New variant developments, government restrictions, and international policy inconsistencies are currently hindering a more accelerated return for global business travel. However, the industry continues to reflect progress and optimism in its long-view expectations for 2022, according to the latest poll from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). 

“Here at the start of a new year, the business travel industry and business travelers continue to face a dynamically changing landscape due to Omicron," said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA.  "One comment received from a poll respondent readily sums it up: ‘Uncertainty is a huge wet blanket on [business] travel.’ Despite the wave of Omicron and the ripple of challenges it has created, there are positive signs, and industry professionals continue to be optimistic for the long-term outlook of global business travel.” 

This poll is the 25th in GBTA’s COVID-19 Recovery series tracking the pulse of global travel buyers, supplier members and other stakeholders as the industry navigates business travel during pandemic times. Here are some of the January poll highlights:

• Optimism for the long haul. Three in four travel managers expect business travel volume at their company will be much (17%) or somewhat (58%) higher in 2022 than it was in 2021. Another one in 10 (12%) expect business travel to remain about the same as 2021, but few (5%) expect it to be lower. 

  • Among travel suppliers and travel management companies (TMCs), three in four expect their company’s revenue in 2022 from business travel to be much (25%) or somewhat (51%) higher compared to 2021. An additional one in 10 (13%) suppliers and TMCs expect company revenue to remain about the same as 2021. 

• Company travel cancellation decreases. Poll results show a decline in the percentage of companies who continue to suspend or cancel business travel. 68% of GBTA member companies have not yet opened international travel, compared to 79% in the October 2021 GBTA poll, and 29% have not opened domestic business travel versus 38% in October. Less than four in 10 (38% versus 48% in October) of respondents report their company has suspended or canceled all or most business travel regardless of location. 

• Current business impacts. Six in 10 (60%) suppliers/TMCs report their bookings from corporate clients decreased from the month prior. One in five (21%) characterize their bookings from corporate customers as having increased, but another one in five (19%) report their bookings remained the same. A majority of suppliers and TMCs surveyed are concerned about the impact of Omicron on their company’s revenue. Seven in 10 report Omicron will likely have a “very negative” (32%) or “moderately negative” (38%) impact on their company’s revenue derived from business travel. An additional one in four feel Omicron will have either a “slightly negative” (20%) or no impact (3%) on business revenue.  

• Comparing variants. When asked to compare Omicron and Delta variant concerns, respondents were more positive but still divided. Two in five report they are either less worried (43%) about Omicron compared to Delta or are equally concerned (45%). Only one in 10 (13%) say they are more worried about Omicron versus Delta. 

• Company guidance largely unchanged. Relatively few companies have introduced new travel restrictions due to the Omicron variant. Only one in four (27%) travel managers/procurement officers report their company has introduced new travel restrictions or requirements, whereas two-thirds (67%) report their company has not. More than half (52%) reported their company is unlikely to do so.  

• Biggest barriers. When asked to name the single greatest barrier to business travel, 43% of survey respondents cited government policies that restrict travel or make it difficult (such as entry restrictions or mandatory quarantines).

  • Travel managers based in the UK (66%) and Europe (62%) were more likely than those in North America (33%) to cite government policies as being the single greatest barrier to business travel. Conversely, North American travel managers (27%) were more likely than those in Europe (15%) to say company policies restricting employees from traveling is the biggest barrier. 

  • ​​​​Other business travel barriers included company policies restricting employees from traveling (24%), employee unwillingness/reluctance to travel (9%), offices not being fully open (9%), and travel budget freeze/cost savings (6%). 

• Hurdles continue for international travel. When asked to name barriers specifically to international business travel, respondents said policy uncertainty (72%), strict requirements on international visitors (69%), policy inconsistencies across different countries (64%), and required documentation and paperwork (45%). 

• Getting back out there. Despite Omicron, most travel managers feel employees are willing to travel. Two in three (64%) feel their employees are “willing” or “very willing” to travel for business in the current environment. This was down, however, from 78% in the October GBTA poll. A majority of seven in 10 (72%) GBTA members and stakeholders report they would definitely or probably would travel for business. However,  respondents based in Europe (49%) are more likely than those based in North America (35%) to report their company has canceled all or most business trips.