Business travellers are opting for large chain hotels over sharing economy providers because of safety fears, a study from the GTMC has found.
Data showed that 49 per cent of travellers cited safety as a key factor when choosing a hotel, behind location and price.
The study found that 75 per cent said they would prefer the safety of a chain hotel, compared to only two per cent of travellers who would opt for a rented room or home via a sharing website.
GTMC chief executive Paul Wait said safety fears mean hotels still “hold the trump card” when attracting the corporate market.
“While shared homes might be able to compete on price and location there is the ongoing issue of safety and connectivity,” said Wait.
“With both guaranteed at hotels, business travellers and company owners are assured of the facilities in place for effective working and more efficient business travel.”
In terms of travel policy nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of business travellers have a booking policy for accommodation. Nearly half (45 per cent) are permitted to book directly with a hotel, while just over a quarter (27 per cent) are permitted to book via an external travel management company.
Connectivity is key with complimentary wifi listed as the most important facility (96 per cent), followed by sufficient power sockets (95 per cent), breakfast (94 per cent) and suitable work or desk area (89 per cent).
The survey of over 1,000 business travellers for the GTMC was prepared by HRS Global Hotel Solutions and conducted by AudienceNet.