GBTA poll shows optimism in business travel for 2025

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has released its first Business Travel Outlook Poll of 2025, revealing a generally positive trajectory for corporate travel despite ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties. 

The poll found that 48% of travel buyers expect an increase in business travel volume, while 57% anticipate higher travel spending this year.

Business travel growth in 2024 

The latest survey, now in its 36th edition, gathered insights from nearly 800 global business travel professionals. 

The results indicate that 71% of travel buyers reported increased business travel bookings in 2024 compared to the previous year, surpassing expectations set in GBTA’s January 2024 poll. 

Business travel spending also grew beyond projections, with 77% of buyers noting an increase in their company’s travel expenses.

Growth varied by region:

• North America (NORAM) saw the highest growth, with 81% of buyers reporting increased business travel spending.
• Asia-Pacific (APAC) led in trip volume, with 78% of buyers seeing an uptick in business travel, including 30% reporting a significant increase.

Looking ahead to 2025, APAC buyers are the most optimistic, with 63% expecting increased spending, followed by 57% of NORAM buyers. 

In contrast, European buyers remain more cautious, with 37% predicting increased trip volume and 50% expecting higher spending.

Key business travel trends and challenges for 2025

While business travel is expected to expand, companies remain cost-conscious and selective in their travel decisions. 

Additionally, the industry continues to prioritize technology integration, sustainability efforts, and workforce strategies as key focus areas for the year ahead.

• Technology and AI Adoption – AI integration in travel programs remains limited, with only 34% of buyers planning to incorporate AI in meaningful ways this year.
• Shifts in Travel Management Companies (TMCs) – Nearly 30% of buyers are considering switching TMCs in 2025, citing technology dissatisfaction (39%), service quality concerns (37%), and NDC booking challenges (20%) as key factors.
• Sustainability Commitments – 33% of buyers expect their companies to increase investment in sustainable travel this year, with APAC (55%) and Europe (46%) leading the charge.
• Workforce and Hiring Trends – Hiring remains competitive in the business travel sector. While only 16% of buyers plan to add staff within their travel programs, 41% of suppliers and TMCs expect to expand their workforce. However, North America lags behind, with just 35% of supplier/TMC respondents planning to hire, compared to 45% in Europe.

Remote work and changing workplace policies

As hybrid work models continue to evolve, 32% of companies have introduced stricter in-office requirements compared to 2024. 

Hybrid work remains most common in Europe (77%), followed by APAC (62%), Latin America (58%) and North America (51%).

The demand for remote work remains a barrier to hiring, with 47% of supplier/TMC respondents citing remote work preferences as a challenge in finding qualified candidates. 

This highlights a growing disconnect between workforce expectations and employer policies.

The findings are based on 786 responses from business travel buyers, suppliers, and industry professionals across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, collected between January 21-31, 2025.

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