisure flows naturally and luxury is reflected in the rhythm, the surroundings and the shared moments. We invite you to discover San Sebastián through a different way of travelling, where every experience leaves a lasting impression.
