Johannesburg – Golf has been a beloved business networking for decades. With over 39,000 courses around the world double as outdoor meeting rooms, the game has long been considered the gold standard for creating connections outside the meeting rooms.
But a 4-hour sand trap and a bit of a story? It's a big commitment and in 2025 it looks like business travel and the networking it needs are different. Happiness plays a major role in this change. According to a survey conducted by Global State of the Market 2024, more than a third of small businesses made Traveler Wellbeing their top priority.
“Networking is one of the biggest reasons people are flying on planes for work,” says Heman Horns, general manager of Corporate Travelers. “But how we connect is changing rapidly. People want options that aren't exhausted and feel energized.”
So, if you want to be Network 2.0, what are you stepping up to take up golf space?
Why is Padel offering trades?
Padel is made for business trips. They play doubles on a small court, and within an hour people talk, move, break ice. For poor travelers of time, it balances the right balance: low pressure but impact. You will quickly bond without burning your schedule.
And it's booming. In the US, 13% of adults are already playing pickleball (Padel's close cousin), with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge. As a top player, Ben Johns states that: “You can have fun on the first day.”
South Africa is also fast, with over 600 courts and over 200 clubs nationwide. Venues like Padel at KZN stations welcome full corporate bookings, and hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and Dubai currently offer courts on the scene for those embarking on international travel.
Why is walking a new meeting?
Netwalking sounds exactly like: Walking and Talking – with purpose. It's not new. Steve Jobs was a fan and held walking meetings on Apple's campus, inspiring creativity and encouraging honest conversations. After all, he was in something.
For business travelers, netwalking checks all the right boxes. You can get fresh air and build a fresh air and gain experience, not only inside the meeting rooms in the city you are visiting. The hotel is also behind the trend here. The Westin's gear lending program allows guests to rent fitness essentials, such as running shoes and a “Run Concierges” host-guided morning jog from a particular Westin hotel.
Apps like Strava take you a step further. Use it to find a local running or walking group or see if someone from the companies you meet is active in the area. It's an easy icebreaker and a new way to connect with someone before and after that big pitch.
And even if it's not a business lead, getting locals to join for casual running or group walks is a great way to understand what's going on on the ground. When you sit face to face, it is an experience that leads to better conversation and better context.
Rethinking the connections on the road
As business travel evolves, so should we understand what meaningful networking looks like. “It's not just about booking flights and hotels,” Heunes said. “It's about designing trips that support the way people actually want to connect, whether it's through movement, shared interests, or more human moments between meetings.”
Heunes advises businesses to rethink their travel policies, providing employees with the flexibility of informal connections. Choose a hotel with wellness amenities or build it in time for an active meetup. Travel managers can also play an important role by recommending properties and itineraries that match these goals.
As work becomes more fluid and global teams become more moving rather than desks, we need to rethink what “quality time” really means. Whether it's a Padel meeting or walking down the streets of the city, smart networking starts with a shared experience, not just a shared agenda.
