”Traveling for work? It can be a challenge when your accommodation is designed for vacationers. Discover why traditional platforms like Airbnb might not meet the unique needs of working professionals and explore a community-driven approach that makes settling in for your work-related stay a breeze.”
Not all international travel is for leisure. While that may seem obvious, it’s easy to forget when boarding a flight to your beach holiday that many of our fellow passengers aren’t going on holiday at all.
People travel for work-related reasons such as internships, exchanges, remote roles, temporary placements, and short-term projects. Yet many still rely on accommodation platforms primarily designed for vacations and short visits.
There’s nothing wrong with that. But it doesn’t always work.
When work is the reason for the stay, accommodation must do much more than provide a place to sleep or store luggage. It needs to support everyday living: a space where routines can continue and work gets done, all while settling into a new environment comfortably.
Recognising the difference between travel-first accommodation and properties that support work-life balance abroad is key to choosing the right place to stay for your next internship, remote work or placement.
Platforms like Airbnb have transformed the way people travel. No longer constrained to impersonal hotels or distant Bed and Breakfasts, Airbnb allows people to create custom experiences with its wide range of properties, diverse locations, and a straightforward booking process. Airbnb makes it easy to plan the holiday of your dreams.
While this model can support accommodation for working professionals, it mainly serves travelers seeking the golden trio of short-term accommodation: comfort, convenience, and a great location.
So where do travel-first platforms like Airbnb fall short when it comes to professional stays abroad that require more than short-term convenience?
Professional stays for internships or remote work often require more than what short-stay accommodations can provide. Amenities essential for everyday living, a quiet workspace, and neighbors with predictable schedules can make or break a work-related stay.
Common challenges include:
When a stay doubles as a workspace, certain amenities are essential. Reliable internet, a quiet environment, a suitable work space and a functional kitchen all help maintain daily routines. Properties designed for short-term guests may not consistently meet these needs, making it harder to focus and stay productive.
Working abroad often comes with additional costs that are hard to prepare for, from transport to daily living. Hidden fees, local taxes and extra charges added after a booking can add extra financial pressure, making it harder to plan ahead.
Many short-term rentals operate like a business, prioritising quick turnovers between guests. Spaces can feel temporary, lack necessities, or prioritise cleaning over comfort. In professionally managed properties, neighbors can change frequently, and different schedules or lifestyles can create friction for those maintaining regular work hours.
Working and living abroad involves adapting to a new environment quickly. Staying in a space designed for tourists can feel transient, offering little sense of community. With guests coming and going, there are few opportunities to connect or develop a sense of belonging during a work-related stay.
These challenges don’t make travel-first platforms unusable for working professionals. They simply highlight how mismatched the needs of those travelling for work and those travelling for leisure really are.
Accommodation that supports both work and daily life should offer:
For working professionals, accommodation must function as a temporary home, not just a place to stay.
Community-driven accommodation platforms like StayingBee take a different approach. Instead of prioritising short stays and high turnover, stays are built around shared backgrounds, values and experiences.
StayingBee connects hosts and guests through established communities such as AIESEC and JCI, creating an environment rooted in trust and mutual understanding. The platform is designed for specific types of guests, particularly for working professionals who are a current member or alumnus of a community.
Unlike professionally managed rentals, StayingBee hosts share the homes they actually live in. This creates a calmer, more predictable living environment that naturally supports everyday routines and work-focused stays.
For guests, this approach makes adjusting to new environments more manageable. Hosts are often present and able to share local knowledge, guidance, and practical advice, reducing uncertainty and helping guests settle in more easily.
No single accommodation platform suits every stay, but it’s worth exploring options that truly support your needs. Travel-first platforms are ideal for holidays and short visits, but for work-related stays, they may not always be the best fit.
When accommodation aligns with the purpose of a stay, working professionals are better positioned to maintain focus, routine, and daily life abroad.
For those planning a work-related stay, exploring accommodation built around trust, shared values, and community is a useful place to start.
