Business travel spotlight series: London

London is the busiest city in Europe. Recognized as one of the world’s leading enterprise capitals and boasting an impressive business tech scene, global companies flock to the Big Smoke for meetings and opportunities. 

Packed with buzzing business districts, one of the best transport systems globally and a vast tourist scene, London has been named the most “magnetic” city for the 10th year. Featuring iconic business landmarks and a diverse range of companies and talent, it’s not difficult to see why Apple and Google are the latest giants to take up residence in the capital. 

Whether you’re planning an office bleisure trip or seeking out the best employee accommodation for your team, here are a few reasons why London is an excellent business destination. 

Excellent transport system 

London’s transport system is one of the best in the world. The Underground, or ‘the Tube’, services the London Metropolitan area and is the oldest underground metro network globally, providing rapid connections to every corner of the city. 

In addition, London boasts six international airports, over 300 train stations, buses, the city’s famous black taxis, and even electric bikes. So it’s safe to say the infrastructure is ideally suited for corporate travel. Navigating the city is easy, whether jetting off to a business lunch at The Shard or taking a well-earned cultural break at the world-famous Natural History Museum. 

Network, connect and grow 

London City airport recently reported that business travel now accounts for nearly half of its traffic. Businesses new and old are heading to the capital to take advantage of the resources, opportunities, and - perhaps most importantly - the fresh talent pool of professionals, and it’s not difficult to see why. 

The city is big on networking, so you can expect employees to make excellent connections when visiting. London has one of the largest concentrations of universities and higher education institutions in the world - a huge pull for budding businesses looking to build a talented and skilled team. In fact, it is one of the most densely populated cities globally, known for its rich diversity, so making contacts here is hugely beneficial. 

The city was recently crowned Europe’s number-one start-up destination - and with proptech and fintech companies growing fast in the UK capital, it’s the place to be. 

Explore the business districts 

London is not short of business hubs. Certain parts of London are recognized as housing different sectors and businesses:

• The City of London 

The City is the primary business district, and home to one of the world’s most important stock exchanges. With over 500 banks, numerous skyscrapers and a famously influential business environment, The City is an internationally recognized hub of financial trade, popular in the finance, legal, and insurance sectors. 

• Canary Wharf 

The famous fintech hotspot, Canary Wharf is dominated by media and banking. Located in the West India Docks, London’s second financial hub houses some of the largest companies in the world and was historically one of the world’s busiest ports. 

• Westminster 

One of the city’s largest boroughs, Westminster is the center for business and government. Home to the Palace of Westminster, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace, Westminster is an ancient political district housing the majority of Britain’s government departments. 

Visit the most iconic business venues in the world

When it comes to business spaces, conference venues, and meeting rooms, London is well-equipped for corporate travelers of all types. An international hub for business, the vibrant city is home to many iconic buildings that make up London’s famous skyline, including The Shard, The Gherkin and The London Telecom Tower.

London is a haven for start-ups, so global business travelers can expect flexible co-working spaces, a huge variety of serviced office options, and some of the best conference centers in the country, from science museums to gin distilleries. 

Become a tourist between meetings! 

No business trip is complete without some dedicated downtime to explore - and London is not short of things to do. There’s a reason why the city is the third most visited in the world! London is bursting with tourist attractions and sightseeing opportunities; some of the most famous landmarks include The Tower of London, Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. 

There is an abundance of green parks, bustling food markets, historical squares and museums to explore between meetings, so employees will never find themselves bored or struggling for ideas. 

If you’re ready to reap London's business benefits, why not book a business trip? The best place to start is by finding safe, vetted employee housing for your team, so they can enjoy the buzzing city safely and worry-free. 

3Sixty

3Sixty is a state-of-the-art marketplace that reduces the noise in extended-stay travel. Our HomeMatch™ technology leverages machine learning and human expertise to curate quality, cost-effective housing where your employees feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.