40+ business travel statistics to know before you book
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 not just time and money but also the occasional travel-induced headache.
To help you stay in the loop, we’ve compiled over 40 business travel statistics, ranging from the average business trip cost to the rise of “bleisure.” Let's dive in and see how they can impact your next business trip.
Statistics on the cost of business travel
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. The average business trip cost in the U.S. in 2023 was reported to be $1,293, with the daily cost being $325. [1]
2. For international trips, the average cost in 2023 was $2,600 per traveler. [1]
3. In comparison, the average cost of a domestic business trip in the U.S. in 2019 was $990, while international business trips averaged $2,525, showing us that business travel costs are on the rise. [2]
4. On average, companies spend 17%-27% of their total travel budget on airfare. [3]
5. More than 20% of a business travel budget is allocated toward covering food expenses. [3]
6. Lodging makes up around 34% of the total cost of business travel. [3]
7. While business trips constitute about 12% of total U.S. air travel, they contribute up to 75% of airlines’ profits. [4]
8. The overall budget for business travel in 2023 is expected to reach 98% of the levels seen in 2019, showing a recovery trend. [5]
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. 46% of those who travel for work don’t have a corporate travel safety plan. [6]
10. 73.2% of travelers are concerned about delayed flights. [7]
11. Out of a group of European business travelers surveyed in 2018, 53% were impacted by terrorism. [8]
12. 49% of travelers surveyed were impacted by political or social unrest. [8]
13. 28% of travelers surveyed were impacted by tropical diseases. [8]
14. 25% of travelers surveyed were impacted by crime. [8]
15. Only 44% of employees surveyed stated that their employers organized travel risk awareness training. [8]
16. 83% of female business travelers have safety concerns, indicating the need for gender-specific guidance and resources in business travel safety training. [6]
Business travel destinations: facts and figures
Let’s uncover the go-to destinations for business travelers 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.
17. The most visited countries for international tourism, which includes business travel, are France, Spain, and the U.S. [9]
18. The most expensive states for business travel were identified as Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California. [1]
19. 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). [10]
20. Italy registered nearly 15 million international business travel arrivals in a recent year. [11]
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.
21. According to the Bureau of Transportation, men make up 77% of those traveling for work. [12]
22. At least 50% of business travelers are between 35-54 years old. [3]
23. 63% of business travelers have a bachelor's degree. [3]
24. The average business traveler takes roughly 6.8 trips per year. This number is higher for millennials, who take an average of 7.4 trips per year. [3]
25. 83% of business travelers see business travel as a positive experience. [12]
26. About 79% of business travelers say that travel improves their overall job satisfaction. [12]
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.
27. 55% of companies are cutting down on air travel post-pandemic. [13]
28. 56% of business travelers state that lowering their carbon footprint is a moderate priority, while 21% believe it’s a top priority. [14]
29. Traveling in economy class has half the CO2 footprint of business class, as passengers take up less space. [15]
30. 77% of business travelers stated that they would be willing to forego daily hotel cleanings to reduce their carbon footprint. [14]
31. Nearly half (49%) of companies are developing new climate-friendly products or services, indicating a shift towards sustainability that could include eco-friendly travel solutions and policies. [13]
Data: 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.
32. 51% of passengers around the world use a smartphone or other device to check in online. [7]
33. 68% of business travelers book their trips through online channels, according to a survey of 1,000+ people in 2018. [16]
34. 57% of business travelers want to have a single application to manage their planning, booking, and reimbursement needs. [7]
35. Only 26% of travel managers claim that their corporate travel booking tool does a good job of accommodating employees with accessibility needs. [14]
36. 37% of travel managers aren’t sure how well their company’s booking tool assists employees with accessibility needs. [14]
The ins and outs of bleisure
"Bleisure" travel — a fusion of business and leisure trips — has been gathering steam in recent years. As the lines between work and leisure blur, especially with the rise of remote work, many are seizing the opportunity to blend business trips with leisure activities. Let’s take a look at what the numbers are saying about bleisure:
37. 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). [17]
38. 67% of bleisure trips begin with an agenda to attend a conference, 46% with external meetings, and 42% with sales opportunities. [17]
39. 57% of companies have a policy in place for employees aged 20-30 to extend business trips with vacation time. [18]
40. 17% of bleisure trips stretch over four nights, 31% span three nights, and 39% last for two nights. [17]
41. 35% of bleisure travelers have company during their trips, while 36% plan to visit with family or friends at their destination. [17]
42. 86% of bleisure travelers regard corporate travel as a vital component for career development. [19]
43. 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. [19]
44. 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. [20]
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!
Jet-set with confidence: Expensify’s got your back
Armed with these insightful business travel statistics, you're in a great spot to make savvy travel decisions that could lead to significant savings. And with Expensify in your back pocket, you have everything you need to streamline expense tracking and stay on top of your finances while traveling.
With the administrative hassle curtailed, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and jet off on your next business adventure with an air of confidence and ease. Safe travels!
Struggling with receipt tracking on business trips?
Expensify automates receipt scanning, simplifies reports, and gives you real-time insights — even on the move.
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Resources
The Average Business Trip Costs $1,293 and Prices Will Increase in 2020, Business Wire
Business Travel Costs Around the World, Expert Market
25+ Essential Business Travel Statistics [2023]: How Much Do Companies Spend on Business Travel, Zippia
How Much Airline Revenue Comes From Business Travelers? Investopedia
2023 Outlook: Business Bounces Back, Morgan Stanley
20 Business Travel Safety Tips and Guidelines for Employees, Alert Media
105 Critical Business Travel Statistics: 2023 Spending & Concerns Analysis, Finances Online
2018 Business Impact of Travel Risks Survey, International SOS
International Travel Statistics: Facts and Trends for 2023, The Broke Backpacker
Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in Asia for business travel, ECA International
Number of international business tourist arrivals in selected countries worldwide in 2019, Statista
25 Impressive Business Travelers Stats 2023 [Facts & Trends], Thrive My Way
Deloitte 2022 CxO Sustainability Report, Deloitte
100+ Business Travel Statistics (2023), Dream Big, Travel Far
Flying and Driving: Can we Travel more Sustainably? ClimateScience
Essential Digital Transformation In Travel Industry Statistics In 2023, Zipdo
77+ Bleisure Travel Statistics, Stratos
How Millennials Are Creatively Approaching Their Business Travel, Forbes
42 bleisure travel statistics for 2023, TravelPerk
The Future of Blended Travel, Crowne Plaza
