Forget the outdated image of the weary business traveler clutching a briefcase and waiting for a delayed flight. A new global survey reveals that for Millennials and Gen Z, business travel isn’t just a perk—it’s a professional essential, a lifestyle choice, and, increasingly, a measure of job satisfaction.
According to new research from Corporate Travel Management (CTM), the majority of younger professionals not only want to travel more for work—they view it as central to their career growth, performance, and happiness. CTM’s March 2025 survey gathered insights from 702 Millennial and Gen Z employees across regions including Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
“Millennials already make up roughly 75% of the global workforce, closely followed by Gen Zs,” said CTM Global Chief Operating Officer Eleanor Noonan. “As future business decision makers, it’s critical that we acknowledge and understand their unique views and expectations of business travel.”
Travel = Career Growth
More than half of those surveyed—57%—said business travel is very important to their career progression, with 51%tying it to their professional performance, and 45% to job satisfaction. And this importance only grows with time: 70%expect business travel to become even more vital as they rise through the ranks, with Singapore and Hong Kong leading that view at 90%.
Flying High, Wanting More
An overwhelming 86% of respondents said they flew for business at least once per year, most commonly between one and five times. But 55% said they want to travel more. Their favorite aspects of business trips? Experiencing new destinations, collaborating in person, and breaking out of daily routines.
Australians reported the highest actual travel frequency, with 84% flying 1–5 times per year. But it’s UK-based employees who most crave more trips—63% said they want to spend more time on the road.
Bleisure Isn’t a Trend—It’s a Habit
Mixing business and leisure is especially common in Asia. While 42% of Millennials and Gen Z globally say they usually or always add a personal vacation to their work trips, that number jumps to 55% in Singapore and Hong Kong. In North America, by contrast, only 29% do so—perhaps linked to fewer paid vacation days across the region.
Booking It Themselves
Younger professionals are taking control of their own travel. 59% book their own trips, with 42% using a travel management company (TMC) and 32% booking directly with suppliers.
Booking behavior varies by region: 66% of UK respondents self-book, compared to 53% in Australia. Overall, these employees are digitally fluent and comfortable navigating the logistics themselves.
Policy? Understood, but Misaligned
While 70% report that their company has a corporate travel policy and 83% say they understand it, fewer than 54% feel it aligns with their needs. That gap is starkest in North America, where only 59% have a policy, 76% understand it, and just 41% say it matches their expectations.
By contrast, Singapore and Hong Kong again stood out: 84% report having a policy, 90% understand it, and 66% say it aligns with their travel needs—suggesting a more personalized or responsive approach in those regions.
What They Want: Price, Convenience, Wellness
When it comes to selecting airlines, the top three global priorities are:
- Price
- Flight schedules (convenience)
- On-time performance (reliability)
Only Hong Kong listed safety record in its top three.
For accommodation, the key considerations are:
- Location
- 24/7 reception
- On-site fitness or wellness facilities
Sustainability doesn’t top the list—but it still matters. 55% said they consider sustainability when booking flights, 51%when booking hotels, and 46% when renting cars. Despite this, environmental considerations didn’t crack the top three priorities for airline or hotel selection in any region.
Interestingly, 57% expect their employer to pay more for sustainable options. In Singapore and Hong Kong, those numbers rise to 75% for flights, 69% for hotels, and 59% for car rentals.
North America ranked lower in environmental consideration (just 33% for airlines), but 57% of respondents still believe companies should foot the bill for greener travel.
Loyalty Still Matters (Quietly)
Loyalty programs may not be front of mind when choosing a supplier, but their influence is strong. Globally, 43% always select airlines or hotels based on loyalty schemes, and 38% sometimes do. The most valued perks?
- Discounts and special offers
- Free flights, hotels, or upgrades
- Priority treatment like fast-track security or boarding
A New Kind of Business Traveler
This data paints a clear picture of the next generation of business travelers: autonomous, ambitious, wellness-aware, and globally curious. They’re not content with rigid policies or cookie-cutter travel. They want experiences that fuel their careers, align with their values, and let them squeeze every last drop from the journey—whether through cultural discovery, sustainability, or just a really good hotel gym.
As CTM’s Eleanor Noonan summed it up: Our research has uncovered critical insights into how younger business travellers view the business travel experience, which is driving an evolution in how we design impactful, relevant travel management services for the future.
And if companies want to retain them? They might start by booking a few more flights.
