The travel industry took a massive hit during the pandemic, but now, Marriott International executives confirm that business travel is bouncing back. However, there’s a noticeable gap—business travellers are still hesitant to book stays at the beginning of the week.

Midweek Travel Still Lags

According to Marriott CFO Leeny Oberg, occupancy levels on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday remain lower than pre-pandemic numbers. Interestingly, the other nights of the week have seen an increase in occupancy, surpassing pre-COVID levels. This shift suggests a change in how and when professionals are traveling for work.

Who Is Traveling for Business?

While business travel has largely returned, the biggest corporations are still trailing behind their 2019 travel habits. Oberg noted that small- and medium-sized businesses were the first to resume travel, recovering faster than large corporations. However, some industries, such as finance, have already returned to pre-pandemic travel levels.

What This Means for the Hotel Industry

The shift in business travel trends could impact how hotels operate. With fewer bookings at the start of the week, hotels may need to rethink pricing strategies, promotions, and business travel packages to encourage more stays during these slower days.

As the world continues to adjust post-pandemic, the evolution of business travel will be an essential trend to watch. Will large corporations fully return to their old travel routines, or is this a permanent shift? Only time will tell.