NEWS
Expert Article – Janaína Storfe
Hello, I’m Janaína Storfe, ESG Specialist and one of the leaders behind Flytour’s Futuro Neutro project. Our goal with this initiative is to simplify the understanding and management of carbon emissions from corporate travel, using the GHG Protocol the most globally recognized methodology. Through this, we provide strategic and accessible reports that enable conscious corporate decision-making, along with the option to offset emissions through internationally certified partners.
Future Neutral is more than just technical work: it’s an invitation to rethink processes, integrate ESG into travel policies, and engage employees in responsible practices.
Consumer Behavior
85% of business travelers are willing to pay out of pocket for travel upgrades. The 7th Annual Report from Global Business Travel Research highlights new preferences among corporate travelers. The survey included 5,000 participants from 29 countries, ranging from travel managers and corporate travelers to CFOs.
The results show a strong willingness to travel 97% of professionals are ready to travel within the next 12 months.
Additionally, 55% consider travel essential, and artificial intelligence stands out among the preferred solutions.
The 7th Annual Global Business Travel Research Report was presented on the third day of the convention in Denver.
DENVER — The 7th Annual Global Business Travel Research Report, conducted by SAP Concur and presented during the GBTA Convention 2025 in Denver, revealed that 89% of corporate travel budgets have either increased or remained stable this year.
However, this growth comes with significant cutbacks: companies are limiting benefits such as direct flights, executive class travel, trips not involving client interaction, and the blended travel model.
Despite these reductions, the willingness to travel is on the rise. The percentage of professionals willing to travel in the next 12 months has reached 97%, with 70% stating they are “very willing” the highest figure recorded since 2021.
The report also shows that 55% of travelers consider business travel essential for performing their roles effectively, while 39% acknowledge that, although not indispensable, travel directly contributes to productivity. Regarding travel frequency, 51% feel they are traveling the right amount, and only 19% would like to travel more, a significantly lower figure compared to 39% in 2022.
The survey also shows that business travelers expect more comfort during corporate trips than on leisure ones. High-quality hotels, private cars, and upscale restaurants are among the most valued items. In this context, 85% say they are willing to pay out of pocket for travel upgrades. This behavior is even more common among younger travelers 93% of Generation Z and 88% of millennials are willing to invest in their own experience.
AI in the spotlight Artificial intelligence was one of the highlights of the presentation. According to Misty Duran, Senior Director of Travel Marketing Strategy at SAP Concur, who presented the research, the future of AI in corporate travel is not just about efficiency it’s about creating personalized, continuous, and human journeys that free professionals to focus on what truly matters. Still, only 17% of travelers say they are enthusiastic about automated suggestions based on preferences. Most still prefer to keep control over their decisions.
AI is more widely accepted in tasks such as rebooking before or during the trip, curating lodging and transportation options at the time of booking, and supporting expense report creation. Travelers also point to clear requirements for the use of this technology: protection of personal data, no penalties if the system suggests something outside corporate policy, proper training, and the ability to use alternative tools without AI.
Another point of concern revealed by the study is the potential misuse of AI. For 41% of travel managers and 34% of CFOs, there is a possibility that employees may use artificial intelligence tools to attempt expense fraud. This perception is also shared by 22% of the travelers themselves. And when asked who is easier to deceive a human or a robot 56% responded that it would be easier to fool a human.
Finally, 86% of travelers believe their travel managers could still do more. The main demands include greater comfort during trips, better communication about policy changes, easier access to sustainable transportation and accommodation options, and increased attention to safety throughout the entire journey.
The study was conducted with more than 5,000 people in 29 countries, including corporate travelers, travel managers, and CFOs.)
Market news
Flytour has just released an exclusive e-book featuring key insights and trends from the GBTA Convention 2025, held July 21 to 23 in Denver, United States.
The material offers an up to date overview of the future of corporate travel worldwide, covering topics from accelerated digitalization and the impact of artificial intelligence to generational shifts, sustainability, and the human role in the business travel experience.
The e-book is the result of an in-depth experience by Flytour’s executive team and strategic clients at the world’s largest corporate travel event, which gathered over 54,000 participants from 680 companies across 50 countries.
BeFly’s TMC was present at the main corporate travel event with strategic clientes.
Flytour Business Travel has just released an exclusive e-book featuring the main takeaways and emerging trends presented at the GBTA Convention 2025, held in July in Denver, United States. The material offers an updated overview of the future of corporate travel, covering topics such as accelerated digitalization, the impact of artificial intelligence, generational shifts, sustainability, and the human role in the business travel journey.
The content is the result of an in-depth experience by Manuela Bernardes, Executive Director of Flytour, joined by Erika Alkimim, Head of New Business, and Andrea Avelleda, Head of Client Relations, alongside strategic clients of the brand at the world’s largest gathering in the sector. The convention brought together over 54,000 participants from 680 companies across 50 countries, reinforcing its role as a global benchmark for travel managers and TMCs.
“The goal of the e-book is to turn high-level global discussions into accessible reflections for the entire national market. With this material, we aim to support the development of smarter, more sustainable solutions that are truly aligned with the real needs of travelers and companies,” says Manuela.
Among the highlights, the e-book presents updated data from GBTA’s Business Travel Index Outlook, which forecasts continued growth in the sector, reaching US$2 trillion in spending by 2028. It also reveals key expectations from travel managers regarding OBTs, the increasing use of artificial intelligence in both operational and strategic processes, and the challenges of adapting to generational diversity and the rising demand for sustainability.
“The industry must look to the future with both intelligence and sensitivity. AI is an irreversible path, but the human touch will remain the key differentiator in service, traveler care, and the delivery of memorable experiences. We believe in a journey built by many hands both human and technological,” adds the FBT Executive Director.)
Event Trend: Hybrid Experiences on the Rise
The era of hybrid events is no longer a novelty it’s a well-established strategy in the corporate calendar. The integration of in-person and digital formats has emerged as a way to expand reach, boost engagement, and deliver more complete experiences to participants.
Érika Alkimin, Head of New Business at Flytour Eventos, notes:
“Hybrid events continue to gain relevance, while fully virtual formats are losing ground. That’s because the hybrid model allows brands to stay close to their local audiences without sacrificing national or even global visibility all with better cost control and more precise performance metrics.”
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