Looking ahead to 2026: What’s shaping the future of global business travel?
One Global is looking forward to 2026 with confidence – after years of volatility, the landscape is maturing with prices levelling out while in‑person meetings are firmly back in fashion.
Here, we take a look at some of the key trends which will shape the year ahead for global business travel with One Global MD Jodie Gentles and executive team members Pat McDonagh, CEO of Clarity and Barb Barnard, CEO of World Travel Inc.
We’re all in agreement when we say technology and AI will continue to transform the business travel experience.
Digital adoption is accelerating across travel platforms, especially through AI‑powered booking tools, real‑time travel data and alerts, automated expense and compliance systems and dynamic airline pricing models.
Pat said: “We’re ready for the technology revolution. With AI and an increasing number of new technology propositions, there has never been more choice. The key is identifying what’s required for your organisation and really digging in to how that works globally.”
Jodie digs a little deeper…
This tech-driven personalisation and seamless experiences sees hotels accelerating the adoption of AI, smart systems and digital interfaces to deliver hyper-personalised stays and frictionless service.
From AI-powered guest insights to smart room customisation and contactless operations, this raises expectations among business travellers for convenience and tailored offerings. Essentially this is about hotels using technology to make business travel faster, smoother and more tailored to each guest.
In practical terms, it means personalised stays see hotels use data and AI to remember preferences (room temperature, pillow type, check-in time, preferred services) so repeat business travellers get a stay that feels customised without having to ask.
There is less friction and more efficiency thanks to contactless check-in/out, mobile room keys, smart rooms while digital service requests reduce waiting time and interruptions – something time-pressed business travellers value highly.
Smarter service delivery is heightened as AI tools help hotels anticipate needs (late check-out for early meetings, faster Wi-Fi allocation, proactive housekeeping timing), improving productivity and comfort during work trips.
In a nutshell, it means business travellers in 2026 will expect efficient, digitally seamless and personalised hotel stays – rather than a one-size-fits-all service.
We’re also expecting mergers and acquisitions to remain a major trend in the global business travel landscape.
Pat said: “This coming year will see a period of consolidation. There will be more M&A activity in the global TMC space, reducing the number of large global TMCs and impacting service as the balance of power shifts.
“There’s never been a better time to consider global programme options that ensure delivery of genuinely local expertise instead of the regional hub models the mega TMCs rely on.”
At One Global, we’re confident it looks like business travel budgets are growing steadily again which should see an increase in business travel.
That’s certainly helped with prices stabilising, with the GBTA forecasting only modest fluctuations as supply and demand rebalance.
However, hotel rates are expected to rise slightly around the world while airfares should remain relatively steady.
For travel managers, this means a more predictable cost environment but still one that requires strategic negotiation and smart timing, something One Global knows all about.
We’re also proud of our sustainability efforts which are strengthening year on year.
It is no longer a nice‑to‑have; it’s embedded in corporate travel policy thanks to carbon‑tracking tools, eco‑certified travel options and sustainability‑led booking rules.
Last but not least, ‘bleisure’ is to continue its upsurge says Jodie.
With the rise of blended business-leisure travel continuing into 2026, hotels are redesigning spaces for productivity and relaxation (remote work-friendly rooms, hybrid social/work zones) and curating flexible stays that support both work and downtime, responding to shifting business travel patterns.
It means trips are longer and more flexible with business travellers extending stays to include personal time (before or after meetings), so hotels are designing offerings that suit both workdays and downtime.
Hotels are adapting to the fact that business trips are no longer just ‘fly in, meet, fly out’ as work and leisure are blending together now more than ever.
They are redesigning guest rooms while public areas are being redesigned with better desks, soundproofing, high-speed wi-fi, meeting pods and co-working-style spaces so travellers can work comfortably outside traditional offices.
Hotels are also pairing business infrastructure with wellness, dining and local experiences, making them more attractive for travellers who want productivity without sacrificing comfort or enjoyment.
In short, hotels will position themselves as places where business travellers can work efficiently and relax, supporting the growing ‘bleisure’ mindset.
Business travel in 2026 will be defined by embracing smarter technology, flexible policies and sustainability‑driven strategies – at One Global we’ve got you covered.
