The German Business Travel Association (VDR) presented the results of the VDR Business Travel Report 2025 at their conference in Ingolstadt today. The latest figures confirm: Business travel is asserting itself as a central component of economic drive. In the midst of geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties and far-reaching technological changes, face-to-face meetings and direct communication are gaining in strategic importance – targeted, international and effective.
Business travel 2024: less volume, more impact
Following last year's sharp increase, travel behavior has stabilized at a high level. At around 107.1 million business trips, there was a slight decline of 8% compared to 2023 – but still 43% higher than in 2022. This development is accompanied by an increased need to spend: average expenditure per trip rose by 7% to EUR 439, with total expenditure reaching EUR 47.2 billion - an increase of 2%. This development cannot be explained by price increases alone, but also reflects a change in travel behavior. Companies are focusing more on bundling appointments and optimizing routes. Business travel is increasingly seen as a strategic tool – with clear added value for communication, partnerships and business success.
International travel on the rise – focus on Europe
The results also show a clear trend towards more international business trips. In 2024, more than one in three business trips (35%) were made abroad – a significant increase on the previous year's figure of 28%. The concentration on European destinations is particularly strong: 25% of all business trips took place within Europe. While small and medium-sized companies noticeably reduced their travel activities, the volume of travel for large companies remained constant.
Travel management is becoming more digital and safety-oriented
Companies are consistently developing their travel management – with an increasing focus on safety and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Half of large companies are already using AI solutions in travel management, while the figure for small and medium-sized companies is currently 23%. The majority of companies plan to use corresponding technologies by 2026. AI is most frequently used in the areas of data management, communication and reporting – with the aim of making processes more efficient, transparent and adaptable.
At the same time, the topic of travel safety is gaining a lot of importance: 92% of the companies surveyed consider it to be more relevant today than five years ago, and over half even consider it to be "significantly more relevant". The understanding of travel risk management goes far beyond traditional emergency concepts. Compliance requirements, cybersecurity, occupational health precautions and risk analyses are now integral parts of modern security concepts – with the majority of responsibility lying with travel management.
Sustainable and flexible mobility: rail wins, air remains important
Companies are rethinking mobility – more sustainable, more flexible and more differentiated. 26% of the companies surveyed already have a comprehensive sustainability strategy in place for business travel management, and this is set to double by 2026. Rail is clearly gaining in importance: 29% of companies already use it for more than half of their domestic trips, and 63% actively promote its use.
The willingness to travel longer distances is also increasing: A full 82% of companies are willing to accept up to three hours longer travel times in order to avoid air travel. At the same time, especially for longer distances or when time pressure is high, 76% of companies opt for air travel. Other decisive factors are lower costs, better connections and increasing sustainability standards.
The VDR Business Travel Report 2025 makes it clear that business travel remains a central component of economic activity – albeit under new circumstances. Companies are acting more internationally, more digitally and more consciously. The focus is shifting from quantity to quality, from routine to strategic impact. Travel managers today operate at the interface between technology, sustainability and employee needs. In an increasingly complex environment, travel management is becoming a key competence of modern corporate management. Because personal encounters retain their value – as the basis for trust, innovation and successful collaboration in a global world.
About the VDR Business Travel Report
The population of the study comprises all companies based in Germany as well as public sector organizations with at least ten employees. Between January and April 2025, 803 computer-assisted telephone and online interviews were conducted with people who are either responsible for managing business travel or are organizationally authorized to provide the relevant data. The answers to qualitative questions reflect the current situation at the time of the survey. All other information relates to the figures for 2024.
The Business Travel Report 2025 is published with the kind support of: BWH Hotels Central Europe, Lufthansa City Center, Lufthansa Group, Navan and OLB.
The current issue of the VDR Business Travel Report is available free of charge at www.geschaeftsreiseanalyse.de.
