GBTA revealed global business travel volume is expected to decrease significantly in 2025 due to recent US government actions including tariffs, cross-border policies and entry restrictions. GBTA’s data paints a picture of a global business travel industry facing uncertainty. While a portion of the market anticipates stability, a majority of industry players expect declines in business travel volume and spending in 2025. Concerns surrounding the impact of US government actions, particularly economic factors and traveller sentiment, are contributing to this negative outlook and influencing corporate travel policies and event participation.
Details say:
- Over 900 global industry respondents are anticipating declines and overall optimism has taken a hit in recent weeks.
- 44 per cent of global buyers anticipate their organisation’s business travel spending and volume in 2025 will not be impacted. 25 per cent of travel suppliers reported their business travel revenue will not be impacted.
- 29 per cent of global travel buyers expect a decline in business travel volume at their companies in 2025, averaging a 21% year-on-year decrease. 19% of travel buyers are uncertain about what the impact will be;
- 27% of buyers predict a 20% average decrease in their business travel spending in 2025. With global business travel spending forecast to reach USD1.63 trillion in 2025, that could represent a potential decline of up to USD88 billion;
- 37% of travel suppliers and travel management company professionals anticipate an average decline of 18% in related revenue;
- 31% of global industry professionals remain optimistic about the overall industry outlook for 2025, while 40% are neutral. This marks a “significant” decline from GBTA’s Nov-2024 poll, where 67% reported an optimistic outlook and 26% were neutral;
- 7% of buyer organisations have revised their corporate travel policies for travel to or from the US since Jan-2025. Another 25% said they are planning to or will consider doing so in the future. 64% are staying the course;
- Up to 20% have or are considering cancelling, moving or pulling attendance from meetings and events located in the US;
- 10% are planning or considering cancelling employee attendance at US events;
- Respondents’ top concerns for long term impacts of US government actions are related to economics, namely business travel costs (54%), potential budget cuts (40%) and additional travel processing and administration needs such as visas or documentation (46%). This was followed by traveller focused concerns, such as employee willingness to travel to the US (37%) and increased safety and duty of care (37%).
