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Almost 50 per cent of Gen Z Aussies are sneaking off on ‘secret’ working holidays – would you risk it?

‘Hush trips’ are the latest (and sneakiest) Aussie travel trend – here’s how to do it

Melissa Woodley
Written by
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Poolside seating
Photograph: IHG Hotels and Resorts | InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula 
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If there’s one good thing that came out of the pandemic, it’s the freedom to work remotely. And we’re not just talking about WFH. Aussie employees are stretching their work-at-home perks with the latest ‘hush trips’ travel trend – where they secretly work from a dreamy holiday destination without telling their boss. 

‘Hush trips’ might seem a bit suss at first, but we'd say it's more like a smart way for people to balance work and leisure while saving their annual leave. Although employers might be kept in the dark, employees aren’t being entirely misleading. Their “home” office could very well be a beachside bar in Bali or a spa in Sorrento.

So, how many Aussies have been brave enough to test out the new travel trend? In a recent survey of almost 1,000 Aussies, 44 per cent of Gen Z workers admitted to sneaking off on a ‘hush trip,’ with one in five doing the deed more than once. Only 41 per cent of those who took secret working holidays reported getting caught – which is pretty high odds, if you ask us. 

In response to the ‘hush trips’ travel trend, IHG Hotels and Resorts is daring Aussies to take a secret WFH holiday – with potential prizes for those who get caught in the act. They’ve designed eight cheeky 'hush trip' packages at properties Australia-wide, with fun perks like $50 hush-money vouchers, free knock-off drinks, and even personal assistants to help field calls, run errands and take care of printing. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.  

Getting caught isn’t the end of the world either. IHG will reward those who can prove they were caught with a free stay at any of their 6,300-plus hotels worldwide. As long as the work gets done – or at least the mouse keeps moving – what’s the harm in giving it a go? You can find out more about IHG’s ‘hush trips’ packages here.

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