Business travel has evolved into a strategic tool, with companies traveling with clear, high-value purpose. Following COVID-19 recovery, the sector is showing solid growth: global spending is expected to reach $1.57 trillion in 2025, a 7% year-over-year increase, according to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
GBTA also projects a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% between 2026 and 2029, though forecasts remain subject to factors such as international trade negotiations.
Client and partner relationship-building, along with training and conference attendance, are the primary growth drivers for large and small organizations alike. In this environment, understanding the trends and challenges shaping business travel is essential — from hotel CFOs to corporate travel managers, every player must be ready to adapt.
Generative AI: A game-changer for the industry
Generative AI represents the travel industry’s next major leap. Unlike earlier tools, it doesn’t just advise — it acts, makes decisions, and solves problems autonomously, maximizing technological potential with minimal oversight.
In the corporate space, 84% of business travelers find AI-based assistants useful, with Spain among the most receptive markets (Connected Journeys, Opinium for Amadeus).
For hotels, this means chatbots for FAQs, AI tools that support staff decision-making (such as occupancy and room allocation), and predictive systems to anticipate demand — enhancing the guest experience while optimizing operations and revenue management.
Invoice and payment management: A shared challenge
The TMC market is expected to grow 16.2% annually, from $23.4 billion in 2023 to $47.8 billion in 2030 (For Insights Consultancy). Yet a persistent challenge affects hotels, OTAs, TMCs, and corporate travel departments alike: invoice and payment management.
- Hotels spend significant time chasing invoices. Missing or incorrect invoices can delay payments for weeks, affecting cash flow, operations, and team morale.
- Companies often don’t receive all hotel invoices — or receive documents with errors that don’t meet local legal requirements — complicating VAT recovery, increasing tax risk, and adding time to reconciliation.
Leading OTAs, companies, and corporate guests are increasingly adopting pre-payment invoicing procedures. For hotels, streamlining invoice issuance can mean fewer administrative delays, faster payment, and less back-and-forth with corporate clients. In practice, invoicing is increasingly becoming another item on the travel checklist — something to get right before the trip is closed out, not weeks later.
The traveler at the hotel: The need for a smooth, secure experience
As companies prioritize high-value trips, efficiency shapes traveler expectations: 71% want options like self-service or online check-in (Travel Dreams, Amadeus).
Yet check-in and check-out aren’t always seamless. Credit card requests, long queues, and confusion over pre-paid charges are common frustrations that waste time and erode trust.
Traditionally, hotels request a credit card on arrival to cover incidentals or secure a deposit. While practical for the property, this feels unnecessary to travelers whose bookings are already paid. Manual check-out processes can also require out-of-pocket payments and reimbursement waits — a burden for those with tight schedules.
The impact is significant: 3 in 10 business travelers struggle to comply with reimbursement policies, largely due to upfront expenses, limited access to local cash, and fraud risk. In fact, 17% have experienced credit card fraud during a business trip. Depending on the destination, travelers may also need to account for practical pre-flight requirements; guidance published by Leadership.ng is one example of the destination-specific checklists travelers can consult before departure.
The industry must move toward solutions that reduce friction and improve traveler security.
From business to experience: How hotels are adapting to bleisure
“Bleisure” — combining business and leisure in a single trip — is reshaping corporate travel. Today’s business travelers want more than comfort; they value time and meaningful experiences.
For hotels, this is a clear opportunity to differentiate by offering hybrid services that blend productivity with leisure: extended-stay rooms, apartment-style amenities, strong connectivity, quiet work zones, ergonomic furniture, and personalized local experiences.
Sustainability Gains Ground in Business Travel
Environmental concerns are prompting companies to revisit their travel policies. According to GBTA’s Sustainability Barometer (2023), 92% of respondents consider sustainability a priority, driven by reputation management (84%) and genuine environmental commitment (82%).
In response, hotels are adopting eco-friendly cleaning products, water-saving systems, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources — reducing environmental impact while attracting sustainability-minded corporate travelers.
