Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have yielded returns in
corporate travel via cost reductions, process efficiency and traveler
satisfaction, according to survey data from Serko
and Sabre.
The state of AI in corporate travel 2025 report surveyed 300 travel managers from organizations in the United States with more than $50 million in revenue reported.
In total, 52% of respondents said that their AI tools exceeded
expectations, while 92% said the tools have at least met their expectations.
“These results show that the value of AI isn't new to the
travel industry. We've leveraged its potential well for years, particularly in areas
like predictive analytics and personalization,” said Andrew Revell, head of AI
for Serko.
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“So, as the incredible capabilities of generative AI
accelerate, our industry is in a good position to go beyond the hype and find practical,
valuable applications that deliver real impact. This is an exciting time to be
in corporate travel.”
However, even with clear return on investment gains,
corporate travel managers are also facing challenges with AI implementation.
Almost a fifth of corporate managers said they struggle
to find personnel to manage AI projects, while 46% said that the “technological
complexity” of integrating AI solutions is another barrier. Additionally, 14%
cited budget constraints that “sometimes hinder the ability to fully realize AI’s
potential.”
Considering these challenges, Serko and Sabre highlighted
the importance of partnering with travel management companies and technology
providers.
When asked about partnerships and support, almost half of survey
respondents (49%) said they “receive moderate support from their travel
management partners,” while 39% receive “significant support” and 11% receive “insufficient
or no support.”
“The future is going to be about 'practical innovation'—gaining
the benefits of AI while navigating the challenges this brings,” said Sundar
Narasimhan, senior vice president and president of Sabre Labs and product strategy.
“Success will hinge on developing strong partnerships with
technology partners that see the same potential as their customers and understand
what it takes to take full advantage together.”
Moving forward, managers in the corporate travel industry
anticipate that AI influence will increase. The survey revealed 44% of respondents
believe AI will “have a significant effect on their programs” over the next five years, while 22%
believe it will be “transformative, reshaping the industry at its core.”
New audience research data from TravelTech Show illustrates AI interest
as well, with 52% of respondents saying they'll be investing in AI in
the next year. Almost half of respondents (42%) plan to increase this investment by
10%, while 16% of respondents said they plan to increase investments by up to
50%.
Interestingly, however, 25% of respondents said they
actually haven’t implemented AI yet. Key areas of concern were cited as quality
and accuracy of content (31%), data privacy and security/cyberattacks (15%) and
keeping pace with development (14%).