- GBTA: Business travel spend to hit $1.71T in 2026.
- Top 15 markets to make $1.43T.
- U.S. leads at $423B, followed by China at $403.7B.
GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL spending is forecast to reach $1.71 trillion in 2026, according to the Global Business Travel Association. The number of business trips is expected to rise to 1.84 billion worldwide.
GBTA’s “2026 GBTA Business Travel Index Annual Global Report and Forecast” shows spending is growing faster than travel volume as higher transport and travel costs drive up prices. Global business travel spending is projected to grow 7.2 percent in 2026.
“Companies haven’t stepped away from travel, but they are increasingly more selective and productivity-focused,” said Suzanne Neufang, GBTA CEO. “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 organisational impact. Travel remains essential, and companies are critically disciplined about where, how and why they travel.”
Global business travel spending rose 8.4 percent in 2025 to $1.59 trillion, exceeding the previous forecast of 6.6 percent growth. The increase was driven by stronger economic activity, easing trade tensions in the second half of the year and currency exchange effects.
The report, released by GBTA at its 2026 Convention in Chicago, is the association’s 18th Business Travel Index. It covers 72 countries and 44 industries, with survey insights from more than 4,700 business travellers across 66 markets.
Travel volume outlook
The report’s first global analysis of business travel volume estimated 1.82 billion business trips in 2025. Asia and Europe recorded the highest volumes, with each accounting for nearly 600 million trips, driven by regional business activity and connectivity.
Global business travel volume is expected to increase 1.3 percent in 2026, adding about 25 million trips to reach 1.84 billion. The slower growth compared with spending reflects the impact of higher airfares, transport costs and travel expenses on demand.
Global spending is expected to cross $2 trillion by 2030, one year later than forecast previously. The report said slower growth after 2026 will be supported by continued business investment and international commercial activity.
The 2026 outlook is shaped by four factors: economic growth, business investment, geopolitical uncertainty and transportation costs. The report expects the conflict involving Iran and the broader Middle East to stabilise in the second half of 2026, supporting the recovery of airline networks.
The forecast assumes global GDP growth will slow from about 3.3 percent in 2025 to 2.9 percent in 2026. Risks include geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and a slowdown in business investment.
Market dynamics
The Americas are expected to grow, supported by technology investment in the U.S., higher energy prices in Brazil and improving stability in Argentina. AI and technology projects, including digital infrastructure, data centres and enterprise technology deployment, are driving travel demand for collaboration and customer engagement.
The top 15 business travel markets are expected to account for $1.43 trillion, or 84 percent, of global spending in 2026. The U.S. will lead with $423 billion, followed by China at $403.7 billion, together accounting for about 48 percent of global spending.
A survey of 4,700 business travellers conducted in May 2026 found that business travel remained steady in 2025. Nearly three-quarters of travellers said they were travelling as much or more than in previous years, led by Asia Pacific at 80 percent.
About 28 percent of travellers expect to take more business trips in 2026 than in 2025. In the Middle East and Africa, the figure is 36 percent.
A separate report by GBTA and ALTOUR found that business travel costs are expected to remain elevated through 2026 before easing in 2027, with several factors driving higher prices becoming long-term industry challenges.
