In the first quarter of 2025, a concerning trend has begun to take shape in the global business travel sector, as industry professionals brace for a decline in business travel. A recent survey by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), conducted from March 31 to April 8, found that optimism within the industry is slipping, largely due to increasing political uncertainty. The survey gathered insights from 905 respondents, including travel buyers, suppliers, and professionals from travel management companies (TMCs) across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
The survey results indicated that many industry experts are anticipating a downturn in business travel, citing recent actions by the U.S. government as a key factor contributing to this shift. The anticipated decline in business travel could have significant ramifications, not only for the travel sector but also for industries such as tourism, hospitality, and corporate services that are heavily reliant on business travel expenditures.
As companies increasingly scale back on travel budgets and re-evaluate their travel policies, the interconnected network of services that depend on corporate clients may begin to feel the ripple effects for years to come. This decline represents a fundamental shift in how business professionals engage with global travel, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of the sector.
