As we close the chapter on 2024 and enter the new year, it’s evident that the past 12 months have been a turning point for the industry. The patterns of 2024 will impact 2025 top business travel trends, allowing travellers and business to forecast better for the new year. Business travel made a strong comeback, signalling an unexpected recovery, while many companies resumed in-office work, displaying a return to traditional work environments.
This year also brought a wave of technological innovations reshaping business travel management. From contactless solutions like digital payments and self-check-ins to the integration of AI, IoT, and blockchain, automation is revolutionizing operations across the travel and hospitality sectors.
At the same time, increasing concerns over sustainability have led companies to rethink the necessity of travel, promoting a more thoughtful balance between convenience and environmental responsibility.
In 2025, organizations must remain adaptable and prepared for the unexpected. A new year brings fresh opportunities and shifting corporate travel trends.
In this article, we’ll explore the top business travel trends for 2025 and offer insights to help you navigate the year’s corporate travel forecast.
2025 Top business travel trends
1. AI: The ultimate travel assistant of 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) has solidified its role as a game-changer in business travel, revolutionizing backend management and the traveller experience. In 2024, AI primarily focused on automating administrative tasks like invoice processing, compliance tracking, and expense management. However, the full potential of AI in enhancing the travel experience is only just beginning to unfold.
What to expect in 2025?
What to expect in 2025? In 2025, AI will take centre stage as the ultimate travel assistant, integrating seamlessly into the travel journey to provide real-time support and personalised experiences. Key innovations that organizations can expect include:
- Real-time updates and rebooking assistance: AI will help travellers stay on track by providing instant notifications and offering automated solutions in case of cancellations or delays.
- Predictive tools for cost optimization and risk management: AI will use historical data to forecast travel costs, helping businesses stay within budget while managing potential risks, including disruptions and safety concerns.
- AI-driven personalization: From recommending hotels and restaurants to customizing itineraries, AI will offer tailored suggestions based on individual preferences, ensuring a more enjoyable and efficient travel experience.
Additionally, AI will continue its evolution in areas like hotel automation, where intelligent chatbots will handle booking queries and customer feedback, while AI-powered robots will assist with tasks like room service and hotel disinfection. At airports, facial recognition technology will expedite identity verification, providing a faster, more secure alternative to traditional methods.
A Deloitte report projects that 68% of companies will adopt AI-powered travel assistants by 2025, streamlining processes and cutting costs along the way.
Maximising AI’s potential in your organisation
To fully harness the benefits of AI, organizations must take proactive steps:
- Invest in AI-integrated travel management platforms that offer seamless bookings, expense tracking, and real-time assistance, enhancing both operational efficiency and the traveller experience.
- Train employees to use AI tools effectively, ensuring that teams can leverage AI’s capabilities to simplify planning and decision-making.
- Utilise AI-driven insights to inform business travel policies, ensuring that data-backed decisions are made when it comes to budget management, safety measures, and sustainability efforts.
By implementing these strategies, companies can streamline their travel processes, optimise costs, and offer a more personalised experience for employees. AI will not only improve operational efficiency but also transform how companies approach business travel in the future.
2. The importance of data and intelligence in business travel
In 2025, data-driven decision-making will be at the heart of business travel strategy, with companies increasingly leveraging big data to optimise their travel programs. As organizations focus on improving efficiency and reducing costs, data and intelligence will be crucial tools in understanding spending patterns and identifying areas for optimization.
What to expect in 2025?
As the use of big data continues to grow, businesses will turn to advanced analytics to gain deeper insights into their travel programs. This will include:
- Tracking and understanding travel spend: Companies will utilise tools that provide detailed breakdowns of travel expenditures, helping them identify where money is being spent and which departments or teams are contributing the most to the overall travel budget.
- Finding opportunities for optimization: By analyzing travel data, businesses will be able to spot patterns and inefficiencies, allowing them to make more informed decisions on how to reduce costs and streamline their travel policies.
- Tailored strategies for cost management: With actionable insights from big data, businesses will be able to implement customised strategies that align with their specific travel needs, ensuring smarter, more cost-effective decisions across the board.
Harnessing big data will empower organizations to make strategic adjustments that drive savings and enhance overall travel efficiency, helping them spend smarter while maintaining a focus on employee well-being and sustainability.
Maximising the value of data and intelligence
To make the most of data in business travel, organizations should:
- Invest in advanced data analytics tools that offer real-time reporting and insights, allowing teams to track and manage travel expenses more effectively.
- Integrate intelligence across the travel program to gain visibility into spending patterns, identify trends, and align resources with organizational goals.
- Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making by encouraging teams to use data insights when updating travel policies and making operational decisions, ensuring that business travel is both efficient and cost-effective.
As big data continues to reshape business travel, organizations that adopt these practices will not only optimise their travel spend but also gain a competitive advantage by making smarter, more strategic decisions that lead to long-term success.
3. Sustainability remains a key priority in business travel
Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in business travel—it’s a movement that’s becoming increasingly integral to corporate travel strategies. According to the latest insights, 19% of business travellers see sustainability as a key focus for 2025, and in Europe, over one-third of travel buyers are prioritizing sustainability as a top goal. This growing emphasis on sustainable practices is reshaping how businesses approach travel, with the environmental impact of travel becoming a major consideration in decision-making.
What to expect in 2025?
Sustainability in business travel will continue to evolve, and we can expect several important trends to emerge in 2025:
- Carbon footprint transparency: Companies will be required to report their carbon emissions from business travel. Platforms and travel management companies will offer tools that allow businesses to track and offset their carbon footprint, such as CO2 emissions data for flights and alternative, greener travel options like trains.
- Eco-conscious travel alternatives: More sustainable options will be available, including transportation choices with lower emissions, eco-friendly hotels, and partnerships with service providers that prioritise environmental impact.
- The shift toward virtual meetings: As businesses evaluate the necessity of travel, the focus will shift to reducing trips when possible. Virtual meetings will be seen as an efficient alternative to in-person gatherings, reducing the overall environmental footprint of business operations.
How organisations can maximise sustainability in 2025
To stay ahead of sustainability trends in 2025, businesses can adopt the following strategies:
- Integrate sustainability into corporate travel policies, encouraging employees to choose greener travel options, such as trains over flights or using electric vehicles.
- Leverage travel management platforms that provide detailed CO2 emissions data and offer options to offset emissions through carbon credits.
- Encourage mindful travel decisions by fostering a culture of sustainability within the organization. This includes training employees on the environmental impact of travel and promoting the use of virtual meetings whenever possible.
- Measure and report on sustainability efforts, ensuring that companies not only track their environmental impact but also communicate their ongoing commitment to reducing it.
Ultimately, the future of business travel will be defined by a balance between convenience and sustainability. By adopting more sustainable practices, organizations can reduce their environmental impact, stay ahead of regulations, and align with the growing expectations of stakeholders and customers.
4. The shift away from fully remote work
As we look ahead to 2025, a significant shift in workplace dynamics is expected: the end of fully remote work for many companies, especially in the tech industry. Major players like Amazon, Apple, and Google have already made moves to bring employees back to the office, signalling a broader trend that is likely to continue. This return to in-office work will have a direct impact on business travel, with certain types of travel on the rise and others in decline.
What to expect in 2025?
The transition back to in-office work will result in several key business travel trends for 2025:
- Increase in in-person meetings and conferences: As employees return to the office, companies will increasingly rely on face-to-face interactions. According to the GBTA survey, 59% of travel buyers report a rise in in-person meetings and conferences. This trend suggests that business travel for formal meetings will continue to grow, even as remote work decreases.
- Decline in team-building travel: With fewer teams working remotely, the demand for team-building events that require travel is expected to drop. Companies will likely opt for in-office team-building exercises rather than flying employees out for remote activities.
- Growth in bleisure and blended travel: While fully remote work may be on the decline, the rise of bleisure—mixing business with leisure—is expected to continue. The GBTA survey indicates that 46% of companies are already seeing an increase in blended and bleisure travel, with employees tacking on extra days to their business trips for leisure purposes. These types of trips will remain a staple for those looking to combine work and relaxation.
How organisations can adapt to this shift
To stay ahead in 2025, companies should adapt their travel policies to accommodate the shift back to the office and evolving travel preferences:
- Encourage in-person connections: As more meetings and conferences return to in-person formats, businesses can plan for cost-effective travel options and prioritise face-to-face engagements that foster stronger connections and team collaboration.
- Reimagine team-building strategies: With remote teams becoming less common, businesses should look for creative ways to strengthen office culture through in-office team-building activities, rather than relying on off-site travel.
- Support bleisure travel: Organizations should embrace the rise of bleisure by offering flexibility for employees to extend their business trips for leisure purposes. This can include offering extra days off or subsidizing accommodation costs for leisure days, which can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
- Implement hybrid travel policies: For companies still maintaining some level of remote work or hybrid structures, they should create travel policies that cater to blended travel, ensuring that employees can mix work with pleasure in a way that benefits both the company and the individual.
The return to the office in 2025 will shape business travel trends in new ways, but the growing popularity of bleisure and in-person engagements shows that companies can still adapt and thrive in this new landscape.
By embracing the changes and supporting employees in making the most of their travel experiences, organizations can create a more engaged and motivated workforce while reducing unnecessary travel expenses.
5. Precise budgeting to combat rising travel costs
As inflation continues to impact the global economy, travel managers and businesses will need to adopt more precise budgeting strategies in 2025 to counteract the rising costs of business travel. The surge in travel expenses is a concern for many companies, and tighter controls on spending will be crucial to maintaining financial efficiency.
What to expect in 2025?
In 2025, cost control will be a top priority for businesses in the face of rising prices. Here’s what we can expect:
- Detailed expense breakdown: Companies will need to carefully analyse each travel expense, from flights and accommodations to meals and transportation, in order to streamline spending. Every category will be scrutinised to ensure that only the most essential costs are incurred.
- Cost control as a strategic priority: According to a GBTA survey, 78% of travel buyers view cost control as a critical priority for 2025. With 49% of respondents also noting the importance of getting a return on investment (ROI) from business travel, travel managers will focus on spending wisely while achieving the business goals of each trip.
- Increased travel budgets: Despite the rising prices, 74% of travel buyers foresee an increase in company travel spending in 2025. Companies will need to adjust their travel budgets accordingly while ensuring that they maintain cost-efficiency across all departments.
How companies can tackle rising travel costs
To manage the rising cost of business travel in 2025, companies should consider the following approaches:
- Detailed budgeting: Travel managers must implement a more granular approach to budgeting, breaking down travel expenses to ensure every penny is accounted for. This includes assessing whether each aspect of the trip is essential and looking for ways to reduce non-essential spending.
- Leverage technology for cost management: Travel management platforms equipped with AI-driven insights can help companies better forecast travel costs, analyse spending patterns, and suggest cost-saving alternatives, such as alternative modes of transport or flexible booking options.
- Negotiate corporate travel rates: With rising costs, companies can take advantage of corporate travel partnerships to negotiate discounts on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Building long-term relationships with preferred travel vendors will help secure better pricing and add more value to the travel budget.
- Focus on ROI: In 2025, getting a strong return on investment (ROI) from business travel will be critical. Companies should prioritise trips that align with strategic business goals and avoid unnecessary travel, especially for meetings that could be conducted virtually.
- Adopt cost-effective travel policies: Travel managers should create policies that encourage cost-effective travel choices, such as booking economy class tickets, selecting more affordable lodging, and opting for sustainable travel options to keep expenses in check.
With prices rising across the board, implementing more precise and strategic budgeting will be essential for organizations in 2025. By adopting smart cost-control measures, leveraging technology, and focusing on value, companies can navigate this challenging financial landscape and ensure their travel programs remain effective and efficient.
6. The rise of contactless travel
As technology continues to evolve, contactless travel is becoming a key trend shaping the future of business and leisure travel. In 2025, the travel industry will see a greater shift toward technologies designed to enhance convenience, improve efficiency, and reduce physical contact at every stage of the journey.
What to expect in 2025?
In 2025, contactless travel will be more widely adopted, offering smoother, faster, and safer travel experiences. Key innovations include:
- Contactless recognition technologies: Airports will increasingly deploy biometric recognition systems such as retina scanning, which will replace traditional travel documents. This technology allows for faster passenger identification, minimizing long queues and enhancing security. Travelers can expect a smoother, quicker check-in and boarding process with fewer touchpoints.
- QR codes for enhanced engagement: QR codes will continue to play a vital role in the travel experience. Travel companies will provide QR codes to passengers, giving them quick access to travel information, itineraries, and updates directly on their mobile devices. This not only boosts engagement but also ensures that travellers have real-time information at their fingertips.
- Contactless hotel experiences: Hotels will expand their contactless check-in services, allowing guests to check in, choose room preferences, and arrange services before they even arrive. This contactless approach streamlines the entire guest experience, reducing waiting times and minimizing the need for physical interactions with hotel staff.
- Seamless contactless payments: Contactless payments will become the norm in hotels, restaurants, and transportation services. Travelers will enjoy swift and secure transactions with just a tap of their card or mobile device, eliminating the need for cash or traditional credit card swipes.
- Wearable devices for touch-free access: Wearables will further enhance the contactless travel experience. Devices like smartwatches and wristbands will provide real-time notifications and touch-free access to hotel rooms, transportation, and even theme park attractions. Travellers can seamlessly interact with their surroundings without having to physically handle anything.
How companies can maximise contactless travel in 2025
Here’s how businesses can maximise the potential of contactless solutions in 2025:
- Implement contactless employee and client interaction: Whether in a corporate office or retail setting, businesses can implement contactless check ins or digital scheduling systems. Employees and clients can access meeting rooms, check-in to appointments, or even track attendance without needing physical contact, improving workplace efficiency and safety, particularly in a post-pandemic world.
- Enable contactless payments: Contactless payments are no longer limited to travel. Businesses in any sector can adopt contactless payment methods for transactions, both online and in-person, using mobile phones, smartwatches, or credit cards. This reduces queues, speeds up service, and offers customers a secure and convenient way to pay for goods and services.
- Incorporate QR codes for instant access to information: Companies can use QR codes to streamline interactions and provide instant access to information. For example, businesses can use QR codes in marketing materials, product packaging, or at events, allowing customers to easily access websites, promotions, or support resources directly from their phones. This enhances engagement and reduces the need for physical contact.
By integrating contactless technologies into daily operations, businesses can improve customer satisfaction, streamline workflows, and reduce operational costs.
7. Balancing technology and personal connection
As technology continues to revolutionise business travel, the human touch will remain crucial for creating meaningful, personalised experiences. While automated systems and AI tools streamline travel management, businesses will need to balance these technological advancements with personal connections to foster engagement, enhance satisfaction, and strengthen relationships.
What to expect in 2025?
In 2025, companies will focus on blending technology with human interaction for a more seamless travel experience. Key trends include:
- Personalised service: Business travellers will seek meaningful experiences that align with their company’s mission. Travel management platforms will incorporate human elements by offering personalised assistance through dedicated travel managers or agents who can provide tailored recommendations and support. This will create a more customer-centric travel experience, where technology complements human interaction.
- Enhanced travel assistance: While automation will streamline basic tasks, the need for human expertise will persist in resolving complex issues. Travelers will continue to rely on human agents for personalised problem-solving, especially in situations where AI may not fully address unique needs or preferences.
- Human connection and purpose: Business travel will not only focus on logistics but also on connecting employees with their company’s mission and goals. Travelling for in-person meetings, conferences, and team-building activities will remain important as businesses recognise the value of face-to-face interactions in fostering a sense of purpose and team unity.
How companies can maximise the human touch in business travel
Here’s how businesses can integrate the human touch while leveraging technology to optimise business travel in 2025:
- Invest in personalised travel services: Companies should incorporate personalised travel support through dedicated travel managers or concierge services to ensure that employees receive tailored assistance, making travel more seamless and meaningful.
- Maintain human-driven customer support: While AI and automation will handle basic tasks, businesses should ensure that there’s always access to human support when travellers encounter challenges. Offering a hybrid model of human and AI-driven assistance will maximise convenience while retaining the personal touch.
- Prioritise employee well-being and purpose: Encourage businesses to see travel as an opportunity for employees to reconnect with their company’s mission, foster engagement, and enhance productivity. By combining the benefits of technology with the power of human connection, businesses can create a more fulfilling and efficient travel experience.
By maintaining a balance between automation and human interaction, businesses can ensure a more personalised, connected, and purposeful experience for their employees, optimising both their travel needs and overall productivity.
Step into the future of business travel in 2025
As we approach 2025, business travel is set to evolve in exciting new ways. Get ready for innovative experiences, inspiring destinations, and a whole new level of authenticity in your travels. The next chapter is here, and it’s time to embrace it!
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