GBTA Poll: Biz Travel Shows Mostly Confidence

Business travel is entering 2026 on stable footing, according to a new Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll of 571 travel buyers, suppliers, and travel management company (TMC) professionals across 40 countries. While optimism has softened slightly compared to last year, organizations continue to prioritize travel, with spending and trip volumes expected to hold steady or rise—creating ongoing opportunity for chauffeured transportation providers, even as affordability, traveler safety, and international mobility grow more complex. Overall, the poll shows corporate travel budgets holding firm in 2026, with safety, cost pressure, and cross-border friction shaping demand for chauffeured services.

Key highlights:

Travel spending remains resilient: 84% of corporate travel buyers expect 2026 business travel spending to increase (44%) or remain flat (40%), with those increasing projecting an average rise of 12%.
Trip volume and traveler counts are steady to rising: 35% of buyers expect more business trips in 2026 and 47% expect volumes to remain flat; 42% also expect an increase in the number of employees traveling for work.
Revenue outlook is cautiously positive for suppliers: 47% of travel suppliers and TMCs anticipate revenue growth in 2026 (averaging 15%), while 39% expect revenue to hold steady—though North American suppliers are more likely to forecast flat results.
Affordability and cost control dominate buyer concerns: 70% of buyers cite affordability as their top issue, with 59% struggling to balance cost controls against traveler satisfaction and 58% concerned about prices exceeding budget—raising scrutiny on ground transportation value and pricing.
Traveler safety remains a core priority: 56% of buyers list employee safety as a major concern, reinforcing demand for professional, reliable chauffeured transportation over informal or unmanaged ground options.
Supplier relationships are in flux: 45% of suppliers express concern that buyers and procurement teams are more willing to change vendors in 2026, signaling both risk and opportunity for chauffeured operators.
Operational budgets are stable but disciplined: 75% of buyers expect travel program operating budgets to stay flat or increase, while suppliers report cost-cutting in marketing, hiring, and staffing.
Technology and AI adoption is growing, not disruptive: No shock here that buyers are prioritizing AI for pricing optimization (65%) and predictive analytics (64%), with expectations focused on incremental efficiency rather than major operational transformation in the near term.
Cross-border travel uncertainty threatens US inbound demand: 65% of respondents are concerned about managing travel to the US amid proposed stricter Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirements, while 61% worry employees may be less willing to travel to the US; 43% say their organizations are more likely to hold meetings outside the US as a result.