When you think of a business trip, you probably think of New York, London, Tokyo, or Singapore—major financial centres buzzing with boardrooms, power lunches, and networking events.
But what about destinations where the setting is so stunning that business almost seems like an afterthought?
While it may sound like a dream, some professionals do find themselves travelling to places like the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, or St. Lucia for work. Whether it’s for corporate retreats, high-profile deals, or luxury hospitality business, these paradises are more than just honeymoon destinations—they’re also places where real business happens.
But let’s be honest—when your “meeting room” is a beachfront villa, and your “commute” involves a boat ride across turquoise waters, how much work is actually getting done? Here are four incredible destinations where business does happen—but pleasure almost always wins.
Maldives: The Business of Luxury and Leisure
Who Goes to the Maldives for Business?
When you tell someone you’re off to the Maldives for a business trip, the reaction is usually scepticism, envy, or outright disbelief. But the Maldives isn’t just for honeymooners—it’s a hub for luxury hospitality, high-end tourism, and international investment.
Business travellers heading here typically work in:
- Luxury hotel management & hospitality – With over 160 resort islands, executives frequently travel to the Maldives to oversee resort operations, new developments, and partnerships.
- Marine conservation & eco-tourism – Sustainable tourism is a growing industry, bringing in scientists, NGOs, and eco-businesses.
- High-net-worth investments – Many private island resorts are owned by international investors, meaning finance and real estate professionals are often visiting.
Why Pleasure Outshines Business
It’s almost impossible to keep a business mindset when your meeting is in a thatched-roof pavilion overlooking crystal-clear waters. Most “business discussions” in the Maldives happen barefoot, and the biggest dilemma isn’t your next agenda item—it’s whether to snorkel with manta rays or enjoy a sunset cocktail after the meeting.
Evenings are often spent on a private beach, dining under the stars, and while you might be talking about market expansion or hotel strategy, it feels less like work and more like a tropical escape.
Verdict: Business trips in the Maldives? Technically, yes. But let’s be honest—it’s really a luxury getaway with some work thrown in.
Bora Bora & Tahiti: Where Business is Just an Excuse to Visit
Who Goes to Bora Bora for Business?
It may be one of the most remote places on Earth, but Bora Bora (and French Polynesia as a whole) does attract business travellers. The people heading here are usually involved in:
- Luxury tourism & hospitality – Just like the Maldives, Bora Bora is home to ultra-luxury resorts that require regular visits from executives, hotel chains, and developers.
- Yachting & private aviation – The region is a favourite for the ultra-wealthy, meaning businesses involved in yacht charters, private jet services, and exclusive experiences are frequently in town.
- Film, photography, and branding – Bora Bora is a dream destination for high-end fashion shoots, movie productions, and marketing campaigns, meaning creatives often find themselves here for “work.”
Why Pleasure Outshines Business
If there’s one place where no one will ever believe you’re on a work trip, it’s Bora Bora. With its overwater bungalows, crystal lagoons, and lush green peaks, it looks like a screensaver come to life.
Meetings here take place on floating decks or catamarans, and even the most formal business attire stops at linen shirts and sandals. Your lunch break might involve paddleboarding between conference calls, and no one rushes to leave the “office” when the sunset paints the sky in shades of pink and orange.
Verdict: If you’re working in Bora Bora, congratulations—you’ve officially won at life.
Seychelles: Where Business Meets Barefoot Elegance
Who Goes to the Seychelles for Business?
This Indian Ocean paradise is known for its granite boulders, turquoise waters, and rare wildlife, but it’s also home to serious business:
- Sustainable tourism & conservation – The Seychelles has some of the world’s most impressive eco-lodges and marine conservation projects, attracting scientists, investors, and hoteliers.
- Financial services & offshore banking – The country is a global offshore banking centre, meaning lawyers, investment professionals, and consultants regularly travel here.
- Luxury real estate & private island deals – Many of the private islands in the Seychelles are privately owned by billionaires or luxury hotel groups, leading to high-stakes real estate deals.
Why Pleasure Outshines Business
The Seychelles is a place where nature takes centre stage, and no matter how important your meetings are, the allure of granite rock beaches, lush jungle hikes, and crystal-clear waters is too strong to ignore.
A “working lunch” might involve grilled fish on a beachside terrace, while post-meeting activities include snorkelling with sea turtles or sailing to a remote island. Even business travellers who come here with serious financial agendas find themselves embracing the slow, island lifestyle by day two.
Verdict: Business in the Seychelles? Sure. But the ocean is calling, and you WILL answer.
St. Lucia: Where Corporate Retreats Feel Like a Caribbean Holiday
Who Goes to St. Lucia for Business?
Unlike some of the other destinations on this list, St. Lucia is a major player in the Caribbean business scene. Professionals travel here for:
- Corporate retreats & incentive travel – Many multinational companies send top executives or employees to St. Lucia for luxury team-building experiences.
- Real estate & resort development – With high-end villas, five-star resorts, and investment opportunities, St. Lucia is a hotspot for property investors and developers.
- Conferences & trade expos – The island hosts business summits, particularly in tourism, finance, and wellness industries.
Why Pleasure Outshines Business
St. Lucia’s twin Piton mountains, jungle-covered hills, and stunning beaches make it impossible to stay in work mode for long. Even during a corporate retreat, the line between team-building and pure holiday vibes gets blurred.
A typical “business day” might start with a morning yoga session overlooking the Caribbean, followed by meetings in an open-air pavilion, and end with a sunset sail along the coast. Whether you’re here for investment talks or corporate incentives, you’re going to end up sipping rum punch on the beach before the trip is over.
Verdict: Corporate retreats in St. Lucia might be productive—but they also feel suspiciously like an all-inclusive vacation. The Final Word?
Yes, people do travel to these places for business. But no matter how serious the agenda, paradise always wins. If you ever find yourself on a work trip to one of these destinations, just accept the inevitable: you’re about to experience a “business trip” like no other.