37% of Americans Travel More for Work, Study Shows

Thirty-seven percent of Americans are taking more business trips than before the pandemic, according to the latest Hotels.com Booked for Business study [1]. Corporate road warriors now average 10 nights away annually, propelled by technology specialists and tradespeople who log five to six trips every year, spend above-average hotel rates, and actively merge business with leisure [1].

Which industries spend the most on corporate hotel stays?

Technology workers command an average hotel budget of $264 per night, outpacing the general business traveler average of $236 per night, according to Asian Hospitality's coverage of the study [1]. Tech employees are taking 50 percent more trips than before the pandemic, matching tradespeople with five to six corporate trips annually [1].

Daily travel allowances vary sharply across industry categories, Asian Hospitality reported [1]. Finance workers lead corporate per diems at $134 per day, followed closely by technology professionals at $131 per day and energy and renewables staff at $127 per day [1]. The broader market average settles at $115 per day, whereas government workers sit at the bottom of the scale, receiving less than $79 per day [1].

How are Gen Z habits reshaping hotel operations?

Gen Z travels for work more frequently than any other generation and demonstrates much lower brand loyalty, according to Hotels.com [1]. Younger corporate guests are notably more willing to switch hotel brands and frequently use hotel laundry services during their trips [1].

The study highlights a distinct behavioral shift among younger workers when traveling [1]. While 56 percent of all U.S. travelers adopt a different personality on work trips, that number climbs to 69 percent among Gen Z [1]. By comparison, Boomers remain more loyal to specific hotel chains and place greater emphasis on punctuality [1]. Overall, 58 percent of business travelers say they are always punctual on trips, and 58 percent wake up earlier on work trips than on personal vacations [1].

What hotel perks do business travelers prioritize?

Free breakfast is the top hotel benefit for corporate travelers, preferred by 49 percent of respondents, Asian Hospitality noted [1]. Loyalty rewards place second with 39 percent, while flexible check-in ranks third at 37 percent [1].

Guest expectations inside the guestroom itself are also intensifying [1]. Citing a separate report by Hyatt Hotels Corp., Asian Hospitality reported that 90 percent of corporate travelers view their hotel room as the only place where they feel off the clock during an assignment [1]. "Business travel is no longer just about getting from one meeting to the next," said Melanie Fish, vice president of global public relations at Hotels.com [1].

Where and when are corporate guests traveling?

New York, Los Angeles, and Miami represent the top three business travel destinations in the United States, according to Hotels.com [1]. Road warrior traffic peaks seasonally, with June and September identified as the busiest months for corporate stays [1].

Blending work with personal time has become standard operating procedure for road warriors [1]. The survey revealed that 63 percent of U.S. travelers believe business destinations should make it easy to combine work and leisure activities [1]. In response to these shifts, Hotels.com rolled out a dedicated business-travel service in the U.S. and international markets, incorporating a Quick Rebook tool, preference tracking, and reward earnings for corporate bookings [1].