Global Business Travel Spending to Reach $1.57 Trillion in 2025

In its annual Business Travel Index Outlook, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is projecting that global business travel will reach “a new historical high of US$1.57 trillion in 2025.

That represents “a moderate year-over-year growth rate of 6.6% as global spending is expected to slow this year due to trade tensions, policy uncertainty and economic pressures.

A rebound to 8.1% growth is projected for 2026, while long-term forecasts remain clouded by geopolitical and economic volatility.

However, the GBTA notes that despite near-term challenges, global spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2029 — one year later than anticipated a year ago — driven by structural shifts in trade, investment, and corporate travel behaviour.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said: “As we thoughtfully anticipate reaching a new high in business travel spending this year, the outlook is steady, but the road ahead is more complex.”

Neufang noted that: “Trade policy uncertainty, inflationary pressures, and shifting global supply chains are reshaping how and where companies travel. This latest forecast reflects the resiliency of business travel and our industry as well as the acknowledgment of the risks ahead.”

According to the GBTA BTI, spending is projected to grow in 2027 by 6.4% and 6.3% in 2028 — modestly higher than forecast a year ago. The pace and trajectory of this growth, however, will depend heavily on the resolution—or escalation—of global trade tensions.

Go to www.gbta.org for more.