Adapting to market
We chat with Nick Jacobs, Travelodge Sales Director, about how the budget hotel group is catering to business travellers and the importance of this sector
How is Travelodge developing its portfolio, product and services with business travellers in mind?
Over half of our guests travel for work and that’s why we’re investing in partnerships, technology and services that make booking, staying and managing travel easier. Our commitment to business travel is built on accessibility, reliability and value, underpinned by digital innovation and customer insight.
This year we have delivered our largest development programme in over a decade, with 21 new UK hotels opened so far and at least one more to come. This expansion focuses on key business hubs, transport corridors and growth areas like London.
We’re continuing to upgrade our estate, with approximately 65% of rooms refitted with our updated design. Benefits include king-size Dreamer beds, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, comfortable working space with multiple USB and power points, Wi-Fi and blackout curtains.
Our ‘next generation’ SuperRooms feature a Lavazza coffee machine, Hansgrohe Raindance 3jet adjustable shower, hairdryer and wall mounted 32” Samsung Freeview TV. Our newest SuperRooms, in selected hotels, also now include an in-room fridge.
Over 200 of our hotels feature Bar Cafés offering breakfast, barista coffee and evening meals. And 77 of these hotels have been updated with our latest 85 Bar Cafés, which feature plug sockets and charging points, providing another working space.
How important is this segment to Travelodge?
The business travel segment is really important to Travelodge – it accounts for around half of our guests.
Over 80% of Travelodge hotels are in major cities and towns across the UK, Ireland and Spain, and we have identified 300 UK locations and 20 in Spain for further expansion. By the end of 2025, we will open a 151-room hotel in London Stratford, a former vacant office building moments from Stratford station, perfect for business travellers.
What booking/payment solutions does Travelodge offer the corporate market?
We offer various booking and payment solutions for the corporate market, including our own booking platform, Travelodge Business.
We partner with a diverse range of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to larger corporations, including several FTSE companies. We actively engage in discussions to understand and meet businesses’ varied needs.
We are also evolving the way business travellers book with us through global TMCs and tech specialists. We have launched new integration with our back-end payment, booking and connectivity functions, allowing partners to access our complete inventory.
This delivers better visibility, richer content and the ability to amend or cancel bookings directly.
How else is Travelodge working with the business travel sector?
Travelodge participates in industry events like the Business Travel Show and GBTA forums and we have ongoing collaboration with the Business Travel Association (BTA) and TMCs.
We have also recently partnered with Katanox to significantly extend distribution reach and provide customers with an even better booking experience and greater options. The partnership integrates Travelodge’s back-end payment, booking and connectivity functions, creating a smoother experience for TMC users. We are expanding distribution by partnering with a range of leading tech providers and hope to strengthen our presence across key booking channels.
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