The latest poll from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)—the first of 2025—indicates that business travel professionals are expecting a productive year despite economic and geopolitical challenges. The Business Travel Outlook Poll of 2025 was conducted in late January and released in mid-February.
The findings come on the heels of a good year for business travel, as 71 percent of travel buyers reported an increase over 2023, besting predictions. Spending was also higher overall, especially in North America where 81 percent of travelers reported that their year-over-year spend increased in 2024. However, companies remain cost conscious, look to sustainable options, and give priority to technology and AI. Asia Pacific (APAC) travel buyers were the most optimistic of all the regions as 63 percent of respondents plan to spend “more” or “a lot more” this year, while 50 percent of European respondents indicated the same.
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang
“As business travel continues to evolve, travel professionals must navigate a landscape shaped by technology transformation, geopolitical factors, and sustainability imperatives,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang about the report. “The year’s first poll underscores an optimistic yet measured approach as companies balance growth with strategic investments in innovation, workforce needs, and sustainability efforts.”
Additional key findings:
- Nearly one-third (30 percent) of buyers are reevaluating or changing their Travel Management Company (TMC) in 2025, with four in ten (39 percent) citing dissatisfaction with TMC technology and 37 percent citing service quality concerns as key reasons.
- “Green” efforts aren’t dead as one-third (33 percent) of buyers expect increased investment in planet-focused sustainable travel practices, led by APAC (55 percent) and Europe (46 percent).
- Remote work policies continue to evolve. Even though half (51 percent) of GBTA stakeholders say their companies have not changed their policies from 2024, one-third (32 percent) report their companies have made work from home (WFH) policies stricter by requiring employees to be in the office more often.
- Hybrid work schedules are most prevalent in Europe, where 77 percent of business travel professionals report their company has a hybrid work policy for 2025, followed by APAC (62 percent), Latin America (58 percent), and North America (51 percent).
The full 36th GBTA poll results and key highlights can be viewed at gbta.org/research.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[02.18.25]