2025 GBTA U.S. ROI Study

Business travel is a driver of growth and business success. Yet, what is the “right” amount of business travel? Underinvesting in business travel can stunt revenue, profits and employee development. This study explores the return on investment (ROI) of business travel in the Estados Unidos. It addresses key questions including travel and expense (T&E) investment, optimal levels of travel and comparisons across industries.

Los hallazgos clave de la investigación incluyen:

• Despite recent increases, real T&E investment is still below the optimal level for maximizing revenue and profits. Across all U.S. industries, the profit-maximizing level of T&E is $319.1 billion, about $24 billion above current levels. Net result: a 14.6x ROI—$14.60 in net operating margin for every $1 invested in business travel.​
  
• On average, just $184 more per employee across all industries in T&E could help firms reach optimal investment levels.​
  
• Industries like Retail/Wholesale and Banking show the largest gaps between current and optimal T&E investment—indicating room for high-impact growth.

NEW/November 2025: GBTA and ASTA also released a companion study featuring analysis of more than 3,200 U.S. firms across 17 industries. This company- and industry-level benchmarking follow-up study shows U.S. companies that take a strategic, well-governed approach to their business travel programs can achieve up to 30% higher revenue than their peers. Read more and download the company benchmarking analysis informar aquí.

Research made possible with the support of the American Society of Travel Advisors