Regulation, corporate demand and the future of short stays.
Short, mid and extended accommodation has grown rapidly over the last decade. How has the sector changed?
It’s changed enormously – and we’re now entering a new phase. At Week2Week Serviced Apartments, we’ve been supporting guests and businesses for 25 years, long before online booking platforms existed.
Before platforms transformed the market, property investors had to appoint professional operators like Week2Week Serviced Apartments to manage their accommodation properly – from guest communication and safety compliance to quality control and corporate standards. In many ways, the industry is now returning to that model, but with modern expectations layered on top.
Today, the sector is moving decisively towards a more professional, standards-led market, where quality, consistency and reassurance matter more than volume alone.
What does this next phase look like in practical terms?
For us, the biggest shift is professionalisation. Short, mid and extended stay accommodation is moving closer to professional hospitality, rather than informal letting.
People aren’t just booking somewhere to sleep anymore – they’re booking somewhere to live, often for weeks or months at a time. With UK occupancy forecast to grow by over 8% in 2026, driven by relocations, project-based work and hybrid roles, accommodation must support everyday living, not just overnight stays (GSAIR 2025).
What’s driving this move towards higher standards?
It’s a combination of rising guest expectations, tighter regulation and growing corporate and relocation demand.
Global business travel spending reached $1.57 trillion in 2025, and UK corporate relocations are currently up 8% year-on-year. As travel becomes more purposeful, both guests and businesses want reassurance – clear processes, transparent communication and reliable support (GSAIR 2025).
Delivering that consistently takes strong systems, experienced teams and a genuine focus on service. That’s where established accommodation providers stand out.
How important is regulation in shaping the future of the sector?
Regulation can feel challenging in the interim because it adds cost and accountability. But overall, it strengthens the market.
Clear regulation pushes the sector back towards professional management models, separating casual operators from compliant providers. For businesses that already operate properly, regulation becomes a competitive advantage rather than a threat.
We’re independently audited and accredited annually and hold a Gold Award with Quality in Tourism, giving guests and corporate clients confidence that our standards are externally recognised and regularly reviewed.
How important is corporate travel and relocation to the future of short, mid and long stay accommodation?
It’s one of the biggest drivers of growth.
Corporate travel hasn’t disappeared – it’s evolved. We’re seeing increased demand for extended stays, driven by hybrid working, regional projects and relocation programmes. Hotels work well for short trips, but they’re not designed for real life over weeks or months.
Flexible accommodation provides routine, and routine supports productivity, wellbeing and work-life balance – which matters to employers as much as it does to guests.
What do corporate clients expect today that they didn’t before?
They expect reliability and clarity.
Corporate clients want accommodation that supports duty of care, with standards they can trust and a responsive team behind it. They also expect predictable pricing, flexible extensions and clear invoicing – without added admin.
That’s why service remains central to what we do. We’re proud to be a family-run, female-led business, and we focus on being approachable, responsive and consistent – because that’s how long-term partnerships are built.
If you could sum up the future of short, mid and extended stay accommodation in one message, what would it be?
The future is about consistency, trust and professionalism.
Short, mid and extended stay accommodation is becoming a core part of how organisations move people, deliver projects and support relocation. In many ways, the sector is coming full circle – back to professional management, backed by experience, standards and real human support.
At Week2Week Serviced Apartments, that’s what we’ve been delivering for 25 years – and it’s exactly how we’re approaching 2026 and beyond.
Final word
Whether you’re arranging accommodation for visiting colleagues, relocating staff, family and friends, or you’re a property owner looking for professional management and peace of mind, the Week2Week team is always happy to talk.
We’re only a phone call or an email away, and we pride ourselves on being approachable, responsive and supportive – because looking after people has always been at the heart of what we do.
week2week.co.uk