Global business travel is experiencing a resurgence, with projections indicating spending will exceed US$1.6 trillion in 2025, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
This marks a substantial increase from the US$1.5 trillion recorded in the previous year. Alongside this financial growth, the methods by which employees travel, and the strategies companies employ to manage these trips, are evolving at an accelerated pace.
A key driver of this evolution is the increasing adoption of AI-driven technologies, which are enabling more flexible, streamlined, and personalised travel experiences. This technological advancement is not only benefiting companies but also empowering individual travellers, who are demonstrating a heightened awareness of the impact their journeys have on both their personal well-being and the broader environment.
The 2025 Business Travel Trends report, produced by Globetrender and Amadeus Cytric, identifies seven key trends transforming the landscape of corporate travel.
Agentic AI is transforming the way corporations manage travel and expense
The next wave of AI will move the technology from passive assistance to proactive functionality, with Agentic AI working behind the scenes allowing travellers, travel managers travel agents and finance teams to focus on more valuable tasks. Over the last two years, Generative AI has been all about offering supportive assistance; from 2025 onwards, and the next stage will be defined by ‘proactive functionality’.
Rather than simply responding to requests, Agentic AI will autonomously anticipate traveller needs, helping them to rebook flights in real-time, optimise itineraries based on changing schedules, and even help travel managers negotiate hotel rates, as well as create, audit and approve expense reports. This shift means business travellers will experience a seamless, highly personalised journey with minimal manual input, allowing them to focus on productivity instead of logistics.
Meetings in Motion are gaining traction to meet the needs of modern professionals
From strategising with colleagues during flights to holding summits in privately reserved train carriages, journeys are becoming opportunities for collaboration among business travellers. With hybrid work models now the standard, the concept of Meetings in Motion is emerging as a key trend. This approach means business travellers can take advantage of the opportunities for real-life, informal interactions to build connections and share ideas – think of it as a water cooler moment, on the road.
Bespoke Bundles are reshaping how airlines interact with travellers and how companies manage corporate travel
The New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology is allowing airlines and corporations to co-create airfare bundles that align with business travel policies.
Imagine booking a flight where every detail – from lounge access to in-flight wifi – is bundled into a personalised package that saves time and money. This new level of customisation is not just a distant dream; it is currently reshaping how airlines interact with travellers and how companies manage corporate travel.
New-gen frequent flyers are driving demand for more personalised and flexible business travel experiences
In 2025, Gen Z will make up more than a quarter of the global workforce, driving a shift in business travel toward flexibility, sustainability and meaningful experiences. For this young cohort, international business trips are not just about fulfilling work obligations; they view these opportunities as pathways to both career progression and personal growth. For these digital natives, business travel takes many forms.
Flexibility is at the core of Gen Z work preferences, with many seeking hybrid or remote work arrangements that allow them to travel while staying connected to their professional responsibilities. This shift is influencing corporate travel planning, with policies now incorporating options for adding annual leave to business trips.
Biometric gateways are enabling seamless, digitised airport experiences
As airports and airlines increasingly seek to offer travellers smooth, fuss-free journeys, physical passports and even smartphone boarding passes are becoming outdated. Soon, travellers will be able to move through the airport without repeatedly showing travel documents or waiting in long queues, by simply having their face scanned at key touch points.
For frequent flyers, being able to move through an airport with minimal queuing is key to keeping stress levels down, so it’s no surprise to learn that 73% of global air passengers are interested in using biometric data instead of passports, according to IATA’s GPS 2024 report.
Jetset Hacking is a growing trend as business travellers choose to prioritise their wellbeing on trips
From sleep labs to cryo chambers, wellness-focused innovations are redefining business travel, helping professionals stay healthy and productive while on the move. Whether due to late dinner meetings with clients or sleepless nights caused by jet lag, business travel can take a toll on people’s well-being.
However, as wellness becomes a growing priority for travellers, high-flying professionals have been paying far more attention to taking good care of their mental and physical health when travelling for work.
Domestic and regional travel is becoming a priority in response to a more fragmented environment
In a world reshaped by hybrid work, sustainability imperatives, and new political figureheads, domestic and regional business travel is emerging as a cornerstone of the corporate travel landscape.
In a highly complex globalised economy, the World Economic Forum warns that businesses need to future-proof and diversify their logistics strategies, as global trade routes become more disrupted due to factors such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, shipping costs and crippling tariffs. In the context of a more fragmented environment, companies may seek to prioritise trade with native or neighbouring suppliers wherever possible.
