Top 5 concerns for travel buyers in 2026
Cost management and policy compliance are among the biggest challenges travel managers expect to face in the year ahead, according to the latest survey by Business Travel Show America.
A global poll of corporate travel and procurement professionals, EAs and PAs – 36% of them from Europe – revealed a third (33%) are concerned about where to secure better value from suppliers.
Reducing leakage and managing traveller expectations against budget (both identified by 29% of respondents) were also listed among the top challenges anticipated for 2026. Also of concern was identifying and implementing the right technology solutions (27%), improving data-driven reporting (23%) and managing the fallout from geopolitical and economic uncertainty (20%). Increased airline and accommodation costs were identified as a hurdle for 15% and 13% of travel buyers respectively.
Additionally, macroeconomics and inflation are expected to have the biggest influence on corporate travel within the next 12 months, according to 26% of survey respondents.
Artificial Intelligence and advances in technology and data management are also likely to impact travel programmes (according to 19%), along with geopolitical shifts (13%) and legislative changes, including changes in US government policy (11%).
The emphasis on getting the best value from suppliers suggests buyer-supplier relationships need to extend even further beyond the balance sheet. Buyers are demanding strategic partnerships that deliver flexibility, reliability, commitment and measurable ROI against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global economy.
