A new report has revealed a sharp generational divide in the priorities of business travellers, with younger employees increasingly rejecting traditional hotels and corporate booking tools in favour of flexible accommodation and wellbeing-focused experiences.
The research, conducted by Situ, a serviced apartment booking specialist, surveyed more than 550 UK-based business travellers across four generations – Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers – to identify how attitudes to travel, work and lifestyle are evolving.
The findings show that Gen Z travellers (born after 1997) are far more likely than older colleagues to choose non-hotel accommodation such as serviced apartments, short-term rentals or guesthouses.
Wellbeing was cited as the top driver for this preference, with respondents highlighting the appeal of greater space, privacy, and amenities such as kitchens and fitness facilities.
The report also found that only 21 per cent of Gen Z travellers book trips through official corporate platforms, while nearly two-thirds use consumer-facing sites — a trend that could pose challenges for travel managers focused on compliance and duty of care.
“Gen Zs and Millennials are far more likely to want space to entertain family and friends, to spend time in shared areas, and to join on-site social events,” the report noted.
Sustainability also emerged as a key generational differentiator. Two-thirds of Gen Z respondents said environmental credentials were a priority when choosing accommodation, compared to 41 per cent of Gen X and just 34 per cent of Baby Boomers.
While older travellers remain focused on factors such as cost, location and security, younger professionals are more likely to seek eco-conscious properties and experiences that align with personal values.
Across all generations, flexibility was highly valued — but for different reasons. Younger workers sought the freedom to take bikes, stay near friends or extend trips, while older travellers wanted options to bring family members on longer assignments.
Despite these differences, there was broad consensus on the importance of affordability, location and reliable facilities, showing that practical concerns continue to underpin travel choices.
Phil Stapleton, founder and CEO of Situ, said the data underscored the growing pressure on employers to modernise travel policies.
“Travel managers now face more pressure than ever to understand and respond to the evolving needs of a multigenerational workforce,” Stapleton said.
“The nuances around generational preferences are yet another layer for buyers and suppliers to consider, alongside flexibility, technology and wellbeing.”
As workforce demographics shift and younger generations take on more business travel, companies may need to rethink what “duty of care” means in an era where travellers demand autonomy, comfort and sustainability as much as compliance.