A new poll of travel stakeholders shows a significant proportion of industry professionals believe travel to the United States will become more expensive and difficult under the Trump administration, creating a chilling effect on the corporate travel sector.
The survey by Business Travel Show (BTS) asked 115 corporate travel and procurement workers about travel costs and convenience. Nearly half the respondents (48%) said they thought travel to the US would go up in price under Trump. Meanwhile, 35% said Republican policies would make travel “more difficult”.
But for businesses some of the pressure around environmental issues could be lifted by Trump measures, according to the 44% of respondents who said weakened climate targets would “dilute the pressure for corporates to expedite sustainable travel programmes”.
US flux causing caution and concern
There is still uncertainty around some of President Trump’s policies, with an announcement on travel bans for dozens of nations still in the offing. That lack of stability is causing consumer confidence, and therefore spending, to drop, the BTS insights suggest.
Noting the new President’s ripple effect just weeks into his mandate, BTW Europe’s marketing director, Jonathan Carter-Chapman, said: “The Trump administration has only been in power for two months and policies that may affect corporate travel – trade tariffs, flight bans, possible environmental legislation and more – are still in a state of flux.”
NEW – Proposed travel ban countries list from Trump administration includes nations whose citizens may face US entry restrictions. List subject to change in final order. pic.twitter.com/ovL1a9qVPf
— Byte (@ByteEcosystem) March 15, 2025
That flux, according to Carter-Chapman, makes it “impossible to know for certain what the impact will be on travel and travellers to and from the United States. Despite that, many travel managers are proceeding with caution and – given the continued pressure to cut costs – are concerned.”
European picture better
In Europe meanwhile, potential wobbles around new travel policies coming into action seem to have been avoided. During the same survey, respondents recorded a high level of familiarity (83%) among buyers when it comes to the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which opened to European applications in early March 2025 and comes into force in April.
✈️ EU nationals, travelling to the UK after 2 April? You need an ETA!
— EU Delegation UK (@EUdelegationUK) March 19, 2025
The easiest way to apply is via the UK ETA app.
Here’s how:
✅ provide passport & contact details
✅ Upload a valid photo
✅ Answer eligibility questions
✅ Pay a fee
See more: https://t.co/jumJeNH4ap
And, despite a series of delays and disagreements, the European Union’s ETIAS border security scheme (now to have a phased launch in 2026) is not causing too much concern either, yet.
These issues will be among the subjects discussed at this year’s Business Travel Show event in London over 25-26 June 2025. A session dedicated to ‘How geopolitics will reshape your company’s travel programme’, will demonstrate to delegates what “the new global risk map looks like and how to re-strategise their travel programmes accordingly,” explained Carter-Chapman.
