Worldwide: New data collected by serviced apartment agent SilverDoor reveals that the latest trends in corporate travel include a rise in group bookings and higher demand for emerging markets across EMEA and APAC.
SilverDoor found that demand for large-scale, events-based bookings are on the rise, particularly in the sports and entertainment industries.
With meetings and events professionals anticipating larger budgets this year, serviced apartments are becoming the preferred option for corporate accommodation. Companies are prioritising flexible booking and cancellation policies to accommodate the complexity of group travel and last-minute changes.
The report also found that investment in emerging markets across EMEA and APAC is increasing. India remains a strong player, with Mumbai, Bangalore, and New Delhi continuing to attract business travellers.
In the Middle East, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are experiencing significant growth, with SilverDoor reporting a 491 per cent increase in website traffic for Riyadh and a 120 per cent rise for Abu Dhabi year-on-year.
Eastern European countries such as Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Croatia are also gaining traction, offering cost-effective alternatives to Western European destinations.
The report also highlights Gen Z’s influence on digital travel solutions. As Gen Z is expected to make up 30 per cent of the workforce within five years, businesses are enhancing their online booking platforms and corporate travel policies through digital insights to improve data security, compliance, and cost efficiency.
Regarding pricing trends, SilverDoor found a drop in average daily rates (ADR) across key regions, making business travel more affordable.
In Asia-Pacific, the average daily rate for a serviced apartment now stands at $195.71 (£152.66), reflecting a 6.8 per cent drop compared to last year.
In the Americas, rates have fallen by 4.8 per cent to $187.40 (£146.17), while in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the average daily rate has declined by 5.5 per cent to £136.80 ($175.48 ).
While prices have decreased, average stays for business travellers haven’t changed significantly. In Asia-Pacific, the average stay is now 61 nights, two nights longer than last year.
In the Americas, it remains steady at 65 nights, while in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the average stay has shortened slightly to 58 nights.
Booking lead times, or the period between making a reservation and the actual stay, have shown only minor fluctuations. In Asia-Pacific, bookings are being made 41 nights in advance, one night earlier than last year.
In the Americas, the lead time has also shortened by one night to 48 nights, whereas in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, it has increased by one night to 37 nights.
Martin Klima, chief customer officer at SilverDoor, said: “Corporates are now putting their travel priorities into action, focusing on investment opportunities, budget allocation, and traveller expectations.
“At a macro level, businesses are targeting emerging destinations, while at a micro level, travel managers are adapting to new technologies and supplier offerings to meet policy and cost objectives. For now, the good news is that rates have declined, providing reassurance to travel managers planning for business growth,” he said.
The full Q1 2025 SilverDoor market update is available here.
