Global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026, an increase of 7.2% over the previous year, according to the 2026 GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) Annual Global Report and Forecast.  The forecast, “made possible by Visa,” highlights how rising transportation and travel costs are increasingly driving higher industry prices, ahead of the number of trips. 

The report’s first-ever analysis of worldwide business travel volume projects approximately 1.84 billion trips for work will be taken in 2026. This is up from an estimated 1.82 billion trips in 2025 — an increase of 1.3%. 

The report also reveals that global business travel spending grew 8.4% in 2025 to $1.59 trillion, outperforming last year’s forecast of 6.6% growth, supported by stronger-than-expected economic activity, easing trade tensions in the second half of the year and overarching currency exchange effects. Global spending is projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2030, one year later than forecast last year due to moderating growth rates after 2026, yet still supported by sustained business investment and international commercial activity. 
 
The report was unveiled by GBTA during its 2026 convention in Chicago. The 18th edition of the BTI covers 72 countries and 44 industries and includes survey insights from more than 4,700 business travelers across 66 global markets. 

“The big story this year is that companies haven’t stepped away from travel, but they are increasingly more selective and productivity-focused,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “While business travel spending continues to grow, the number of trips is rising more slowly, making it necessary for all of us to assess industry and organizational impact. Travel remains essential, and companies are critically disciplined about where, how and why they travel.” 

Among the report’s highlights:

• Business travel volume in the Middle East is forecast to decline 12.3% in 2026 as regional conflict weighs on activity, while Asia and Europe face increasing pressure from disruptions to air travel and energy markets.  
   
• In contrast, the Americas are benefiting from stronger economic growth, with artificial intelligence (AI) and technology investment boosting the US outlook, higher energy prices supporting Brazil and greater stability in Argentina helping drive growth across Latin America.  
   
• AI and technology-related investment is emerging as a significant driver of business travel growth, particularly in North America and Asia-Pacific. Investments such as digital infrastructure, data centers and enterprise technology deployment are fueling demand for project-based travel, customer engagement and cross-border collaboration.  
   
• The top 15 markets of the forecasted $1.71 trillion global spending for 2026 account for $1.43 trillion, or 84%. The two largest, the US ($423 billion) and China ($403.7 billion), together represent about 48% of total global spend. In terms of growth among the top 15 markets, Brazil (13.8%), Australia (11.5%), South Korea (11.3%), Turkey (10.9%) and Japan (10%) rank among the fastest rising.  
   
• Among sectors, the fastest business travel spending growth through 2030 is expected in mining and quarrying (6.6% compound annual growth rate [CAGR]), human health and social work (6.3%), and education (6.3%). However, these industries collectively represent only 1.6% of total 2026 business travel spend. While their high growth may create some new opportunities for business travel suppliers, it is not expected to meaningfully impact overall global business travel spend. 
   
• Conversely, while utilities (4.1% CAGR through 2030) and manufacturing (4.4%) are expected to have slower business travel spending growth, they collectively represent 42% of business travel spend today and will continue to have an outsized impact on overall spend through 2030.  

• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of business travelers report traveling as much or more than in previous years, led by Asia-Pacific, where 4 in 5 (80%) maintained or increased their travel activity.  
   
• Travelers remain cautiously optimistic: On average, 28% expect to travel more in 2026 than they did in 2025, with 36% from the Middle East and Africa indicating the same. 
   
• Individual travel frequency remains in a typical range, with 41% taking one or two business trips in 2025, 44% taking three to 10 trips, and 15% taking more than 10. 
   
• Air travel remains the dominant mode of transportation, with 42% of flyers saying they typically travel in premium cabins. Rail continues to play an important role, particularly among business travelers in Asia-Pacific (72%) and Europe (60%). 
   
• Managed travel programs remain widespread, with 65% saying their companies require or encourage bookings through a TMC or corporate online booking tool.  
   
• More than two-thirds (68%) are provided with a corporate credit card, and 63% say they can also collect personal benefits or features from using their card for business travel.