Global business travel to hit US$1.57 trillion in spending in 2025: GBTA

Global business travel spending is expected to reach USD $1.57 trillion in 2025, marking moderate growth amid ongoing trade policy uncertainty and economic risks.

This is according to the Global Business Travel Association's (GBTA’s) Business Travel Index Outlook, which was recently shared at the organization's 2025 convention in Denver.

Now in its 17th year, the report offers a five-year forecast on business travel spending covering 72 countries and 44 industries and includes insights from 7,300+ global business travelers.

Despite slower growth this year than in 2024, spending is projected to rebound and surpass $2 trillion by 2029, influenced by shifts in trade, investment and corporate travel behaviorus, the report says.

Business travel spending is projected to grow globally by 6.6 per cent in 2025, slowing from previous double-digit gains, with a rebound to 8.1% growth expected in 2026.

Long-term forecasts remain uncertain due to geopolitical and economic volatility.

The U.S. is expected to lead business travel spending in 2025, followed by China, Germany, Japan, and the UK.

Sectors like manufacturing face risks from trade tensions, whereas Arts & Entertainment and Professional Services exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Traveller sentiment and behaviour towards business travel remains positive with 86 per cent of respondents rating trips as worthwhile and increased average trip spending.

Adoption of corporate expense systems, AI booking tools, corporate cards, and mobile wallets is also rising globally, the association says. 

GBTA’s 2025 convention

Held July 21–23 at the Colorado Convention Centre, the GBTA’s 2025 convention convened 5,375 business travel professionals from 52 countries in Denver for three days of innovation, insight, and industry-defining dialogue.

Attendees included 1,141 travel buyers representing 680 buyer companies as well as 372 travel industry exhibitors.

The event focused on the industry’s unique position in the worldwide marketplace as emerging technology, geopolitical issues and shifting international supply chains have all converged to highlight the impact the business travel industry has on the global economy.

“The Convention reinforced a unified vision for the future of business travel: collaborative, innovative, with purpose-driven growth,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, in a press release. “It’s clear that business travel is here to stay ─ the travel purchasing power of companies at Convention represented annual business travel spending of at least $77.8 billion. As we navigate through times of uncertainty and change, GBTA’s mission in business travel’s continued success is make sure we move forward with purpose, driven by collaboration, strategy and insights."

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