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Business travel spending on the rise, future looks bright

November 20, 2023

According to the GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook, expected spending on business travel across Europe is steadily increasing due to pent-up demand, hybrid work environments, the return of travel and meetings and more stable economic conditions.

After a slower regional rebound over the last few years, business travel spending in Europe is expected to surpass its pre-pandemic spending level of $391.9 billion USD in 2025, when spending is forecast to reach $414.9 billion. This is later than the forecast for global business travel recovery, which is expected to reach $1.5 trillion in 2024 and grow to nearly $1.8 trillion by 2027.

The 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook (BTI) report is published by the Global Business Travel Association in collaboration with Visa.

Its latest regional forecasts and findings take a deep dive into business travel spending and trends in Europe for 2023 to 2027.

In 2021, Europe was the only region where business travel spending declined. However, Europe’s business travel spending made up lost ground in 2022, growing to 93.5% over the past year, achieving the highest growth rate of any region in the world.

The outlook varies across the region, with Western Europe accounting for 88% of Europe’s business travel spend. This share has grown as the war in Ukraine continues to take its toll on Emerging Europe. While Western Europe recovered 71% of its pre-pandemic travel spend last year, Emerging Europe had only recovered to 57%.

Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional Senior Vice President, EMEA and APAC, said that: “Business travel spend in Europe continues to grow at a steady rate and is forecast to reach $449.9 billion in 2027. But organizations and their business travellers and programs are also adjusting to new changes. The hybrid work environment has brought with it new challenges.”

Logan continued: “As firms and employees appreciate the benefit of in-person connections, we are seeing more travel related to internal meetings and training purposes. Additionally, sustainable travel options continue to be a key driver and multi-modal trips now account for almost a third of recent business trips. As a region, Europe is leading the way in offering alternative, more sustainable solutions.”

For more on the 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook report, CLICK HERE.

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What Summer Travel to Europe Will Look Like This Year

By Arati Menon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With additional reporting by Sarah Allard

When travel journalist Jenn Rice decided to spend July and August in Italy and Croatia last year, she wasn’t expecting to be spending most of her time indoors. “It was very very hot, so I booked museum tickets during peak days or just lounged around in my room with a spritz and a book until the sun set.” In Dubrovnik she tried escaping to the sea for a cool dip, but everyone else had the same idea—resulting in sweaty, overcrowded beaches. “In Rome , gelato melted faster than the speed of light,” she says.

Come summer, major attractions like the Spanish Steps in Rome are thronged by international tourists and vacationing Europeans.

Rome and Dubrovnik weren’t the only European destinations overcome with heat. To travel in Europe in the summer of 2023 was to experience first-hand a single season of contrasting extremes. Temperatures swung from hot and dry to cold and wet, and heatwaves broke out across several of the most heavily touristed destinations, with temperatures reaching upwards of 100°F. In Northern Greece, wildfires broke out —the worst experienced there in 20 years —destroying homes, forests, and vineyards.

Yet in the midst of it all, the continent also saw record-breaking tourist numbers —the highest since pre-pandemic levels—even as hotel prices swelled and airfares hit peaks. From scenic escapes like Bellagio in Como and Taormina in Sicily (where the White Lotus effect was on full display) to bucket-list cities like Paris and Madrid , much of touristed Europe was completely overwhelmed.

“We had people calling us from Athens and Rome asking us to get them out [to somewhere cooler in Europe], because it was too hot and too crowded,” recalls Jan Sortland , founder of Scandinavia specialists Norwegian Adventures.

International tourists weren’t the only ones thronging these spots. According to the European Travel Commission , most Europeans took their vacations before the peak month of August, with Italy and France being their top destinations. This resulted in packed crowds at all the major attractions. For John Canning, an LA-based executive who traveled to Paris in July, the crowds were eye-opening. “We didn’t anticipate that everything we would want to see was sold out. We only got Musée d’Orsay tickets through our concierge at a substantial premium and could not get into the Louvre full stop,” he says.

Rice says the summer taught her to plan her travel differently this year—and beyond: “I’m going to try and do coastal Italy early in May, and if I decide to travel in Europe this summer it will be either Asturias in Northern Spain or the Julian Alps in Slovenia to keep cool."

She’s not alone—according to the travel specialists we spoke with, there’s an increased interest in lesser-known destinations offering a more laid back (and cooler) holiday. “Our guests are asking after places where they can be outdoors, yet have access to wine & foodie experiences and culture. Slovenia is a great example of where you can have all that without being overwhelmed with the heat; the Dolomites in Italy is another,” says Rachael Mendizabal, Europe travel specialist at Scott Dunn . Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World , is seeing similar trends across their European portfolio: “Guests seem to be gravitating towards alternative destinations—Milos instead of Mykonos and Slovenia instead of Spain.”

Norway is a popular destination this summer, offering cooler weather and a myriad ways to be active outside, exploring the islands and fjords.

A big part of that shift will play into Sortland’s area of expertise: Northern Europe. With the Med getting too hot to handle, experts predict that tourism will shift northwards. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the cultural experience, and then onward to Norway for the nature. Currently, the fjords are still a favorite but Norway is a large country and there’s so much more to see—the Helgeland coast for example with its beautiful coastline and mountainous islands,” he says. The draw is a more moderate temperature and unique outdoor experiences. “ Iceland is a big favorite right now with the Northern lights being the most active this year from September through March,” says Mendizabal.

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In turn, for many, the more standard city breaks will fall later in the year. “Athens and Rome will always be desirable destinations, but we’ve seen an uptick in many people preferring to go there in May and October to swerve crowds,” says Carolyn Addison, head of product at Black Tomato , noting the weather in fall has been stable lately and enticing to travelers not tied to school holidays.

With this increased flexibility, shoulder season will become tricker to define, according to Mendizabal. Thanks to hotels extending their season as demand shifts to almost year-round and the high-season pricing window getting longer, the days of “scooping a deal in September are likely over.” At Jumeirah Palace in Capri , the season now runs from March to the end of December. “Thanks to the good weather, guests are staying longer than in the past,” says Ermanno Zanini, regional vice president at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom.

Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany 's Maremma countryside has traditionally stayed open in March and November. “We're pushing the low season as much as possible because we truly believe it is a wonderful time to discover Tuscany. There is so much for guests to enjoy from hiking to mountain biking, truffle hunting, and wine tastings,” says owner Neri Baccheschi Berti.

Crucially, traveling in the shoulder and off seasons isn't just about avoiding the crowds; it’s knowing that seasonal destinations are multi-dimensional, with year-round appeal. “One of my favorite things to do in cooler weather is to hike to the peak of Mount Solaro, with its beautiful views of the town of Capri and the bay of Marina Piccola with the Faraglioni, as well as Anacapri. You also see plenty of wintering birds on the island,” says Zanini.

Zanini adds that they are in talks with the island's municipality to consider what it would take to stay open in February and March, traditionally strictly closed off. “It's not as straightforward as you think. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be geared towards the low season: restaurants need to stay open, as do shops, and guides need to be available; it can’t just be the hotel,” he adds.

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. “We’ve already seen the positive impact of a longer season for our partners on the ground and locals in the hospitality and tourism sector,” says Addison, who adds that shifts in travel seasons are far from a fleeting trend. “This pattern for more year-round travel will continue to pick up pace in 2025—and beyond," she says.

Travel specialists are quick to point out that even with some of this rebalancing, summer this year and next will continue to see high demand for travel to—and within—Europe. According to Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, while airfare remains higher than at this time in 2019, 40% of all searches for international trips this summer are to Europe, in line with last year and slightly higher than in 2019.

“Sure, we think that traveler numbers on the Côte d'Azur will smooth out through the year, but summer will certainly remain the festive season—only it will be longer,” says Lucie Weill, owner of wellness retreat Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez , which sees its faire share of packed streets and crowded beaches come summer. Weill adds that the hotel has seen success in extending its season.

For travel specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co . late requests and a lack of flexibility could mean getting turned away because of a lack of availability. “Whether it’s a visit to the Vatican or dogsledding in Alaska , access is going to be very difficult. And there are only that many high-end lodges in Lapland ,” she says. Addison offers the example of Lake Como , where the best properties can often get booked up a year or two in advance during the busiest summer months. “Knowing that the top hotels and guides are getting booked up and that weather disruptions are increasingly unpredictable, clients who want to commit to the most popular summer hotspots in Europe, like the Greek islands and Sardinia are securing their bookings a year out.”

The Balearic island of Menorca is a charming escape with its rocky coves, white-sand beaches, and green rolling hills.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving up on all the places you love: just about pivoting, even if within the same country. “Why not Menorca instead of Mallorca, with its explosion of fantastic hotels and its great beach front, or Epirus in Northern Greece on the Albanian border with its Stone villages, old-growth forests, and truffle hunts instead of the islands," says Gray.

"In Italy we’re always pushing to discover new areas, even in regions that we’ve been exploring for decades like Tuscany and Umbria because new hotels are opening up regularly,” says Courtney Mundy , a travel specialist at experiential travel experts Butterfield & Robinson.

And, a word of caution for the rising favorites: “Smaller destinations in Iceland & Norway will really need to consider how to manage the higher number of visitors than ever before,” says Addison. “Parts of Iceland are overtouristed,” agrees Sortland, “so, it’s not unreasonable to think that smaller communities in Norway could eventually be at risk, too.” Whether it's through new tourist tax regimens or limits on cruise ship day-trippers to reduce crowding, a shifting tide will need more alert local governments—and as we’re swapping beaches for the mountains or Rome for Stockholm, more responsible travel habits that leave fewer traces behind.

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San Antonio leaders travel to Europe to strengthen relationships, recruit international businesses

Satx strives to bring quality, high-wage jobs to the alamo city.

Tiffany Huertas , Reporter

Robert Samarron , Photojournalist

Maritza Carlos , Video Editor

SAN ANTONIO – In May, the San Antonio International Airport will get its first nonstop European flight and the groups that made it possible want to keep the momentum going and bring in new businesses.

Recently, San Antonio leaders traveled to Europe to strengthen business relationships and seek new ones.

“We work with companies globally to make sure they know that San Antonio is a wonderful place to live, to grow and to build a business,” Jamie Lutrell, vice president of brand and communications at Greater: SATX said.

The team at Greater: SATX, a private-public nonprofit, is dedicated to growing quality and high-wage jobs in the San Antonio area and have been developing strong relationships with the businesses in Europe.

“Our CEO traveled with a delegation from San Antonio which included Visit San Antonio and the San Antonio International Airport,” Lutrell said.

The San Antonio leaders traveled to London and Frankfurt to continue building the relationships with businesses in those countries and to recruit more international business to San Antonio.

“We have a set of target markets that we focus on, not only for business recruitment, but also for helping out local businesses continue to grow here in San Antonio. We focus on cyber security, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, financial services and of course those headquarter operations as well,” Lutrell said.

Recently, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also traveled to Europe to deepen the economic partnerships between the United Kingdom and Texas.

“The governor’s office, when he is traveling internationally it certainly is opening doors and making sure the message is well received that Texas is open for business and is the best state for business,” Lutrell said.

Lutrell says the new flight from San Antonio to Frankfurt is key to attracting businesses.

“When businesses are looking at our market for the potential expansion opportunities, they are looking at workforce, they are looking at real estate, and they are looking at that connectivity to make sure they will be able to get back to their home base and continue to building upon that,” Lutrell said.

More businesses could create a ripple effect that has a positive impact on the entire city.

“Lets take the most recent JCB, they are a UK based company that is growing here in San Antonio with plans to add over 1,500 jobs. It’s a tremendous opportunity and we know there’s going to be a ripple effect as additional suppliers come in to support their growth in San Antonio,” Lutrell said.

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Fly Delta business class to Europe for the holidays from $2,522 round-trip

Y ou can save big on Delta Air Lines business-class travel to Europe right now. Prices for nonstop flights from New York City to prized destinations in Greece, Italy and Spain are on sale, and the availability is unusually good.

Almost every route in this latest sale includes the Delta One cabins on the airline's new A330-900neo jets, which have lie-flat suites with memory foam cushions, as well as excellent food and drink options. The Barcelona and Madrid itineraries use Delta's retrofitted 767 jets; they still offer lie-flat seats, but the planes aren't quite as fresh as the cabins on the A330s.

The travel window stretches from July 2024 — peak summer travel time in Europe — all the way until February 2025. The best prices and the greatest availability we saw were for winter flights, and unlike many fare sales, holidays are included. So, if you're looking to take a break from hosting family for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you're in luck.

Related: Delta One Suites review on the Airbus A330-900neo

Deal basics

Airline : Delta.

Routes : New York City to Greece, Italy and Spain.

How to book : Browse Google Flights, then book directly with the airline.

Travel dates : From July through February; holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve) are included for some routes.

Sample flights

This sale includes nonstop flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to:

• Athens International Airport (ATH)
• Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
• Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
• Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
• Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO)

I used Google Flights to scour for the best prices, because I find the interface more user-friendly than Delta's site. I started with Spain and found flights in late summer from JFK to BCN for $2,522 round-trip.

To give you an idea of how good a deal this is, Google Flights says this route usually costs about double the price.

You can fly nonstop from JFK to MAD for $2,526 round-trip.

We found this price on several itineraries in November and early 2025.

You can also save big on a late-summer jaunt to Italy. We found seats from New York City to Milan in late July and August for $2,541.

That's an excellent price, and since it's on Delta's A330-900 jets, you get to enjoy the latest and greatest Delta One product.

It can get really hot in Italy in August, but it might be worth taking this flight — it offers a large discount on a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic.

August also has the best prices to fly in style to Rome. We found business-class seats from New York City to Rome for $2,553.

We told you earlier that this sale included travel over the major holidays. If you want to spend Thanksgiving in Italy, you can book business-class seats from New York City to Rome for $2,766.

There is one caveat: This is the one route we saw to Italy in this sale where Delta uses a Boeing 767 instead of one of the newer Airbus A330s. Still, that's a fantastic price.

What about Greece, you ask? We found decent availability around Thanksgiving for flights to Athens for $2,630 round-trip. The same price was also available in December, making it a good option for a family vacation during the holiday break.

Related: 10 things no one tells you about ... Athens, Greece

Maximize your purchase

When you book this deal or any flights, be sure to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : 2 points per dollar spent on travel
• American Express® Gold Card : 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• The Platinum Card® from American Express : 5 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• Citi Premier® Card ( see rates and fees ): 3 points per dollar spent on airfare
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® : 3 points per dollar spent on travel

Bottom line

This is a good time to enjoy rare savings on business-class seats to Greece. And if you book your trip in the fall, you'll be able to enjoy the endless antiquities and sites when there's nice weather and sparse crowds.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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EasyJet cuts winter losses despite cancelled flights due to Israel-Gaza war

Airline says demand has rebounded, with strong bookings at its holiday arm

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EasyJet has cut its winter losses by at least £50m and said it is confident of a record summer, despite higher fuel costs and a £40m loss from the war in the Middle East.

The airline said it expects pre-tax losses of between £340m and £360m for the traditionally loss-making six months to the end of March, in a trading update before its half-year results.

EasyJet said demand for flights had rebounded after a six-week “softening” in searches and bookings from the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October.

The carrier said the net loss from cancelled flights to Israel and Jordan was about £40m, from refunds and lost revenue. EasyJet has now extended until October the suspension of Tel Aviv flights announced this week after Iran’s drone attack . The airline said it expected little direct financial impact from its decision in the coming months.

The region, including Egypt, accounts for a far smaller fraction of easyJet’s operations in summer, down to 0.3% from about 4% in the winter months.

The airline’s first-half profits were boosted by an early Easter, falling in March this year, offsetting a £140m rise in its fuel bill compared with 2023. It said it had been partly protected from rising oil prices in 2024 with 70% of fuel hedged below the current price.

The easyJet chief executive, Johan Lundgren, said: “Bookings continue to build well and we’re confident of building a record summer performance.”

The airline has not given formal guidance for full-year profits, with only about 30% of peak season so far sold, but, according to Lundgren, analyst consensus is “£100m better this summer compared to last year’s record summer, so that gives some idea”.

The group’s holiday arm, easyJet Holidays, has grown by 35% year on year and is 70% booked for summer.

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Lundgren said easyJet would be one of the fastest-growing airlines in Europe this year, with new bases in Alicante and Birmingham contributing to 94 new routes, while overall seat capacity would increase by another 8% year on year, with deliveries of 16 additional Airbus aircraft in 2024.

He said reduction of winter losses was “a pillar” of the airline’s strategy, adding: “This is a step in that direction … I think we have surprised the market, given the fact there are two wars going on, where we are with the cost of living challenge and high fuel prices, that we can reduce them, and we want to do more.”

Shares in easyJet rose almost 3% in early trading on Thursday.

• Airline industry

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