The Business Travel, Relocation and Nomad Lifestyle Glossary

What is the definition of a daily rate in a hotel?

The daily rate in a hotel is the cost per room, per a given day.

What is DigiD in the Netherlands?

DigiD (short for Digital Identification) is a form of online ID that allows you to access many services and government websites in the Netherlands. It is required for many government services.

What is a digital entrepreneur? What is digital entrepreneurship?

Digital entrepreneurs are entrepreneurial individuals who focus on digital commerce, for example ebooks, online education and software as a service (“SaaS”).

What is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are individuals who use technology to perform their job from any location in the world. They make use of advancements in technology and cheap travel to live and work without a fixed base.

What is the digital nomad lifestyle?

The digital nomad lifestyle is the way of life for a digital nomad – where someone lives and works without a fixed home and travels between locations regularly. It was made possible through a number of digital innovations and tools, which help them to keep in touch with clients and employers.

What is a distributed team? What does a distributed team mean?

Distributed teams are groups of remote workers within organisation, all of whom are not tethered to a specific location. They may work on the same projects, but are not co-located geographically.

What is the flag of the Netherlands? What does the Dutch flag mean?

The Flag of the Netherlands was originally orange-white-blue, but evolved in the early 17th century to red-white-blue. The colors used in the flag of the Netherlands are based on the coat of arms of Prince William of Orange – hence the original orange.

What is the definition of economy class? What does economy class offer?

Economy or coach class is the lowest travel class available on commercial airlines and railways. It generally offers just a transport product, but some companies may offer some additional amenities such as meals and entertainment.

What is an expatriate contract? What is included in an expat contract?

An expat contract is a typical employment contract, with the addition of compensation or benefits to make the expatriate lifestyle more liveable. In addition to a relocation package, the contract may cover living expenses, include medical insurance, and may specify terms of repatriation at the end of the assignment.

What is an expatriate family? What is the definition of an expat family? What does an expat family mean?

Expat families are the spouses and children who have relocated to a new country as a result of one family member’s work commitments/assignments. Partners who follow are called trailing spouses, and children raised in an expatriate lifestyle are third-culture kids.

What is expatriate housing? What kind of housing do expats live in?

Expat housing is an apartment or house rented out on a longer-term but temporary basis, specifically to relocating expatriates. These may come fully furnished, partially furnished, or unfurnished. Relocation agencies may have access to a collection of expat housing, and there are dedicated expat housing agencies and networks available for this specifically too.

What is the expatriate lifestyle? What does the expat lifestyle mean?

The expatriate lifestyle is the way of life of an expatriate individual or expat family in their foreign country of residence. This often includes international networking activities (e.g. social clubs) and the formation of a expat community. This community may aspire to bring ‘a taste of home’ to their new location.

What is an expatriate? What is the definition of an expat? What’s the difference between an immigrant and an expat?

An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person living in a country of residence other than the one in which they were born and/or raised in, either temporarily or permanently. They are (economic) immigrants, but differ in that they generally intend to return to their home country at the end of their assignment.

What is an Extended Stay? What is the definition of an extended stay hotel? What does extended stay mean?

In the USA, an extended stay hotel is defined as a hotel property which offers accommodation on temporary but longer-term basis, with rooms that contain self-catering cooking facilities (in at least 50 percent of the rooms). It can sometimes be defined as a serviced apartment sold through hotel-like booking services rather than a real estate agent.

What is the Amsterdam flag? Why is the Amsterdam flag XXX?

The current design of the Amsterdam flag depicts three Saint Andrew’s Crosses and is based on the coat of arms of Amsterdam.

What is a flexible fare? What does a flexible fare mean in travel?

A flexible fare is a type of ticket category sold by airlines and rail companies, that costs extra but allows for free changes, modifications and cancellations to the booking before a certain time. It can often be cheaper to pay the extra for a flexible ticket than to pay a cancellation fee.

What is a flexible rate? What does a flexible rate mean in hotels?

A flexible rate is a type of booking category sold by hotels, that costs extra but allows for free changes, modifications and cancellations to the booking before a certain time. It can often be cheaper to pay the extra for a flexible room rate than to pay a cancellation fee.

What is a flexpatriate? What do you call someone who travels frequently to the same place?

A flexpat is an employee who travels frequently to a location abroad for business and an international assignment, but does not relocate on a temporary or permanent basis.

What is a freelancer? What is the definition of freelancing?

Freelancing is when an individual is self-employed, and provides their services on an external basis for a number of companies. They may work from home or as a nomad, and may travel between their clients.

What is a frequent-flyer program?

A frequent-flyer program is an airline’s loyalty scheme. Airlines encourage passengers to accumulate points which may then be redeemed for air travel or other rewards, as this encourages loyalty and repeat business.

What is a furnished apartment? What does a furnished apartment offer?

A furnished apartment is a living space which has been rented or sold with fixtures and/or fittings included. Semi-furnished flats may include some funriture like beds, wardrobes and shower curtains, whilst fully furnished flats may include all appliances and linens.

What is Generation Y? What is the definition of Generation Y? Am I part of Generation Y? Am I a Millennial?

Millennials, Generation Y or Gen Y refers to people born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s. The children of the baby boomers, they are familiar with digital technology. Many young professionals and digital nomads are Millennials.

What is Generation Z? What is the definition of Generation Z? What years were Generation Z born in?

Generation Z (Gen Z) is the generation after the Millennials (Gen Y). Individuals in this generation are generally familiar with the Internet as they grew up with it, and were born from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s.

What is (global) mobility? What is the definition of mobility in a multinational corporation

Global mobility is when a corporation moves its employees / talent from one office to another, often in different countries.

What is a global nomad? What is the definition of a global nomad?

A global nomad, or glomad, is a person who lives internationally and free from locational attachment. They live location-independently and are globally mobile. They are remote workers, and have no fixed work location.

What is the GVB? What does GVB stand for? Who operates public transport in Amsterdam?

The Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf (GVB; “Municipal Transport Company”) is the public transport company of Amsterdam. Owned by the city, it operates the Amsterdam metro, Amsterdam trams, Amsterdam ferries and Amsterdam buses.

What is a home-office hybrid? What does home-office hybrid mean?

Home-office hybrid is a term coined by Zoku, which defines their accommodation model. It represents the meeting point of coworking facilities and comfortable Loft rooms that Zoku offers.

What is hotdesking? Should I hotdesk?

Hot desking is when a workspace is set up for multiple employees to share a single physical work station or surface during different time periods. The desk cannot be reserved – it is first-come-first-served.

What is a hotel transfer? What does a hotel transfer mean?

A hotel transfer is a service offered by a hotel which transports you from the airport or arrival point to your hotel. A hotel transfer from an airport is also sometimes called an airport transfer.

What is incentive travel? What is the aim of incentive travel?

Incentive travel is business travel with the purpose of motivating or incentivising employees or partners to increase certain activity or to reach a goal.

What is an international assignment? What does an international assignment mean for an employee?

An International Assignment is when an employee is asked to move abroad as part of their job. This may be for a short-term project, which involves a long stay in a serviced accommodation – or it may result in permanent relocation.

What is the Internet of Things? What does IoT stand for?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the process of embedding Internet connectivity into everyday objects, allowing these devices tocommunicate and interact, and be remotely monitored and controlled.

What is a Loft? What is a Loft apartment? What is the definition of a Loft?

A loft is an apartment in the upper part of a building, especially a building such as a warehouse or factory that has been converted for people to live in. Lofts are usually large and not divided into separate rooms.

What is an Long Stay? What is the definition of a long stay? What does long stay mean in the hotel industry?

A long stay is defined as a temporary stay in accommodation, for periods of time from one month to over a year. Many municipalities have no fixed definition of a long stay.

What are loyalty points?

Loyalty points are an arbitrary virtual currency which businesses use to assign a value to loyalty. They are awarded based on purchasing activity, and are stored in an individuals personal account within a loyalty program.

What is a loyalty program? What is the definition of a loyalty program?

A loyalty program is a marketing strategy which encourages individuals to return to the same chain or brand. Purchasing activity is rewarded with points, which can be redeemed for membership privileges.

What are membership privileges? What do loyalty programs offer?

Loyalty and frequent flyer programs may offer benefits, discounted rates and upgrades to program members as a reward for loyalty. This is often tied into a rank – the higher the rank, the more rewarding the benefits.

What is a mixed use development? What is a live-work space? What do you call a building with different uses?

A mixed-use development/Live-work space is an urban living development. It combines different purposes – this can be living, working, learning, or relaxing/playing. In a mixed use development, these functions are normally integrated.

What is a (global) mobility specialist? What does a mobility specialist do? What is the definition of a mobility specialist?

A (global) mobility specialist is responsible for a company’s international employees and relocating talent. They manage a number of relocation and travel services, including immigration, legislation, travel arrangements, and temporary accommodation. They may also specialise in helping the employees finalise affairs in the previous home.

What is the nomad lifestyle? What does a nomad do?

A nomad is a person who changes locations regularly. Whilst they may have family roots in a certain location, they do not spend long there and avoid attaching themselves to a location.

What is NS? What does NS mean in the Netherlands?

Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS; Dutch Railways) is the state railway operator in the Netherlands. It operates a large percentage of the rail services in the country.

What is shared office space? What does shared office space offer? What is office sharing?

Shared office space is different to coworking as it allows companies to share and rent flexible workspace.

What is an orphan spouse? What do you call a person who lives a different life than their partner?

An orphan spouse is a person who is in a relationship, but lives a different life to the partner due to work commitments.

What is an OV-Chipkaart? What does the OV-Chipkaart do? How does ticketing work in public transport in the Netherlands?

The OV-chipkaart is a contactless smart card for all public transport in the Netherlands. It works across nearly every transport mode, including buses, national trains and local metro, and allows you to top it up with credit. There are two types, an anonymous card and a personal card.

What is a per diem? What do you call a daily allowance whilst on business travel?

A per diem (Latin for “per day” or “for each day”) is an amount of money provided to an employee or other individual by a company, to cover living expenses when traveling for work. It is a ‘per day’ as it is calculated based on the needs of the person in their location.

What is permanent housing? What is the definition of permanent housing in relocations?

Temporary housing is a form of accommodation offered by companies to their relocating employees as part of a relocation package, to house them whilst they search for more permanent housing. It may take the form of a serviced apartment, a hotel, an Aparthotel, or a regular apartment.

What is proptech? What is the meaning of proptech?

Proptech (Property technology) is a term for any form of real estate technology – it concerns both software and hardware solutions for the real estate industry. It is a fast growing sector and it responds to changing consumer attitudes, movements and transactions.

What is the Amsterdam RAI?

Amsterdam RAI is a complex of conference and exhibition halls, located in the Zuidas (South Axis) of Amsterdam.

What is a relocation? What is the definition of a relocation?

A relocation is when an individual or family leaves their existing home to move to a new city or country on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. This can be for personal reasons or as part of a corporate move.

What is a relocation agent? What does a relocation specialist do? What is the role of a relocation agent / specialist?

A relocation specialist helps relocating employees throughout their move from country to country. They are responsible for logistical and financial assistance, butunlike mobility managers, they are not responsible for the employee themselves. They may also specialise in helping the employees finalise affairs in the previous home.

What is a relocation allowance? What does a relocation allowance cover?

A relocation allowance is a sum of money given to a relocating employee as compensation/coverage for a corporate relocation. It will nearly always fully cover the cost of moving, and depending on employer may pay for temporary living costs incurred whilst the employee looks for a home in the new location.

What is a typical / normal corporate relocation package? What is the definition of a relocation package?

Relocation packages are offered by the employer to the relocating employee, and generally include financial assistance and professional relocation services. Typical packages include a full moving service for your personal belongings and household items, real estate assistance (i.e selling an old home and finding a new one), and travel costs (flights, ground transport for all relocating individuals). Some companies also offer temporary accommodation in serviced apartments, hotels or Aparthotels.

What is a relocation service? What does a relocation agency do? What can I expect from a relocation agency?

Relocation agencies offer a range of services to assist relocating employees and their families – and even entire departments of a business – move to a new city or country. They normally consist of a number of relocation specialists, who look after logistics, arrangements, bookings, and payments in the new location. They may also specialise in helping the employees finalise affairs in the previous home.

What is remote work? How do people work remotely?

Remote work is when a professional works in an environment detached from a traditional office or place of work. They make use of the internet and other services to do their work from anywhere in the world. People who work remotely on the internet from different locations around the world are called digital nomads.

What is a remote worker? What is the definition of a remote worker?

A remote worker is someone who works outside of a traditional office environment. They may work from a number of locations – that could be home, a coffee shop or a beach. They might find themselves visit their head office, but generally work mobile. Remote workers are not considered office employees.

What is a rental apartment?

A rental apartment is a private unit which is being leased out by the owner to another tenant. It may be within a condominium complex, or another form of residential development.

What is a repatriation in the expat community? What does repatriation mean?

Repatriation is the act of returning to a home country after time abroad. Expats may be repatriated as part of their contract, at the end of an international assignment.

What is ride-sharing? What does ride–sharing mean? What industry does Uber operate in?

Peer-to-peer ride-sharing is a service in which a passenger travels in a private vehicle driven by its owner. Apps like Uber have facilitated this.

What is serviced accommodation? What is the definition of serviced accommodation?

Serviced accommodation is fully furnished short or long term housing. It may take the form of a serviced apartment or an extended stay / Aparthotel, depending on the services offered and the means of occupation.

What is a serviced apartment? What is a serviced flat? What is the definition of a Serviced Apartment? What does a Serviced Apartment offer?

A serviced apartment is a fully furnished apartment available for short-term or long-term stay, providing hotel-like amenities such as house keeping, a fitness center, and a laundry room. Most of them are equipped with full kitchens, Wi-Fi and in-apartment washers and dryers

What is shared housing? How is shared housing different to coliving?

Shared housing is when unrelated people live together. They have their own private spaces (e.g. a bedroom), and share common areas such as kitchen, living and dining rooms and outside yard areas. As they are residents of the home, their living arrangement is similar to that of a family – they share the bills, maintenance and make decisions together.

What is shared living? How is shared living different to coliving?

Shared Living is a form of adult foster care, where an individual, couple, or family cohouse with an intellectually or developmentally disabled individual.

What is a sharing economy? What does a sharing economy mean in living?

The sharing economy is a term to describe the situation when items and services are not owned by a user. Instead, they are shared on a temporary basis by members of a community or network. This may be for free or may require a paid subscription.

What is a short stay? What is the definition of a short-stay? How many nights is a short stay?

According to the Municipality of Amsterdam (Gemeente Amsterdam), a short stay can be defined as the rental of non-subsidised housing (with a rent above €710.68) for periods from seven nights to six months.

What is a short term let? What is short term letting? How long is a short term rental?

Short-term letting or short-term rentals are letting agreements on accommodation, for periods of less than six months, and as short as a few nights.

‘What is a skilled migrant? What is a knowledge worker? What do you call a working migrant?

‘Highly skilled migrants’, sometimes called ‘knowledge workers’, are foreign nationals who are deemed to make a contribution to the knowledge-based economy in the Netherlands. In general, to be classed as a highly skilled migrant, you have to earn a certain level of income

What is a smart city? What is the definition of a smart city? What does a smart city aim to achieve?

Smart cities are urban areas which have been fitted with a range of data sensors. These collect data which can help to manage assets and resources efficiently. This can have an impact on quality of life and sustainability.

What is a smart home? What features do smart homes have?

A smart home is a residential unit or house that has been fitted with a communication network that connects different appliances, and allows them to be remotely controlled, monitored and accessed. Smart devices are often connected to an Internet of Things.

What is a startup office? What is the definition of a startup office?

A startup office is any workspace leased or owned by a startup company. This may be a hotdesk in a coworking office, or a private office space.

What is a studio apartment or flat? What is the definition of a studio apartment?

A studio apartment is a living space in which the bedroom, kitchen, living room and dining area are combined into a single room. Studio apartments have no separate bedroom, but will generally have a separate bathroom.

What is sustainable living? What does sustainable living mean?

Sustainable living describes a lifestyle that attempts to reduce their use of natural resources, and reduce their carbon footprint. This may be

What is telework? How does one telework?

Telework is another term for remote work, in which employees use digital services to work outside of a fixed place of work like an office.

What is temporary housing? What is the definition of temporary housing in relocations?

Temporary housing is a form of accommodation offered by companies to their relocating employees as part of a relocation package, to house them whilst they search for more permanent housing. It may take the form of a serviced apartment, a hotel, an Aparthotel, or a regular apartment.

What is temporary renting? How long is a temporary rent?

Temporary renting can also be called short-term letting, and is defined as renting for periods of less than six months, and as short as a few nights. Extended stay hotels and Aparthotels also fall into this definition.

What is a temporary resident? What’s the definition of a temporary resident?

A temporary resident is a foreign national who has been granted the right to stay in a country for a purpose, for a limited period of time (often tied into the length of the individual’s employment contract). This may require a resident’s permit and/or work visa, and are not citizens of the nation in which they reside.

What is a third culture kid? What is TCK short for?

A third culture kid (TCK) is a child who has grown up as an expat in a country other than their family’s origins. They live an international culture – not like in their home country, and not like the local culture in the foreign country either. TCKs identify with a global identity and may display traits of different cultures.

What is a trailing spouse? What do you call a person who follows their partner for work?

A trailing spouse is a person who follows their spouse abroad, as a result of an international assignment or other international work commitment.

What are travel incentives?

Travel incentives are business tools designed to change consumer behavior. They are generally a subset of an incentive program, recognition program or a loyalty program.

What is a travel manager? What does a travel manager do?

A travel manager is an individual generally hired by an organisation to manage all aspects of business travel, making arrangements for employees. They may also work for external travel agencies that assist businesses with their travel plans.

What is urban living? What is the definition of urban living?

Urban living is the practice of living in built-up population centres or neighborhoods, often within cities or major towns. These areas may be low density or high density, depending on the population of the area.

What is a work at home professional?

A work at home professional is an individual who is based at home in a home office, rather than commuting to an office. They may be full employees of an organisation, or may freelance for multiple companies.

What is work-life balance? Is work life balance important?

Work–life balance describes the equilibrium of an individual’s daily work and personal activities. It concerns the self-care and wellbeing of a person, and assumes that work and life should be equally as important.

What is Zoku? What is a Zoku? What does Zoku mean?

Zoku is a Japanese word for family, tribe or clan. It is also a Dutch hospitality brand offering a home-office hybrid concept, which combines hotel services with a serviced apartment feel, in addition to award-winning interior design and vibrant community spaces.