GBTA's 2026 Business Travel Index forecasts global business travel spending to grow 7.2% to a record $1.71 trillion, with trips reaching 1.84 billion, up 1.3%. The report highlights rising prices as the main driver of spending growth, while geopolitical uncertainty and transportation costs weigh on demand. The U.S. and China remain the largest markets, together accounting for 48% of global spend.
Expedia Group released Unpack '26 Summer, revealing a shift toward domestic travel, with global social conversation about domestic vacations up 77% YoY. The report also highlights trends like hotel hopping, beach readaways, sports events, and set-jetting.
OAG published Megahubs 2026, ranking the world's most internationally connected airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) takes first place globally for the first time, with connections to 337 destinations; Turkish Airlines operates 80% of flights there. London Heathrow (LHR) moves into second place, though potential connections on the busiest day fell 6% year-on-year, partly reflecting ongoing Middle East schedule disruption. Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) holds third, and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) retains fourth and remains Asia's most connected airport, with destinations rising to 154. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) rises to fifth, with potential connections up 9.8% and destinations expanding from 297 to 308. Asia Paci…
SAP Concur released its 2024 Business Spending Trends report based on early 2024 spend data. The top seven employee spending categories remained unchanged from 2023, with Other/Miscellaneous at 32.04%, Air 17.67%, Lodging 17.36%, Meals 12.14%, Ground Transportation 5.72%, Entertainment 4.54% and Office 2.48%. Since 2019, the average transaction cost for Other has jumped 57% and Miscellaneous 47%. The report also cites research showing 90% of employees noticed their company cutting back on flexible travel options and 64% saw increased focus on pre-travel approval. 2023 data shows a 17% increase in claims with missing receipts, a 29% increase in spend for such claims, and a 10% increase in ex…
A SAP Concur flash trend report found field activity is 75% higher than the week of April 5, 2020, with average business mileage during WorkForward rising to 70% of pre-pandemic levels. The South and Western U.S. show the highest activity at about 72% of pre-pandemic levels, the Midwest 70% and the Northeast 64%. Recovery varies widely by sector: Business Services at 102%, Food & Beverage at 86% and Manufacturing at 49%.