-
Travel Procurement Shows Slight Increase: Global Travel Buyer Index Signals Cautious Optimism – Image Credit Unsplash
The Global Travel Buyer Index (GBTI) by Dr. Fried & Partner and ITB Berlin indicates a slightly improved market situation for the third quarter of 2025. Expectations remain stable.
The industry indicator for tourism purchasing and is based on a quarterly survey of international buyers from the ITB Buyers Circle. The index provides valuable insights into the current market situation and the expectations of tourism buyers and serves as an early indicator for the development of the travel market.
In September 2025, the index shows a slightly more positive assessment of the current purchasing situation compared to May, while expectations for the coming months remain stable.
Global Travel Buyer Index – September 2025: provided by Dr. Fried & Partner and ITB Berlin
Current market situation: Assessment of purchasing activities slightly improved
49% of respondents report an increase in purchasing volume over the past six months compared to the previous year, 32% see no change, while 19% report a decline. The proportion of fixed purchases also shows stable to positive trends: 45% of participants report an increase, 41% report a consistent proportion of fixed purchases, and 14% report a decrease. According to 70% of respondents, contractual expenditure in purchasing has increased, while 24% report no change and 7% report a decline.
The Current Situation Index rises to 83 points (May 2025: 81 points), signalling a slight improvement in the assessment of the current market situation.
Future expectations: Stable outlook for the next six months
Expectations for the coming six months remain stable overall. 53% of respondents anticipate an increase in their purchasing volume, 37% expect no change and 10% anticipate a decline. According to 43% of respondents, the proportion of fixed purchases is likely to increase, while 48% expect it to remain unchanged. With regard to contractual expenditure, 58% anticipate an increase, 34% expect conditions to remain stable and 8% expect a decrease.
The Future Expectation Index remains at 84 points, exactly matching the previous quarter’s figure (May 2025: 84 points).
Global Travel Buyer Index
The Global Travel Buyer Index (GTBI) reached 83 points in September 2025, remaining constant compared to May 2025. The current survey confirms a cautiously positive assessment of the market situation and consistent expectations for the coming months.
The GTBI is updated quarterly and provides continuous market monitoring for tour operators, destinations and service providers.
In September 2025, a total of 122 tourism buyers took part in the survey. The majority make purchases for the source markets Germany (25%), Europe (48%) and Asia (8%), while the remaining respondents make purchases for North America, South America, Africa, Oceania or for all source markets equally. The focus of procurement is particularly on hotels (80%), DMC services (68%), activities & events (59%) and transfers (52%).
