Business Travel Statistics (2026)
Sourced figures on global business travel spend, managed travel programmes, trip length and hotel rates. Every number links to where it comes from.
Key takeaways
- Global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026 (GBTA, 2026).
- Nearly 65% of global business travel spending is still unmanaged (Euromonitor via Skift, 2025).
- SMEs drive more than 50% of new managed travel programmes in the U.S. and EU (GBTA via Engine, 2026).
- 85% of travel managers are required to report emissions (GBTA and BCD Travel via Engine, 2026).
- Group travel for offsites, conferences and incentives is growing 8 to 10% a year (Engine, 2026).
- Average business trip length has risen 10% since 2023 (Engine, 2026).
- Hotel rates keep growing at 2 to 4% a year (Engine, 2026).
Global business travel spend
How much will companies spend on business travel in 2026?
GBTA forecasts global business travel spending to reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026, with more than 1.84 billion business trips worldwide.
How much business travel spending is unmanaged?
A Euromonitor International report cited by Skift estimates that nearly 65% of global business travel spending is still unmanaged, especially among small and mid-sized businesses.
Source: Skift (August 2025)
How business trips are changing
Which companies are starting new managed travel programmes?
According to GBTA, small and midsize enterprises drive more than 50% of all new managed travel programmes in the U.S. and EU.
How many travel managers have to report emissions?
Corporate clients are enforcing carbon tracking, with 85% of travel managers required to report emissions.
Source: Engine 2026 business travel forecast, citing GBTA and BCD Travel
How fast is group and event travel growing?
Group travel for team offsites, conferences and incentives is growing 8 to 10% year over year. Conference and trade show travel (MICE) is projected to grow 7 to 9%.
Are business trips getting longer?
Yes. Extended-stay bookings are increasing as more workers blend business and leisure, with average trip length up 10% since 2023.
How fast are hotel rates rising?
After sharp increases in 2023 and 2024, hotel rates are stabilising but continue to grow at 2 to 4% a year.
All sources retrieved on 14 September 2026. Every figure appears verbatim in the linked source.