In the global poll* a third – 33% – stated that getting better value from suppliers was their biggest challenge, followed by improving compliance and reducing leakage as well as managing traveller expectations against budget (both for 29% of buyers) in addition to finding, understanding and implementing the right technology for just over a quarter – 27% – of respondents.
The top 10 challenges for buyers in 2026 when managing their travel programme are:
Getting better value from suppliers – 33%
Improving policy compliance and reducing leakage – 29% and Managing traveller expectations against budget – 29%
Finding, understanding and implementing the right technology solutions for their travel programme – 27%
Improving application of data insights for better informed reporting – 23%
Geopolitical uncertainty – 20% and Economic uncertainty – 20%
Globalisation and implementing travel programmes for new markets / regions to support wider business growth and objectives – 19%
Increasing airline costs – 15%
Increasing accommodation costs – 13%
In addition to challenges, buyers were also asked to detail what they expect will be the biggest influence on corporate travel in the year ahead, with the top five detailed below:
Global economy and inflation – 26%
AI – 19%
Advances in technology and data – 15%
Geopolitical shifts – 13%
Legislative changes including changes in US policy and new traveller taxes proposed by the EU – 11%
On the subject of technology, which is likely to continue dominating the corporate travel and wider global business and government agendas, buyers also identified the following as the most critical technologies when it comes to managing travel programmes successfully in 2026:
Data analytics – 50%
AI agentic tools and booking assistants – 48%
OBT – 45%
Distribution systems and product aggregators (GDS) – 40%
Traveller tracking – 28%
Commenting on the findings Louis Magliaro, Executive Vice President, The BTN Group said, “Travel buyers and managers have had a burgeoning to-do list in the last 12 months, with ongoing geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts, increased pressure to balance cost and demonstrate value, keep compliance and policy up to date and keep pace with accelerating technology. Managing that effectively requires excellent data analytics so it’s unsurprising this is the technology they regard as most critical for the year ahead.
“The emphasis on getting the best value from suppliers suggests buyer-supplier relationships need to extend even further beyond the balance sheet. More than ever, buyers are demanding strategic partnerships that deliver flexibility, reliability, commitment and measurable ROI against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting global economy. The Business Travel Show America features exhibitors from across the corporate travel supply spectrum who will be available to not only showcase their products and services but also discuss in more detail how they are working to achieve just that.
“Hand in hand with this is a growing appetite for better-qualified decision making informed by data analytics, live updates and insights enabling buyers to maximise and demonstrate value at every stage of the programme. Sessions at this year’s Business Travel Show America including What are you waiting for? Three buyers architecting new travel programme models now and Old School meets new rules: Harmonising travel tech for all ages have been designed to help buyers better understand and navigate the topics of supplier relationships and the evolving travel technology landscape.”
The inaugural Business Travel Show America launches at Javits Center New York on October 15-16. Featuring 100+ exhibitors including TMCs, airlines, hotels, travel technology providers and more, it is free for qualified travel buyers, bookers and managers, procurement professionals, and executive assistants and office administrators who book travel for their organisation.
*149 corporate travel and procurement professionals, EAs and PAs polled in August 2025.
Tags BTN Groupbusiness travelBusiness Travel Show
