New research from Ipsos UK and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has found that 70% of Gen Z professionals look forward to business travel, yet they report higher stress levels and greater disruption than older generations.
The ‘Meet Tomorrow’s Business Travelers’ report surveyed over 1,800 business travellers in the US and UK to explore generational differences in attitudes towards work trips.
While nearly seven in ten respondents across all generations expressed enthusiasm for business travel, Gen Z (aged 18–28) was the most likely to find it stressful. The report also found that only 63% of Gen Z travellers understood that their employer has a duty of care while they are on work trips, compared to 73% of Millennials and 68% of business travellers overall. This highlights a gap in communication and education about employer support during travel.
Millennials (aged 29–44) were the most positive about business travel, associating it with career development, motivation and teamwork. They were also more likely to feel comfortable using technology, particularly generative AI, for travel-related tasks.
Travel Disruptions and the Role of Technology
Disruptions to travel plans were a common issue, with 45% of Gen Z professionals reporting travel disruptions in the past year, compared to 36% of Millennials and 32% of Gen X. Despite this, most travellers felt well supported by their employers, with 84% of UK respondents and 90% in the US stating they had received adequate assistance.
The survey found that digital tools and human support both play a crucial role in managing disruptions. While 60% of respondents preferred using self-service technology to handle travel issues, 70% wanted access to human assistance. The research also showed a growing acceptance of generative AI in managing travel tasks, such as booking flights (62%) and handling expense reports (60%). However, Millennials were more comfortable with AI tools than Gen Z, despite the latter often being regarded as a “digital native” generation.
Evan Konwiser, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Amex GBT, spoke of the importance of balancing digital self-service with human support.
“We can see that Gen Z workers recognize how business travel can enable career growth and connection in a more disrupted world. With that said, we know that traveling can be an emotional experience, especially when it is disrupted. As an industry it is important that we find the right mix of digital self-service and human support to meet the needs of both today and tomorrow’s traveling workforce.
“When you combine AI with human talent you can unlock exceptional user experiences while managing the corporate policy and program.”
‘Bleisure’ Travel and Changing Expectations
The report found that 62% of US and UK business travellers have extended work trips for leisure, while 52% have incorporated work into personal travel. This trend, known as ‘bleisure’ travel, raises discussions around work-life balance and company policies on travel expenses and compliance.
Personal values also play a role in travel decisions. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of business travellers said their employer allows them to maintain their personal values while travelling. Among frequent travellers—those who have taken at least 11 work flights in the past two years—this figure rises to 78%.
Remote and hybrid workers expressed strong interest in travel opportunities. Four in ten remote workers said the chance to travel would be a key factor in choosing a new job. Hybrid workers were more likely than others to travel for a variety of business purposes, with 55% citing client-related work as the primary reason for their last trip.
Future Trends in Business Travel
More than half (55%) of respondents expect to travel more for work in the next five years, with two-thirds believing that business travel will become easier over time.
Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland, noted that time spent with colleagues and clients positively impacts employee engagement. She acknowledged that Gen Z professionals report higher stress levels than other generations, presenting an opportunity for businesses to improve support systems for younger employees navigating work travel.
