Global business travel buyers retreat from U.S.

Hotels brace for revenue declines as business meetings are canceled, moved Abroad, or taken online

Growing concerns over recent U.S. government actions — including trade tariffs, immigration restrictions, and heightened border detentions — are prompting global business travel buyers to rethink their plans. A new Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll reveals that international companies are canceling, relocating, or virtualizing U.S.-based meetings at increasing rates, and shifting their focus to markets outside the United States. This mounting unease is expected to significantly affect the U.S. hospitality sector, with hotels forecasting notable drops in business travel revenue through 2025 and beyond.

Key takeaways

• Rising concerns impacting travel plans: Between April and July, global business travel buyers reported growing concerns about safety, budgets, and employee willingness to travel to the U.S. Notably, concern over border detentions rose 9 percentage points to 31%, while fears of budget cuts and employee reluctance to travel also increased.
• Cancellations and shifts to virtual meetings: More travel buyers have canceled or relocated U.S.-based meetings since April. Virtual meetings are on the rise too — 24% of respondents have shifted in-person events online, compared to 19% earlier in the year.
• Pullback from U.S. market: Nearly 20% of international employees are now declining trips to the U.S. due to political and policy concerns. In response, over a third of non-U.S. travel professionals are actively seeking business partners outside the United States.
• Revenue hit for hotels expected: 58% of lodging providers anticipate revenue declines from business travel — the highest among travel suppliers. This is up significantly from April’s 37%, reflecting growing uncertainty about the U.S. market.
• Broader economic impact forecasted: The World Travel & Tourism Council projects a potential $12.5 billion loss in international visitor spending for the U.S. in 2025. Industry analysts like CoStar have also revised downward their hotel growth outlooks for 2025 and 2026.

Get the full story at GBTA