In each issue of Business Travel Executive, the members of our Buyer Think Tank offer their individual thoughts on what’s hot, what’s cool and what’s coming next in managed travel. 

The Think Tank is a team of eight veteran travel managers from programs that run the gamut in size and complexity – but each member contributes a unique viewpoint. Travel Buyer’s POV brings fresh perspectives and ideas to inspire innovation and thought leadership in the corporate travel industry.

Corporate travel is in a constant state of flux with each new cohort of employees coming into the workforce. Now, with new technology and a shifting work environment, generational differences have not been so stark since the 1960s. 

Still, as members of the BTE Think Tank – including guest columnist Shea van den Bergh – point out, there is more that binds us together than keeps us apart in the world of business travel.

The View from Gen Z 

As more Gen Z professionals begin traveling for work, it’s important to recognize what we value during business trips. Personally, I prioritize meaningful travel – trips that serve a clear purpose rather than meetings that could have been e-mails. Work-life balance is essential, so I prefer traveling during work hours instead of weekends, to avoid cutting into my personal and family time. 

If weekend travel is necessary, I appreciate equivalent time off during the week. I also value convenience and autonomy, so being able to book or modify travel through apps – without calling customer service – is a big plus. Efficiency should be prioritized over cost, as long as expenses remain reasonable. I don’t mind flying coach, but I strongly prefer direct flights over layovers to save time and reduce stress.
 – Shea van den Bergh

Gen Y Comes Full Circle 

It’s funny that we’re breaking down the generations in corporate travel 10 years into the Think Tank journey – especially as one of my first pieces was Point/Counterpoint was about how Millennials were impacting our industry. I found it tiring to attend education sessions on the subject where none of the panelists were of my generation. There were usually comments about how we were rudely disrupting what has always been, while Boomers and Gen Xers seemingly forgot their own disruptions. Each generation brings their own revolution, from on-site agents to online with self-service to mobile apps. 

What will the next generation of travel bring? Millennials brought about the changes to have the options to have full or self-service at hotels and airports. The ability to choose how “people-y” your journey is something that all generations benefitted from. One thing that will never change is that there will always be people who complain about the next generation. This is such pervasive theme that even Socrates has a quote about it: “[This generation] now loves luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love [mindless] chatter…”
– Rosemary E. Maloney

Gen Xpectations 

As a Gen X professional, corporate travel is more than a means to an end – it’s an essential part of how I build relationships, drive results and represent my organization. I value efficiency, reliability and respect for my time. I expect seamless booking experiences, fair policies, and support when things go wrong. Comfort matters, but so does productivity; give me a direct flight, WiFi that works, and a hotel that lets me recharge and refocus. What I need is balance: Tools that simplify the logistics, but also the autonomy to make smart decisions. I want visibility into cost impacts without being micromanaged. 

I’ve seen how thoughtful travel programs enhance not just the bottom line but also employee loyalty and morale. When done right, travel fuels innovation, trust and collaboration. It matters because corporate travel isn’t just about moving people – it’s about connecting teams, ideas and opportunities. It’s where strategic conversations happen and where company culture is felt off-screen. A well-run travel program helps me do my best work, stay engaged, and represent the company with confidence. And in today’s hybrid world, those in-person moments count more than ever.
– Wendy Palmer

And What About the Boomers? 

Coming from someone who first flew on an airplane in 1969 and has spent years in the travel industry, I can safely say that I represent the Baby Boomer perspective on corporate travel. For traveling employees in those times, policy and following the rules were always the required formula with few exceptions. To reach your personal goals, you wanted to maintain a team player persona. There were no frequent flyer programs when I first started traveling, so we had no real excuse for not acting responsibly and adhering to policy. Airlines were regulated and when flying, people still dressed well; no T-shirts, shorts and flip flops back then. 

You wanted to be recognized for good work, not for flaunting travel policy. You didn’t want to stick out – at least, not too much. Stepping too far across the line in corporate America did not bode well for the offender. As times changed and the siren call of frequent flyer miles lured us to bend the rules on occasion, we still stuck to the letter of the law in corporate travel policy – with just a little flexibility – so that we could take advantage of the fruits of all those free miles and hotel points. Even with these carrots dangled in front of us, we would only stay as close to policy as we could and still get the miles. Gotta maintain order in a corporate environment. 
 – Mark Ziegler