27 Sep
2018

Half of managers concerned about the potential safety implications for staff staying in private properties on business trips

Research¹ released today by ABTA - The Travel Association has found that nearly half of managers (48%) have concerns about the safety implications for their staff if staying in a private property on a business trip. Half of managers (53%) are also concerned that peer-to-peer accommodation may be of a low quality.

While managers are concerned about the safety of private accommodation, and the quality of peer-to-peer services, the findings also show that businesses recognise that some staff want peer-to-peer accommodation to be an option for business travel.

Four in ten also agree (44%) that their staff want peer-to–peer accommodation to be available for business travel, with just 17% of managers saying that there is no demand at all from their staff for peer-to-peer accommodation.

According to almost half of managers (47%), staff like the convenience of peer-to-peer accommodation plus the feeling of being within the local community. Millennials are particularly attracted to “authentic” experiences and living in the heart of local communities.

The study shows that businesses expect Travel Management Companies to offer such services, with almost half of managers (47%) saying they expect  Travel Management Companies (TMCs) to offer accommodation and other services through peer-to peer companies, managers at directorial level are especially keen, with six in ten (58%) taking this view.

It’s not just safety and quality that companies are worried about, four in ten managers (42%) are also concerned about the negative impact peer-to-peer accommodation services can have on local communities, this rises to half of those at directorial level (52%). This follows increasing media attention on the impact of peer-to-peer services on local communities and some cities introducing regulation to limit their growth.

The findings show that there is a particular challenge for managers organising business travel and TMCs in terms of managing concerns about safety, quality and impact on the community, while at the same time delivering what people want when they travel for business.

Victoria Bacon ABTA Director of Brand and Business Development said:

“There is clearly a strong expectation from staff travelling on business that they should have access to peer-to-peer services when booking through a Travel Management Company. However, many managers also have concerns about the possible safety implications for their staff of staying in private accommodation.

“A large proportion of managers are concerned about the quality of peer-to-peer accommodation and negative impact on local communities. So it’s important for Travel Management Companies to consider how to best meet the preferences of staff while managing the risks, including identifying suitable accommodation that has appropriate safety measures in place.”

ABTA is running a Business Travel Seminar on 3 October on Risk Management – Protecting your travelling employees – Venue ABTA HQ London

Notes to editors 

¹ The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 508 managers at companies where people travel for business (including 259 business decision makers) in GB between 31.01.2018 - 02.02.2018. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.