According to a new study by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), global business travel will continue at a steady rate into 2026. However, there is more caution, less trust and greater operational complexity than it was at the start of the year. According to a recent study by the Global Business Travel Association, organisations are still pushing forward with meetings, trips and spending despite escalating conflict, rising costs and increasing disruption. The shift is evident across regions, but most pronounced in Europe. Industry pessimism has now overtaken optimism as global geopolitical conflicts increasingly shape travel routes, safety concerns, and meeting decisions. Growing cautionThe GTBA April business travel industry sentiment survey reflects perspectives from more than 500 corporate travel managers, suppliers and intermediaries around the world. “What we are seeing is not a general pullback from business trips, but rather a more deliberate, and carefully managed approach. “Organizations continue to travel, meet, and innovate, but they are doing so while adapting rising costs, operational friction, and escalating political tensions,” said Suzanne Neufang. ADVERTISEMENT”These pressures are reshaping how, where and why companies are traveling now, making experienced business travel professionals more critical than ever to keeping travelers safe, navigating risk and disruption, and controlling budgets so organisations and people can continue to connect and do business.”Geopolitical tensions now the dominant concernGeopolitical instability has become the most significant external risk influencing business travel decisions in 2026, according to April poll respondents.Nearly eight in ten respondents (79 per cent) now cite geopolitical instability and conflict as a top travel-related risk, making it the industry’s leading concern globally.The impact is especially visible in Europe, where more than nine in ten respondents (92 per cent) identify geopolitics as a primary risk, compared with 72 per cent in North America.Confidence drops since January, especially in EuropeOverall industry optimism has weakened considerably since the start of the year.Just 41 per cent of all global respondents say they are optimistic about the business travel industry in 2026, down from 59 per cent in January. Just 41% of global respondents are optimistic about the business travel industry in 2026, down from 59 percent in January.
