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Posted by Business Travel Destinations | Nov 13, 2025 | Business Travel News, Travel Brief
Hamburg, Germany — Europe’s business travel sector continues to show strong momentum despite corporate economic pressures and geopolitical issues. New data from the GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook (BTI™) projects that European business travel spending will rise to €389.9 billion in 2026, an 8.2% increase over 2025.
This demonstrates Europe remains a significant force in global corporate travel. By 2027, spending is expected to reach €414.5 billion. In 2028, it will rise again to roughly €441.6 billion. This steady upward trend signals long-term confidence in travel. It also signals growth in cross-border collaboration.
“The data confirms what many organizations in Europe are feeling,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “Business travel continues to be a catalyst for growth and innovation, even in uncertain times. Sustainability and traveler experience are now at the core of those decisions.”
The updated BTI findings were announced at the GBTA + VDR Europe Conference in Hamburg (November 10-12, 2025), the region’s leading annual gathering for corporate travel professionals.
Western Europe holds the majority share of the region’s corporate travel market, accounting for an estimated 88% of total spend in 2025. Emerging Europe represents the remaining 12%.
The top six European business travel markets include Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. They projected to generate more than €241.5 billion in travel spend in 2025. This represents nearly 18% of global business travel spending.
According to GBTA’s traveler survey, the leading reasons for business travel in Europe are:
Seminars and training
Conferences and conventions
Internal company meetings
Budget may likely play a role. The average cost of a business trip in Europe is €850.70, with lodging as the largest expense. UK business travelers spend the most per trip at roughly €1,305, while Sweden and Poland average between €639–€646.
European travelers continue to see value in corporate travel—83% say it meaningfully supports business goals. Additional insights include:
77% are traveling the same or more than they did in 2019.
Average trip length is 3.1 nights.
40% are comfortable using AI to book trips (currently the lowest among global regions).
81% consider loyalty programs important when selecting hotels and transportation.
Europeans are less likely to “bleisure” (combine business and leisure) than travelers in North America or Asia Pacific.
Rail remains a core mode of travel, used by 38% on their last business trip—far higher than in other regions.
About 32% say their company has a dedicated travel manager or travel team.
Europe’s steady rise in business travel spending—and its evolving traveler profile—point to a sector that is adapting, resilient and positioned to help drive broader regional economic recovery.
Related post:
Measuring ROI for Events and Meetings
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