Evolving Trends in Global Business Travel, and Challenges Do Travelers Face in Tourism Scene

Published on September 10, 2024

By: Tuhin Sarkar

At the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) 2024 event in Atlanta, Rajiv Goswami, CEO of Extended Trip WW Stays, shared insights into the state of business travel post-pandemic. Extended Trip WW Stays specializes in project travel, extended stays, and non-profile travelers, helping companies manage travel costs while providing innovative solutions.

Business Travel Recovery in the US

Despite early predictions of a slow business travel recovery, Goswami noted a strong rebound in the U.S. market. “Leisure was the first to bounce back, but business travel is now catching up,” he said. This year’s Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) event had a 30 percent increase in new attendees, indicating growing interest in business travel solutions.

Goswami emphasized that while business travel has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, the industry is on a positive trajectory. U.S. domestic travel saw record numbers during Memorial Day and Independence Day in 2024, reflecting a steady recovery.

Extended Stay Solutions and Non-Profile Travelers

Extended Trip WW, a 10-year-old company, focuses on extended stay and non-profile travelers, particularly in project travel. “We have been addressing non-profile travel challenges for years, especially for temporary workers without corporate cards,” Goswami explained. He highlighted the company’s long-standing role in solving these problems with technology and support services.

Their solutions cater to companies needing cost-effective travel options, especially in industries like construction and retail, where non-employee travelers make up a significant portion of the workforce. The company’s payment and booking solutions have also solved challenges like virtual card acceptance at hotels.

Future Focus: Project and Event Travel

While event travel is growing worldwide, Goswami believes project travel presents a much larger market. “Project travel has always been substantial, but it was often overlooked because it was managed by business departments, not travel teams,” he said. Extended Trip WW Stays continues to focus on this area, especially in the U.S., where extended stay needs for non-profile travelers are significant.

Rajiv Goswami’s discussion at Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) 2024 highlights the resilient nature of U.S. business travel and the growing focus on cost-effective, extended stay solutions for non-profile travelers. With continued recovery, the travel industry looks set to thrive in 2024.

WWStay: A Leader in Extended Stay Solutions

WWStay is a global leader in corporate travel accommodation, specializing in extended stays and temporary housing for business travelers. Founded by experienced professionals in the IT industry, WWStay addresses the challenges faced by businesses when managing corporate housing for employees on long-term assignments or relocations. With a global presence in over 170 countries and more than 82,000 properties in its inventory, WWStay offers an extensive range of serviced apartments, extended stay hotels, and corporate housing options.

Comprehensive Services for Corporate Travel

WWStay caters primarily to business travelers who require extended stays, typically ranging from a few weeks to six months or more. The platform is designed to streamline the entire accommodation process, from searching for suitable properties to handling payments and providing 24/7 traveler support. This not only saves time but also ensures that businesses comply with duty-of-care obligations, offering safe and secure accommodations for their employees.

The platform offers several valuable features, such as real-time employee tracking, expense reporting, and analytics-backed insights to help companies manage their travel expenditures more effectively. WWStay’s focus on technology-driven solutions enables businesses to book accommodations quickly and efficiently, reducing the typical booking process from several days to just a few hours.

Global Reach and Expertise

Operating in over 170 countries, WWStay offers its services to a broad range of industries, including healthcare, construction, and insurance. Their network includes more than 110,000 professionally managed serviced apartments and hotels, ensuring that clients have access to reliable, quality accommodations, no matter where they are located. The company’s partnerships with top hotel chains and apartment providers also allow for competitive pricing, with savings of up to 10-15% for corporate clients.

Tailored Solutions for Unique Travel Needs

One of WWStay’s standout features is its ability to cater to specific and often complex travel requirements. The company specializes in handling “non-profile” travelers—those who may not have corporate cards or are on temporary work assignments, such as construction workers or healthcare professionals. The platform provides customized payment and booking solutions to accommodate these travelers, offering virtual card services and seamless check-in procedures to ensure smooth stays.

Moreover, WWStay’s services extend to project-based travel, relocation housing, and even emergency accommodations during natural disasters or catastrophic events. Their expertise in managing temporary housing needs for relocating employees is another critical offering, with a range of furnished apartments and extended stay hotels designed to provide a comfortable “home away from home” experience for long-term travelers.

Technological Innovation and 24/7 Support

WWStay’s use of proprietary technology is a key differentiator in the corporate travel industry. Their centralized platform allows businesses to manage bookings, payments, and employee safety with ease. The platform provides real-time reporting, expense tracking, and employee location monitoring, all essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of traveling employees. Additionally, the company offers round-the-clock support to address any issues that travelers may encounter during their stay, further enhancing the traveler experience.

WWStay is redefining corporate travel with its extensive global inventory, technology-driven solutions, and focus on extended stay and non-profile travel. By offering tailored services and 24/7 support, WWStay has become a trusted partner for over 200 global corporations, making it a go-to solution for businesses looking to simplify their corporate travel and housing needs.