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FCM Consulting Insights Report: Trends & Strategies for H1-2027
The FCM Consulting Insights Report: Trends and Strategies for H1-2027 brings together data, regional analysis, and expert commentary on the pressures reshaping corporate travel programmes over the next six months.
You can expect to read:
- How global hotel rates and airfare costs are moving, and what's driving the increase
- Why airlines have less room to add capacity despite rising demand
- How to close the "articulation gap" between travel data and company strategy
- Where AI is ready to take on travel tasks, and where human governance still matters
- How to spot the gap between negotiated rates and what travellers actually pay
The report will be available later in October.
Previous corporate travel trend reports
FCM Consulting Insights Report: Hotel Programmes 2026
Released May 2026
This one’s a little different. For the first time, and in time for the 2026 hotel RFP season, FCM Consulting has produced a report focused solely on hotel programme management.
If you oversee your company's travel programme, have renegotiating hotel rates on your to-do list, or just want to stay informed, this one's for you. Designed to help you prepare your hotel programme for the sourcing cycle, this edition pulls together global data and insights into how others have successfully negotiated their rates.
Trends & Strategies for H1-2026
Released October 2026
This edition covers AI in corporate travel and understanding where automation can add value in travel programmes, and what’s better left to humans. Gain expert strategies for building a more resilient travel programme that can handle whatever the world throws at it. The airline industry outlook is designed to help you stay ahead of what’s happening in the skies, including capacity, cost, and demand.
Corporate travel trends in Q4-2024
Released March 2025
Business travel surged late last year, but so did prices and pressure. Airlines pushed capacity, hotels filled up, and travel managers had to think on their feet.
In this report, you'll find:
- Online self-service rose, with 61% of bookings made online.
- Seat availability was forecasted to rise with 38 million extra seats on offer in 2025.
- Hotel prices and occupancy rose in key cities, while some regions bucked the trend.
- Average trip costs hovered between $1,600 and $1,800, with airfares making up most.
- Domestic flights were popular, while economy and business fares dipped.
Corporate travel trends in Q3-2024
While economic uncertainty remains around the world, 2024 has continued to be a strong year for the travel industry. With flights 86.2% full in August 2024 and prices stabilising for economy and business fares in Q3-2024, airlines are now looking to further grow services and schedules to meet demand in 2025.
Key takeaways for this quarter include:
- Global airline capacity is expected to reach new heights in H1-2025
- Airline income from ancillaries (bags, meals etc) increased 32.5% in 2023 vs 2022
- Europe and the Americas saw hotel rates increase, while decreases were noted in APAC and Middle East & Africa
Empower your travel programme with global insights and data points. Download FCM Consulting’s Q3-2024 Global Trend Report today.
What story does Q2-2024 tell us about corporate travel?
Global airline passenger demand was up 9.1%, the average hotel room rate was rising, and economic uncertainty underpins everything as we move into H2-2024. However, data shows that the first half of 2024 created positive momentum for the business travel industry.
Key takeaways from the first half of 2024 included fares around the globe rising by 15% in economy and 11% for business class. Hotel occupancy was forecast to reach 70% in July, with 11 of the top corporate airlines to exceed 2019 levels.
About FCM Consulting
FCM Consulting supports organisations across the world to navigate complex travel environments. The team of experts assists global businesses with everything from air and hotel programme optimisation to sustainability strategies, outsourced travel resources, supplier sourcing, benchmarking, and change management.
Bringing together a mix of market intelligence, on-the-ground insights, and years of experience, the minds behind the report include Jo Lloyd, Global Director Consulting; Felicity Burke, Head of Consulting Asia Pacific; Ashley Gutermuth, Head of Consulting Americas; Juan Antonio Iglesias, Head of Consulting EMEA; Jason Kramer, Senior Air Consultant; and Rachel Newns, Global Hotel Practice Lead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the FCM Consulting Insights Report?
It’s a twice-yearly snapshot of what’s shaping the world of corporate travel, created by FCM Consulting’s team of experts. Think of it as your guide for business travel trends across the globe, insights on what’s happening in the airline and accommodation space, and more.
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What topics does the report cover?
This special edition, FCM Consulting Insights Report hotel programmes, provides an in-depth detailed look at global and regional hotel average room rates, occupancy trends, booking behaviours, and strategic recommendations for the 2026 hotel request for proposal (RFP) season.
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Who is the report for?
Anyone with a stake in business travel. Including travel managers, procurement leads, finance decision-makers, personal assistants (PAs) and executive assistants (EAs) managing bookings, human resources (HRs), and suppliers who want to better understand buyer behaviour. If corporate travel affects your role in some way, shape, or form, this report has something for you.
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Is the data in the report global?
Yes. The report covers global travel trends with regional deep dives into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and Middle East and Africa. We aim to give a balanced global view without favouring one market over another.
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How is the information gathered?
The report is built from a mix of Flight Centre Travel Group and FCM Travel’s proprietary travel data, industry data sources, market research, and conversations with consultants, suppliers, and experts around the globe.