Travelodge launches new service for business travellers

Travelodge has announced the launch of Travelodge Business, a new programme that encourages business travellers to return to its hotels as restrictions continue to ease.  

The bespoke “one-stop” service will aim to support business travel programmes across the UK by supporting their accommodation needs and giving them “substantial” cash savings.

It comes after the group conducted a study with over 3,000 businesses of all different sizes and in different sectors to obtain a “full perspective” on the needs of companies and businesses travellers emerging from the national lockdown.  

Its findings, alongside feedback from a series of business travel themed focus groups, helped define the features and design of Travelodge Business.

Travelodge soft-launched its new Travelodge Business service following the May 2021 roadmap announcement, and claims it was well-received by nearly 100 existing customers.  Since its launch, however, nearly 1,000 new customers are signing up to the service every week. 

According to Travelodge, Travelodge Business will provide a range of businesses with a tailored, self-service business travel solution that “offers genuine cost savings, exclusive benefits and a dedicated support team”. 

It claims that on average, the savings companies can make via Travelodge Business range from a large company saving up to £250,000 on their hotel spend to a small SME making a saving of £1,000 per year on their hotel spend. 

In addition, customers that hold a Travelodge Business Account card will access the benefits of Travelodge Business as well as up to six weeks interest free credit so that the business traveller does not have to pay for anything on arrival. This includes expenses such as the room booking, WIFI and food & drink in the hotel Bar Café.    

Craig Bonnar, Travelodge CEO said: “We are seeing green shoots that business travel is restarting across the UK as businesses recognise that travel is important to success. Business travel is often about building relationships and some face-to-face meetings are essential.  

“Our research shows company bosses are concerned about their bottom line and how they can make business travel affordable and safe in the ‘New Normal’, which is why we have invested in Travelodge Business.”

He added: “As the UK’s first budget hotel chain providing good quality and great value accommodation to business travellers, we have over three decades of expertise in business travel. 

“With the launch of Travelodge Business and a network of over 578 hotels across the length and breadth of the UK, we are ready to support British industry as it kick-starts its business travel programme again.”