In 2025, global business travel is poised to reach a record-breaking $1.64 trillion, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). This marks a significant increase from last year’s $1.48 trillion, underscoring the ongoing growth of the sector. Alongside this financial growth, the way companies manage business travel—and how employees experience it—has evolved significantly. New technologies, sustainability priorities, and shifting workforce expectations are transforming the landscape, and these changes are poised to have wide-reaching effects on the industry as a whole.

Amadeus Cytric, in collaboration with Globetrender, has released a comprehensive analysis of the major trends in business travel for 2025. As the industry embraces AI-driven solutions, flexibility, and sustainability, corporate travel managers and businesses are tasked with adapting quickly to ensure efficiency and competitiveness. Here are some of the most important business travel trends that will impact the global travel market in the coming year.

Agentic AI: The Next Step in Corporate Travel Management

The role of Agentic AI in the future of business travel is expected to be transformative. In the past, Generative AI was primarily used as a passive assistant, helping with basic tasks like booking flights and providing travel information. However, Agentic AI is a proactive force that will revolutionize how travel is managed.

By anticipating traveler needs, this AI will play an active role in areas such as rebooking flights in real-time, optimizing itineraries based on fluctuating schedules, and even assisting travel managers with tasks such as negotiating hotel rates and approving expense reports. This shift to autonomous functionality will enhance the overall business travel experience, making it seamless and highly personalized, while allowing professionals to focus more on productivity rather than logistical concerns.

This trend will have major implications for both travelers and corporate travel managers, as businesses can streamline their operations and better meet the expectations of their workforce. For travelers, the efficiency gained from AI will result in more time-efficient and comfortable journeys, allowing them to focus on their work without the usual hassle of managing travel arrangements.

Meetings in Motion: Collaborating on the Go

The concept of Meetings in Motion is gaining traction, as the need for collaboration among business professionals during travel continues to rise. Whether it’s strategizing during flights or holding meetings in private train carriages, travel time is becoming an opportunity for spontaneous, productive conversations. This trend is particularly important in light of the global rise of hybrid working models, where professionals are no longer confined to an office setting but are instead utilizing travel as a means to connect and collaborate with colleagues.

This shift will impact how corporations plan their business travel strategies, as they will need to integrate more collaborative spaces and opportunities for professional networking while on the road. For travelers, the concept of conducting work while traveling opens up new avenues for flexible work environments, allowing them to stay connected to colleagues regardless of location.

Bespoke Bundles: Customizing Corporate Travel Packages

Another major trend reshaping business travel in 2025 is the rise of Bespoke Bundles, enabled by New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology. This innovation allows airlines and corporations to co-create personalized travel packages that align with business travel policies.

For example, a traveler could book a flight with a customized bundle that includes amenities like lounge access, in-flight Wi-Fi, and priority boarding, all tailored to their specific needs. This customization will streamline the booking process for businesses and travelers alike, ensuring that the most efficient and cost-effective travel options are selected.

This shift not only changes how travelers experience their journeys but also influences how businesses manage their travel budgets. Companies can ensure that employees receive all the necessary perks for productivity without going over budget. The result is a more efficient and tailored travel experience for everyone involved.

Gen Z: The New Generation of Frequent Flyers

As Gen Z becomes a larger portion of the workforce, their preferences for business travel are significantly influencing how companies plan corporate travel. Gen Z, which will make up over 25% of the global workforce by 2025, places a high value on flexibility and sustainability when it comes to business trips. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z views business travel not only as a way to fulfill work obligations but also as an opportunity for personal growth and career advancement.

For Gen Z professionals, business travel is an extension of their flexible work preferences, with many opting for remote or hybrid work arrangements that allow them to travel while fulfilling their responsibilities. This shift in work habits is influencing the way businesses approach corporate travel policies, with more emphasis being placed on personalized travel experiences and flexible schedules.

Biometric Gateways: Streamlining the Airport Experience

The introduction of biometric gateways is expected to revolutionize the airport experience for business travelers. With the adoption of facial recognition technology, travelers will be able to move through airports without the need for passports or boarding passes. This biometric system will reduce long queues and wait times, enabling travelers to navigate the airport in a much more efficient and stress-free manner.

IATA’s 2024 GPS report indicates that 73% of global air passengers are eager to use biometric data instead of traditional travel documents. This demand for biometric-based services is growing as travelers seek smoother and more efficient journeys. The introduction of Vision-Box and other companies’ smart automation technology is expected to improve airport efficiency and traveler safety, making it an essential aspect of modern business travel.

Jetset Hacking: Wellness Innovations for Business Travelers

Business travel can often be physically demanding, with issues like jet lag, sleep deprivation, and stress negatively impacting the well-being of professionals on the go. As a result, wellness innovations have become a growing priority for business travelers, with options ranging from sleep labs to cryo chambers being integrated into airports and hotels.

The trend toward wellness-focused travel is gaining momentum, as more business travelers are becoming conscious of the toll their trips take on their physical and mental health. This growing focus on well-being will influence corporate travel policies, with companies likely to offer wellness-related amenities to employees as part of their travel packages.

Domestic and Regional Travel: A Shift Toward Proximity

In response to the global uncertainties caused by geopolitical tensions, climate change, and economic factors, many businesses are now prioritizing domestic and regional business travel. This trend is part of a broader strategy to future-proof supply chains and mitigate the risks associated with international travel disruptions.

In this more fragmented environment, companies are seeking to maintain strong connections with local and regional suppliers, minimizing the need for long-distance travel. This shift in focus will influence global travel patterns, with a greater emphasis on domestic travel and regional business trips.

The Future of Business Travel

The trends highlighted in this report demonstrate that business travel in 2025 is becoming more efficient, sustainable, and personalized than ever before. With the increasing role of AI, wellness innovations, and flexible work models, corporate travel is undergoing a significant transformation. Companies that embrace these changes and adapt their travel policies accordingly will be best positioned to provide their employees with an optimal travel experience, maximizing productivity and well-being along the way.

As the business travel landscape continues to evolve, the impact on the global travel industry will be profound, creating new opportunities for both travel providers and travelers themselves.

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