PhocusWire rounds up earnings from major travel companies: Uber gross bookings up 24% to $58B; Amex GBT revenue up 35% with transactions up 41%; MakeMyTrip and Ixigo show mixed results in India; Lyft active riders exceed 30 million. AI adoption is key to improving efficiency and customer experience.
According to Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Luxury Travel Report, 62% of travelers surveyed agreed that hotels feel increasingly generic. I Prefer Hotel Rewards offers rewards and benefits at over 700 distinctive, independent hotels worldwide, including complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in/late check-out, enhanced room upgrades, exclusive member rates, and points earned on eligible stays. Points can be used for personal travel.
Airbnb highlighted that its hotel initiative is exceeding expectations during its Q2 earnings call, partnering with Lark to add over 75 boutique properties. Hotels account for a single-digit percentage of nights but are growing three times faster than homes. Revenue rose 17% to $3.6 billion, and AI reduced customer service costs by 16%.
According to GBTA's latest report, global business travel spending is projected to reach a record $1.71 trillion in 2026, up 7.2% year-over-year, while the number of trips is expected to grow only 1.3% to 1.84 billion, indicating that corporate travel is becoming more selective and productivity-focused. The report, based on a survey of 4,700 business travelers across 66 markets, highlights that rising transportation and travel costs are dampening demand, while AI-related investment in North America is emerging as a significant driver of travel growth. GBTA projects spending to surpass $2 trillion by 2030.
BCD Travel published a guide to GBTA 2026, highlighting sessions led by its experts on topics such as using data and AI to influence traveler behavior, compliance risks, modernizing service expectations, and the future of airline retailing. It also showcases the newly launched Tripsource platform.
The article explores AI's impact on online booking tools (OBTs), noting the need for deep integration with enterprise tools like Teams and using AI to simplify booking, policy compliance, and risk management. Startups like Otto offer AI assistants that learn traveler preferences and automate bookings.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) reported Q2 2026 results: revenue of $870 million, up 38% year-over-year; adjusted EBITDA of $178 million, up 34%. TTV grew 57% and transactions grew 45%. The company won major clients including Google, Koch, and Pfizer, maintaining a 95% customer retention rate. Shareholders approved the acquisition by Long Lake Management, expected to close in H2 2026.
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.
At its annual gala in Chicago, the GBTA Foundation honored leaders and organizations driving sustainability and raised $83,250 to support the NextGen Program, which provides career scholarships for students. Winners included Sarah Martin from Amex GBT, Shirley Stroud from BCD Travel, Anna Rose Feinberg from Alo Index, and Meta and United Airlines. Dave Hilfman received the Luminary Award.
Cathay Pacific has unveiled renovated lounges in Hong Kong and Beijing, including the reopened The Wing First, The Bridge, and its Beijing flagship. The design emphasizes residential comfort, distinct zones for dining, relaxation, work, and wellness, with dedicated lounge ambassadors and enhanced privacy.
The eighth annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey reveals AI is now part of the business travel experience, but governance lags. 75% of travelers use AI tools for business trips, and 72% have used or would use unapproved 'shadow AI'. 85% of CFOs worry employees use unapproved AI tools. The survey also found 60% of CFOs say travel expense fraud is increasing, and 73% believe employees may use AI to falsify expenses.
SAP Concur provides a business travel checklist covering pre-trip preparation, packing essentials, during-trip actions, and post-trip expense reporting. It emphasizes using company booking systems, staying compliant, submitting expenses promptly, and leveraging mobile apps and automation.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of a bipartisan package of aviation security and travel facilitation bills, including the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 and the One Stop Pilot Program Extension Act. These measures aim to strengthen Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations, addressing checkpoint congestion, staffing constraints, and inefficiencies in the international travel process. The SAFEGUARDS Act would restore the 9/11 passenger security fee to its intended purpose of funding aviation security, ensuring TSA has resources to meet evolving operational demands. The One Stop Pilot Program Extension Act would allow TSA…
GBTA held its annual business meeting, reviewing 2025 financial performance and achievements, and announced the 2026 Board of Directors election results. Newly elected directors will begin terms on August 5th at the close of the Convention. The meeting also previewed the GBTA Convention, August 3-5 in Chicago.
GBTA's latest industry poll shows nearly eight in ten stakeholders cite global instability and conflict as the top travel risk. Despite concerns, organizations are not broadly cutting business travel but adopting a deliberate, managed approach. 28% of buyers expect trip volume to decrease in 2026, and 22% expect spend to decrease. Meetings and events strategies are shifting, with 56% of buyers changing their approach. Travel managers' roles are growing, and AI adoption is increasing.
TAP Air Portugal launched Economy Prime, a new premium long-haul cabin between Economy and Business, with only 12 seats, priority check-in, fast track security, priority boarding and baggage handling, and Business Class meals.
Research from Business Travel Show Europe shows geopolitical instability is the biggest challenge for travel buyers in 2026, with 47% citing it as top concern. Some buyers are using AI tools: 10% use AI-driven real-time geopolitical risk analysis, 11% report cost savings, and 9% say AI improves duty of care. Buyers are optimistic about AI's potential but concerned about misinformation, data privacy, and compliance risks.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for Lesotho, citing crime and health. Crime is common in Lesotho, with armed robberies and carjackings occurring from time to time, and local police may not have enough resources to respond quickly. Lesotho's health infrastructure is inadequate; health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care, and pharmacies are neither well-regulated nor well stocked, with locally available medications potentially unsafe. Travelers have the option to enter South Africa for health services.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomes the political agreement on EU air passenger rights reform, which preserves compensation rights of €250-€600 for delays over three hours and strengthens airlines' obligations to inform and assist passengers. GBTA urges EU member states to implement the rules clearly and consistently to boost business traveler confidence.
The eighth annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey reveals a paradox: while 93% of business travelers say work trips benefit their wellbeing, 67% are hesitant to travel due to safety concerns, disruptions, and role pressures. CFOs recognize travel's strategic value (97%), but travel managers feel unsupported. Employees increasingly expect employer support for safety, yet trust in data monitoring is fragile.
GBTA's annual U.S. Legislative Summit took place June 9-11 in Washington, D.C., with 120 members and stakeholders from 31 states. They held over 120 Capitol Hill meetings advocating for policies that support the business travel industry, which drives $624 billion in annual economic impact and accounts for 2.1% of U.S. GDP. Priorities include modernizing the air traffic system, avoiding burdensome entry processes, and advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
According to SAP Concur data, business travel costs continued to rise in the first half of 2026, with airfare up over 8%, hotel rates up nearly 6%, car rental costs up about 5%, and fuel-related expenses up 22% on average. Despite higher costs, companies largely maintained travel activity, but car rental bookings declined 4%, rail bookings increased 4%, and premium cabin bookings increased 9%.
A new GBTA study reveals that U.S. business travel spending reached $538.5 billion in 2024, generating $623.8 billion in economic impact, accounting for 2.1% of GDP, supporting 6.7 million jobs, and contributing $148.6 billion in tax revenue. Meetings and events accounted for 40.4% of total spending. Business travel has a multiplier effect, with each dollar generating $1.16 in GDP. The study covers all 50 states, with California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Illinois leading in spending.
SAP Concur's article explores AI in business travel management, noting 95% of business travelers are open to AI booking but only 7% feel comfortable. It poses 8 questions for travel managers to evaluate AI solutions, including improving travel experience, speeding approvals, personalization, guidance, simplifying complex scenarios, policy guidance, data insights, and expense audits. Data from SAP Concur's 6th Annual Global Business Travelers Research Report.
SAP Concur's blog offers practical tips for business travelers, covering preparation, during-trip management, and post-trip expense reporting. It emphasizes using the company's unified travel platform, submitting expense reports promptly, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging mobile apps and AI tools.
Perk, a travel and spend management platform, announced an industry-first partnership with CLEAR, offering customers preferred pricing on CLEAR+, CLEAR Concierge, and TSA PreCheck. CLEAR+ members can speed through security at over 150 lanes across 60 US airports. Perk's 2025 report found 89% of business travelers were affected by disruptions, and 25% believed they missed new business due to disruptions.
A survey commissioned by SAP Concur reveals that business travel is crucial for career growth, but access is uneven. 51% of U.S. adults traveled for work in the past year, with 20% being frequent travelers. 76% believe business travel opens up opportunities, but younger and lower-income groups feel it is out of reach. Frequent travelers enjoy more premium experiences but also face operational strains like expense reporting hassles.
Uber has agreed to acquire Blacklane, a premium chauffeur service, to expand into luxury and executive travel. Terms were not disclosed, and the deal is subject to regulatory approval, expected to close by end of 2026. Blacklane, founded in 2011, operates in over 500 cities across 60+ countries and has raised over $150 million. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said premium travel is a fast-growing segment, and the acquisition will broaden options for riders.
The article explores how the strategic alliance between SAP Concur and Amex GBT is redefining business travel through the Complete solution. Both companies emphasize co-development, a unified data layer, and AI at the core to deliver seamless travel and expense experiences. It also discusses NDC complexity, data advantages, and questions for CXOs.
Sabre announced the appointment of Niklas Andréen as Chief Commercial Officer, Airline Tech, to accelerate execution following its AI-native platform rebuild. Andréen will lead global airline sales, account management, and commercial strategy, driving adoption of Sabre Mosaic. Additionally, Darren Rickey was appointed Senior Vice President of Strategic Commercial Partnerships.
Amex GBT reported Q4 and full-year 2025 results: full-year revenue of $2,718 million, up 12%; Adjusted EBITDA of $532 million, up 11%. The company reiterated 2026 guidance for revenue growth of 19%-21% and doubled its share repurchase authorization to $600 million.
Navan has introduced Navan Edge, an AI-powered personalized travel assistant for business travelers without access to managed travel programs. It offers hyper-personalized recommendations and, with approval, can rebook flights, alert hotels about delays, and adjust dinner reservations. Currently available on iOS in the U.S., it supports hotel bookings only, with flight and restaurant bookings expected soon. Navan Edge aims to serve frequent travelers who lack corporate tool support.
SAP Concur introduces the 'Beyond the Balance Sheet' series, a thought-leadership series for modern finance leaders. Each 20-minute episode covers trends shaping finance, including growth strategy, AI, and the evolving role of business travel. Episodes include 'Vision for Growth', 'AI — Hype or Game-Changer?', 'The Role of Business Travel', and 'Integrations: Making Every Connection Count'.
Amex GBT announced an increase of $300 million to its share repurchase authorization, bringing it to $600 million. The company also reported strong preliminary Q4 2025 results: revenue up 34% to $792 million, TTV up 45% to $10 billion, and adjusted EBITDA up 17% to $130 million. Full-year revenue grew 12% to $2.718 billion, TTV up 17% to $36 billion. The company reiterated 2026 guidance with revenue growth of 19-21%.
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings, has appointed Peer Bueller as CEO. Bueller joined KAYAK in 2016 as CFO and added COO in 2021. Co-founder Steve Hafner will become Executive Chair and take a new role at Booking Holdings focused on AI innovation. Bueller will continue to drive growth including KAYAK for Business.
Almosafer and VisitBritain expanded their strategic partnership at WTM London to promote Britain as a top destination for Saudi travelers. The collaboration will develop high-value packages showcasing Britain's nations and regions. VisitBritain forecasts 404,000 visits from Saudi Arabia to the UK this year, with spending of £975 million in 2025, up 26% on 2024. Britain remains a premium destination for Almosafer across leisure and business segments.
Amadeus Cytric has launched its global Prime Partner Program to recognize and empower partners across the business travel ecosystem. At its core is a group of TMCs meeting rigorous performance, governance, and strategic alignment standards, including Arrive Agencies, BCD Travel, DER BUSINESS Travel, Lufthansa City Center, Nautalia Empresas, Travel Support, and Viajes El Corte Inglés Empresas. Prime Partners gain access to operational support and a first look at new Amadeus Cytric innovations.
Amadeus released global research, 'Connected Journeys: How Technology Will Transform Travel in the Next Decade'. It found 79% of Singapore respondents would consider using biometric gateways to replace repetitive document and identity checks at key airport touchpoints such as check-in, boarding and immigration, above the global average of 69%. 36% are interested in biometric security to speed up queues, 33% in real-time traffic and arrival updates, and 62% would check luggage from home. 32% would prefer a single 'super app' consolidating travel information; among business travellers, 34% prefer one consolidated app and 32% value smart luggage tracking. Generative AI usage nearly doubled fro…
SAP Concur published an article emphasizing the importance of corporate duty of care, citing its 7th Annual Global Business Travel Survey: 65% of business leaders perceive more risk in today's environment and 75% say employees' expectations about duty of care are higher than ever; 53% of CFOs think travel managers should do more to support traveler safety, while only 38% of travelers feel their travel manager is doing enough to ensure their wellbeing; 92% of travelers are willing to decline a business trip for reasons like safety, social or environmental concerns, or work-life balance impact, and 40% would refuse a trip out of safety or social concerns about the destination. The article not…
SAP Concur analyzed international air bookings in Concur Travel from Jan 1 to Jun 30, 2025, comparing with the same period in 2024. Global international business travel volume rose 2.6% year over year in H1 2025, up 4.5% in Q1 and 0.6% in Q2. U.S. business travelers paid the most for international flights at $2,675 per ticket on average; Japanese travelers about $1,950; Italian travelers $719. The U.S. remained the top global destination, accounting for 15.3% of international business trips.