Let’s unpack the most important trends, backed by the latest stats, to see how companies and professionals are rethinking their movements across the continent.

After the pandemic years, business travel in Europe has bounced back—but with new rules. According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), intra-European business trips reached 80% of pre-2020 levels in 2024 and are projected to hit full recovery by mid-2025.

But these trips are no longer just about shaking hands across boardroom tables. Longer, more purposeful journeys are replacing short, frequent trips. Companies are consolidating meetings and encouraging employees to make the most of each trip, blending multiple objectives into a single itinerary. Today’s business trip to Europe often includes:

• multi-purpose visits (meetings + team-building + site tours)
• a mix of virtual and in-person engagements
• flexible travel windows to avoid peak stress

Hybrid work, hybrid travel

Since the pandemic, remote work has transformed traditional office life and reshaped business travel. Instead of flying in for a single meeting, professionals combine several purposes into one journey.

A business trip to Europe might now include:

• client meetings in two countries,
• a conference stopover,
• and a few days of remote work from a cultural hotspot like Lisbon or Budapest

This new “bleisure” (business + leisure) model isn’t a gimmick – it’s a rising standard. A report by Transparency Market Research projects the bleisure travel market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8%, reaching $4.18 trillion by 2035. Professionals are extending their business trips to explore destinations, with 60% adding leisure days to their itineraries.​

Sustainability is non-negotiable

Carbon footprint is no longer a niche concern. With stricter EU regulations and corporate ESG goals, sustainable travel is now central to planning any business trip to Europe. Environmental concerns are now a primary consideration for business travellers. A GBTA survey revealed that 22% of European business travellers prioritise limiting carbon emissions during their trips.

Companies are also re-evaluating travel policies, promoting virtual meetings when feasible, and investing in carbon offset programmes to mitigate the environmental impact of necessary travel.​

Some of the shifts we’re seeing:

• prioritising train travel over short-haul flights (especially on routes like Paris–Brussels or Vienna–Budapest),
• selecting green hotels and venues,
• and offsetting emissions with verifiable climate programmes.

Forward-looking companies even implement internal “green travel budgets” – rewarding teams that plan environmentally conscious trips.

Emerging business hubs in Europe

While traditional centres like London and Paris remain pivotal, emerging cities are gaining prominence in the business travel landscape. Budapest, for instance, is attracting attention for its growing tech and creative industries. Similarly, Warsaw and Barcelona are becoming key destinations for conferences and corporate events.​

These cities offer modern infrastructure, competitive pricing, and unique cultural experiences, making them attractive options for companies planning a business trip to Europe.

Kaptár co-working space in Budapest.

Regional travel is rising

While long-haul travel is still important, most corporate trips today happen within Europe. It’s faster, cheaper, and logistically simpler.

Top reasons professionals book a business trip to Europe:

• market expansion (visiting new European partners),
• trade fairs and expos,
• operational reviews at regional offices,
• networking events in key innovation hubs

Experience matters more than ever

Today’s professionals expect more from travel. If you’re going to leave the home office behind, the trip better be worth it.

That’s why more companies are adding curated experiences to their itineraries. A business trip to Europe might now include:

• a wine tasting after a partner strategy session,
• a guided Art Nouveau tour in Budapest following an architecture conference,
• or a local chef’s table to wrap up a week of meetings.

Budapest street art

These add-ons aren’t just bonuses – they help build deeper business relationships and make each trip more meaningful.

Flexibility is key

Forget rigid 9-to-5 agendas. The future of business travel is agile. Travellers now expect on-demand transport options, last-minute booking tools, and smart itineraries that adapt in real-time.

For travel managers, this means using dynamic platforms that update schedules and hotel availability in seconds. For executives, it means building room into the calendar for creativity, spontaneity, and a proper coffee break in a new city.

The next business trip to Europe will be different from the ones we took five years ago—and that’s a good thing. We’re moving towards a leaner, smarter, and more human model.