The Travel Manager's Playbook for Getting Ahead in 2026
SAP Concur research shows nearly 7 in 10 travel managers say their budget doesn't reflect travel's importance. Leading travel managers are turning data into actionable stories for leadership and adopting AI tools to improve compliance and efficiency. 95% of business travelers are willing to use AI-enabled booking options, and SAP Concur adoption can reduce travel costs by 23%, speed bookings by 19.2%, and increase policy compliance by 28%.
Impact and considerations
Travel management is shifting from execution to strategic influence, requiring data storytelling and AI to enhance decision impact and operational efficiency.
Key points
- Nearly 7 in 10 travel managers say budget doesn't reflect travel's importance
- 54% of travel managers say travel strategy is evaluated at C-suite or board level
- 95% of business travelers are willing to use AI-enabled booking options
- SAP Concur adoption can reduce travel costs by 23%
- Bookings are 19.2% faster
- Policy compliance increases by 28%
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 9 Feb 2026, 17:02
- Page published
- 12 Aug 2026, 14:30
- Last updated
- 9 Feb 2026, 17:02
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：The Travel Manager’s Playbook for Getting Ahead in 2026 (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 9 Feb 2026, 17:02