San Francisco–based short-term rental platform Airbnb has introduced a new search feature tailored to travelers on the move.
The tool filters listings to surface properties labeled Business Travel Ready (BTR). These BTR homes and apartments meet specific criteria such as a dedicated workspace or desk, reliable Wi‑Fi and 24‑hour self check-in, along with other amenities that suit professional needs. Many listings are entire homes, giving business guests private space, or they can be shared with colleagues when needed.
Airbnb reports there are more than 150,000 BTR listings worldwide. To use this search option, travelers must register as business users and associate a work email address with their account.
Industry data underline the significance of business travel: the Global Business Travel Association reported U.S. business travel spending topped $290 billion in 2016, with expectations for further growth. Airbnb says over 250,000 companies across 230 countries are already using the BTR search feature to find suitable accommodations for employees and travelers.
In a move to bridge home sharing with corporate travel, last summer Airbnb Business partnered with major travel management companies including American Express Global Business Travel, BCD Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. This marked a notable industry development as travel management firms began incorporating home-sharing options into standard corporate travel programs.
Airbnb also highlights evolving travel patterns among professionals: more business trips now blend work and leisure. The company found that over half of business trips booked last year included a Saturday night stay, a common indicator of “bleisure” travel. Currently roughly 10 percent of bookings on Airbnb are work-related, and that share is expected to rise as bleisure travel grows and businesses continue to adopt flexible accommodation options.