Business Travel Outlook 2023

Bookings, Spending and Optimism on the Upswing, GBTA Poll Shows

 GBTA’s latest industry research points to optimistic outlooks, continued recovery, employee willingness to travel, sector spending variances, easing of supplier staffing constraints, and a mixed outlook on China travel.

The results of the Q1 2023 Business Travel Outlook Poll released today reflect industry insights from over 600 business travel buyers, suppliers, and industry professionals, and marks the 30th poll in GBTA’s series tracking the ongoing evolution of business travel.

“GBTA continues to draw on the collective, diverse perspectives and insights across our industry to closely track the evolving state of global business travel. The return of business travel will vary across regions, sectors and companies. And despite ongoing global concerns of a recession, a majority of corporate travel managers indicate their companies are anticipating more business travel than last year,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA.

Here are some key highlights:

• 90% believe their employees are willing to travel for business, while 88% report feeling more optimistic about recovery compared to last month
• 78% of travel managers expect their company will take a lot more business trips in 2023
• 86% of travel suppliers expect spending by corporate customers in 2023 will be higher compared to 2022
• Travel buyers estimate their domestic business travel bookings have returned to 67% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels and international business travel bookings have recovered to 54%
• Travel suppliers report the strongest growth in client business travel spending in 2022 from these sectors: finance and insurance; professional, consulting, scientific, and technical; and software, hardware and technology
• 47% of travel suppliers report their company staffing level is smaller than it was pre-pandemic, but 65% expect staffing will increase in 2023 compared to 2022
• 78% of travel buyers say their staff size in 2023 is expected to be about the same (56%) as it was pre-pandemic or will be much or somewhat larger (22%)
• In terms of testing requirements for inbound passengers from China, 56% of all respondents support policies requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or recent recovery in order to enter
• 52% think these policies would lead to a significant (15%) or moderate (37%) decrease in the amount of business travel to and from China

Read the full announcement here.

Industry Spotlight

January GBTA Volunteer of the Month

January’s volunteer of the month is Riley Simonsen. Riley is an up and comer in the business travel industry, and attended her first ever GBTA Convention last year. Her nomination describes her as attentive in meetings and always trying to learn.

In her time as Logistics Chair on the board of the GBTA | Virginia Chapter, Riley has excelled in her role for three years. For the last two years, Riley has successfully planned and executed the chapter’s Education Day, taking on both her responsibilities and that of the open Education Chair as well. Riley has taken on any challenge presented to her with enthusiasm and positivity, often going above and beyond to volunteer and represent the Chapter to the industry. Riley Simonsen is a benefit to the GBTA | Virginia Chapter, and a benefit to the business travel industry.

GBTA Conference 2023 Hamburg in Partnership with VDR
GBTA is Now Accepting Proposals for Education Sessions in Hamburg

GBTA is seeking industry professionals to contribute new ideas, solutions, and innovations for current issues and challenges that confront the travel industry. With your unique perspective and insight, we can continue to deliver the best education on the topics most relevant to business travel.

New this year! To streamline the submission and review process, GBTA has removed the draft PPT requirement. The entire session proposal can be submitted via the online form in the Submission Portal.

Submission deadline is 17 February.

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Morocco - Snowfall, rainfall, strong winds, and cold temperatures forecast across Morocco through at least Feb. 2. Hazardous travel conditions likely.

New Zealand - Fog causing flight cancelations and delays at Wellington International Airport, New Zealand, Jan. 31. Confirm flights.

United States - Adverse winter weather forecast across parts of the southern and east-central US through Feb. 1. Hazardous travel conditions likely.

United States - Severe weather forecast across Hawaii, US, through at least Jan. 31. Transport, business, and utility disruptions possible.

More Information