TRAVLR partners with 8common to capitalise on growing ‘bleisure’ market with new platform

Simon te Hennepe the co-founders of Travlr outside their Windsor office in Melbourne. Photo by Jesse Marlow.
By Travel Weekly


Travel tech disruptor TRAVLR and ASX-listed 8common have announced a strategic alliance to launch an employee travel benefits platform to address the growing ‘bleisure’ (business and leisure) market.

The TRAVLR-powered Benefits8 platform will deliver an end-to-end leisure travel platform that will leverage the client relationships of 8common’s Expense8 business unit, which includes users from large corporates such as Woolworths, Broadcast Australia, and Amcor, along with 117 state and federal government agencies.

The Expense8 corporate travel module offers a pre-trip approval function to let employees easily plan and book corporate travel.

The module also includes an easy and secure approval process for both managers and employees to meet government and corporate compliance requirements.

The concept of combining business and leisure travel has been identified as a significant opportunity in recent research.

A survey by Hilton Hotels & Resorts found nearly 70 per cent of respondents had a desire to extend their work trips for leisure purposes.

Furthermore, in its 2018 Bleisure Trends Report, travel management company Egencia noted 68 per cent of travellers mix business with pleasure trips between one and three times a year.

TRAVLR founder Simon te Hennepe (pictured above) said he was thrilled to see the company supported and utilised as a technology platform by Benefits8.

“At TRAVLR, we have developed this platform over the last 10 years, seamlessly using technology to create the very best experience for travellers,” he said

“In 2019, bleisure travel – adding a leisure portion of travel to a business trip – will become a hugely popular way to make the most out of business travel, with 68 per cent of business travellers globally taking at least one bleisure trip per year.

“It’s great to be partnering with 8common and Benefits8, who have recognised the need for innovation and a new technology platform that powers and allows the whole experience of booking and planning travel to be effortless and enjoyable, whilst also maintaining the highest compliance standards.”

Nic Lim, executive chairman of 8Common, said he was proud to see such an exciting and innovative partnership get off the ground.

“With this powerful alliance, 8common aims offer a seamless ecosystem that keeps the lines clear between business and leisure travel,” he said.

“Benefits8 customers will have access to an enhanced travel booking experience through TRAVLR, featuring an industry-leading network of flights, hotels and resorts, Agoda homes inventory, cruising, as well as more than 200,000 experiences and activities from across the globe.”

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