FCM Consulting Report: 2025 Business Travel Statistics, Trends & Forecasts
Get ahead with the latest business travel trends. The FCM Consulting Global Quarterly Trends Report is packed with the stats, forecasts, and insider insights you need to make smarter decisions for your business travel programme.
Shifts in demand, impacting costs, business travel technology, and the changing traveler experience on business trips, such as NDC updates and supplier performance. Want to look back on past international business travel reports? Keep scrolling to view them.
Corporate travel trends in Q4-2024
Business travel is bouncing back. Airlines are expanding capacity, and hotel occupancy is booming. But with higher demand comes some new hurdles. Tight availability and fluctuating rates are just the beginning.
In the latest report, you'll find:
- Online self-service is on the rise, with 61% of bookings made online last year.
- Seat availability is forecasted to rise with 38 million extra seats on offer in 2025.
- Hotel prices and occupancy is rising in key cities, though some regions are bucking the trend.
- Average trip costs are hovering between $1,600 - $1,800, with airfares making up the bulk of this.
- Domestic flight makes up the majority, while economy and business fares dip slightly.
- Seasonal demand remains unpredictable, making fixed pre-negotiated accommodation rates essential for budget stability.
Download FCM Consulting's Q4-2024 Global Trend Report today.
Corporate travel trends in Q3-2024
While economic uncertainty remains around the world, 2024 has continued to be a strong year for the travel industry. With flights 86.2% full in August 2024 and prices stabilising for economy and business fares in Q3-2024, airlines are now looking to further grow services and schedules to meet demand in 2025.
Key takeaways for this quarter include:
- Global airline capacity is expected to reach new heights in H1-2025
- Airline income from ancillaries (bags, meals etc) increased 32.5% in 2023 vs 2022
- Europe and the Americas saw hotel rates increase, while decreases were noted in APAC and Middle East & Africa
Empower your travel programme with global insights and data points. Download FCM Consulting’s Q3-2024 Global Trend Report today.
What story does Q2-2024 tell us about corporate travel?
Global airline passenger demand was up 9.1%, the average hotel room rate was rising, and economic uncertainty underpins everything as we move into H2-2024. However, data shows that the first half of 2024 created positive momentum for the business travel industry.
Key takeaways from the first half of 2024 included fares around the globe rising by 15% in economy and 11% for business class. Hotel occupancy was forecast to reach 70% in July, with 11 of the top corporate airlines to exceed 2019 levels.
Explore travel trends from Q1-2024
Despite increasing demand, companies are not ready to increase corporate travel budgets. Business travelers are out on the road meeting with clients and colleagues, and budgets are being maximized with a combination of early bookings and more days away.
The economic outlook for the rest of 2024 is positive but faces some uncertainty due to a flux of geopolitical events. Regardless, the rising demand is increasing supplier confidence. Seat capacity is forecasted to increase +3.5% over 2019 from May to December 2024 (with North America leading the way at a forecasted +9% increase).