GBTA Forecast Predicts High Business Travel Costs Through 2026

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) together with travel‑management firm ALTOUR released its 2027 Global Business Travel Forecast. It warns that corporate travel expenses will remain elevated throughout 2026. Average global airfares are projected to rise 4.7 % to about $756, with economy tickets up 8.7 % to $536 and premium cabins climbing 9.5 % to $4,488. Hotel average daily rates are expected to increase 3.7 % to $168, driven especially by Latin America where growth reaches 9.5 %. Car‑rental prices are forecast to rise 3.6 % to $46.50 per day before a slight 0.9 % dip in 2027. Meeting costs per participant are set at $263 in 2026. The report attributes sustained price pressure to higher energy costs, labour wage agreements, SAF mandates, aircraft delivery delays and broader geopolitical uncertainty. It notes that only modest easing is likely in 2027, with overall cost growth flattening to around 1.5 %. Travel managers are advised to budget for continued high expenses, adopt region‑specific negotiation strategies, and review premium‑cabin policies.

The forecast underscores that corporate travel buyers must maintain managed travel programmes and leverage local market data to protect margins and sustain business connectivity amid these ongoing economic dynamics.