Recent actions by the current administration, including tariffs, country-specific entry restrictions, and travel advisories, are raising red flags across the global business landscape. A recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll examines how these governmental policies affect corporate travel, providing a more cautious outlook than GBTA’s previously optimistic 2024 projections.
Uncertainty Dampens Travel Spending
The report reveals growing hesitancy among companies worldwide when it comes to business travel investments. The survey encompassed feedback from travel buyers, industry suppliers, and travel management firms across the globe, showcasing a shift in sentiment amidst economic uncertainty.
Key Findings from the GBTA Report
- Changes to Travel Policies
Since January 2025, 7% of organizations have adjusted corporate travel policies for trips to and from the US. An additional 25% are planning or considering changes, while 64% have made no changes so far.
- Cancellations and Relocations
- Up to 20% of companies have already canceled or are discussing reducing their involvement in US-based meetings and events.
- 10% are considering pulling employees out of US events altogether.
- Relocating US-based meetings and events is gaining traction, as 14% of companies have either moved locations (8%) or are contemplating doing so (6%). Non-US organizations are three times more likely to shift events outside the US.
- Key Concerns
Business leaders are primarily concerned with economic factors, including rising travel costs (54%) and shrinking travel budgets (40%). Logistical challenges like increased travel documentation and visa requirements follow closely at 46%. Another concern is traveler welfare, including employee willingness to visit the US and safety considerations, both cited by 37% of respondents.
GBTA’s Perspective on Current Business Travel Challenges
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang expressed concerns about the broader consequences of these trends on the business travel sector.
“While the outlook for global business travel was incredibly strong coming into 2025, our research now shows increasing concerns and uncertainty within our industry, considering recent actions taken by the US government,” Neufang said. “Traveling for work plays a vital role in supporting business growth, resilient economies, strong diplomatic ties, and valuable connections. Productive and essential business travel is threatened in times of economic uncertainty or in an environment of additional barriers and restrictions. This undermines economic prosperity and damages the many sectors that rely on global business travel to survive and thrive.”
Neufang notes two pivotal factors that could significantly impact the business travel industry moving forward:
- Continued economic strain or uncertainty that tightens corporate budgets.
- Restrictions on cross-border travel and global workforce mobility, especially involving the US.
The Path Forward
While the GBTA report presents a sobering picture of global business travel in 2025, it underscores the vital role of travel in business growth and economic stability. For more details on the findings and insights, visit gbta.org.
Source: Chauffeur Driven
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