Business Travel Projected to Hit $928 Billion as "Bleisure" Dominates
A major strategic report released today by Research and Markets projects that the global business travel market will reach $928.4 billion by 2030, driven by a 4.3% annual growth rate.
The report identifies 2026 as the "Year of the Bleisure Revolution," with more employees than ever before combining professional trips with leisure activities to maximize their time away from home. This shift is forcing companies to "structurally rewire" their travel policies to include wellness, personalization, and high-speed connectivity as standard requirements for the modern road warrior.
The report also highlights the role of "Agentic AI" and digital innovations in transforming the business travel experience. From virtual site inspections to mobile apps that manage everything from expense tracking to jet lag adjustment, technology is making trips more efficient.
However, the "Turf War" between major carriers like American and United—which recently added more flights out of Chicago—is also driving a rebound in bookings, as airlines compete fiercely for the lucrative corporate traveler who is finally returning to the skies in pre-pandemic numbers.
Despite the growth, the report warns of "Trade Shocks and Uncertainty" related to the current U.S. administration's tariff policies, which could impact the cost of international business travel through 2027.
China is expected to see the fastest growth in the sector, with an 6.1% CAGR, as it continues to expand its high-speed rail and regional aviation networks. For the 2026 business traveler, the focus is shifting toward "experience-driven" trips where the "work" part is just one component of a broader cultural and personal journey.
For the 2026 professional, travel is no longer just a necessity; it is a tool for employee satisfaction and retention. Companies that fail to adapt to the "bleisure" mantra may find themselves losing talent to those that offer a more integrated, tech-forward, and restorative approach to life on the road.
