As corporate travel continues to evolve in response to shifting economic conditions, technological innovation, and changing workforce expectations, understanding what truly matters to business travellers has never been more important. Selective Travel Management’s 2026 Corporate Travel Report is shaped directly by the voices of our clients, capturing the travel factors they identified as most critical for the year ahead.

Explore the key findings from our annual client survey, conducted in December 2025.

Key Findings:

We asked our clients what factors are most important to them when booking travel in 2026. Interestingly, all factors remained in the same position as 2025, with a slight variation in the number of votes for each.

1) Value for Money

For 2026, value for money continues to be the top priority for business travellers, with 7 in 10 ranking it as their most important factor. In an unpredictable travel market, organisations are looking for solutions that balance cost, convenience, and quality from both their Travel Management Company (TMC) and its supply chain. From flights and hotels to ground services, travellers want transparency and assurance that their spend delivers real value. At Selective Travel Management, we deliver value for money through our negotiated rates, supplier partnerships, flexible booking options, and traveller support. Our online booking tool enables fare comparison and ensures policy compliance, while our reporting tool delivers data-driven insights.

2) Travel Booking Support

Nearly as crucial, 67% of clients highlight the importance of travel booking support. While self-service tools and online platforms are the new norm, many travellers still value talking to real people for personalised guidance, expert advice, and proactive problem-solving. Support can range from navigating complex itineraries to resolving last-minute disruptions. At Selective Travel Management, we take pride in offering expert human support, ensuring our clients travel with confidence. Through dedicated offline teams, online assistance, account management, and 24/7 availability, our travel experts ensure a smooth experience from pre- to post-booking.

3) Online Booking Platform / Technology

Technology remains a significant factor, with 48% of clients emphasising the importance of intuitive and efficient online booking platforms. Today’s business travellers expect streamlined tools that make searching, comparing, and booking travel simple and efficient. Integrated platforms with approval workflows, personalisation, and user-friendly interfaces are increasingly essential. At Selective Travel Management, we offer a full suite of online technology, from booking and reporting to traveller tracking and profiles. Our innovative technology is built in-house and is fully customisable to client requirements. With 24/7 access and mobile compatibility, our tools save time, control costs, improve compliance, and support travellers at every step of their journey.

4) Traveller Risk / Duty of Care

Safety and duty of care are non-negotiable for over a third of our clients. With global travel landscapes constantly changing, companies must prioritise risk management, ensuring that travellers are protected from health, security, and logistical threats. Real-time alerts, emergency support, and health and security guidance are crucial to protect travellers and maintain operational continuity. At Selective Travel Management, we help mitigate risk through leading tracking technology, allowing us to pinpoint and communicate with our travellers in cases of emergency, cancelled, or disrupted travel. Through 24/7 round-the-clock support, we ensure our travellers feel secure and supported wherever they go.

5) Sustainability

Sustainability continues to be an important factor when booking travel, with 31% of clients focusing on the environmental and social impact of their travel choices. While attention to sustainability has shifted over the years, many companies and individual travellers are increasingly seeking low-carbon options and methods to reduce their carbon footprint. At Selective Travel Management, we continue to operate as a climate conscious business, measuring our impact on the environment through verified accreditations. We encourage clients to pursue sustainable travel practices through policy measures, greener travel options, carbon offsetting, and carbon reporting, helping them make informed, responsible travel decisions across their travel management programme.

6) Reporting

Though cited by only 7% of clients, reporting remains a vital back-office function for travel managers. Accurate, actionable reporting provides insights into spend patterns, policy compliance, and traveller behaviour, improving overall travel programme efficiency, even if it is less visible to travellers themselves. At Selective Travel Management, our online reporting tool, Trends, provides clients with unique travel data and the ability to explore deeper, more advanced reports. Clients can also access financial information through our Accounts Portal or receive more comprehensive analysis and optimisation opportunities from our Account Management team.

Our 2026 survey highlights a clear trend: travellers want value, support, and seamless technology, but safety, sustainability, and actionable insights are increasingly important. Selective Travel Management is committed to meeting these needs by empowering clients to travel smarter, greener, and safer.