FCM Consulting Insights Report
Business Travel Trends & Strategies for H1-2026
Data and direction for business travel trends in the first half of 2026, wrapped up in FCM Consulting’s new-look insights report.
Stay ahead in the fast-evolving landscape of business travel
From the implications of geopolitical instability to the transformative potential of AI and supplier strategies, it’s all covered in the FCM Consulting Insights Report.
Our insights provide strategic forecasts for travel program managers. The team have curated actionable strategies and considerations when analysing the impact of market dynamics on availability, costs, and demand.
- Jo Lloyd, Head of Account Management & FCM Consulting
Trending: Where AI is delivering travel management value
At a FCM Consulting roundtable discussion, global business travel leaders discussed where AI is already delivering value, how to approach it strategically, and why its future depends on the partnership between technology and human judgment.
Download the report for access to the roundtable recording. You’ll hear from:
- Ian Spearing, Global Travel Manager, Arcadis
- Colleen Kearney, a global managed travel consultant
- Daniel Senyard, SVP of Commercial Platforms and Innovation, FCM Travel
- Jo Lloyd, Head of Account Management & FCM Consulting
Insights: Prepare for your airline and hotel RFPs
Jason Kramer, Global Air Practice Lead and Rachel Newns, Global Hotel Practice Lead explore key aviation and hotel industry insights to consider in your next important business travel negotiation.
Additionally, each of our regional leaders uncovers key business travel trends in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australasia, Europe and the Middle East. Here are some key findings to whet your appetite. Uncover more tips by downloading the full guide.
5 aviation industry insights | 5 hotel industry insights | |
| Airlines generated ~US$32bn more revenue from ancillaries in 2024 vs 2023. | Revenue management tension is a significant factor for 2026 hotel RFPs. | |
| Travel program owners should start to define what counts as an ancillary fee and payment and reimbursement rules. | Hotels remain focused on sustainability – align them to your corporate goals and make sure to communicate internally. | |
| Using traveller data to strengthen airline negotiations is one tactic buyers can use to reduce fees. | Business traveller experience remains supreme – factor this into your corporate travel policies and preferred suppliers too. | |
| Americas: Traditional discounts models are becoming complex to negotiate as airlines pursue longer-term contracts. | Asia: Travel, meetings and group travel are thriving as total trip costs average US$972, well below the global average of US$1,600. | |
| Europe: Consolidate relationships with preferred suppliers to optimise travel budgets and fluctuating prices. | Australasia: Try to shift trips away from peak periods to soften a predicted 2-5% increase in average room rates in 2026. |
Trending: Business travel risk management in an era of instability
Vague travel risk policies are dangerous territory. Many travel managers aren’t integrated with security or business continuity teams, which means they aren’t part of an early-warning system or response strategy. Leading organisations are closing this gap with:
Explore the gap further and key questions to ask internally in the report.
What’s inside?
- AI in business travel, helpful or hype?
- Risk management for business trips during unstable times
- Airline outlook, including capacity, infrastructure, fuel, supply, and demand
- Hotel trends and rate predictions, discover what's driving hotel pricing
- Regional watchlist. Every region has its own realities; this section zooms in on each
The regional deep dives are a great insight for any global buyer and travel manager who wants to unpack the narrative behind the numerical data.
- Jo Lloyd, Head of Account Management & FCM Consulting
Frequently asked questions
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What is the business travel demand in 2025?
Inside the FCM Consulting Insights Report, you'll find business travel industry statistics from the first six months of 2025, backed with commentary from the expert team. Each region is covered, so corporate travel managers can tailor their strategy based on travel trends for that area.
Download the report for the full set of business travel trends, but some key takeaways include:
- Global air travel demand is up 5.8% based on the strength of Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) (business and leisure travel). Despite moderate demand improvement year-over-year, global airfare year-to-date is down in both business class (4%) and economy (3%) from to the same period in 2024.
- Hotel room prices in the first half of 2025 increased mostly in Europe, but also across the Americas and MEA.
- In-person meetings, such as trade conventions and conferences, are driving business travel trip planning.
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What are the business travel trends for 2026?
Based on data and their industry expert knowledge, the FCM Consulting team has identified the latest business travel trends in the report that may affect business travel spending. These are:
- AI in business travel, helpful or hype?
- Business travel risk management for business trips during unstable times
- Airline outlook, including capacity, infrastructure, fuel, supply, and demand
- Hotel rate predictions: discover what's driving hotel pricing
- Regional watchlist. Every region has its realities; this section zooms in on each
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How do those business travel forecasts compare across regions or segments?
International business travel patterns typically shift with economic and business factors, such as the impact of the U.S. tariffs on exports and whether countries will seek other or new markets to trade.
Forecasting for future business travel spending is more challenging, as market dynamics remain unpredictable. This includes geopolitical events, natural disasters, and global economic fluctuations.
In the report, there are breakdowns of each region and the specific trends affecting business travel.
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How is FCM Consulting collecting business travel data - what sources are used?
FCM Consulting Insights Report draws data from:
- Cirium, a trusted source for air travel analytics
- STR, which provides data on the hotel industry
- FCM Travel's own business travel booking data
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How should we act on these business travel insights?
The report includes strategies and advice for corporate travel managers looking to adapt their company's travel policy, boost employee satisfaction, change the business travel booking process, or prepare for supplier negotiations. Now that many regions of the world have made a full recovery from the pandemic, companies are more focused than ever on proving clear ROI, supporting employees on business trips, and partnering with companies that offer efficient, personal services.
Since every corporate travel program, and its business travel policies, are different, advice is never the same for every organisation. We suggest you speak to your account manager at your corporate travel management company for specialist advice and guidance, or get in touch with FCM Consulting for a deeper analysis.
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What events might influence corporate travel costs, including hotel stays?
FCM Consulting's Global Quarterly Events Guide helps corporate travel program owners and event planners anticipate event-driven spikes in hotel costs. Get your copy here.