Smart, Safe, Sustainable: How technology and innovation are rewriting the future of corporate housing

As corporate mobility evolves to meet the needs of a modern, globalised workforce, the pressure is on for business leaders and mobility departments to rise to the challenge of finding quality accommodation that is safe, secure and sustainable.AltoVita’s Smart, Safe and Sustainable Summit, which is taking place in London on June 27, will bring business executives, HR leaders, and mobility experts together to explore the future of corporate housing and how smart technology is shaping the options for assignees.From AI-driven personalisation to an intelligent crisis response, the emerging themes from this Summit will explore how to balance the expectations of clients and assignees with the challenges of meeting their needs in terms of budget, technology and duty of care. The Summit will explore how technology can improve the assignee and client experience in new and exciting ways.

About the Smart, Safe, Sustainable Summit

AltoVita's Smart, Safe, Sustainable Summit is returning to London for its 5th edition, and AI, personalisation, and guest experience will be the focal points. Attendees will discover how AI is enhancing the booking and guest experience, and how personalisation can enhance the overall travel experience. For those looking at the talent pipeline and the arrival of a new cohort of school leavers and graduates, the Summit will also discuss Gen Z in detail.It will look at how companies can begin to plan and adapt for this tech-savvy generation that prioritises experiences and purpose in their choice of company and career.Last year's Summit focused on how integrating technology can lead to more efficient booking methods. PwC, for example, shared how streamlining their programmes resulted in a 30 per cent cost reduction. This year, the emphasis is on technology and enhancing the traveller's experience, how to deliver enriched experiences for corporate travellers and assignees, and how to understand the needs and priorities of Gen Z.Also at the Summit AltoVita will unveil AltoCore, their new product in the form of a mobile app, which has AI features designed to improve performance. AltoVita will also share the stage with clients who have demonstrated great Returns on Investment (ROI) since shifting to AltoVita corporate accommodation solution.We spoke to Beverly King, VP of Client Partnerships at AltoVita, and Julia Kampani, Content & Community Manager at AltoVita, to find out how technology is changing the global mobility industry, and what to expect at this exciting Summit.

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How smart technology is shaping the employee experience in corporate housing

In today’s digital-first world, business travellers, especially younger professionals, expect their accommodation experience to mirror the convenience they enjoy in their personal lives. Smart home features, mobile access, and AI-powered suggestions are quickly becoming something that clients expect, even if in some regions it is more difficult to provide. As the nature of corporate stays evolves, and the expectations of younger assignees increases, so too must the technology that supports it.“With all the tech advancements happening lately, it just makes sense to bring that innovation into corporate housing,” says Beverly King, VP of Client Partnerships at AltoVita, and Julia Kampani, Content & Community Manager at AltoVita. “From smart amenities (like temperature and lighting control) to services (like contactless check-in and check-out), hotels and serviced apartments are evolving to meet the expectations of modern-day business travellers - especially younger professionals.“But beyond these amenities, smart tech can really simplify other parts of travel and accommodation: the logistics. We are about to launch AltoStay, our new mobile-first app that acts as a one-stop shop for guests. It is something that the market has been asking for and the big reveal will take place at our Smart, Safe and Sustainable Summit in London on June 27.“AltoStay will have features like push notifications with check-in details, check-in info, door codes, WiFi passwords, so when you are getting ready to travel or shortly after you arrive at your destination, you have all the information you need at your fingertips. No need to look through emails that travellers receive shortly before their trip. The app also includes smart, AI-powered local recommendations, so instead of searching Google Maps when you arrive, AltoStay can suggest restaurants, grocery stores, and more based on your preferences. The more you use it, the smarter and more tailored it becomes. It is all about making the stay easier, faster, and more personal.”

The importance of data privacy and cybersecurity

As digital connectivity becomes more commonplace within the travel and accommodation industry, cybersecurity has moved from an IT concern to a boardroom priority. Companies can no longer afford to treat data protection as an afterthought, and this is especially when hosting globally mobile employees, sending them to countries and geographies where internet connections may be compromised or data stolen. When most of communication with head office is done by digital means, security must be engineered into every layer of the booking process and assignee details must be kept secure and safe. There are many potential layers of vulnerability which the assignee themselves may not even be aware of.“It is important to prioritise partnerships with providers that embed security and compliance into every layer of their technology stack,” says Beverley. “This starts with end-to-end encryption of guest data, strict access controls, and compliance with international data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA.“At AltoVita, we work with Fortune 500 companies across the globe, so we know first-hand how important security is. We have been ISO-certified (ISO270001) and our platform is built with enterprise-grade security frameworks, including secure cloud infrastructure and role-based data access, to protect sensitive client and employee information.“For Internet of Things (IoT) enabled properties, it is equally important to ensure that connected devices are properly secured and updated. Thoroughly vetting suppliers and partnering exclusively with professionally managed properties is key, which is why our four-tier accommodation vetting process is one of the most comprehensive and rigorous in the industry.”

Using data to predict and personalise the needs of relocating professionals

For relocation and travel programmes to truly support employee wellbeing, they need to go beyond transactional services and think more carefully about personalisation and pre-planning of the stay.With AI and machine learning, corporate housing providers now have the tools to anticipate needs before they arise. This has the potential to transform a routine business trip or longer term assignment into a more memorable, personalised experience. The more data-driven these systems become, the more value they offer to both guests and employers. They can also help to pinpoint experiences and preferences which assignees and their families would prefer and truly appreciate, rather than wasting money on extras that are not important to them. At a time when budgets are under pressure, but assignee expectations are high, it makes sense to spend money on things that your people truly want and need.“Property providers have a unique opportunity to personalise and elevate the guest experience,” says Julia. “With access to historical data and past feedback, they can create more tailored experiences, like remembering guest’s preferred room temperature, or offering a welcome basket. With properties going the extra mile to diversify and offer more of a VIP service, remembering little things like an allergy, for example, goes a long way in making guests feel special.“By using AI in combination with nudge theory, providers can offer suggestions that drive decision-making, like recommending properties favoured by other similar travellers or suggesting nearby restaurants based on past preferences. This helps create a more customised experience for each guest.”

Cybersecurity benchmarks for ensuring safety in volatile global environments

Employee safety has always been a central part of the role of the global mobility team, but today, the definition of “safe” is evolving. Physical security remains critical, but cybersecurity, real-time alerts, and being able to respond quickly and efficiently in a crisis are also important. For mobility leaders, this means rethinking risk management through a broader, more digital lens—especially as threats grow more complex, unexpected, and interconnected.“Large organisations have their own internal security who track, advise and make policy but will also follow governmental policy very carefully,” says Beverley. “One thing that is often overlooked when we talk about traveller and assignee safety is cybersecurity. It is not just about physical safety anymore, because cybercrime is a growing threat, especially for mobile employees who access a lot of systems on the go.“So, reducing email traffic, enabling two-factor authentication, having secure login systems are becoming really important. That is what we are also trying to do with AltoStay - having one app to centralise everything which will ensure assignees are always communicating with verified AltoVita contacts, and add an extra layer of protection against phishing attempts.”

How to balance cost efficiency with duty of care

Cost efficiency and duty of care are particularly important in second-tier or more high-risk markets, where mobility teams need to be careful about the quality and security of accommodation options.Operating in second-tier cities or higher-risk regions often forces companies to make difficult decisions between budget constraints and duty of care. But with smarter tools and a more diversified property portfolio, the choices can be made using data. With the right systems and supplier network, organisations can prioritise both safety and spend. As organisations set up new bases in more remote and unfamiliar locations, mobility teams are finding that they are looking outside traditional housing solutions to meet their clients’ needs.“At AltoVita we take safety and security very seriously and thanks to our rigorous four-tier vetting process we can ensure mobility managers and assignees a safe stay,” Beverley says. “This includes thorough assessments of neighbourhood safety and 24/7 emergency response capabilities.“Once AltoStay - our guest experience app - is launched, employees will be able to contact emergency support 24/7 through phone, WhatsApp or live chat, just by a few taps. We work with a number of clients who may want to vet properties personally, especially in more high risk - high volume areas. In those case, we organise site visits along with the client and the employee, which helps manage expectations from the outset.”Whether the potential crisis is political, environmental, or digital, the speed and accuracy of an organisation’s response can make all the difference. Technology can enable advanced crisis management and real-time traveller tracking. With the help of AI, companies now have the power to protect their people and ensure that they comply fully with employer’s duty of care.At a time when technology is redefining every corner of the business world, the Smart, Safe and Sustainable Summit reminds us that innovation can enhance the experience of global mobility teams, assignees and their family. Technology can ensure that safety and personalisation are at the heart of corporate travel and that moving people around the world feels supported and secure.The Safe, Smart, Sustainable Summit is sponsored by The Cozm, Relocity and Wilde Aparthotels, and will feature talks by Vivi Himmel, CEO & Co-founder of AltoVita, and Karolina Saviova, COO & Co-founder of AltoVita. The headaches of policy compliance will be discussed by a panel including Ben Oghene, CEO, The Cozm, Soren Sturup-Toft, Immigration & Global Mobility Lead, EMEA & APJ, Databricks, and Sigrid Nauwelaerts, Head of Reward, Europe, RSA Insurance and moderated by Beverly King, Director of Client Partnerships, AltoVita. Jose Nunez, Corporate Travel Manager, AMC Networks International UK, and Jess Dunderdale, Senior Director of Client Partnerships, AltoVitawill discuss whether real-time booking will ever be available in corporate accommodation.Other sessions during the day include:

• Disrupting Temporary Housing with Data & AI to Improve Employee Experience
• Accessibility in Corporate Accommodations
• The Corporate Travel & Mobility Response to Geopolitical Change
• Gen Z on the Move: Rethinking Corporate Stay Experience for the Next Generation
• India Market Dynamics: Navigating Pricing Strategies in High-Demand Cities

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