Global business travel spend is forecast to reach a record USD1.71 trillion in 2026.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) forecast shows rising transportation and travel costs are increasingly driving higher industry prices, ahead of the number of trips.
Analysis of worldwide business travel volume projects about 1.84 billion trips for work will be taken this year, up 1.3% from last year. The index also reveals that global business travel spending grew 8.4% in 2025 to USD1.59 trillion, 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 sur pass USD2 trillion by 2030 which is 12 months later than forecast last year due to moderating growth rates after 2026.
. . . Shaping Travel
The forecast identifies four forces shaping the outlook for 2026: resilient economic growth, strong business investment, heightened geopolitical uncertainty and elevated transportation costs.
Conflict in the Middle East in early 2026 disrupted aviation, trade and energy markets, driving longer travel times, different long-haul connection points, and higher air fares. The forecast assumes conditions will stabilise and airline networks gradually normalise in the second half of the year. Business travel volume in the Middle East is forecast to fall 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.
