Gen Z and Alpha reshaping corporate travel policies, Booking.com for Business report finds

 Gen Z and Alpha are projected to represent 49% of the global workforce by 2034, marking a demographic shift with implications for corporate travel, according to a new report by Booking.com for Business. The findings indicate that younger generations are emerging as key drivers of business travel demand.

The report estimates that Gen Z alone will account for 34% of the global workforce by 2034, making it the largest generational group in employment. Travel opportunities are identified as a factor influencing job selection for this cohort, with 57% stating that roles offering exposure to other cultures are attractive, while 70% report looking forward to travelling for work.

According to the findings, Gen Z associates business travel with a combination of productivity, personal development, and broader purpose. As digital natives, they are accustomed to online and mobile booking processes and show a high level of comfort with AI-enabled travel services, alongside expectations for seamless booking experiences and personalised recommendations.

The report also highlights the importance of workplace flexibility for Gen Z and Millennials, who rank it as the leading reason for remaining in a role. In the context of corporate travel, this includes the growing practice of extending work trips for leisure purposes, commonly referred to as “bleisure” travel. Policies that allow for clearer boundaries and flexibility around such trips are identified as increasingly relevant.

Another finding points to the role of corporate travel platforms in enabling controlled flexibility. Systems that allow employees to manage their own bookings while maintaining organisational oversight are presented as a way to balance traveller autonomy with cost control.

Commenting on the findings, Joshua Wood, Director at Booking.com for Business, said: “We believe successful business travel combines consumer-level simplicity, ease, and rewards with financial discipline: Clear policies, flexible options, and technology that removes friction. When you design trips that respect employee time, company budget, and traveller wellbeing, you can transform business from a cost centre into a growth channel for generating revenue and building stronger teams. That’s the opportunity this trend report points to, and it’s within reach for every SME.”

 Tags: Joshua Wood, Booking.com for Business