GBTA taps into 2026 business travel spending trends

Global business travel spending will reach a record $1.71 trillion USD in 2026, with the number of business trips worldwide expected to surpass 1.84 billion, according the Global Business Travel Association’s (GBTA) latest Business Travel Index (BTI) that was released during the GBTA’s recent convention in Chicago.

The forecast highlights how rising transportation and travel costs are increasingly driving higher industry prices, ahead of the number of trips.

The report also reveals that global business travel spending grew 8.4% in 2025 to $1.59 trillion, outperforming last year’s forecast of 6.6% growth, supported by stronger-than-expected economic activity, easing trade tensions in the second half of the year and overarching currency exchange effects. Global spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2030, one year later than forecast last year due to moderating growth rates after 2026, yet still supported by sustained business investment and international commercial activity.

As well, the report projects global business travel spending to increase 7.2% in 2026. And the report’s first-ever analysis of worldwide business travel volume projects approximately 1.84 billion trips for work will be taken in 2026. This is up from an estimated 1.82 billion trips in 2025 – an increase of 1.3%.

Covering 72 countries and 44 industries, the report includes survey insights from more than 4,700 business travellers across 66 global markets.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said that: “The big story this year is that companies haven’t stepped away from travel, but they are increasingly more selective and productivity-focused.”

Neufang continued: “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. Travel remains essential, and companies are critically disciplined about where, how and why they travel.”

Edward Galvin, Vice President and Head of North America Visa Commercial Solutions, observed that: “As business travel spending grows faster than trip volume, companies are placing greater emphasis on the value of every journey.” Galvin pointed out that: “Organizations need greater visibility, control and flexibility to manage rising travel costs and measure ROI. Modern payment technologies help travel and finance teams better track spending, improve efficiency and simplify the travel experience, making it easier for companies to adapt as business travel continues to evolve.”

Go to www.gbta.org for more.