Related: Global Business Travel Spending to Reach $1.3 Trillion
Global Ground Transportation to Continue Flat Pricing
New Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) research highlights six risks heading into 2017 that could impact both travel industry prices and the global economy as a whole. Risks include financial market turbulence, oil prices, and uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
New Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) research highlights six risks heading into 2017 that could impact both travel industry prices and the global economy as a whole. These risks include emerging market performance, financial market turbulence, geopolitical risks, uncertainty surrounding Brexit, potentially fluctuating U.S. interest rates, and oil prices.
“While business travel repeatedly demonstrates its resilience, the high level of global uncertainty we face heading into 2017 means travel buyers have to be more nimble and flexible than ever in crafting travel programs,” said Jeanne Liu, vice president for research for the GBTA Foundation. “The outlook shows only marginal increases or flat travel prices, but for 2017, the key to building successful travel programs will be watching and reacting to an ever-changing global landscape.”
These findings come from the “2017 Global Travel Price Outlook,” research from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the GBTA, and travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). The third annual report provides global, regional, and country-by-country projections for air travel, hotel, ground transportation, and meetings and events prices in 2017.
For the global ground transportation sector, a competitive climate will dictate continued flat pricing, according to the report. Asia-Pacific prices are expected to increase slightly by 0.8% while the EMEA is projected to remain flat across the board — with a small 0.1% decrease expected in Western Europe. In North America, prices are projected to remain flat in 2017. For LATAM, prices are expected to edge forward by 0.5%.
“We are seeing relatively low, inconsistent, and in some cases fragile economic growth,” said Kurt Ekert, president and CEO of CWT. “Travelers and travel managers need to understand their travel patterns and spend, and be alert to the impact of economic uncertainty and volatility. Proper planning will put them in position to make changes when necessary and to avoid downside financial risk.”
More Rental Operations

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals
Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.
Read More →
The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →
Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental
Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)
Read More →
