A guide to proptech in the business travel industry

As the world progresses through the digital age, it seems like almost everything is technology based these days. Whether it’s facial recognition systems in airports or apps to order groceries to your door in (what feels like) minutes, many industries are taking advantage of the ever-rising influence of tech - and the business travel industry is no exception. 

Before the advancement of technology in the travel sector, booking travel and accommodation was very different. In most cases, booking travel involved walking into a high street agency and flicking through brochures or spending hours on the phone discussing travel deals. 

Today, technology has transformed how we book and travel, with everything available at our fingertips. Below, we’ll take a deep dive into “proptech” and how this type of technology has transformed business travel experiences, from the booking process to the guest experience. 

What is proptech?

The term “proptech” refers to property technology. In a nutshell, proptech is the use of software to optimize property management processes and enhance guest experience. While this may sound rather technical, proptech covers all things property and technology combined - from the platforms used to book accommodation, to the actual technology in a property (such as keyless entry), to behind-the-scenes systems property managers use to manage bookings. 

How has proptech transformed the business travel experience?

Proptech has added personalization to corporate travel, resulting in a seamless and enjoyable experience for both employees and travel bookers. Here are a few examples of how property technology has impacted the business travel industry: 

Business travel management 

From a business travel management perspective, booking reliable employee accommodation has never been easier. Using an online marketplace like 3Sixty, travel managers have instant access to a global network of business accommodation, with tailored and curated options at their fingertips. Gone are the days of choosing standard hotel rooms for business visits; today, employees have a plethora of living spaces to choose from. 

As business travelers continue to want a greater say over where they stay, business accommodation booking platforms have developed to enable employee browsing of a vetted list with compliant and approved options, so they can find the right home away from home for them. Travel managers continue to have oversight of where employees are staying, visibility of their check-in and check-out status, and even information on safety, security and financial health in the area. 

Proptech ensures the booking experience is secure and seamless end-to-end, resulting in a smooth process for both travel managers and employees. 

Home technology 

Employee housing is no longer just a place to sleep after a day of meetings, but a place to live and work too. 

Property technology has majorly enhanced the guest experience - but not just from a booking perspective. Integrating tech with property has greatly improved the security and safety of employee accommodation. Self-check-in and keyless entry solutions allow employees to check-in at a time that suits them, without the hassle or security threat of physical keys. 

Inside the property itself, tech can be used to add elements of personalization for business travelers. Forecasts suggest that by 2024, the number of digital voice assistants will reach 8.4 billion units – a number higher than the world’s population. Employees can use voice assistant technology to tailor their experiences and personalize their environments, such as lighting levels and temperature. 

What can we expect to see in the future?

As you’d expect, the world of technology is fast-paced and the opportunities are somewhat limitless. Moving forward, we expect to see more accommodations using proptech to boost the energy efficiency of properties - for example, IoT sensors can be used to track water usage, carbon footprint and indoor air quality, for a more eco-friendly stay. 

With more than 80% of millennials wanting to see a 3D tour or digital floor plan when searching for a home, it’s likely virtual tours will spill into business travel, allowing employees to view their accommodation before they stay and choose a suitable space for them. There will likely also be greater integration of smart appliances, along with centralized entertainment and streaming devices. In short, properties are about to go from smart to intelligent! 

If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that the future of proptech is promising - and we can’t wait to see how booking and traveling continue to evolve for business travelers. 

3Sixty: Placing tech at the forefront of employee accommodation 

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