News to Know

Business Travel Data Shows Higher Costs Didn't Impact Bottom Lines
SOURCE: TRAVELPULSE, 6/10

While business travel costs rose during the first half of 2026 due to higher fuel prices driven by the war in the Middle East, SAP Concur data found that business travel remained largely unimpeded despite these higher costs.

The data analyzed travel through May 31, 2026, and found that costs increased across every major category, with the average gas price logged in SAP Concur rising about 22% from last year. Airfare rose 8%, hotel rates grew nearly 6%, and car rentals increased 5%.

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Research
Business Travel by the Numbers

GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study – Read the Report

Business travel is a core contributor to the U.S. economy, supporting jobs, generating tax revenue, and driving economic activity across industries and regions. The recently released GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study provides a data-backed view of that impact, including national trends and state-level insights that show how business travel contributes to local economies across the country. Here’s a snapshot of the data in the report:

Business travel spending in U.S. destinations reached a record $538.5 billion in 2024 (up from $501.1 billion, or 7.5%, since 2023) and includes:

• $270.0 billion from domestic travel
• $50.7 billion from international inbound travel
• $217.8 billion from meetings and events delivery and management

The data also underscores the industry’s strong multiplier effect across the U.S. economy, revealing that each dollar invested in business travel in 2024 generated $1.16 in GDP.

View the Full Report & Explore the Data by Region