Over the past decades, most people have come to notice how much business travel has evolved thanks to advancements in technology, different employee expectations, and all economic factors that contribute to it. 

To make sure you are keeping your employees happy and saving costs on business travel, you need to be aware of all the latest business travel trends. 

In this article, we’ll dive deeper to learn more about them and how you can take advantage. 

Business travel trends

1. Eco-friendly travel 

Since the concern for the environment is starting to become a major issue amongst many governments around the world, the traveling industry is starting to incorporate different practices to make sure that travel doesn’t negatively impact the environment. Many governments around the world are starting to push for greener travel solutions. 

Ongoing key trends for an eco-friendly solution include: 

• Green transportation: This includes trains, public transit, and eco-friendly airlines. Energy-efficient trains, buses, or metros are used instead of flights and cars. However, this can’t always be a solution for extremely long distances. As for airlines, many eco-friendly ones are investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and initiating carbon offset programs. 
• Sustainable accommodations: Solar-powered hotels & resorts and those that are built with sustainable materials that don’t contribute to climate change. 
• Carbon offset programs: Contribute to reforestation and renewable energy projects that balance emissions. Many travel agencies are also starting to mention how they prioritize green programs so this is something you can look into. 
• Eco-friendly connectivity: Business travelers, particularly those visiting places such as India, can reduce their environmental effect by using an eSIM for India rather than physical SIM cards. This digital solution eliminates the need for physical SIM cards and provides travelers with reliable, secure mobile data without the trouble of swapping cards or wasteful packaging.

While the environment has negatively been impacted by cars and buildings in the past 20 years, eco-friendly travel is a great solution for this. 

2. Using travel websites to book a flight

Booking a trip can sometimes be time-consuming and this is not something fun to deal with when you are focusing on more crucial tasks. Regardless of what kind of trip you want to go on, we’ll make life easier for you by allowing you to book a flight from one of these websites:  

• TravelPerk: The best website out there if you want to book a flight for business purposes. It even has its own app that allows you to get notified in real time for any updates on your flight. 
• Skyscanner: If you are concerned about flight prices, you can use this website to book cheap flights. 
• Kiwi: Kiwi is often underestimated, but is an ideal choice if you are looking to book a flight that is cost-effective and unique. 
• CheapTickets: This website is most preferred by student travelers. There are plenty of student travelers who might want to travel for business purposes, so it’s a good place to start. 

The website you choose will depend on your purpose, and what you are aiming for when traveling. 

3. AI assistance in planning your business travel 

Many business owners are mentioning how AI has contributed to the travel industry and in all industries over the years, which will continue in the future. This is thanks to the help of virtual travel assistants who help you plan your travel. 

You’d be surprised by how much time it’s saving business travelers and you can make real-time adjustments if you need to. Moreover, many travel assistants offer language translations in case you don’t understand. 

AI virtual assistants will also inform you if there are going to be any cancellations in your flights. Business travelers are always busy, so this is a huge advantage for you. 

4. Virtual Reality (VR) tours 

You’ve most likely got the chance to hear about virtual reality (VR). Looking at images won’t always give you a clear view of where you’re heading and if your stay will be comfortable or not. That’s why one of the primary 2025 trends in traveling includes VR tours. 

VR technology is now making it possible for all business travelers to look at each room they’re going to stay in, how the hotel will look like, and many other important details that impact their stay. For example, you can take a look at the Londoner to see how they showcase virtual tours. 

Statistics show that the VR user penetration rate is more than 50% as of now and is projected to be larger in the upcoming years. 

5. Flexible travel policies 

As the workforce continues to become more dynamic, flexible travel policies are becoming a must and this is because of changing demands in employee needs and due to innovations in the travel industry. 

What do flexible travel policies mean? Let’s take a closer look: 

• Free cancellations & refunds: Many airlines and hotels now offer free cancellations or full refunds within a certain period. 
• Travel credits & vouchers: Instead of refunds, companies provide flexible travel credits that are valid for future use. 
• No change fees: Many booking platforms and airlines will often waive fees for rescheduling flights or accommodations. 
• Last-minute changes: Policies allow modifications to any changes in the plan and can cancel any events. 
• Travel insurance integration: Many companies offer “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) insurance to make sure you are covered at all times. 

When on the road, you never know what can happen and that’s why it’s always important to be prepared and flexible policies are the ones that will back you up when needed. 

6. Health and safety prioritization 

Travelers are becoming more and more conscious of health and safety, and this means that all businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry need to prioritize hygiene, well-being, and risk management. 

This can be done through frequent cleaning by airlines, hotels and public transport services. After the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these areas are still offering hand sanitizer stations, especially in areas that are full of tourists. 

Other than that, what’s trending now is also telemedicine support that offers business travelers access to virtual healthcare while traveling and real-time updates on safety alerts. This is possible through travel safety applications that will inform all travelers of any political instability, unfavorable weather conditions, and other risks that are involved during the trip. 

Alternatively, before you travel, you can partner with travel insurance providers that offer health coverage in case something does happen. Many employers who are experienced in traveling will educate their team about travel safety practices before they hit the road and this is something beneficial. 

7. Personalization 

71% of consumers are expecting companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 76% of them get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. Considering that this number is high, this number is only expected to go higher over the years. 

Technology has made it possible to personalize interactions more than ever. For instance, customized approaches are now a travel trend that must meet the demands of flexible booking experiences. 

AI tools and ML algorithms allow travel companies to analyze large chunks of data, analyzing past booking behaviors and current preferences to ensure that every individual interaction is premium. 

For example, when AI tools analyze past booking behaviors, they can learn more about business travelers such as what time they usually book, which airlines they like to travel with, and more. 

8. Cultural awareness training 

Believe it or not, many travel companies are now starting to prepare themselves for cultural differences even if it’s for business purposes only. This is due to the fact that some actions you take in your own country might have a different meaning in other cultures. Cultural awareness training is implemented to avoid misunderstandings and ensure every interaction is successful. 

Cultural awareness is usually learned by employees on their own or can be taught by people who are from the country they are destined to travel to. For example, if corporate travelers want to go to China, they might ask someone from there what they should be aware of to avoid any misunderstandings. 

Therefore, before you visit any country, it’s important to include cultural awareness training since there are so many countries and cultures worldwide and we must respect each of them. 

Business travel is always evolving 

Business travel is evolving rapidly, and it’s driven by technology, sustainability, and shifting workforce expectations. All corporate travelers need to adapt and prioritize employee well-being at the same time. 

As technology continues to evolve, travel agencies are taking advantage to make sure it’s delivering the best experience possible to people. The future of business travel isn’t only about using traditional approaches but making sure that the best and safest travel experience is carried out. 

By staying ahead of these trends, companies can improve productivity, reduce costs, and make sure that all travel experiences are memorable for employees and employers.