Despite ongoing economic challenges and political uncertainty globally, business travel in Europe continues to demonstrate its resilience, with a steady upward trend in the coming years.
According to data from the new edition of the GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook (BTI™), business travel spending in Europe is expected to reach €389.9 billion in 2026, an increase of 8.2% compared to 2025. At this rate, Europe remains a key driver of the global business travel recovery, accounting for a significant proportion of total global spending.
The positive trend is expected to continue in the coming years: in 2027 the market will reach 414.5 billion euros, while in 2028 it is expected to reach 441.6 billion euros.
“Businesses continue to invest in business travel as a driver of growth, innovation and human connection, even in conditions of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. At the same time, sustainability and the traveler experience are no longer options – they are essential elements,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, presenting the findings at the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference, taking place in Hamburg (10–12 November).
The “engines” of the European market
Western Europe is expected to cover 88% of total business travel spending in 2025, while Eastern and Emerging Europe will contribute the remaining 12%.
The six largest markets – Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands – will account for a combined total of over €241.5 billion (17.7% of the global total, estimated at €1.36 trillion in 2025).
Why European professionals travel
According to GBTA research, the main reasons for business travel to Europe are:
- participation in seminars and training,
- conferences and conventions,
- internal company meetings.
The average cost of a business trip to Europe is €850.7, with accommodation being the largest expense, followed by food/drink and airfare.
British business travelers spend the most – around €1,305 per trip – while Poles and Swedes have the lowest spending, around €640 per trip.
European Travelers’ Expectations Evolving
The value of business travel remains strong:
- 83% of respondents consider business travel essential to achieving business goals.
- 77% say they will travel the same or more in 2025 compared to 2019.
- The average length of a business trip is 3.1 nights.
The use of AI for bookings remains low in Europe (40% say they are comfortable using AI), the lowest rate globally.
Loyalty plays a key role: 81% of Europeans consider loyalty programs when choosing transportation or accommodation.
At the same time, Europeans are less likely to combine business and personal travel (57%) compared to other regions such as North America (68%) and Asia-Pacific (70%).
A particular feature of Europe is the use of trains: 38% of business travelers used rail on their last trip, compared to only 8% in North America and 4% in Latin America.
Finally, a third (32%) of Europeans say they work for companies with a specialized corporate travel department, an example of the maturity and professional organization of the market.
GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) is the leading international organization for business travel and corporate meetings, with more than 8,000 members and a network of over 28,000 professionals in the sector on six continents. Through the GBTA Foundation, it promotes actions for sustainability, diversity and education in the global business travel ecosystem.
