GBTA Insights: Canada's Business Travel Sector's 2025 Outlook Marred by Market Instability

Canadian business travel spending surpassed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, growing by 15% year-over-year, but market uncertainty tempers the outlook for 2025, according to insights presented at the 2025 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Canada Conference.

During the 2025 GBTA Canada Conference, the association presented new insights into the Canadian business travel sector. The event in Toronto attracted over 670 registered attendees, including 190 corporate travel managers, suppliers, and other industry professionals from across Canada and beyond. The conference also featured 62 companies showcasing their services and products at the sold-out expo.

Canadian Business Travel Growth and Uncertainty

In her presentation, GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang highlighted Canada’s 15% year-over-year spending growth in 2024. However, she also noted a decrease in optimism, particularly in Canada, compared to November 2024 figures. This decrease in confidence is influenced by uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade, which is shaping a more cautious outlook for 2025.

Canada’s Business Travel Spending in Comparison

The GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook report revealed that Canada was the 13th largest global business travel market in 2024, with an estimated spending of $36.5 billion CAD, reaching 102% of pre-pandemic levels. This spending was forecast to increase by 17.7% to $44.3 billion CAD in 2025, outperforming the global growth average.

Canadian Travel Buyers Expectation for 2025

Despite the growth in 2024, a GBTA global industry poll revealed that 71% of Canadian travel buyers surveyed expect a decrease in their company’s business travel spending for 2025. Additionally, 53% anticipate volume decreases, influenced by factors such as U.S. government actions, economic headwinds, rising travel costs, and increased travel administration such as documentation and visas.

Canadian Business Traveler Behavior

GBTA research also presented insights on Canadian business traveler behavior. In 2024, Canadian business travelers spent less per trip than their U.S. counterparts but more than the global average. Most Canadians traveled for a convention/conference, seminar/training, or sales/account management/partner meetings. The concept of “bleisure” travel, combining business and leisure, remained strong with 55% of Canadian business travelers extending work trips for personal time.