UK: Serviced apartment provider SilverDoor held its latest Partner Engagement Day this week in London, which explored the topics most influencing buying behaviour and booking habits.

The agenda featured two client panels on themes including trends, challenges and sustainability in business travel and global mobility.

Panellists Gabrielle Chateauneuf of Agiito, Tobias Simons of ABB, Stephen Lascelles of Willis Towers Watson, and Michelle Bishop of Gallagher discussed the trends and challenges facing business travel and global mobility.

Key takeaways included:

• Cost and location are the biggest influences in procurement and booking.

• There is an important need for flexibility in travel programmes, but businesses must be able to track/predict their travellers’ choices to ensure safety.

• Corporate appetite for live availably and instant book inventory.

• Buying decisions are influenced by cancellation policies – operators should be lenient where possible to retain clientele.

In a discussion on sustainable travel and mobility, speakers Linda Rafferty of K2 Corporate Mobility and Sian Ellis of EY shared insights on the challenges and opportunities for the sector. Ideas discussed included:

• Sustainable accommodation is often the least cost-effective option, which is starting to motivate companies to increase rate caps to allow bookers make greener choices. 

• Collaboration and networking within the supply chain is key to sustainability advancements.

• Strong corporate appetite for better carbon emissions tracking and reporting.

Alex Neale, group head of partner relationships at SilverDoor said: “Our Partner Engagement Days are now an established fixture and firm staple in the sector’s calendar, going from strength to strength each year.

“Within serviced accommodation, as well as the broader travel sector, we are facing changing and challenging times. To offer a platform for candid conversation and an opportunity to discuss solutions is hugely valuable. It is encouraging to see so many of our valued property partners and industry colleagues coming together to share ideas and insights – we look forward to hosting more of our SilverDoor community at future events.”