The era of Generation Z business travel is no longer a future consideration. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z professionals already make up 27% of the OECD ‘high or upper middle-income countries’ (OECD) workforce and are officially globally mobile. Our most environmentally conscious, tech-savvy business travellers yet, Gen Z professionals are driven by a thirst for memorable experiences in their business travel. These traits are inspiring them to swap loyalty points for authentic stays, standard boardrooms for lively co-working events, and strict itineraries for adventure-led visits.
In recent research by American Express, 59% of Gen Z respondents said they will be planning more business trips in the next year. As they continue to take flight, we could see some changes to the corporate travel landscape. Here’s what you can expect.

Bleisure Travel:
Bleisure travel isn’t a new concept, and certainly isn’t one reserved for Gen Z. Officially surfacing as a formal term around a decade ago, bleisure travel is used to describe a trip that incorporates both business and leisure elements. Think extending your business trip by a few nights so you can enjoy a mini break after ticking off your work commitments. While not the professional cohort to conceive bleisure travel, the Gen Z adoption of bleisure has made it clear that the trend is here to stay.
For Gen Z, the benefits of a bleisure trip go beyond their own enjoyment. Recent research has labelled them the generation most likely to agree they merge business and leisure into a single trip to make better use of their time and reduce their carbon footprint.
Bleisure is not just about the business trip itinerary, but also the guest list. Gen Z along with their Millennial counterparts, are those most likely to plan to bring a friend or family member along with them on a business trip to enrich their free time, combat loneliness, and experience destinations to the full.
We have a huge range of business travel guides to help you navigate both the business and leisure aspects of your stay. Browse them here to maximise your bleisure trip.
Use of Technology:
Among Gen Z, technology-led business travel is the norm. The most connected generation of all, Gen Z are driving the already strong demand for online booking experiences. Hilton research has branded Gen Z among the generations leading the online booking charge, with 83% of Gen Z stressing the importance of being able to book their trip entirely online. This comes from their need for speed. Gen Z are used to instant access and swift transactions and so value the capability of online bookings to allow them to compare rates, check availability and secure reservations, all in one place.
In the serviced apartment space, this means apartments bookable with one click via comprehensive online booking tools. Luckily, SilverDoor has hundreds of thousands of instantly bookable serviced apartments, for a hassle-free booking process.
Sustainable Business Travel:
Gen Z are often dubbed the ‘Covid Generation’, leading to the misconception that their experience of remote work has led them to build resistance to in-person business travel. In reality, the work-from-home movement has only consolidated the consensus that there is truly no replacement for face-to-face interactions, with Gen Z professionals seeing business travel as ‘a key benefit for their professional development’.
But, while ready and raring to go, Gen Z travel enthusiasm is closely tied to their concern for sustainability, and an important question arises; how can we embrace travel sustainably?
Some of the environmentally friendly steps being taken to change the way we travel for business include:
67% Choosing public transport as their method of getting around. Gen Z are increasingly opting to hop on buses, metros and trains to get from A to B on their business trips. The promise of increased carbon savings is only the beginning of the public transport appeal for Gen Z, with cost savings and experiencing the authentic local lifestyle also key motivators.
Gen Z’s concern for sustainable business travel begins before they even set off. They are often more willing to choose accommodation options with evidenced environmental credentials and more inclined to work with travel companies that demonstrate environmentally conscious ethos and governance.
Extended Stays:
Perhaps one of the most notable trends characterising the Gen Z corporate travel demographic is their preference for extended stays. A direct result of the eco-conscious and bleisure travel movements, business travellers are progressively looking into how longer business trips can be used to refine both their professional and personal lives. This is especially strong within the Gen Z cohort, with individuals 87% more likely than their preceding generations to extend trips to work remotely, and 91% more likely to extend for leisure. Extended stays are celebrated for their versatility, offering ample time to schedule more meetings, while also giving travellers time to explore and immerse themselves in their destination.
Accommodation Preferences:
The surge in accompanied business travel and extended stays among younger generations is shaking up corporate travel accommodation booking behaviour and preferences. Gen Z need places to stay that accommodate their adapted business travel habits. This includes spacious co-living spaces and kitchens, prepped for embracing life like a local.
The shift away from the traditional hotel model has intensified the demand for space and flexibility among young travel professionals, who value the freedom of being able to create a personalised routine to find enjoyment in their stay.
Serviced apartments offer a wealth of facilities and equipment beyond those found in a traditional hotel, along with the added reassurance of personalised support – something you miss out on when booking independently. Our specialised Account Management and Guest Services teams are always on hand to assist; whether you have a quick question or a more serious concern, you can count on helpful and friendly support whenever you need it, no matter the time. With 25 years of experience and the industry’s most extensive property portfolio, we can find accommodation catered to your every need. Browse our range of serviced apartments here.
These insights are just the beginning of how the corporate travel scene might evolve as more Gen Z professionals enter the workforce and become more established travel customers. Businesses must be responsive to the needs of their Gen Z employees and ready to respond with flexible travel policies moulded to reflect adapting preferences and expectations.
Are you a Gen Z looking to embark on your first business trip? Contact us to speak to one of our experts who can match you with the perfect serviced apartment for your visit.