By 2026, the business travel market is expected to undergo a fundamental shift in mindset, with the emphasis moving from volume to actual value creation. Companies no longer view business travel as a basic benefit, but as a strategic investment from which they expect specific business results, such as revenue growth, customer retention, and more effective collaboration. Based on data from Google Travel, Expedia Group, KAYAK, and a growing number of independent industry reports, ROI, increased transparency, and employee experience have become the focus of business travel management. In terms of technology, artificial intelligence has moved from the experimental phase to everyday infrastructure. Based on the concept of “AI on autopilot,” algorithms now cover the entire process: from intelligent price forecasting and automatic offers that comply with company policies, to the automated handling of schedule disruptions and cost accounting. Digitalization drastically reduces friction in administration while making compliance with internal regulations the default, with demand for complex (end-to-end) platforms on the rise. By 2026, the sector will be shaped by the expectations of Generation Z, for whom mobile app-based administration and the user experience familiar from consumer services will be a basic requirement. At the same time, travellers’ well-being has become an operational priority: aware of the link between mental health and productivity, companies are planning routes more consciously to prevent burnout. Sustainability has also been incorporated into daily operations; booking systems now offer lower-emission options by default, meeting the expectations of investors and regulators (eTN).
