The serviced apartment sector is a complex business for travel buyers, but the industry is making efforts to improve clarity and implement global standards. Catherine Chetwynd reports
Business models and trade bodies
Star ratings
Extended stay/Aparthotels International view Technology
p90 p94 p96
p100 p101
THERE ARE TWO MAIN protagonists in the serviced apartment market: agents and operators, the former choosing from the portfolios of the latter to satisfy client requirements. Operators are not a homogeneous
group, however. Some own all the properties they manage, while others own part of their portfolio and
BUSINESS MODELS AND TRADE BODIES
service
manage the rest on a lease. Although on the face of it this might create inconsistencies in product levels, operators try to take on inventory that matches the quality of those they own, and service levels are generally kept uniform through the presence of a general manager or concierge on site.