Global business travel spending is projected to reach $928.4 billion by 2030, fueled by a 5% surge in 2026 budgets as organizations pivot toward sustainability and high-impact experiential travel. While virtual meetings once threatened the sector, a new poll of 571 industry professionals by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) reveals a market prioritizing face-to-face ROI. From "bleisure" integration to rigorous ESG mandates, the B2B travel trade is no longer just moving people—it is managing complex data and climate accountability.
The corporate travel ecosystem is undergoing a fundamental shift. For the B2B travel trade, this evolution presents both disruption and opportunity. As client expectations change and decision-makers demand greater accountability, corporate travel, meetings, and events are being reshaped by technology, sustainability mandates, experiential value, and cost optimisation.
The global market for Business Travel was valued at US$720.5 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$928.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. Business travel, an essential component of the global economy is crucial for fostering business relationships, closing deals, and exploring new markets. Companies invest in business travel to boost employee engagement, capitalize on networking opportunities, and gain competitive advantages. In an increasingly interconnected world, face-to-face interactions remain invaluable, despite the rise of digital communication tools.
Organisations expect their corporate travel budgets to hold or rise and anticipate modest increases in trip volumes and revenue. Balancing cost control with traveler satisfaction will remain a central challenge, along with managing traveler safety related to travel-disruptive situations. Potentially, new cross‑border requirements pose a risk to international mobility and employee willingness to travel.
This is according to the latest poll from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) of 571 corporate travel buyers, travel suppliers, and travel management company (TMC) professionals across 40 countries surveying their outlook and concerns for business travel in the year ahead.
“The results show an industry propelled by anticipated stronger demand and financial indicators, yet potentially constrained by external factors that could reshape business travel in the year ahead,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “Traveling for work is critical to how global companies and economies grow, innovate and connect. We need to ensure it remains accessible, safe, and seamless ─ and that every trip counts.”
Geopolitical instability, changing border rules and visa regulations, natural calamities, unexpected disruptions, traveller safety concerns and expectations are compelling travel advisors to adopt smart strategies. Simultaneously, rapid technology innovation, sustainability imperatives, and rising employee expectations are fundamentally reshaping corporate travel programmes across global markets.
Corporate travel spending globally is expected to rise by approximately 5% in 2026, with European organisations driving much of this growth. Hotel demand is forecast to increase by 6.3%, alongside a 3.9% rise in average room rates, as the impact of virtual meetings on business travel continues to diminish. However, despite this cautiously optimistic outlook, travel managers remain focused on controlling costs, with budget pressures and broader macroeconomic uncertainty influencing planning for the year ahead.
Technology Is Reengineering Meetings & Events
AI and Integrated Platforms Redefine Meeting ROI Technology has evolved from a back-office support tool into the primary differentiator for the B2B travel trade. As corporate clients demand unified ecosystems, Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are replacing fragmented systems with mobile-first platforms that integrate booking, expense management, and policy compliance into a single interface.
The focus has shifted toward data-driven outcomes: AI-powered sourcing and real-time analytics now allow suppliers to demonstrate measurable Return on Investment (ROI) for hybrid and in-person events. For the modern travel advisor, success is no longer about booking a flight; it is about providing the tech stack that proves a meeting's business value
Sustainability Moves from Commitment to Commercial Strategy
Sustainability has shifted from a brand statement to a procurement requirement. Corporate buyers are increasingly asking for carbon reporting, carbon budgets, and verified offset solutions as part of RFPs. The B2B travel trade must now offer measurable sustainability outcomes—eco-certified supply chains, greener routing options, and tools that engage travelers in responsible choices. Sustainability is no longer a cost center, it is a competitive advantage.
Bleisure Becomes Policy, Not Exception
Bleisure travel is now embedded in corporate travel programs, creating new opportunities and compliance challenges for the travel trade. Corporate clients seek clear frameworks that separate business and personal expenses while maintaining duty of care. For suppliers and intermediaries, this trend opens demand for flexible booking options, extended-stay solutions, and curated local experiences—delivered within policy and budget constraints.
Duty of Care Drives Supplier Selection
Duty of care is now a decisive factor in supplier evaluation. Corporate clients expect real-time traveler visibility, risk management solutions, and proactive communication capabilities. The B2B travel trade must demonstrate preparedness across health, safety, geopolitical risk, and employee well-being. Providers that integrate risk intelligence and traveler support into their offerings are positioned as strategic partners rather than transactional vendors.
The Shift Toward Tier 3 Experiential Travel
Incentives, offsites, and leadership retreats are moving beyond traditional Tier 2 offerings toward Tier 3 experiential travel. Corporate buyers are prioritising meaningful, purpose-led experiences that drive engagement and align with ESG goals. For DMCs, hotels, and MICE specialists, this shift demands creativity, authenticity, and customisation—experiences that deliver emotional impact while remaining operationally sound and measurable.
Cost-Effective Meetings Through Smarter Design
Cost control remains critical, but corporate buyers are increasingly focused on value over volume. Centralised sourcing, dynamic pricing, virtual or hybrid formats, and strategic destination selection enable cost-effective meetings without sacrificing impact. The B2B travel trade must articulate not just savings, but outcomes—productivity, engagement, and business results.
The future of corporate travel will be defined by collaboration, data transparency, and adaptability. For the B2B travel trade, success lies in evolving from service provider to strategic advisor—offering technology, sustainability expertise, risk management, and experiential innovation in equal measure. Those who align with these priorities will not only meet client expectations but help shape the next generation of corporate travel and meetings.
