Global business tourism spending was estimated to reach approximately *** trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, which represents a full recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Business travel is a branch of the tourism industry focusing on trips made for work-related purposes. Attending congresses, meetings, and trade fairs, for instance, are among the main activities related to this market. How did the COVID-19 pandemic hit domestic and international business trips? After the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, companies worldwide had to revisit their trip plans, as different restrictions adopted across the world disrupted global travel. According to a study by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the share of companies canceling most or all domestic business trips worldwide reached ** percent as of October 2021. Meanwhile, almost ***** in *** surveyed firms suspended international business travel as of the same month. Which company spent the most on booked air volume in the U.S.? As the pandemic hit the business travel market hard in 2020, it comes as no surprise that the volume of air tickets purchased by companies in the United States experienced a sharp decline due to the health crisis. While Deloitte spent over *** million U.S. dollars on air travel in 2019, it reported an expenditure of ** million U.S. dollars in 2020. That year, the company ranked as the second leading air travel spender in the U.S. behind Amazon.

Over the past five years, travel agencies have faced numerous challenges and undergone significant transformations. Although international travel by US residents rebounded strongly in 2022, persistent inflationary pressures have moderated revenue growth. In 2025, the industry is expected to experience slower demand from both domestic and foreign tourists due to trade uncertainty. Overall, due to a low pandemic base year, revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% to $46.4 billion over the five years to 2025, including a projected 4.2% growth in 2025 alone. Profitability has remained a critical challenge, with competitive online travel platforms like Expedia and Priceline transforming the landscape. The rise of mobile technology has enabled consumers to independently research and book cost-effective travel options, posing a challenge to traditional brick-and-mortar agencies. In response, many agencies have shifted focus to cater to high-income, time-constrained customers desiring personalized services. Smaller agencies have seized this customization demand, while larger platforms have engaged in acquisitions to expand market share and diversify service offerings. Despite these strategies, maintaining profitability has proven difficult in an industry shaped by evolving technology and consumer preferences. In 2025, profit is expected to reach an estimated 10.2% of revenue. Looking ahead to the next five years up to 2030, customization is poised to remain a crucial differentiator. As disposable incomes rise, travel bookings are expected to increase, with consumers gravitating towards higher-margin, personalized services. Nonetheless, the pervasive influence of social media grants travelers greater access to destination insights, potentially reducing their dependency on travel agents. Peer-to-peer rental services are anticipated to flourish by providing affordable alternatives, while online booking platforms will likely retain their dominance due to their convenience. Further, a series of international sports events during the outlook period will spur demand for travel agencies, supporting revenue growth. Consequently, industry revenue is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 1.3%, reaching $49.5 billion over the five years to 2030, indicating a steady, albeit modest, expansion in a swiftly evolving market landscape.

The convention and bureaus industry markets and promotes communities and local facilities to business and leisure travelers. Operators also assist customers in locating meeting and convention sites and planning and supporting associated events. Revenue jumped over most of the past five years, but the negative effects of the pandemic challenged this trend. Stay-at-home orders, social distancing regulations and decreased consumer spending severely hurt the industry in 2020. As the vaccine was rolled out and restrictions were lifted completely, revenue jumped. Overall, revenue has inched up at a CAGR of 0.5% over the past five years to reach an estimated $3.3 billion in 2024, including an expected 2.4% rise in 2024. Profit is also expected to reach 4.0% of revenue in 2024. The industry heavily depends on travel trends, as business and leisure travelers are its core customers. The industry has benefitted from a jump in consumer spending, which has encouraged more travel. Operators have experienced various challenges regarding intensifying competition from online travel sites. The industry must increasingly compete with online travel sites that enable individuals to compare fares and directly book trips online instead of using visitor bureaus. As the economy continues to rally from pandemic-induced lows, domestic travel and inbound travel rates will continue to follow suit and accelerate. Despite growing demand for travel, conventions and other events, the industry will still compete with online travel sites, which is expected to limit revenue growth. Overall, revenue is forecast to increase at a CAGR of 1.8% to $3.6 billion over the five years to 2029.