BCD Travel has released its next Travel Market Report dedicated to a 2026 Outlook on key risks and solutions, updates on the state of air travel pricing, hotel room rates and car rentals, and a summary of important sustainability trends.
Key highlights from the report for corporate travel programmes to consider include:
Risks and mitigation strategies
In 2026, as the global effects of tariffs continue to unfold, Oxford Economics believes the world may face its weakest economic growth since 2009 (excluding 2020), hovering at 2.6%. Inflation is expected to ease only slowly, averaging above 3%. In addition to this economic fragility, a broad range of risks may further compound the efforts of organisations to keep their business travellers safe and operations flowing smoothly.
The primary six risks to consider are extreme weather, regional tensions and ongoing conflicts, changing border policies, the rise of cyberattacks and misinformation arising from the use of AI, the continuing threat of illnesses and disease, and limited options for accommodations and ground transportation during large scale events.
Airfares
Overall, global airfares should see only limited inflation, primarily stimulated by the intercontinental air travel market as opposed to regional travel.
Globally, average ticket prices (ATPs) should rise by only 1.1% in 2026 reflecting weak airfares inflation in the Americas, and in North America especially. ATP increases in other regions should be above the global average, with the strongest inflation likely in Africa and Asia, at 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively.
In addition to airfare changes, the Global Air Practice at BCD’s Advito consultancy has identified five trends for travel buyers to keep in mind. These include a reduction in value of airline corporate contracts, cost avoidance, rising airline fuel surcharges, blanket NDC offerings, and continued travel programme leakage.
Hotel rates
Global hotel rates are forecasted to increase by 4.9% in average daily rates. There are many variables behind the variation in rates in different regions, from rising staffing and labor costs in Turkey to robust leisure demand in Japan. Aggregate figures for rate inflation in Africa, Asia and Europe should all lie within a narrow 4 to 6% range; the strongest rate inflation is expected across the Middle East at 8%. Hotels in Latin America are expected to average 6.4% in 2026. Rate inflation is likely to be weakest in the South-west Pacific and North America, at 2.6% and 2.2%, respectively.
Car rental
Car rental rates will generally continue to rise for corporate customers. A mix of aspects are contributing to this increase, including car rental companies’ acquisition and repair costs, city surcharges and higher parking rates. Corporate travellers are being forced to consider alternative options such as ride-hailing and taxis. In general, BCD expects rate increases in 2026 to be slightly lower than in 2025, sitting in a 2-4% range.
Sustainability
In 2026, sustainability will no longer be just a moral obligation. It is becoming a strategic business priority and a source of competitive advantage. Accountability will dominate the agenda as companies move from pledges to measurable action. According to GBTA’s latest benchmark, overall maturity remains low at 1.4 out of 5, with only 9% of companies applying carbon fees and 15% investing in sustainable aviation fuel.
For more information and region-specific forecasts from the 2026 Outlook, download the full Travel Market Report here.
