GBTA 2025 Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook
Global business travel spending is projected to reach an all-time high of $1.57 trillion in 2025, although it is facing significant challenges of financial volatility and declining consumer and business confidence. This is according to the latest Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook released by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) at its annual convention in Denver last month.
Now in its 17th edition, the GBTA BTI is a comprehensive five-year outlook that tracks business travel spending across 44 industries in 72 countries, drawing insights from over 7,300 global business travelers. The 2025 report is published in partnership with Visa.
The presentation of the newest BTI shows that while projected spend marks a historic milestone, it also represents a moderate year-over-year growth of 6.6%—a slowdown compared to the double-digit gains seen in 2023 and 2024. GBTA also readjusted its forecasted growth in 2026 downward to 8.1%, from an earlier estimate of 9.2%, to account for the geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
The report was unveiled at the GBTA Convention in Denver to more than 5,400 business travel professionals from around the world.
“The convention reinforced a unified vision for the future of business travel: collaborative, innovative, with purpose-driven growth,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang in a post-convention press release. “It’s clear that business travel is here to stay ─ the travel purchasing power of companies at [the] convention represented annual business travel spending of at least $77.8 billion. As we navigate through times of uncertainty and change, GBTA’s mission in business travel’s continued success is make sure we move forward with purpose, driven by collaboration, strategy and insights.”
Key Highlights from the 2025 BTI Outlook:
- Business travel is seen as valuable—86% of global travelers rate their trips as worthwhile.
- Most travelers (74%) took between one and five trips in the past year.
- Business travelers estimate their spending averaged $1,128 USD per person based on their last business trip.
- Global Leaders: The United States is set to reclaim the top spot in business travel spending this year with $395.4 billion, overtaking China, which held the lead in 2023 and 2024. Rounding out the top five markets are China ($373.1B), Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
- Top 15 Markets: Collectively expected to generate $1.31 trillion, with the US and China comprising 58%.
- Fastest-Growing Markets: India, South Korea, and Turkey are emerging as growth leaders, while Spain and the Netherlands are projected to see flat or slightly declining spend.
The full report is available here. Additionally, GBTA released a video about the 2025 BTI, which is available here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[08.05.25]
