Business Travel Trends Remain Steady Amid Economic Uncertainty, According to Internova Survey
The 2025 Internova Index: North American Business Traveler Insights, compiled by Internova Analytics and Consulting, provides a detailed analysis of business travel trends based on millions of travel bookings and a survey of approximately 3,000 U.S. travelers. Despite global economic uncertainties, the report reveals that business travel has not experienced significant growth over the past year but has maintained a steady pace.
Travel Patterns and Preferences Both domestic and international business travel have shown similar performance levels from the first quarter of 2024 to the same period in 2025. There has been a noticeable shift towards economy class air travel over premium options, indicating a more cost-conscious approach by businesses. Additionally, there has been a decrease in hotel spending, attributed to shorter trip durations aimed at enhancing travel efficiency. Despite these changes, hotel advance daily rates (ADRs) have either remained stable or seen slight increases.
Role of Travel Agencies Travel agencies continue to play a vital role in organizing business travel, especially among high-level executives. The survey highlights that 49% of business travelers prefer using a human travel advisor over online booking tools. This preference is even more pronounced among C-suite executives, 70% of whom rely on travel advisors. These executives often face complex travel needs and demand a higher level of service, which online platforms frequently fail to provide.
Insights and Future Outlook Henry Gilroy, Executive Vice President of Strategic Development at Internova Travel Group, emphasized the cautious approach companies are taking regarding the frequency and duration of business trips and their overall travel expenditures. The report suggests a cautious optimism for the future, as forward bookings, though lower than in 2024, have shown significant recovery from their lowest points.
For the full report, please visit www.internova.com/research.
