Biometrics, NDC, artificial intelligence and meetings on the move, key to Business Travel
Thanks to investment in AI-driven technologies, business travel is becoming increasingly flexible, agile and tailored to individual needs. Travelers themselves are more aware of the impact of their travel on their well-being and the world around them. Amadeus Cytric and Globetrender have released their report “Corporate Travel Trends in 2025”.
Global business travel spending is expected to reach $1.64 trillion by 2025, up from $1.48 trillion last year, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). As the industry grows, the way employees travel and how companies manage that travel continues to evolve.
Amadeus Cytric has explored the biggest developments and transformations expected this year and shares the “Corporate Travel Trends in 2025”, along with its partners at Globetrender.
According to Mark Cullen, Chief Commercial Officer at Amadeus Cytric, “factors such as hybrid work patterns, economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the priorities of travel managers and suppliers. Meanwhile, investments in transformative new technologies are helping travel providers improve the overall experience, making business travel more seamless and efficient"
These are theseven trends that will transform business travel in 2025:
1. Agent-enabled AI is
The next wave of AI will move technology
from passive assistance to proactive functionality, with AI-based agents in the background allowing travelers, travel managers, travel agents and finance teams to focus on more valuable tasks.
In the last two years, Generative AI has focused on providing assistance and support; from 2025 and beyond, the next stage will be defined by "proactive functionality.
Rather than simply responding to requests, Generative AI will autonomously anticipate travelers' needs, helping them rebook flights in real time, optimize itineraries based on schedule changes and even help travel managers negotiate hotel rates, as well as create, audit and approve expense reports.
This shift translates into business travelers experiencing seamless, highly personalized travel with minimal manual intervention, allowing them to focus on productivity rather than logistics.
2. Meetings on the move are gaining ground to meet the needs of modern professionals
From strategizing with colleagues during flights to holding summits in privately booked train cars, travel is becoming opportunities for collaboration among business travelers.
Now that hybrid work models are the norm, the concept of meetings on the move is emerging as a key trend. This approach means business travelers can take advantage of opportunities for informal, real-life interactions to make connections and share ideas: think of it as a relaxed moment, or "water cooler", on the go.
3. Tailored packages are changing the way airlines interact with travelers and how companies manage corporate travel
New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology enables airlines and companies to jointly create tailored fare packages that fit corporate travel policies.
It is now possible to book a flight where every detail, from lounge access to onboard wifi, is included in a customized package that saves time and money. This new level of personalization is not just a distant dream; it is currently reshaping the way airlines interact with travelers and how companies manage business travel.
4. The new generation of frequent travelers is driving demand for more personalized and flexible business travel experiences
By 2025, Generation Z will represent more than a quarter of the global workforce, driving a shift in corporate travel toward flexibility, sustainability and meaningful experiences. For this group of young people, international business travel is not just about fulfilling work obligations; they see these opportunities as avenues for both career progression and personal growth. For these digital natives, business travel takes many forms.
Flexibility is at the core of Gen Z's work preferences, and many are looking for hybrid or remote work arrangements that allow them to travel while remaining connected to their professional responsibilities. This shift is influencing corporate travel planning, with policies now incorporating options to add annual leave to business travel.
5. Biomítric gateways are enabling seamless, digitized airport experiences
As airports and airlines look to offer travelers smoother, more seamless travel, physical passports and even smartphone boarding passes are becoming obsolete. Soon, travelers will be able to move through the airport without having to repeatedly show travel documents or wait in long lines, simply by scanning their face at key touch points.
For frequent travelers, being able to move through an airport with minimal queuing is key to keeping stress levels low, so it's no surprise to learn that 73% of global air passengers are interested in using biomicroscopic data instead of passports, according to IATA's GPS 2024 report.
6. Jetset Hacking is a growing trend as business travelers choose to prioritize their wellness while traveling
From sleep labs to cryo-chambers, wellness-focused innovations are redefining business travel, helping professionals stay healthy and productive while on the go. Business travel can take a toll on people's well-being, whether it's late-night client dinners or sleepless nights caused by jet lag.
However, as wellness becomes an increasing priority for travelers, professionals are paying much more attention to taking good care of their mental and physical health when traveling for work.
7. Domestic and regional travel is becoming a priority in response to a more fragmented environment
In a world reshaped by hybrid work, sustainability imperatives and new political leaders, domestic and regional business travel is becoming a cornerstone of the corporate travel landscape.
In a highly complex globalized economy, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warns that companies need to prepare for the future and diversify their logistics strategies as global trade routes become more disrupted by factors such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, transportation costs and crippling tariffs. In the context of a more fragmented environment, companies may seek to prioritize trade with local or neighboring suppliers whenever possible.