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Flight Centre’s Corporate Traveller reveals the most in-demand hotel amenities
Amidst an estimated 27 per cent surge in Australian business travel expenditure last year, fuelled by an uptick in travel and rising costs for airfares and hotel accommodation, business travellers are becoming more discerning in their hotel selection. Australian hotel room rates averaged AUD$250 (USD$163) in 2023 – a 5.8 per cent rise from 2022 and are predicted to increase by three per cent in 2024. Given these escalating costs, business travellers are increasingly prioritising value, and booking hotels not only for comfort, but also for productivity and well-being amenities.
The findings come from our recent survey of an independent, nationally representative panel of 1,001 Australians. The survey found hotels which provide an ‘office away from the office’ experience, alongside facilities conducive to health and relaxation, will be favoured in the current climate of heightened fiscal awareness among business travellers.
Tom Walley, Australian-based Global Managing Director, says: “Our survey reveals that business travellers are looking for accommodations that surpass the basics of comfort and dining. There’s a discernible shift towards hotels serving as auxiliary workplaces, a trend fuelled by the growing demand for spaces where guests can focus and work in private.
“The survey also reveals a strong emphasis on wellness among business travellers, with a significant portion wanting healthier dining options and well-equipped fitness facilities. The evolving expectation underscores the need for hotel offerings that support both relaxation and individual productivity. Hotels that prioritise these amenities are likely to differentiate themselves in the market and attract business travellers who seek a productive yet balanced work trip.”
| Hotel amenities wish list: | Respondents |
|---|---|
| 1. Free, fast Wi-Fi | 73% |
| 2. Healthy hotel dining options | 44% |
| 3. Free printing facilities | 41% |
| 4. More electric outlets and USB ports | 37% |
| 5. An area to unwind outside of the hotel room | 36% |
| 6. Extra phone chargers and/or mobile charging banks | 35% |
| 7. Larger or better-equipped workspaces in hotel rooms | 35% |
| 8. Same-day or overnight drying cleaning services | 25% |
| 9. Large, well-equipped fitness centres | 25% |
| 10. On-site co-working space or offices | 21% |
| 11. On-site tech support | 19% |
| 12. Separate meeting rooms | 18% |
| 13. A business concierge to organise and book business meetings, business dining options, and transport to meetings | 13% |
Corporates want an office away from the office when travelling
Major hotel chains offer basic in-room business facilities such as a desk, complimentary Wi-Fi and a business centre – but is it enough? We found that most respondents are looking for accommodation that offers business amenities and rooms equipped to serve as efficient workspaces within the hotel’s standard rate. Three quarters (73%) want free and fast Wi-Fi, and 41 per cent want free printing facilities. While 35 per cent of respondents want larger or better-equipped workspaces in their hotel room including phone chargers and charging banks, and 37 per cent want more electrical outlets and USB ports.
Our survey indicates a strong preference for in-room office amenities over communal business centres or separate meeting rooms, indicating that guests travelling for business value the ability to work privately within their hotel room. Just 21 per cent of respondents want on-site co-working spaces or offices, only 18 per cent said they would seek a separate meeting room, and 13 per cent want the hotel to extend its concierge services to organising business meetings, transport, and dining options.
Hotels supporting workers in staying healthy is another top priority
Our research underscores the importance for hotels to enhance their breakfast offerings with health-conscious options, as a significant 44 per cent deemed it essential. Additionally, one in four respondents (25%) expressed a preference for hotels that include comprehensive, well-equipped fitness facilities. The study also revealed that over a third (36%) of business travellers seek amenities that facilitate relaxation outside of their hotel rooms.
