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Global Business Travel Spending to Hit Record $1.71 Trillion in 2026, While Trips Reach 1.84 Billion, Says GBTA Forecast 

PorDebbie Iannaci

GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index report shows spending gains driven by higher prices as geopolitical uncertainty and transportation pressures weigh on the outlook Global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record $1.71 trillion USD in 2026, with the number of business trips worldwide expected to surpass 1.84 billion. The forecast highlights how rising transportation and travel costs are increasingly driving higher industry prices, ahead of the number of trips.  This is according to the 2026 GBTA…

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Fuel Shock Keeps Business Travel Prices Elevated Through 2026 With Relief Ahead in 2027, According to New GBTA Forecast

PorDebbie Iannaci

Airfares, hotel rates, ground transportation and meetings and events costs are expected to remain under pressure through year-end, driven by higher energy prices, rising labor costs and resilient global demand Following a year marked by unprecedented energy-market disruption and rising operational costs, global business travel prices are expected to remain elevated through the remainder of…

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GBTA Holds Annual Business Meeting for 2025, Announces 2026 Board Election Results

PorDebbie Iannaci

GBTA conducted its Annual Business Meeting led by GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang, and Board President, Rosemary Maloney. The session provided an overview of GBTA’s 2025 financial performance, key organizational metrics, and highlights from the year’s achievements. Attendees also gained valuable insight into GBTA’s ongoing investments in its core mission, programs, people and advocacy efforts, as…

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GBTA Applauds Introduction of the Quiet Skies Act to Keep Voice Calls Off Commercial Flights to Congress

PorDebbie Iannaci

Bipartisan bill directs Department of Transportation to finalize long-delayed in-flight ban sought by business travelers  GBTA today welcomed the introduction of the Quiet Skies Act by Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI) Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), legislation that directs the Department of Transportation to finally issue the rule banning in-flight voice calls that Congress required nearly…

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Business Travel Within the U.S. Drives Over $623 Billion in Economic Impact as Spending Reaches $538 Billion, According to New GBTA Study

PorDebbie Iannaci

Findings reveal business travel supports 6.7 million U.S. jobs and accounts for 2.1% of GDP, underscoring its role as a critical driver of economic growth nationwide Business travel within and to the United States continues to be a major engine powering the nation’s economy and growth, generating $623.8 billion in total gross domestic product (GDP)…

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GBTA Warns Potential CBP Operational Changes Risk Disrupting U.S. Travel Competitiveness and Economic Growth

PorDebbie Iannaci

GBTA statement: “In light of the U.S. Administration’s consideration of changes to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at certain airport ports of entry—including the withdrawal of CBP officers from major gateway airports—the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is expressing serious concerns about the potential implications for international travel into the U.S. and the resulting…

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Technology, Managed Travel and Hotel Distribution Gaps Stall Progress Toward the “Perfect Business Trip,” According to New GBTA Research

PorDebbie Iannaci

Survey of North American and European travel buyers shows strong demand for artificial intelligence, persistent global program complexity and growing interest in next-generation hotel booking models The convergence of AI innovation, the realities of managing global travel programs and shifting hotel distribution models are shaping the next era for business travel—yet key gaps remain including…

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Asia Pacific Business Travel to Surpass $700 Billion in 2026, Leading Global Growth Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty 

PorDebbie Iannaci

At its 2026 APAC Conference attracting over 1,100 delegates, GBTA revealed new data on regional business travel growth as well as its economic impact in Singapore Business travel across Asia Pacific is on a strong upward trajectory, with the region projected to remain the largest global market in 2026 — even as companies navigate ongoing…

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GBTA Welcomes EU Measures to Make Travel Easier to Book, Compare and Manage

PorDebbie Iannaci

New proposed rules aim to simplify multimodal journeys, strengthen passenger rights and support more efficient business travel across Europe GBTA welcomes the publication today of the European Commission’s new Passenger Package. The legislative proposals included in the Package are aimed at improving the availability of multimodal travel options and rail tickets, and at strengthening the rights of rail passengers across Europe.  The Passenger Package is an important step in the right direction, with the potential to…

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Study: Navigating Transport in Unfamiliar Places is Southeast Asia’s Biggest Business Travel Stressor, Fueling Unapproved Ground Trips and Expense Uncertainty 

PorDebbie Iannaci

Nine in 10 business travellers (93%) desire a single, unified platform to manage ground transportation and meal-related expenses across Southeast Asia A new study by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Grab For Business reveals that companies in Southeast Asia can significantly improve the business travel experience by aligning their business travel programmes with…

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Business Travel Leaders and Policymakers Discuss Forthcoming EU Initiatives on Sustainable Travel

PorDebbie Iannaci

GBTA convenes European Parliament roundtable examining key EU initiatives to drive sustainable, competitive travel, including the Sustainable Tourism Strategy and “Single Ticketing Package” and business travel’s role in shaping successful outcomes  The business travel sector is a driving force in the shift toward more sustainable mobility in Europe, according to insights shared at a high‑level European Parliament roundtable in Brussels on 8 April. The event—organised by GBTA and hosted by MEP Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D, Portugal), a member of the Parliament’s Committee on…

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GBTA Again Urges U.S. Congress to End Shutdown as TSA Workforce Strain Triggers Severe Airport Delays

PorDebbie Iannaci

Congressional inaction is breaking the airport system and impacting business travel, GBTA warns, as travelers lose hours to security lines The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is calling on the U.S. Congress to immediately reach an agreement to end the ongoing government shutdown and finalize a budget that restores stability to our nation’s aviation system….