Cvent has released its 2025 Global Travel Managers Report – a survey of over 1,600 corporate travel decision-makers covered across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Cutting incentive trips – but not tech spend
Among the many findings of the report, Cvent found that one of the top concerns among travel managers is rising costs – 71% expect higher expenses in 2025. As a result of these concerns, a reasonable percentage of organisations are cutting incentive trips (31%) and internal meetings (31%) to protect profit margins. However, only 13% report that they plan to cut technology spending.
Acquiring new customers is top reason for meetings
Face-to-face meetings remain prioritised for business outcomes, with acquiring new customers the top reason globally (43%) and in Europe (43% also) for in-person gatherings.
Sustainability
As ever, sustainability remains a top concern. 30% of travel managers worldwide and 32% in Europe indicate that sustainability practices and goals will influence business travel priorities through 2026. In Europe, travel managers report that they value commitments to waste reduction (32%) and locally sourced food (29%) the most.
Graham Pope, Cvent vice-president of international sales, said the findings demonstrate how travel managers have become “increasingly strategic and streamlined”. He noted that hotels and venues embracing sourcing needs, sustainability and transparency will be “best placed to succeed”.
