Weathering Uncertainty, Higher Costs in Managing Business Travel 2026

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.