European business travel set for 8% growth to €390bn next year

Business travel in Europe continues to demonstrate “remarkable resilience and growth” despite ongoing global economic challenges and political uncertainty.

 

Spending is set to rise by 8.2% year on year in 2026 to reach almost €390 billion, according to a new projection from the Global Business Travel association (Gbta).

 

The association’s business travel index outlook positions Europe as a key driver of global business travel recovery, accounting for a substantial share of total global spending.

Looking ahead, the forecast for Europe remains “broadly optimistic”. European business travel spending is expected to climb to €414.5 billion in 2027 and reach €441.6 billion the following year.

 

UK business travellers spend the most per trip at almost €1,305, while Poland and Sweden have the lowest average spend of about €639 to €646 per trip.

 

Western Europe is estimated to account for 88% of total European business travel spend, with the top six Europe markets ranked by annual origination spending - Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands - collectively representing more than €241.5 billion or 17.7% of the total global spending.

 

A survey of corporate travellers found their top reasons for business travel in Europe are seminars/training, conventions/conferences, and internal company meetings.

 

The average cost of a business trip in Europe is €850.7, with accommodation cited as the largest expense, followed by food and beverage, and air travel. 

 

European business travellers continue to see value in their travels, with 83% agreeing that business travel is worthwhile for achieving business objectives. 

 

Three in four (77%) report travelling the same or more this year than in pre-pandemic 2019, with the average length of an overnight business trip being 3.1 nights.

 

Just 40% of European business travellers say they are comfortable with using AI to book their trips—the lowest of any region globally.

 

European travellers are more likely to use rail on business trips than those in other regions—38% report travelling by train on their last trip, compared to just 8% in North America and 4% in Latin America.

 

They are also less likely (57%) than travellers from other regions (North America 68%, Asia Pacific 70%) to combine business and personal travel now versus prior years.

 

Loyalty programmes are important to European travellers (81%) when selecting transportation and accommodation.

A third (32%) of European travellers surveyed said they work at companies with a dedicated corporate travel manager or team.

 

The data was revealed as part of the Gbta’s Europe conference in taking place in Hamburg this week.

 

Gbta chief executive Suzanne Neufang said: “The data confirms for Europe what many in the industry are experiencing first-hand - organisations are continuing to invest in business travel as a catalyst for growth, innovation and connection, even in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. 

 

“At the same time, sustainability and traveller experience are no longer optional - they’re essential. 

 

“European companies and business travellers are leading the way in demanding responsible, productive and impactful journeys.”