Global business travel spending to hit $1.71 trillion in 2026, says GBTA forecast

New record reached, while trips go up to 1.84 Billion

GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index report shows spending gains driven by higher prices as geopolitical uncertainty and transportation pressures weigh on the outlook

Global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record $1.71 trillion USD in 2026, with the number of business trips worldwide expected to surpass 1.84 billion, with technology emerging as a driver of this success and growth. 

The forecast highlights how rising transportation and travel costs are increasingly driving higher industry prices, ahead of the number of trips.

This is according to the 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index (“BTI”) Annual Global Report and Forecast, released today which projects global business travel spending to increase 7.2% in 2026. 

The report’s first-ever analysis of worldwide business travel volume projects approximately 1.84 billion trips for work will be taken in 2026. This is up from an estimated 1.82 billion trips in 2025 – an increase of 1.3%.

AI and technology-related investment emerged as a significant driver of business travel growth, particularly in North America and Asia Pacific. 

Investments such as digital infrastructure, data centres and enterprise technology deployment are fueling demand for project-based travel, customer engagement and cross-border collaboration.

The report also revealed that global business travel spending grew 8.4% in 2025 to $1.59 trillion, outperforming last year's forecast of 6.6% growth, supported by stronger-than-expected economic activity, easing trade tensions in the second half of the year and overarching currency exchange effects. 

Global spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2030, one year later than forecast last year due to moderating growth rates after 2026, yet still supported by sustained business investment and international commercial activity.

Unveiled by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) during its 2026 Convention in Chicago, the 18th edition of the BTI, which is backed by Visa, represents the industry's most comprehensive outlook on business travel as it covers 72 countries and 44 industries and includes survey insights from more than 4,700 business travellers across 66 global markets.

“The big story this year is that companies haven't stepped away from travel, but they are increasingly more selective and productivity-focused,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. 

“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 organizational impact. Travel remains essential, and companies are critically disciplined about where, how and why they travel.”

Edward Galvin, vice president and head of north America visa commercial solutions, said: "As business travel spending grows faster than trip volume, companies are placing greater emphasis on the value of every journey.

"Organisations need greater visibility, control and flexibility to manage rising travel costs and measure ROI. 

"Modern payment technologies help travel and finance teams better track spending, improve efficiency and simplify the travel experience, making it easier for companies to adapt as business travel continues to evolve.”

Other key findings from the report included the estimated 1.3% global increase in 2026 to 1.84 billion trips - roughly 25 million additional business trips - contrasts with the anticipated 7.2% rise in spending this year, underscoring the dampening effect of higher transportation and travel costs on business travel demand.

A force behind the reshape of business trave is thought to be the conflict involving Iran and the broader Middle East in early 2026 disrupted aviation, trade and energy markets, driving longer travel times, different long-haul connection points, and higher airfares. The forecast assumes conditions will stabilise and airline networks gradually normalise in the second half of the year.

Given the conflict, business travel volume in the Middle East is forecast to decline 12.3% in 2026 as regional conflict weighs on activity, while Asia and Europe face increasing pressure from disruptions to air travel and energy markets.

Other stats to note include, nearly three-quarters (74%) of business travellers reported traveling as much or more than in previous years, led by Asia Pacific, where four in five (80%) maintained or increased their travel activity.

All further findings can be found in the full report.