Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

U.S. Business Travel Spending Slows in 2015

Although U.S. business travel spending will increase by 3.1% in 2015, the global oil price collapse and economic weakness in China, Russia and the Middle East will reduce the outlook for growth in 2015 and 2016, according to a Global Business Travel Association report.

by Staff
October 21, 2015
U.S. Business Travel Spending Slows in 2015

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

2 min to read


Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.

U.S. business travel spending will increase by 3.1% in 2015 and 3.7% in 2016, yet the global oil price collapse and economic weakness in China, Russia and the Middle East will dampen the outlook for growth this year and next.

These findings are part of the “GBTA BTI Outlook – United States 2015 Q3,” a report by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation and sponsored by Visa Inc.

Ad Loading...

“Growth in U.S. business travel spending is softening as result of the uncertain macro-economic environment,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA’s executive director and COO. “While the number of trips are up, total spending per trip is down. That can be linked to growing uncertainty and risk associated with the global economy, especially in China, Russia and the Middle East, and the global collapse in oil prices. This should sound a clear note of caution for the overall U.S. economy.”

The Q3 report represents a downward revision from the one released in July — when growth was projected to grow at 4.9% in 2015 and 5.4% in 2016. The revision can be attributed to three key factors, according to GBTA:

1) U.S. companies are becoming more selective in authorizing business travel abroad as a result of global economic uncertainty and risk: While we expect 5.4% growth in International outbound business travel volume this year, spending growth rates will be slashed by more than 50% from 2014 (from 8.6% to 3.4%).

2) Inflation in the business travel sector will be nearly flat (0.5%) in 2015 and modest (3%) in 2016, primarily due to the collapse of global oil prices: While the volume of U.S. originated trips will increase 0.7% from 495.8 million in 2014 to 499.2 million in 2015 and 514.8 million in 2016, the total growth rate for spend is actually down. This is especially true in two areas — air travel spending will decrease by 3.4% in 2015 and ground transportation spending will decrease by 7.7%.

3) Actual (as opposed to projected) business travel figures, which were revised to indicate higher trip numbers and lower spending figures for 2014.

Additionally, the study found the collapse in global oil prices is finally beginning to impact consumers, particularly when it comes to air travel spending, according to the GBTA report. In 2015, the average airfare for a domestic roundtrip is $379, compared to $392 in 2014.

More Rental Operations

green and blue bar graphs compare fleet sales June 2025 versus June 2026
Fleet Acquisitionby Martin RomjueJuly 8, 2026

Rental Car Fleet Sales Show Mid-Year Strength

June gains ensured rental fleets closed out the first half of 2026 in positive territory.

Read More →
Close up of a row of white CUVs in the Surprice Mobility fleet at the Milan airport.

Surprice Mobility Opens Corporate Rental Station at Milan Malpensa Airport

The Milan opening is part of Surprice Mobility's broader strategy to expand its corporate operations while increasing the use of technology across its network.

Read More →
Julian Gritsch with an MBA class in a classroom.

Brazilian Executive MBA Targets Growing Domestic Rental Car Industry

Rental car companies face a unique combination of challenges that are rarely addressed in traditional programs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Green Motion team with banner bearing Japanese flag.

Green Motion Expands Into Japan With Master Franchise Agreement

Japan's tourism industry, business travel market, and demand for vehicle rental services are reasons the country represents an important market for the company.

Read More →
ACRA Chairman Sharky Laguana on stage at the ICRS event in Grapevine, Texas.
Legal & Legislativeby Martin RomjueJune 24, 2026

ACRA Carrying Fuller Industry Load As AI and EVs Lurk In Future

The leading car rental professional business group details an active legislative, regulatory, and macro-trends agenda affecting car rental operators.

Read More →
Light blue horizontal bar graphs on a chart showing World Cup-related rental car booking trends.
Rental OperationsJune 23, 2026

World Cup Travel Data Shows Longer Car Rentals and More One-Ways

A recent analysis of FIFA bookings found varied demand patterns that influenced rental car pricing.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Side view of ICRS speaker Sanchit Garg at podium in front of a floor lit red curtain
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueJune 22, 2026

A Leveling Force: AI Morphs Into A Rental Car Profit-Seeker

Revenue managers can’t match the emerging AI tools gobbling lots of data that could counter the competitive race to the rate bottom.

Read More →
Photos of Martin Romjue and Denis Gjoni on opposite sides of large headline for the video.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueJune 17, 2026

Stop Losing Money On Rental Tolls

Regardless of your rental fleet size and structure, fleet managers, executives, and owners can gain valuable insights into an often-overlooked area of fleet operations.

Read More →
Richard Lowden gesturing on stage in front of a red curtain at the Gaylord Texan Resort near Dallas.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueJune 12, 2026

Rethink The Future To Avert A Race To The Bottom

Rental car operators heard a sobering industry message and a stern challenge at the close of the International Car Rental Show.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
John Possumato holding microphone while asking a question during a live conference session at the ICRS Show.

DriveItAway, Free2move Plan Shared Fleet Program for Independent Rental Fleet Operators

Vehicles would be placed with participating rental operations to support car renter demand and provide additional fleet capacity.

Read More →
Ad Loading...