Almost three-quarters (74%) of travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer (68%) expect to do so in 2026, according to “Forecast in Flux: 2025 Deloitte Corporate Travel Survey.” The report also shows that the share of managers expecting budget cuts is up by 4%.

                  Other findings included:

• Two-thirds of travelers surveyed have traveled or expect to travel for a live event, while nearly half (49%) either have traveled or expect to travel for training this year.
• Costs are top-of-mind, as 54% of travel managers surveyed say cost is one of the top factors restricting travel this year.
•  Forty-nine percent of business travelers surveyed say they always use corporate booking tools, and 60% of travel managers say their companies are increasing compliance with the prescribed booking process to control costs.
•  Sustainability management is becoming more actionable, as more online booking tools shift from simply tracking travel providers’ sustainability measures to providing functionality that offers recommendations.
• In 2025, the proportion of professionals traveling for work declined from 36% in 2024 to 31% in 2025. At the same time, the composition of business travelers is shifting: Occasional travelers are becoming regulars and regular travelers are moving up to frequent status, while seasoned road warriors are scaling back their travel.
• After signs of normalization last year, shifting conditions have complicated corporate travel’s continued ascent. While the majority of companies continue to increase their travel spend, pullbacks have become more widespread, especially among larger companies.

Kate Ferrara, vice chair and US transportation, hospitality and services sector leader, said, “Corporate travel continues to be important to business and employee growth, but companies are facing potential turbulence as they adapt to conditions like rising costs and shifting internal priorities.” This moment, she said, “calls for agility and partnership between companies and their travel providers, as well as companies and their traveling employees.” Ferrara said understanding the goals of each trip and helping ensure the trip provides a strong return on investment are key. Meanwhile, she said, “providers who consider organizations’ travel priorities and are ready to adapt their offerings to offer the most value can be positioned to succeed long term.”