Companies are betting on non-hotel accommodation to save on travel

April 29, 2026

3 minute read

Non-hotel accommodation has shifted from being a sporadic alternative to becoming a real lever for savings and flexibility in corporate travel. This is evidenced by the latest Business Travel Monitor by AEGVE.

The survey, conducted in the third quarter of 2025 with 239 travel managers from companies with more than 20 employees, provides a very useful snapshot of how industry priorities are evolving.

In this context, non-hotel accommodation is gaining traction because it addresses a very specific need: controlling expenses without compromising professionalism. Exactly what Apartool offers, providing a real optimization opportunity for trips longer than a week, for both Travel Managers and travel agents.

Non-hotel accommodation is already saving money

The study's data shows that the main priority for Travel Managers remains securing better prices and rates, a need identified by 62% of respondents. And this is no coincidence: hotel accommodation accounts for a quarter of the total travel budget, reaching up to 30% in medium-sized companies.

With this goal in mind, 17% of Travel Managers have already adopted non-hotel accommodation to optimize spending. This percentage rises to 22% in companies with more than 250 employees.

Moreover, 77% of those who have implemented it say that introducing non-hotel accommodation has really worked to reduce costs. Among all the measures taken by Travel Managers for this purpose, it is, along with “booking cheaper rates,” the most effective.

The fact 📊

💡 You might be interested in…

→ Savings tips for travel managers on accommodation

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Beyond the price: location and services

Along with price, another crucial factor is proximity to the point of interest. When it comes to differentiating services during booking, companies look for free amenities or ensure they won’t incur additional costs.

In this balance, Apartool’s serviced apartments fit perfectly, as they allow the stay to be tailored to the type of trip and the duration of the project.

Now, what does all this information mean for you? We break it down below based on your professional profile.

What to do as a travel manager

1. Leverage the range of accommodation options

Both hotels and non-hotel accommodations are valid options for covering employees' stays, depending on the duration of the trip, the type of travel, and the specific needs of the team.

However, compared to hotels, corporate apartments are up to 40% more cost-effective. And according to the AEGVE study, this is crucial. Additionally, they offer other advantages:

A sense of home: For medium and long stays, employees can maintain their daily routines, such as training or personalized diets.
Team coordination: Multiple employees can stay in the same unit or in several units within the same building. This facilitates informal meetings and fosters a sense of a united group.
Flexible accommodation: Apartments allow for the accommodation of family members, receiving visitors, and in many cases, living with pets.
Autonomy and productivity: These apartments typically include appliances, weekly cleaning service, kitchenware, and office areas, reducing indirect costs outside of accommodation and unnecessary travel.
Space and well-being: Corporate apartments are much larger than hotel rooms and feature separate living spaces that promote real rest and help alleviate the stress of prolonged travel.

These features make corporate apartments a natural extension of both the office and the home, aligning perfectly with the cost-saving trends highlighted by the study.

2. Include apartments in travel policies

It's important to naturally incorporate non-hotel options into the company’s travel policies. To make the most of them, they should not be an exception but rather the preferred option when they offer greater cost savings. The advice:

Start with medium and long stays. In these scenarios, apartments are more competitive as they avoid daily rates and offer tiered pricing.
As teams get used to using them and experience the practical benefits, you can expand to shorter stays, specific destinations, or peak seasons, where prices remain advantageous compared to hotels.

This gradual approach favors the transition and optimizes the budget, allowing for adjustments based on real usage data and traveler feedback.

3. Communication and traveler experience

It’s important to communicate this new option strategically, highlighting all its practical advantages so that travelers perceive it as a genuine improvement to their experience, not just as a cost-saving alternative.

Instead of only presenting the savings, focus on how it addresses the real issues employees face. Here’s an example of a message:

The fact 📊

Imagine a two-week stay where you can cook your usual meals, work out for free in the building's gym, have your partner visit for the weekend, and work comfortably.

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This positive narrative not only accelerates adoption but also positions the Travel Manager as a well-being facilitator, aligning cost-saving policies with employee satisfaction.

What to do as a travel agent

Although this study was conducted with Travel Managers, its findings provide valuable insights applicable to travel agencies for anticipating the real needs of clients and strengthening business relationships.

Incorporating Apartool’s corporate accommodations into your portfolio not only diversifies your offering but also connects you with professional providers, enriching your services without adding extra work.

1. Expand your portfolio

As confirmed by the AEGVE study, one of the main motivators when booking accommodation is proximity to the place of interest. This factor is especially significant when the trips are related to niche projects or temporary deployments.

Introducing Apartool’s corporate apartments significantly enhances your destination portfolio, offering viable options in areas with limited hotel offerings.

The fact 📊

📖 To dive deeper into the topic…

→ Corporate accommodation in areas with no hotel supply: a needle in a haystack

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This is crucial not only in destinations underdeveloped for tourism but also in key industrial sectors like construction or energy, which relocate entire teams to remote areas.

2. Rely on professional providers

The corporate accommodation market is highly fragmented, with providers ranging from highly professional Property Managers to amateur landlords who rent out their apartments privately (and without as many guarantees).

Partnering with Apartool ensures access to secure, standardized options that align with corporate expectations because...

All providers are professional companies with licenses, insurance, and verified properties.
We prioritize Property Managers with whom we've already had successful collaborations.

This means no surprises for your clients: guaranteed check-ins, scheduled cleaning between stays, 24/7 assistance, and everything a Travel Manager expects from you.

3. Offer 360º services effortlessly

By trusting Apartool with accommodation, you can transform your agency into a comprehensive corporate travel manager, covering all the client's needs: transportation, traditional accommodation, rent-a-car, and now, non-hotel accommodation.

But the best part for you is that you save the operational work of this last service, as our reservations team will help you find and select options after receiving a basic briefing. You maintain the business relationship, and Apartool handles the apartment logistics.

Seize the opportunity of corporate accommodation now

The II Business Travel Monitor by AEGVE confirms that non-hotel accommodation is no longer just another alternative, but an effective tool that will help you optimize your corporate travel expenses. Whether you work in-house as a Travel Manager or at an agency, contact Apartool for a personalized consultation and take advantage of all the benefits of corporate accommodation.

Companies are betting on non-hotel accommodation to save on travel

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Companies are betting on non-hotel accommodation to save on travel

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