The Canadian business traveller is all about mixing work with pleasure these days. Tacking a little more time onto trips to explore, visit loved ones or even just have breathing room around meetings, is a trend that’s gaining momentum in the industry.
According to the Global Business Travel Association, Canadian business travel spending is forecast to reach US$25.9-billion in 2024, which will return it to pre-2020 levels, with an annual growth expected to outpace both the U.S. and global rates. Suzanne Neufang, chief executive officer of the GBTA, said it’s important to remember the average business trip also costs more than it did in 2019.
Coined “bleisure” by the industry, the multipurpose business trip is a global trend that Neufang said Canadians aren’t shying away from. More than half of Canadian business travellers are taking “bleisure” trips more often than they did in 2019. The hybrid adventure appeals to some for sustainability reasons, as it reduces the total number of flights taken, Neufang said. Within travel-related industries such as airlines and hotels, she said it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between business and leisure travellers.
“We see the gamut, all from adding on a couple of hours to do something on a personal basis to actually spending your vacation there,” she said.
Chris Lynes, the managing director for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, said employees who combine their work and vacation trips tend to be happier, leading to lower turnover rates at companies.
“Wherever travel can be used for a wellness program, to take a few days off, enjoy where you are and unwind, rather than doing the back and forth, it’s quite healthy,” he said.
With visitors spending more time in destinations, whether it’s for clients or conferences, the opportunity to make the most of their trip is growing. A more practical reason for longer trips is to avoid impact of flight disruptions or delays which make travellers fearful of missing important meetings.
Of 1,049 Canadian adults who are likely to travel for business in roughly the next year, seven in 10 said they have experienced a travel disruption while travelling for business, according to a poll commissioned by Corporate Traveller, whose parent company is Flight Centre Travel Group. These days, Lynes said creating more wiggle room is key for Canadian business travellers.
The Globe and Mail spoke to business leaders and entrepreneurs in the country’s busiest business centres to learn where to go, and what to avoid when travelling for work across Canada. These locals have the insight into how to have a bit of fun, relaxation, team-building and, of course, a great coffee on your next company trip.
Skip to a city... Halifax • Montreal • Edmonton • Quebec City • Vancouver • Ottawa • Winnipeg • Toronto
Visitors walk along the rocks near the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, N.S.DARREN CALABRESE/The Globe and Mail
Dean HandspikerINDOCHINO/Supplied
📍Halifax, Dean Handspiker
Dean Handspiker is an efficient traveller, meaning when he’s constantly on the road for business trips he finds the experience fairly painless. The vice-president of retail for Indochino hops around from showroom to showroom all year to meet teams at his company’s 86 locations across Canada and the U.S. While he doesn’t mind being on the road so much, he said, “There are times when I’d rather be home, like a warm summer weekend in Canada.” For visitors landing in his city, these are some of his recommendations.
Oysters at Drift Restaurant in Halifax.Jess Emin/Supplied
Restaurant
“I want to be confident in the service and the consistency of the venue, and that’s why Drift came first to mind. They’re just very good at what they do.” Handspiker’s go-to order is a paper plane and a seafood platter. Afterward, if you’re lucky, a word with the manager can get you into the nearby hotel speakeasy.
Excursion
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the quintessential East Coast excursion: a “real touch of the Maritimes” less than an hour’s drive from the city, he said. The small community surrounding it boasts a gift shop, lobster shack, gallery, boat tours and other attractions. Respect the safety warnings during your visit, which are in place to keep overzealous tourists from danger on the black rocks. To get the perfect selfie, enjoy the viewing deck instead.
Wellness
Oceanstone Seaside Resort and Spa
Less than a five-minute drive away from Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, the Oceanstone spa offers a “hydrothermal journey.” For $85, guests can spend three hours sampling different temperature pools, a salt-inhalation hammam and an aromatherapy sauna. Plus, the dining is fantastic, added Handspiker.
Coffee
Le French Fix Pâtisserie
The café serves everything you’d expect from a typical barista, but the rainbow of macarons is what makes the destination worth the trip. The entire operation is a master class in French pastry, he said.
Drift Restaurant at The Muir Hotel Halifax.Brandon Barré Photography/Supplied
City travel tip
Taxi, don’t Uber
Don’t bother with an airport Uber, Handspiker said. Just walk out and get a taxi. “You’re probably going to have a fun conversation with the taxi driver on the way in. He’s been doing it for 40 years and he’s going to have that Maritime hospitality.”
Money-saving tip
Prioritize pub food
Studio East Asian Gastropub is Handspiker’s latest find for affordable eats. “It’s a pub, but it’s not.” Its chef-driven approach is supplemented by “unbelievably friendly” service, he said.
People walk along St-Laurent Boulevard during the Mural urban art festival in Montreal, in June, 2024.SEBASTIEN ST-JEAN/Getty Images
Dax DasilvaSupplied
📍Montreal, Dax Dasilva
Dax Dasilva, CEO of Lightspeed, travels once or twice a month to meet customers, investors and team members of his Montreal-based company, which has offices across Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. When he gets the chance to do business at home, this is where you’ll find him.
Restaurant
For an Italian fine-dining experience, Dasilva orders whatever is on special at Nora Gray, because he trusts their creative process. “It’s always a discovery.”
Excursion
Boat tours
A magical place that resembles the Florida Everglades awaits those willing to travel about an hour outside of Montreal, Dasilva said. Near Sorel, visitors can get on a boat cruise and travel down the St. Lawrence River for a few hours, immersing themselves among herons and silver maple trees. “It’s not what people think when they see the river from the city.”
Visitors can take a boat tour down the St. Lawrence River near Sorel, a city about an hour away from Montreal.Supplied
Wellness
A little farther from the city centre, in Bromont, Que., Dasilva said he often makes the trek to Balnea Spa for its private lake and hot and cold pools. Last time he visited, he said a group of turtles graced his presence while swimming in the lake.
Coffee
“Even though their slogan is ‘World’s worst coffee,’ the very cheeky Pigeon café on Monkland, in the neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, has excellent coffee.” It’s a big enough space to go at any time of the day, with a bar in the evening, and Dasilva’s go-to order is a black coffee – and a shakshuka if he’s hungry.
BIXI, Montreal’s bike-sharing service, offers riders a quick and easy way to navigate the city and access to car-free spaces.Supplied
City travel tip
BIXI, baby
If the weather co-operates, Dasilva said hopping on a BIXI, the city’s bike-sharing service, can be faster than trying to navigate Montreal in a car. It’s a prolific form of transport in the city that doesn’t incite parking woes and gives riders access to car-free spaces, such as the paths beside the Lachine Canal.
Money-saving tip
Can’t beat a classic
You don’t need to fork out to eat well in Montreal, Dasilva said. For example, he recently took his head of technology to Schwartz’s Deli for a corporate dinner that cost less than $20. “Once you accept that it’s not about the dollar amount, you can open up your options.”
The Capilano branch of Edmonton Public Library has a 'maker space,' which provides tools such as 3D printers and laser cutters to people in search of a creative recharge.Leroy Schulz/Patkau Architects
Connie StaceySupplied
📍Edmonton, Connie Stacey
Connie Stacey racked up 75,000 kilometres in the air last year travelling for work. The CEO of the battery manufacturer Grengine said while she has purposely slowed down her travels in the past few months, after some dirty looks from her kids, she is often on the road every six to eight weeks. Stacey has spent a lot of her life in Edmonton and much of that time curating her list of favourite places within the city.
Restaurant
For dinner or lunch, Stacey said Happy and Olive is a popular, quirky spot where nothing on the menu is a bad decision. Last time she was there, she said the waffle sticks were a highlight.
Excursion
The ICE District
A giant ice wall erected in the middle of downtown Edmonton drew Stacey’s team to the ICE District in February to watch the world ice climbing championships. Events like this, and, of course, the Oilers’ playoff run, make the entertainment district the perfect place to spend some time with colleagues.
Wellness
Winner of the Library of the Year Award given out by the Library Journal since 1992, this downtown book oasis is where Stacey goes to recharge. She’s a particularly big fan of the library’s maker space, which provides tools such as 3-D printers or laser cutters to people in search of a creative recharge.
Coffee
Good vibes and a “sustainable, friendly approach” to their business make Stacey feel very comfortable when she visits Square 1 Coffee. Her typical order in the open, airy space is a caramel macchiato, latte or anything that’s a little sweet.
Square One coffee in Edmonton.Supplied
City travel tip
Nothing out of the ordinary
Shared electric scooters or the city’s train system are Stacey’s recommendations for visitors. Otherwise, she said, avoid driving during the typical morning and evening rush hours and your experience should be fairly painless.
Money-saving tip
Hit the markets
“You don’t really need to spend any money and you can enjoy some good entertainment.” Grand Markets Edmonton holds free street markets on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, throughout the summer and fall, where the window shopping alone can be fabulous, said Stacey.
Bistro l’Orygine in Quebec City.Supplied
Rachelle SéguinSupplied
📍Quebec City, Rachelle Séguin
Rachelle Séguin, co-founder of dermocosmetics company Omy Laboratoires, has cut down on travelling for work since her newborn daughter came along about eight months ago.
Usually, she heads to beauty industry events in places such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and France. She has a reputation within her team for staying in the cheapest hotels to get to know the place she’s visiting better – an ode to her adventurous spirit.
Restaurant
With vegan and non-vegan options, Séguin said Bistro l’Orygine has something for everyone and is her favourite restaurant in Quebec City. She usually goes for brunch and enjoys their four-course “Tasting Formula,” which she said is abundant with locally grown food and has a boreal flavour to it. Even the oysters on the breakfast menu won her over.
Excursion
This nomadic company offers a variety of stand-up paddle board experiences paired with gourmet meals, only about an hour outside of the city in the Portneuf region. From a simple wine and cheese experience to an entire three-course meal, Õ Pagaie has a few options for groups and Séguin said it’s worth the trip.
Wellness
The German Aufguss sauna ritual is Séguin’s preferred treatment at Skyspa. As a “sauna master” pours hot water infused with essential oils onto hot stones, the degree of humidity in the sauna rises sharply. Eventually, sauna-goers are rewarded with ice to cool the body. “You almost have a buzz because it’s very intense.”
Skyspa in Quebec City offers a unique sauna experience.Supplied
Coffee
Séguin isn’t much of a coffee person. Instead, she orders a matcha with some plant milk – hot or cold, depending on the day. But regardless of the order, she said Nektar is a nice go-to for coffee and matcha lovers alike.
City travel tip
Consider a rental car
To access Quebec’s natural landscape, in places such as Portneuf and Parc national de la Jacques‑Cartier, Séguin said it’s worth investing in a rental car. Uber isn’t always readily available and to get a taxi at an odd time (such as for an early morning flight) it’s worth reserving in advance.
Money-saving tip
Picnic on the plains
The Plains of Abraham in the heart of Quebec City is a wide-open green space totally free to enjoy and steeped with history. Nearby, a walk around the grandiose Chateau Frontenac is also worth checking out, Séguin said.
Stanley Park Seawall, with Downtown Vancouver on the horizon.Supplied
Barbora SamieianSupplied
📍Vancouver, Barbora Samieian
Barbora Samieian, co-founder of Sundays Furniture, travels every other month for work, usually to Toronto, Los Angeles, New York or Seattle. Most of the time, it’s to visit one of her company’s showrooms, but sometimes it’s coupled with an event too.
With four kids at home, she said work trips usually only last two or three days, but they’re a welcome respite from the daily grind and a chance for a creative recharge. For visitors to her own city, these are her go-to spots.
Restaurant
Samieian can often be found feasting at this old-world, Italian-inspired restaurant during lunch or dinner on an iconic Vancouver street, commonly referred to as “The Drive.” Her menu hack? Order the kale salad with a side of two meatballs. “For a lighter option, it’s what I love ordering. And it hits the spot every time.”
People cycle and walk the seawall path near Siwash Rock in Stanley Park.Heath Moffatt/Supplied
Excursion
Stanley Park Seawall
The seaside path hugs the outer edges of Vancouver’s beloved Stanley Park in a loop that spans roughly 10 kilometres and takes about two hours to walk, Samieian said. For a speedier option, rent a bike or use the local bike share. Both offer gorgeous views of the North Shore Mountains.
Wellness
While the outdoor Kitsilano Pool is her favourite place to relax in the summer, during the colder months she opts for the Balance workout class at Jaybird, where candles and an infrared-heated room make for a cozy atmosphere to stretch the day away in.
Coffee
“Coffee is my moment of self-care between dropping off the kids and hopping into the office,” Samieian said. At her favourite coffee shop, only a five-minute walk from the tourist destination Granville Island, she tries to sip and savour her macchiato.
People shop at Granville Island Market in Vancouver.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
City travel tip
Ferries for the win
With multiple stops along the seawall, False Creek Ferries is a small ferry service zipping passengers between destinations such as Olympic Village, Yaletown, Kitsilano, Granville Island and the West End. “It’s a really great way to explore different parts of the city.”
Money-saving tip
DIY charcuterie
Everything you need to create your own charcuterie board is at your fingertips inside the Granville Island Market. With a visit to Oyama Sausage Co., Samieian said she often creates her own picnic for a reasonable price and then, has the pleasure of eating it oceanside.
Major’s Hill Park, located beside Parliament Hill, is the site of the city’s tulip festival.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Cassandra August-ReneSupplied
📍Ottawa, Cassandra Auguste-René
While working a full-time position in the federal government, Cassandra Auguste-René runs It’s Time Event Management, where she focuses on supporting local Black-owned businesses. For entrepreneurs landing in Ottawa, these are her top picks.
Restaurant
Connected to the Fairmont Château Laurier, La Terrasse’s patio overlooks the Ottawa River and has a nice vibe for either lunch or dinner, Auguste-René said. To share, she recommends the charcuterie board and for one, the tofu poké bowl is a favourite.
Excursion
A site for the city’s tulip festival, Major’s Hill Park is centrally located beside Parliament Hill. There’s a nearby restaurant called Tavern on the Hill if you get thirsty, but Auguste-René said most people just sit on the ground, take in the view of the Ottawa River and let their surroundings wash over them.
The Kōena Spa is located a short distance from downtown Ottawa, across the border in Gatineau, Que.Kōena Spa/Supplied
Wellness
Hopping across the border into Gatineau, Auguste-René said she loves spending time in the sauna and stopping in at the in-house bistro during a full day of relaxation. “Sometimes we go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.”
Coffee
This café-flower shop hybrid is a go-to for meeting clients, Auguste-René said. “The whole coffee shop is decorated in pink roses. The tables are pink, the chairs are pink, the drinks come in a pink cup, glass or mug.” Try the avocado sandwich, she said.
La Terrasse restaurant, connected to the Fairmont Château Laurier in downtown Ottawa.Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
City travel tip
Stay central
“Oftentimes, people say there’s nothing to do in Ottawa, but I don’t believe so. Whenever I decide to walk downtown, if it’s with a business partner or my family, we always find something to do.” To avoid missing out on any of the action, choose somewhere to stay that’s within walking distance of downtown.
Money-saving tip
Try a taco snack
When looking for a quick bite that won’t break the bank, Auguste-René said El Camino’s eggplant taco is worth every penny of its price tag.
The Pavilion, one of Winnipeg’s most beloved landmarks, currently hosts various events and four art galleries, which are free to the public.Wayne Hewitt/Assiniboine Park Conservancy
Destiny SeymourSupplied
📍Winnipeg, Destiny Seymour
Destiny Seymour is able to travel for work a little more often now that her daughters are growing up, currently at 12 and 14 years old. The interior designer said she founded Indigo Arrows eight years ago, with a focus on bringing respectful Indigenous design into projects. Once in a while, she travels to places such as Toronto or the U.S. for Indigenous fashion arts festivals or markets. Otherwise, you can find her at home with her family in Winnipeg, enjoying the city.
Restaurant
Tucked away in Winnipeg’s Wolseley neighbourhood, this small restaurant fills up quickly in the evenings, Seymour said, and likely requires a reservation. Its quiet nature and outdoor patio make it a lovely spot for meeting in a relaxed atmosphere.
Excursion
An indoor horticultural space, this leaf-shaped building houses different biomes bursting with plants to walk through and various rooms available to rent. In July, Seymour rented the ballroom for her wedding, and she said it didn’t disappoint.
Wellness
Seymour’s favourite spot at this outdoor spa is in a hammock between two trees in the relaxation area. “I am not a napper. I rarely sit still. But the last time I was there, I laid in it and instantly fell asleep.” Other highlights include a eucalyptus steam room and an outdoor pizza oven. It’s open in the winter too – just be prepared for frozen eyelashes.
Thermëa specializes in thermotherapy and relaxation techniques from Scandinavian countries.Supplied
Coffee
Seymour goes to Little Sister for the best oat-milk latte in her neighbourhood. Sometimes she gets a croissant with her coffee, but often, she travels the two kilometres to Hildegard’s Bakery for her sweet treat.
City travel tip
Just Uber
Uber is your best bet in Winnipeg, Seymour said. And if you can avoid it, rush hour makes commuting a headache between four and six in the afternoon.
Money-saving tip
Make it Mediterranean
With a grocery store, restaurant, wine store and bakery, La Grotta Mediterranean Market is a one-stop shop for a deliciously affordable evening. At the top of Seymour’s must-haves list is a piece of tiramisu or chocolate cake.
Visitors can walk through Toronto’s ravine system at Evergreen Brick Works.Alexander Yoshiki/Evergreen Brick Works
Eva WongPatryk Adamczyk/Supplied
📍Toronto, Eva Wong
Once every couple of months, Eva Wong, co-founder and chief operating officer of fintech company Borrowell, travels to cities such as New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Montreal and Vancouver. She enjoys the opportunity to travel for work and connect with people in-person – something she missed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. When it’s her turn to play host to clients in her own city, this is where she goes.
Restaurant
“Rasa does an amazing job making vegetables taste good.” If Wong could make salads the way Rasa does, she said she might eat them more often. The chopped salad is her particular favourite, with crispy chickpeas and feta. The great food and lowkey atmosphere make it a great dinner spot.
Excursion
Borrowell has done a number of team-building events, but electric go-karting is among the highlights, Wong said. Located in North York, she said it’s accessible by subway and very well organized. The activity lasts a couple of hours and can include food. “Honestly in the last three years, the biggest adrenalin rush I’ve got is doing this electric go-kart racing.”
Evergreen Brick Works has become a hub for local food and artisan markets.Laura Iruegas/Evergreen Brick Works
Wellness
Lace-up some sneakers and go for a walk within Toronto’s ravine system at Evergreen Brick Works. The old, abandoned brick factory has become a hub for farmer and artisan markets and is attached to a network of trails that are perfect for some alone time in nature.
Coffee
For Victorian architecture and a decaf cappuccino, Wong will often stop at Balzac’s in the Distillery District. “They have a second-floor seating area where you can see the CN Tower out of one of the windows.”
Balzac's Cafe in Toronto's Distillery District.Moe Doiron/The Globe and Mail
City travel tip
Anything but driving
“Traffic is terrible.” If you can avoid driving, do. Staying near a subway station or within walking distance of your destination is the best strategy. If it’s winter, just be prepared to put on a pair of boots, Wong said.
Money-saving tip
Skip the rental car
It’s expensive, traffic from the airport is bad and parking costs add up quickly, Wong said. Take transit instead. The Union Pearson Express train is a great option for getting downtown quickly from the airport.
