GBTA Poll: Business Travel Optimism Rebounds to 63% Heading Into 2027

GBTA surveyed 604 global corporate travel managers, suppliers and intermediaries from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9, 2026. Some 63% of business travel professionals are optimistic about the industry outlook into 2027, up from 41% in April and 59% in January, while pessimism fell from 24% in April to 7%. Optimism rose from 39% to 61% among buyers and from 42% to 64% among suppliers and TMCs. Some 45% expect their organization's 2026 business trips to increase year over year, up from 30% in April, and 56% of buyers expect travel spend to rise, up from 43%. Rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty remain top factors for buyers.