Fresh online data shows connectivity trumps food among tomorrow’s travellers
- 62% of business travellers see high speed internet as a high priority
- 89% of travellers choose a comfortable bed as an important factor when away from home
- Twice the amount of younger than older travellers see travelling as an important networking opportunity
SACO The Serviced Apartment Company has today released new online research commissioned through YouGov which reveals that travellers are not primarily swayed by luxuries such as food and comfort but almost two thirds (62%) that have travelled for business in the last 2 years, are hungry for a high-speed internet connection.
In a survey of 2,000 British adults, the serviced apartment provider found that “Millennials*” are more likely to have travelled for business in the last 2 years than those 35+ (25% and 15% respectively), demonstrating how important it is that companies and travel suppliers need to understand what this cohort need, want, expect and set themselves up accordingly.
Results have shown that 51% of “Millennial” travellers, i.e. those have travelled for either business or leisure in the past 2 years, value a high-speed broadband connection, compared to 39% of older travellers, and that on the whole; 46% of younger people are more enthusiastic about future innovations, with appetite for access to tech in rooms being notably higher than older age brackets.
There is nothing more important for all business travellers than a good night’s sleep with the productivity it leads to the following day, and this is explained by the 89% choosing a comfortable bed as an important factor when staying away from home.
With “Millennials” twice as likely as older people, 11% compared to 5%, to associate serviced apartments with being sociable, it’s no wonder that serviced apartment providers are focusing less on purely leisure facilities and instead creating ‘blended’ spaces suitable for both socialising and networking.
For “Millennials”, the more authentic the networking and socialising opportunities are, the better, as results have shown that these younger travellers are more likely than others to want to be seen as ‘local’ when travelling for work (12% in comparison to those aged 35+ at 7%).
Ben Harper, Sales Director of SACO, said: “Our new research findings serve to underpin the travel behaviours of Millennials and consequently what we foresee for the future of business travel.
“SACO know that by 2020, Millennials will represent over half the workforce, and therefore their insight into technological innovations and what they want from a serviced apartment is gold dust.
“We’re considering these findings as we continue to expand and tailor our services to the modern traveller of today and tomorrow.”
At this year’s Business Travel Show, SACO is announcing new apartment locations and exciting news about their “Digital Revolution” – designed by customers for customers.
Apartment buildings are being developed in key global locations that will offer modern spaces to make staying away from home a more immersive, warm localised experience.
For more information, please visit the SACO stand B286 at the Business Travel Show 25th – 26th February, or visit www.sacoapartments.com.