40+ business travel statistics for 2024
Whether you're a seasoned business traveler or preparing for your maiden corporate voyage, staying up-to-date with key business travel data is crucial. Making informed decisions based on relevant stats can save you time, money, and the occasional travel-induced headache.
To help you stay informed, we’ve compiled over 40 business travel and tourism statistics for 2024, covering topics such as the average business trip cost and the rise of “bleisure.” Let's dive in and see how these statistics can impact your next business trip.
Statistics on the cost of business travel in 2024
Ever wondered what the price tag on a typical business trip looks like? Curious about what could land your expense report in the red? You're about to get a clear look. We've dug into the numbers to bring you the average costs for business trips, both within the U.S. and beyond its borders.
(1) Business travelers typically spend $1,018 per trip. [1]
(2) Businesses are paying ~$200 more on average for flights in 2024 compared to 2019. [2]
(3) Accommodation typically accounts for about 34% of total business travel expenses, with the average hotel stay costing $146 per night in the U.S. [3]
(4) Average global hotel rates are anticipated to rise by 3.6% in 2024 [4]
(5) Ground transportation, including car rentals and public transit, typically makes up about 8-10% of total business trip expenses. [5]
(6) The cost of car rentals for business travelers in the U.S. remains a significant expense, with cities like Fort Lauderdale charging over $84 per day, making it the most expensive city for car rentals in 2024. [1]
(7) In 2023, more than 20% of a business travel budget was typically allocated towards food expenses. [6]
(8) The cost per attendee per day for meetings and events is predicted to increase by 3%. [4]
Business travel safety stats
As companies globalize and work trickles beyond geographical boundaries, ensuring the safety and security of traveling employees is more important than ever. In this section, we’ll unveil statistics highlighting common safety concerns of global business travelers.
(9) 37% of business travelers have experienced travel-related anxiety about safety and security [7]
(10) 54% of business travelers have experienced delayed or canceled flights in the past year. [7]
(11) 12% of employees said they will now refuse to travel to places they deem unsafe and 11% would refuse a work placement abroad as they feel there are too many risks. [8]
(12) 46% of those who travel for work don’t have a corporate travel safety plan. [9]
(13) 83% of female business travelers have safety concerns, indicating the need for gender-specific guidance and resources in business travel safety training. [9]
Business travel destinations: facts and figures
Let’s uncover the go-to destinations for business travelers in 2024 and delve into the spending trends associated with them. We've sifted through the data to bring you some eye-opening stats on the top countries for business travel and the biggest financial cities across the globe.
(14) Only around 7% of all business travel is further than 1,000 miles away from the point of origin. [10]
(15) Some of the most popular international business travel destinations include:
Shanghai, China
Tokyo, Japan
New York, US
Guangzhou, China
Bangkok, Thailand [10]
(16) Amsterdam was the top short-haul destination for European business travelers in 2023, with New York being the number one long-haul city. [11]
(17) New York City was reported as the most expensive city for business travel, with daily costs averaging $799. Geneva was next ($716 per day), followed by Zurich ($661 per day), Washington D.C. ($621 per day), and Paris ($617 per day). [12]
Breaking down the demographics of business travelers
A diverse group of people travel for work, each with unique characteristics and preferences. This section aims to provide a clearer understanding of today's modern business traveler. Let's peel back the curtain and explore the profiles of those who embark on these journeys.
(18) More than half of all business trips are taken by people aged 30 to 49. [13]
(19) The number of female corporate travelers is growing by the day. In the US, 45% of people traveling for business are women. [14]
(20) 40% of millennials now travel for work, and many choose jobs specifically because of the opportunity to travel. Most millennials who travel extend their business trips to visit other cities. [13]
(21) Two-thirds of corporate travelers have a bachelor’s degree. [15]
(22) The top 10% of business travelers spend an average of 88 nights away from their homes per year. [15]
(23) 62% of global business travelers feel they’ve lacked equal business travel opportunities compared to colleagues- often due to age, accent, or gender. [1]
Statistics on business travel sustainability
In the wake of rising environmental awareness, the business travel sector is tuning into sustainability. Companies are curbing air travel, while travelers are becoming more mindful of their carbon footprints. Here’s a glimpse of statistics unveiling how eco-friendliness is reshaping business travel.
(24) One-day business trips have dropped significantly, from 14.3% in 2019 to just 6.8% in 2023, as companies aim for more sustainable travel practices. [2]
(25) More than half of travelers (53%) are looking for accommodations that combine the latest sustainable practices with comfort. [16]
(26) While on the road, 74% of travelers agree that it’s important to minimize their environmental footprint. [17]
(27) Nearly 3 in 5 travelers have chosen greener transportation or accommodations for their vacations. [16]
(28) 72% of business travelers are more likely to book with travel providers that offer sustainable options. [7]
(29) 73% of business travelers believe that their company should have a sustainability policy for travel. [7]
Statistics on business travel tech usage
The digital shift is simplifying business travel, making online check-ins, bookings, and post-trip reimbursements a breeze. Below are stats showcasing how tech adoption is refining the business travel experience for travelers and employers alike.
(30) 85% of business travelers use their smartphone for work while on trips [7]
(31) 68% of business travelers book their trips through online channels, according to a survey of 1,000+ people in 2018. [16]
(32) 66.5% of companies use an online expense reporting platform with a mobile solution. [15]
(33) Only 26% of travel managers claim that their corporate travel booking tool does a good job of accommodating employees with accessibility needs. [18]
(34) Millennials rely the most on generative AI tools to plan their trips (14% of them). [16]
The ins and outs of bleisure
(35) U.S. business travelers take over 405 million long-haul business trips annually. It is estimated that employees are adding vacation time to around 60% of these trips (243 million). [19]
(36) 67% of bleisure trips begin with an agenda to attend a conference, 46% with external meetings, and 42% with sales opportunities. [19]
(37) 57% of companies have a policy in place for employees aged 20-30 to extend business trips with vacation time. [18]
(38) 17% of bleisure trips stretch over four nights, 31% span three nights, and 39% last for two nights. [19]
(39) 35% of bleisure travelers have company during their trips, while 36% plan to visit with family or friends at their destination. [19]
(40) 86% of bleisure travelers regard corporate travel as a vital component for career development. [20]
(41) 39% of bleisure travelers actively seek job roles that offer business trip opportunities — they’re even open to sacrificing other benefits for more chances to travel. [20]
(42) Bleisure trips are linked to efforts to become more sustainable, with 60% of surveyed business travelers reporting that the pandemic has made them more conscious of the environmental impact of traveling. [21]
Enhance your experience: business travel tips
Traveling for business — especially for bleisure — is always exciting. However, the administrative trail of expenses left in the wake of your adventure can often dull the sparkle, especially when it takes ages to get paid back after your business trip.
Let’s break down some tried-and-true business travel tips to ensure your next trip isn’t just fruitful but also enjoyable.
Leverage expense management software: Utilizing expense management software like Expensify is a game-changer for seamless business travel. It automates expense tracking, categorization, and reporting, so you can say goodbye to manual data entry and hello to more free time to explore new cities.
Ditch paper receipts: Paper receipts are easy to lose and a hassle to manage. Thanks to Expensify’s SmartScan technology, you can easily track spend on the road by simply snapping a picture of your receipt, uploading it to Expensify, and carrying on with your day.
Stay connected: Staying connected is key, especially when traveling internationally. Make sure to purchase an international SIM card or a global roaming plan to have a reliable mobile connection to keep in touch with your team and manage work on the go.
Prioritize your well-being: Traveling can disrupt your routine, but it's essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Ensure you have a balanced diet, stay hydrated, stick to your exercise routine, and get enough rest to stay productive and enjoy your trip!
FAQs about business travel in 2024
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Business travel makes up about 12% of airline passengers. In 2022, business travel made up 24.6% of the US’s tourism spending. [1]
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Business travel has been gradually increasing year over year since the pandemic. While virtual meetings and remote work have become an acceptable norm, corporate travel is still valuable for many companies. By the end of 2024, US-based companies’ spending on corporate travel is expected to reach and perhaps surpass 2019 levels. [5]
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Construction spent 23% more than the second highest-spending industry in 2023, healthcare and social assistance. Professional services, mining, oil, and gas industry, as well as manufacturing round out the top five industries for business travel. [22]
Struggling with receipt tracking on business trips?
Expensify automates receipt scanning, simplifies reports, and gives you real-time insights — even on the move.
Expensify values your privacy. We’ll never sell your personal information to others.
Resources
[1] 33+ Business Travel Statistics for 2024, photoAiD
[2] Business Travel Trends 2024, AirPlus
[3] U.S. Business Travel Industry Responsible for Almost 2% of U.S. GDP and 3.5% of Employment in Latest Full-Year Figures, Global Business Travel Association
[4] Reimagining business travel, without all the baggage, Mastercard
[5] Upward climb with uphill struggles: 2024 Deloitte corporate travel study, Deloitte
[6] 25+ Essential Business Travel Statistics [2023]: How Much Do Companies Spend On Business Travel, Zippia
[7] Key Business Travelers Statistics: Preferences, Challenges, and Technology Utilization, Gitnux
[8] Security risks deter employees from international business travel, Strategic Risk
[9] 20 Business Travel Safety Tips and Guidelines for Employees, Alert Media
[10] Over 60 Business Travel Statistics (2022), Stratos Jet Charters
[11] Amsterdam and New York named top business travel cities, Business Travel News Europe
[12] Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in Asia for business travel, ECA International
[13] 42 Business Travel Statistics That Will Inspire You to Hit the Road, SmallBizGenius
[14] Everything you need to know on International Business Travel Statistics, Destinations, Spending & Top Business Travel Trends., Condor Ferries
[15] 105 Critical Business Travel Statistics: 2024 Spending & Concerns Analysis, FinancesOnline
[16] All the Tourism and Travel Statistics You Need to Know in 2024, Regiondo
[17] Business Travel Trends Will Redefine Expectations, Hilton
[18] 100+ Business Travel Statistics (2023), Dream Big Travel Far
[19] 77+ Bleisure Travel Statistics [Updated 2022], Stratos Jet Charters
[20] 42 bleisure travel statistics for 2024, TravelPerk
[21] The Future of Blended Travel, Crowne Plaza
[22] Our latest data forecasts the top industries for business travel in FY24, Corporate Traveller
