Global business travel spending is projected to reach US$1.64 trillion in 2025, up from US$1.48 trillion last year, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
As the sector grows, the way employees travel – and how companies manage that travel – also continues to evolve. Alongside partners at travel trend forecasting agency, Globetrender, Amadeus Cytric has explored the biggest developments and transformations anticipated this year and share the 2025 Business Travel Trends.
Thanks to investment in AI-driven technologies, business travel is becoming more flexible, streamlined and tailored to the needs of everyone.
Travelers themselves have a greater awareness of the impact of their trip on their well-being and on the world around them.
By embracing these shifts, companies can maximize the value of corporate travel, empower their workforce, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving world.
“In 2025, business travellers are increasingly aware of the impact their journeys have on both their well‑being and the environment.
“They are open to investing in more sustainable travel options that benefit themselves and the planet.
“Factors such as hybrid working arrangements, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the priorities of travel managers and suppliers.
“Meanwhile, investments in new transformational technologies are helping travel providers enhance the overall experience, making business trips smoother and more efficient while also allowing providers to allocate resources more effectively,” said Mark Cullen, chief commercial officer, Amadeus Cytric.
Here are the seven trends transforming business travel in 2025:
Agentic AI is transforming the way corporations manage travel and expense
The next wave of AI will move the technology from passive assistance to proactive functionality, with Agentic AI working behind the scenes allowing travelers, travel managers travel agents and finance teams to focus on more valuable tasks.
Over the last two years, Generative AI has been all about offering supportive assistance; from 2025 onwards, and the next stage will be defined by ‘proactive functionality’.
Rather than simply responding to requests, Agentic AI will autonomously anticipate traveller needs, helping them to rebook flights in real-time, optimize itineraries based on changing schedules, and even help travel managers negotiate hotel rates, as well as create, audit and approve expense reports.
This shift means business travelers will experience a seamless, highly personalized journey with minimal manual input, allowing them to focus on productivity instead of logistics.
Meetings in Motion are gaining traction to meet the needs of modern professionals
From strategising with colleagues during flights to holding summits in privately reserved train carriages, journeys are becoming opportunities for collaboration among business travelers.
With hybrid work models now the standard, the concept of Meetings in Motion is emerging as a key trend.
This approach means business travelers can take advantage of the opportunities for real-life, informal interactions to build connections and share ideas – think of it as a water cooler moment, on the road.
Bespoke Bundles are reshaping how airlines interact with travelers and how companies manage corporate travel
The New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology is allowing airlines and corporations to co-create airfare bundles that align with business travel policies.
Imagine booking a flight where every detail – from lounge access to in-flight Wi-Fi – is bundled into a personalized package that saves time and money.
This new level of customization is not just a distant dream; it is currently reshaping how airlines interact with travelers and how companies manage corporate travel.
New-gen frequent flyers are driving demand for more personalized and flexible business travel experiences
In 2025, Gen Z will make up more than a quarter of the global workforce, driving a shift in business travel toward flexibility, sustainability and meaningful experiences.
For this young cohort, international business trips are not just about fulfilling work obligations; they view these opportunities as pathways to both career progression and personal growth.
For these digital natives, business travel takes many forms.
Flexibility is at the core of Gen Z work preferences, with many seeking hybrid or remote work arrangements that allow them to travel while staying connected to their professional responsibilities.
This shift is influencing corporate travel planning, with policies now incorporating options for adding annual leave to business trips.
Biometric gateways are enabling seamless, digitized airport experiences
As airports and airlines increasingly seek to offer travellers smooth, fuss-free journeys, physical passports and even smartphone boarding passes are becoming outdated.
Soon, travelers will be able to move through the airport without repeatedly showing travel documents or waiting in long queues, by simply having their face scanned at key touch points.
For frequent flyers, being able to move through an airport with minimal queuing is key to keeping stress levels down, so it’s no surprise to learn that 73 per cent of global air passengers are interested in using biometric data instead of passports, according to IATA’s GPS 2024 report.
Vision-Box is leading the way with its facial recognition and smart automation technology that makes airport experiences smoother and safer.
Jetset Hacking is a growing trend as business travelers choose to prioritize their wellbeing on trips
From sleep labs to cryo chambers, wellness-focused innovations are redefining business travel, helping professionals stay healthy and productive while on the move.
Whether due to late dinner meetings with clients or sleepless nights caused by jet lag, business travel can take a toll on people’s wellbeing.
However, as wellness becomes a growing priority for travelers, high-flying professionals have been paying far more attention to taking good care of their mental and physical health when travelling for work.
Domestic and regional travel is becoming a priority in response to a more fragmented environment
In a world reshaped by hybrid work, sustainability imperatives, and new political figureheads, domestic and regional business travel is emerging as a cornerstone of the corporate travel landscape.
In a highly complex globalized economy, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warns that businesses need to future-proof and diversify their logistics strategies, as global trade routes become more disrupted due to factors such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, shipping costs and crippling tariffs.
In the context of a more fragmented environment, companies may seek to prioritize trade with native or neighbouring suppliers wherever possible.
