The latest GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI), unveiled at the GBTA 2026 Convention in Chicago, paints a nuanced picture of the global business travel landscape. The report covers 72 countries and 44 industries and draws on a survey of more than 4,700 business travelers across 66 markets.
Rising Costs Outpace Travel Volume Growth
For the first time, this year’s BTI includes global business travel volume data. The comparison reveals a widening gap: while global spending is expected to grow 7.2 percent to $1.71 trillion in 2026, the number of trips is increasing by just 1.3 percent to approximately 1.84 billion – roughly 25 million additional trips compared to 2025. Higher transportation and travel costs are dampening demand while pushing up overall expenditure.
In 2025, the market already grew 8.4 percent to $1.59 trillion, outperforming previous forecasts. Global business travel spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2030 – though one year later than previously anticipated.
“The big story this year is that companies haven’t stepped away from travel, but they are increasingly more selective and productivity-focused,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “While business travel spending continues to grow, the number of trips is rising more slowly, making it necessary for all of us to assess industry and organizational impact.”
Geopolitics, AI and Regional Divergence Shape the Outlook
The report identifies four forces shaping the 2026 outlook: resilient economic growth, strong business investment, heightened geopolitical uncertainty and elevated transportation costs. The conflict involving Iran and the broader Middle East in early 2026 disrupted aviation, trade and energy markets, leading to longer travel times and higher airfares. Business travel volume in the Middle East is forecast to decline 12.3 percent in 2026.
The Americas, by contrast, are benefiting from stronger economic growth and investment in artificial intelligence and technology. In North America and Asia Pacific in particular, spending on digital infrastructure, data centers and enterprise technology deployment is fueling demand for project-based travel and cross-border collaboration.
US and China Dominate Global Spending
The top 15 markets account for $1.43 trillion, or 84 percent of global spending. The US ($423 billion) and China ($403.7 billion) together represent about 48 percent. Among the top 15, Brazil (13.8 percent growth), Australia (11.5 percent), South Korea (11.3 percent), Türkiye (10.9 percent) and Japan (10 percent) rank among the fastest-growing markets.
By sector, the strongest spending growth through 2030 is expected in Mining and Quarrying, Human Health and Social Work, and Education – though these collectively represent just 1.6 percent of total 2026 spending. The sectors with the greatest impact on overall volume remain Utilities and Manufacturing, which together account for 42 percent of current business travel spend.
Business Travelers Adapting to a Changing Landscape
The accompanying survey shows business travel remained resilient in 2025: 74 percent of respondents traveled as much or more than in previous years. In Asia Pacific, this figure reached 80 percent. On average, 28 percent expect to travel more in 2026 than they did in 2025.
Air travel remains the dominant mode of transportation, with 42 percent of flyers reporting they typically traveled in premium cabins. Rail continues to play an important role, particularly among business travelers in Asia Pacific (72 percent) and Europe (60 percent). Managed travel programs are widespread: 65 percent of respondents said their companies require or encourage bookings through a travel management company or corporate online booking tool.
