Business travel is bouncing back in surprising ways.
Around 1.3 million Americans travel for business every day, and global corporate travel spending is projected to reach an astonishing $1.64 trillion in 2025.
After the pandemic reshaped how companies operate, business trips are once again becoming an essential part of work culture.
From spending trends to traveler behaviors, the numbers reveal how corporate travel is evolving.
What Are the Top Business Travel Statistics for 2025?
- Global corporate travel spending is projected to reach $1.7 trillion in 2025.
- Around 1.3 million Americans travel for business every day.
- Business trips make up 20% of all travel worldwide.
- Roughly 12% of U.S. travelers are on business trips.
- An impressive 90% of professionals believe business travel is essential to company success.
- 77% of U.S. business travelers take 1–5 trips per year.
- The average U.S. domestic business trip costs between $990 and $1,293, while international trips average $2,600 or more.
- 40% of all hotel stays worldwide are linked to business travel.
- About 69% of millennials extend business trips into leisure trips (“bleisure”).
- Lodging makes up 34% of total business travel expenses.
How Much Do Companies Spend on Business Travel?
Corporate travel is big business – and it’s getting bigger.
- Worldwide spending on corporate travel is expected to hit $1.7 trillion in 2023 and could reach $1.64 trillion in 2025.
- In the U.S., business travel spending is projected to grow 4% in 2025, reaching $316 billion.
- On average, companies spend $799 per person per day on business trips.
- A typical domestic U.S. business trip (3 days) costs $990–$1,293, while an international trip can reach $2,600+.
- Business lodging consumes 34% of total travel budgets.
- In 2022 alone, there were 460 million business trips taken worldwide.
- The U.S. and China together account for 58% of all global business travel spending.
Average Cost of a Business Trip (USA, 2025)
| Trip Type | Average Cost | Duration | Daily Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (3 days) | $990 – $1,293 | 2–3 days | $325 – $430 |
| International | $2,600+ | 5–6 days | $430 – $520 |
How Often Do Employees Travel for Business?
How often do employees travel – and what are their preferences?
- 1.3 million Americans travel for business every day.
- 77% of U.S. business travelers take 1–5 trips per year.
- 15% take 6–10 trips annually, and 7% take more than 10 trips.
- International business trips usually last 5–6 days, while domestic trips average 2–3 days.
- 40% of Gen X employees would turn down a job without travel opportunities.
- 69% of millennials extend their business trips into personal vacations (“bleisure travel”).
- 80% of business travelers prefer using mobile apps to manage expenses and bookings.
- The global bleisure travel market is forecast to grow by an incredible 500% over the next decade.
Frequency of Business Trips (USA)
| Annual Trips | Share of Travelers |
|---|---|
| 1–5 trips | 77% |
| 6–10 trips | 15% |
| More than 10 trips | 7% |
How Did the Pandemic Affect Business Travel?
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced travel, but recovery is in full swing.
- At the height of the pandemic, business travel dropped by 90%.
- Hotel occupancy fell to just 29%, one of the lowest rates in history.
- Today, travel volumes are rising quickly, with international trips up 25% year-over-year.
- Companies like Navan reported a 10% increase in business flight bookings and a 25% increase in hotel bookings in 2025.
- TravelPerk recorded a 3% rise in corporate bookings, showing steady recovery.
- Business travel has rebounded to levels not seen since the early Jet Age.
How Do Different Generations View Business Travel?
Generational attitudes toward travel vary significantly:
- 75% of millennials view alternatives to business trips (like remote meetings) as a job perk.
- At the same time, 65% of millennials see business trips as a status symbol.
- 40% of Gen X workers would reject jobs without travel opportunities.
- European data shows 30% of corporate travelers fly monthly, 62% annually, and 5% more than 20 times a year.
- In Brisbane, a boom in business-related “bleisure” trips drove a 13.5% increase in corporate visits, contributing over $11 billion to the tourism economy.
Why Do Companies Continue to Invest in Business Travel?
Why do companies still invest so heavily in business travel?
- 90% of professionals believe business trips are essential for success.
- 65% of employees cite attending events, conferences, and meetups as the main reason for traveling.
- Around 58% of travel managers expect spending to grow further in 2025.
- However, nearly 29% of global travel managers anticipate a significant drop in business travel volumes in 2025, averaging a 21% decline.
- About 30% of companies are planning to cut their business travel budgets by around 20%, signaling mixed outlooks.
Global Business Travel Spending – Top 2 Markets (2025 Forecast)
| Country | Spending (USD billions) | Global Share |
|---|---|---|
| USA | $395.4 | 29% |
| China | $373.1 | 29% |
| Total | 768.5 | 58% |
FAQ: Business Travel Statistics
What percentage of global travel is for business purposes?
Around 20% of all travel worldwide is business-related.
How much does the average business trip cost?
A domestic U.S. trip (3 days) costs between $990–$1,293, while international trips can exceed $2,600.
How many Americans travel for business daily?
About 1.3 million Americans travel for business every day.
What role does lodging play in travel budgets?
Lodging accounts for about 34% of total business travel expenses.
Do younger workers see business travel differently?
Yes – 69% of millennials extend trips for leisure, and 65% see travel as a status symbol.
Which countries lead global business travel spending?
The U.S. and China combined account for 58% of all global corporate travel expenditures.
Is business travel recovering or slowing down in 2025?
Recovery is mixed: flight and hotel bookings are up by 10–25%, but nearly 30% of travel managers expect volume declines and budget cuts.
How big is the “bleisure” travel market expected to become?
The global bleisure travel market is set to grow by 500% over the next decade.
Key Takeaways:
- Business travel is not only back – it’s transforming.
- Companies spend billions annually, with trips accounting for up to 40% of hotel stays worldwide.
- Employee demand is strong: nearly 70% of millennials want to blend business with leisure, and 40% of Gen X won’t accept jobs without travel.
- Despite the pandemic’s impact, global business travel is set for continued growth, driven by networking, deal-making, and company culture.
- At the same time, some companies remain cautious, with budget cuts and volume declines expected in 2025.
Conclusion
Business travel remains a cornerstone of global commerce. While digital tools have changed how we connect, the numbers prove that in-person interactions, events, and client visits are here to stay. The future of business travel looks not just resilient – but remarkably strong.
Sources
- GBTA. Global Business Travel Spending Forecast 2025
- U.S. Travel Association. Travel Forecasts 2025
- Amadeus. Business Travel Trends 2025
- Business Insider. Summer Business Travel Demand 2025
- Engine. Business Travel Statistics Guide
- The Australian. Flight Centre Forecasts for 2025
- Courier Mail. Brisbane Visitor Spending 2024
- Investopedia. Business Travel Could Slow in 2025
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