Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has officially published the results from its latest report, which claims that global travel spending will breach the mark of $1.64 trillion in 2025, up from $1.48 trillion last year.
Going by the available details, the association also took this opportunity to reveal trends that will likely dominate the travel industry in near terms. These trends are understood to be attached with agentic AI, on-the-move business operations, personalized customer experiences, biometrics, and more.
Talk about these trends on a slightly deeper, we begin from the expectation for agentic AI to play a bigger role in transforming the way corporations manage travel and expense. You see, GBTA’s report tips the given technology to move from passive assistance to proactive functionality, empowering travelers, travel managers travel agents and finance teams to focus on more valuable tasks.
You see, instead of just responding to requests, Agentic AI will now autonomously anticipate traveler needs to help them rebook flights in real-time, and optimize itineraries based on changing schedules, while simultaneously enabling travel managers to negotiate hotel rates, as well as create, audit, and approve expense reports.
Such a technological setup should tread up a long distance to deliver a seamless, highly personalized journey with minimal manual input.
“In 2025, business travelers are increasingly aware of the impact their journeys have on both their well-being and the environment. They are open to investing in more sustainable travel options that benefit themselves and the planet. Factors such as hybrid working arrangements, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the priorities of travel managers and suppliers. Meanwhile, investments in new transformational technologies are helping travel providers enhance the overall experience, making business trips smoother and more efficient while also allowing providers to allocate resources more effectively,” said Mark Cullen, Chief Commercial Officer, Amadeus Cytric.
Next up, GBTA expects on-the-go meetings to achieve greater prevalence. A by-product of the hybrid work model, the Meetings in Motion concept will likely pave the way for travelers to access opportunities for real-life, informal interactions. This, in turn, should facilitate better connections and sharing of ideas.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in the growing preference for bespoke bundles. Here, the New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology will guide airlines and corporations to co-create airfare bundles that align with business travel policies. These bundles will include everything from lounge access to in-flight wifi, all fitted into a personalized package which is going to save both time and money.
Almost like an extension of that, the report projects a greater focus on personalized and flexible business travel experiences. Considering the year 2025 is poised to witness Gen Z making up more than a quarter of the global workforce, international business trips will offer younger generation the opportunities as pathways to both career progression and personal growth.
Moving on, biometric gateways are set to replace those outdated physical passports and even smartphone boarding passes. This translates to a facility where travelers will be able to move through the airport without repeatedly showing travel documents or waiting in long queues.
Markedly enough, more than 73% of global air passengers have also reported interest in using biometric data instead of passports, according to separate IATA’s GPS 2024 report.
Hold on, we are not done yet, as we still haven’t expanded upon the rising popularity of Jetset Hacking, with solutions related to sleep labs, cryo chambers, and other wellness-focused innovations now in use more than ever before.
