India’s corporate travel sector is witnessing a shift as organisations seek to balance rising travel demand with greater cost control and operational efficiency. According to insights released by Ebix Travels, 74 per cent of organisations expect business travel activity to increase over the next 12 months, reflecting the continued importance of travel in supporting business growth, customer engagement and market expansion.
The findings, based on travel patterns and booking trends across Ebix Travels’ enterprise client base between June 2025 and May 2026, indicate that while travel demand is strengthening, organisations are placing greater emphasis on extracting value from every trip. Around 68 per cent of respondents identified cost optimisation as their primary travel management objective.
The report highlights that business travel remains closely linked to revenue generation and strategic growth initiatives. More than half of organisations surveyed reported an increase in premium and business-critical travel, while nearly half observed a rise in last-minute bookings as businesses respond to evolving market conditions and opportunities.
At the same time, organisations are turning to technology to address growing complexity in travel programmes. Fluctuating airfares emerged as the most significant challenge, cited by 71 per cent of respondents. Nearly half are exploring AI-powered tools to support booking decisions, improve budget management and enhance traveller experiences.
The findings also point to changing traveller behaviour and expectations. Self-booking tools now account for 58 per cent of bookings, signalling growing demand for digital-first travel management solutions and streamlined approval processes. However, many organisations continue to face challenges due to fragmented travel, expense, forex and payment systems, resulting in reduced visibility and compliance concerns.
Commenting on the evolving business travel landscape, Vikas Garg, Chairman, Ebix Group, said:
“Business travel remains a critical enabler of economic growth, business expansion, and relationship building. As organisations navigate a dynamic operating environment, the focus is increasingly shifting towards creating greater value from every travel investment. Technology, data intelligence, and integrated financial solutions are playing a pivotal role in helping enterprises achieve this balance. At Ebix, we are committed to building connected travel ecosystems that simplify operations, enhance visibility, strengthen compliance, and empower businesses to make smarter, more informed decisions across the travel lifecycle. We believe the future of corporate travel will be defined by efficiency, agility, and seamless digital experiences that support both organisational objectives and traveller needs.”
Commenting on the findings, Latika Bolar, Chief Business Officer – Corporate Travel, Ebix Travels, said:
“The role of business travel is evolving. Organisations are no longer focused solely on facilitating travel; they are looking to optimise it. Every trip is being evaluated through the lens of business impact, cost efficiency, and traveller experience. This is driving demand for integrated, technology-enabled solutions that provide greater visibility, smarter decision-making, and better control across the travel lifecycle.”
The report also highlights growing adoption of integrated travel ecosystems that combine travel management, forex, payments and expense oversight within a single platform. Organisations adopting these models are reporting stronger governance, improved compliance, enhanced employee experiences and greater control over corporate travel spending.
