Travel sentiment through the remainder of the year appears robust following a strong 2024, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) says.
The association’s first Business Travel Outlook Poll of 2025 reveals 48% of travel buyers anticipate business travel at their companies will increase this year, while 57% believe that will translate to more dollars spent.
“As business travel continues to evolve, travel professionals must navigate a landscape shaped by technology transformation, geopolitical factors and sustainability imperatives,” said Suzanne Neufang, GBTA’s CEO. “The year’s first poll underscores an optimistic yet measured approach as companies balance growth with strategic investments in innovation, workforce needs and sustainability efforts.”
Sixty-nine per cent of Latin American respondents expect their company’s business travel spending to increase in 2025, followed by 63% cent in Asia, 57% in North America, and 50% in Europe.
Seventy-one per cent of travel buyers said their companies’ travel bookings increased in 2024, citing a growing global economy, with the Asia Pacific leading the way. Moreover, 78% of respondents in the region reported higher business travel bookings in 2024 than the year prior, with 30% stating they were significantly higher, the GBTA poll said.
However, that was trumped by 79% of Latin American respondents reporting increases in 2024, while 74 per cent of respondents in North America reported growth, as did 64% in Europe.
While only 12% anticipate their companies will book fewer trips in 2025, 30% are either evaluating or changing their travel management companies due to technological concerns, according to poll results. At 34%, just over a third of buyers anticipate their programs will use artificial intelligence in a meaningful way this year.
But while business travel is expected to increase this year, travel programs remain circumspect about adding new staff, the GBTA poll said, with only 16 per cent of respondents anticipating staff increases.
However, 41% of supplier and travel management companies expect their firms to add staff in 2025, while only six per cent anticipate a reduction. Moreover, it is believed that AI will curtail job growth—out of the suppliers and travel management companies that don’t expect staff growth, 31% said efficiencies will be achieved through AI or other technological means.
Just over a third of supplier and travel management companies have reported stricter remote working policies, with 34% of respondents reporting they spent more time in the office last year.
About 77% of business travel professionals in Europe reported a hybrid work policy for 2025, followed by 62% in Asia Pacific, 58% in Latin America, and 51% in North America.
“People-focused” initiatives, which include accessibility and inclusion, will likely play a greater role among suppliers and travel management companies, reported 77% of respondents. Moreover, 48% anticipate business travel companies will ramp up their sustainability efforts in 2025.
