Business travel remains an integral part of company operations in 2026. At the same time how and why we travel for work is quickly evolving. Rapidly advancing technology, hybrid work models, and environmental awareness are all having an impact on the business travel trends of today. They're strongly influencing how many people travel for business, the nature of these business trips, and business travel industry trends for 2026 and beyond
Key takeaways:
- The emergence of "bleisure travel" is reshaping business trips by combining business with leisure time.
- Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and the need for sustainability are strongly influencing corporate travel policies.
- Tech-savvy solutions like biometric check-ins and AI-driven software are streamlining business travel trends.
- Long-haul travel is giving way to proximity travel with shorter trips to nearby regions.
- Budget optimization and domestic travel demand are especially strong in US market dynamics.
Business travel industry trends for 2026 highlight the importance of flexible, tailored solutions. With SIXT's wide range of vehicles for corporate car rental, including eco-friendly EVs and hybrids, your company can align with sustainable business travel trends while meeting your corporate needs.
What are the current trends in business travel?
The rise of hybrid work and "bleisure" travel
Hybrid work models and remote work have redefined business travel. With employees able to work from virtually anywhere at any time, business trips simply become a different location, without logistical issues. Employees can work, meet clients, make new business contacts, and wrap up any remaining tasks without rushing.
This kind of flexibility has changed company approaches to business trips. Remote working technology removes the need to condense business travel arrangements into the shortest possible timeframe. Instead of the traditional approach of getting as much done as possible in a whirlwind visit, business trips are now being scheduled to take into account personal well-being and the resulting enhanced productivity.
Multiple studies support the idea that hybrid workers are more likely to build leisure days into business travel, as their schedules have the flexibility to accommodate it. This is borne out by Navan and Shift's State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2025 report. It reveals that 54% of hybrid business travelers took an average of two bleisure trips in 2024 (according to navan). WiFiTalents studies support this, reporting that around 60% of travelers are extending their business trips to include leisure activities (according to WifiTalents).
Key trends emerging:
- Companies are anchoring business trips to hybrid week work, often combining office days with remote workdays and including a short business trip in the mix.
- Intentional travel is being prioritized for teams that don't meet much in person, emphasizing multifunctional trips.
- The flexibility and freedom of working from anywhere makes it easier for employees to extend their trips to include leisure activities, without compromising productivity. This has been dubbed "bleisure travel".
How is 'bleisure' shaping the future of business travel?
Bleisure travel refers to combining business with leisure time in a single trip. This directly addresses the deeper question of why people travel for business and what will make it more fulfilling.
Bleisure travel could take the form of extending visits by a few extra days, scheduling travel itineraries with weekends in-between, or building in sightseeing time. It allows employees to work productively while also getting the chance to explore new destinations. This propels the modern-day shift away from compartmentalizing work and relaxation towards a healthier work-life balance while traveling.
Common examples of bleisure travel include:
- Cultural activities and sightseeing
- Exploratory road trips
- Wellness treatments at spas
- Guided culinary tours
Compelling bleisure travel industry statistics
Business travel market trends and projections are revealing. According to Topologica, the global bleisure travel market increased from $394 billion in 2023 to $685 billion in 2024. It estimates that the total value could go as high as $1.71 trillion by 2032. Another report from TowardsConsumerGoods puts the figure at USD 3,450 billion by 2034.
These statistics very clearly indicate that bleisure travel trends are no longer niche behaviors. Rather, they suggest a foundational shift in approaches to business travel, among both companies and employees.
Key drivers of business travel trends in 2026
Sustainability and ESG
Sustainability is becoming a central element. So why is sustainability important in corporate travel policies? The answer comes down to a combination of regulatory changes and increased awareness that sustainable business travel has to be part of a forward-looking and socially responsible company ethos. Modern employees also look for these values in prospective employers. To wit, the World Economic Forum found in a survey that 76% of travelers prefer more sustainable travel choices.
Companies are thus striving to align their travel programs with ESG requirements and goals. So-called "proximity power" (regional or domestic travel to closer destinations) has crept into the corporate lexicon. The Amadeus Cytric Business Travel Trends 2025 report indicates that companies are shifting to this trend as they adapt to hybrid work models, prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Organizations are thus looking for more sustainable business travel trends in 2026, in the interests of lowering carbon footprints and enhancing corporate eco-consciousness and responsibility.
Tech-savvy travel solutions
What are the technological advancements influencing business travel?
- AI-driven tools for smart booking and expense management: these use policy automation, automated compliance, and streamlined single platforms for consolidated travel and expense tracking. AI use is one of the most powerful emerging business travel industry trends.
- Smart travel devices: Travel sourcing company HKTDC projects that the market for travel productivity tech and ergonomic AI-enabled wearables will breach the US$170 billion mark by 2030.
- Biometrics: increasing numbers of airports are using biometrics like retina scanning, facial recognition and touchless check-in to further optimize business travel efficiency.
Business travel trends and forecasts for 2026
| Trends in Business Travel | What It Entails | Projected Impact in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Sustainability Prioritization | ESG goals informing and influencing corporate travel policies. | Increased carbon tracking efforts, more low-emission transport usage, partnering with eco-conscious travel suppliers. |
Bleisure Travel Growth | Business trips include time for leisure and relaxation in-between work. | Longer trips with heightened productivity, youthful talent attraction and retention, and improved employee satisfaction. |
AI and Automation | Automated route selection, travel booking, and compliance monitoring. | Quicker, easier travel planning, improved compliance, and cost-efficiencies. |
Proximity Travel | More frequent, shorter business trips. | Better cost optimization and risk control, with a smaller carbon footprint. |
Biometrics | More efficient check-in and security protocols. | Reduced travel friction with safer and faster processes. |
Top 5 closing thoughts on trends in business travel
- 1. Technology enables business travel to become more intelligent and people centric.
- 2. The trend is towards balancing work with personal life, rather than maintaining a conveyor belt of short, stressful business trips.
- 3. Bleisure travel and regional proximity travel will become more standard.
- 4. AI and automation will optimize travel itineraries and vastly increase the speed and efficiency of business travel management.
- 5. The emphasis on sustainability in business travel will continue to grow.
It will also become more important to partner with forward-thinking travel suppliers who align with new business travel needs. With our vast branch network, flexible rental options, and a modern fleet such as EV and hybrid vehicles, we're ideally positioned to support your future business travel strategy. Become a SIXT corporate customer for a partnership that aligns with your evolving business travel needs.
FAQs on Business Travel Industry Trends 2026
Even in a world steeped in digital communications technology, in-person meetings, discussions, training, events, and so much more still rely on face-to-face interaction. Hybrid and remote work certainly reduce the need for unnecessary travel, but business trips are thus still essential in forming relationships and streamlining interoperability. What is changing is how business travel is conducted. Schedules are becoming more flexible, leisure time integration is increasing, and proximity is becoming a central consideration.
Of course this depends on individual company policies. However, while bleisure trips are usually longer than standard business trips and employees are getting time off, it's up to each company to decide whether to subsidize leisure time or not. Bear in mind that any increased expenditure will likely be offset by the reduced frequency of business travel, improved productivity due to less stress, and higher employee satisfaction levels. These benefits can reduce costs elsewhere in a business.
Several key elements are shaping 2026 business travel budgets. Naturally, there are the perennial increasing transportation and accommodation costs, but we can definitely expect a stronger focus on sustainability initiatives. Regional travel is predicted to increase, as proximity becomes more of a factor in expense management. Organizations will certainly invest in technology to automate business travel management for smarter route planning and to optimize schedules. Lastly, an increase in bleisure travel is also firmly on the cards.
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- Business Travel Trends
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