Global Business Travel Association’s most recent poll shows a decrease in optimism regarding business travel for the year 2025. This is due to U.S. Government actions that affect travel volume, expenditure, and revenue.
Global Business Travel Association has released a survey that highlights the impact the U.S. government is having on the business travel industry. The findings show a change in 2025’s outlook for the volume of business travel, spending, revenue and traveler safety.
Supplier Revenue Concerns
The survey reveals that global travel suppliers are increasingly concerned about revenue. A drop of business travel revenue is expected by almost half of the suppliers (48%) with an average of 17%. The lodging industry is the most affected as more than half (58%) anticipate revenue declines. Divergence between spending and revenue expectations highlights the challenges suppliers face in the current geopolitical environment.
Forecasts for Business Travel Spending and Volume
The outlook remains uncertain for the volume of business travel and expenditure. In 2025, one-third (34%) of buyers expect their company to take fewer business trips due to U.S. Government actions. 49% of respondents anticipate a drop in international travel, compared with 23% for domestic travel. International travel is expected to decrease by 19% on average, while domestic travel will drop by 21%. The outlook for business travel spending remains fairly consistent with 31% of buyers anticipating declines.
Optimism in the Regions and Sectors
Globally and in each region, optimism is low. Industry optimism is now 28% down from 31% recorded in April and significantly below the 67% recorded back in November 2024. In Asia Pacific, optimism has fallen to 27%, down from 40% in April. While corporate travel managers’ optimism is unchanged, the supplier and travel management company’s optimism has declined to 27%, from 36%.
Safety, budget, and travel willingness concerns
The concerns about budgets, safety and willingness of employees to travel have increased. The top two long-term issues are higher travel costs and administrative burdens, which were cited by respectively 55% and 47%. Concerns over safety and duty of responsibility have increased from 46% to 46%. While border detentions concern 31%. Budget cuts and a decreased willingness by non-U.S. citizens to travel to the U.S. has also increased.
Meeting Cancellations & Relocations
The U.S. Government’s actions have resulted in an increase of cancellations, relocations and virtual formats. In the period April-July, there was a significant increase in cancellations of U.S. based meetings (18%) or events (17%). Meetings (13%) or events (12%) were relocated outside the U.S. and meetings or events were moved online (24%).
New Trade Partnerships: Exploring the Potential
Europe and Asia-Pacific regions are the top destinations of companies seeking to form new partnerships. Accordingly, 70% and 53% respectively of respondents indicated interest in the two regions.
Personal Impact of U.S. Policies Changes
Many in the travel industry are also personally affected by U.S. government policy changes. One fifth of travel buyers worldwide (18%) reported that employees had declined U.S. based business trips because they were concerned about U.S. Government actions. In addition, more than a third of global responders (35%) know personally someone whose trip has been affected. This was up from just 23% in April.
The GBTA’s July 2025 poll, conducted from June 16–27, includes responses from 951 global travel buyers, suppliers, and other industry professionals across various regions. The findings highlight the continuing challenges and uncertainties facing the business travel industry in light of evolving U.S. laws.
Click on the links below to see the entire GBTA July 2020 poll results You can also find out more about the following: key highlights.