A new report from Ebix Travels indicates that 74% of Indian organizations expect a significant increase in business travel over the next 12 months, as companies seek to balance rising travel demands with tighter financial controls. The study, covering travel patterns from June 2025 to May 2026, reveals that 68% of firms are prioritizing cost optimization in their travel management strategies, shifting toward data-driven decision-making and technology to maximize the value of each trip.
Cost Optimization and Premium Travel Trends
The report underscores that business travel remains essential for customer engagement, market expansion, and revenue growth. Notably, 52% of organizations report an uptick in premium and business-critical travel, while 47% have seen a rise in last-minute bookings, reflecting a need for greater flexibility in response to market dynamics. This trend is particularly relevant for carriers like IndiGo and Air India, which have recently adjusted summer capacity, as noted in our coverage of Indian airfares climbing amid capacity cuts.
Technology is playing a pivotal role in this evolving landscape. Fluctuating airfares challenge 71% of respondents, prompting 49% to explore AI-powered tools for better booking decisions and budget optimization. Self-booking tools now account for 58% of all bookings, signaling a strong demand for seamless digital experiences. This aligns with broader industry shifts, such as the use of AI in crisis management highlighted in AI-generated fake news compressing crisis decision timelines.
Vikas Garg, Chairman of Ebix Group, emphasized the transformative role of technology: "We believe the future of corporate travel will be defined by efficiency, agility, and seamless digital experiences." As organizations adopt integrated travel ecosystems, they report improvements in governance, compliance, and employee experience, reinforcing the potential of tech-driven solutions.
The findings also resonate with trends in the broader Asia-Pacific region. For instance, China's business travel market is driven by the 30–39 age cohort, suggesting that Indian firms may similarly target younger, tech-savvy travelers. Additionally, the rise in premium travel could influence hotel chains like Wyndham, which recently launched nature-focused packages in Hua Hin, as seen in Wyndham Hua Hin Pranburi's offering.
For travel professionals—from airline revenue managers to corporate travel agents—the report signals a clear imperative: invest in AI and self-service tools to capture the growing demand while maintaining cost discipline. The data suggests that Indian firms are not just traveling more, but traveling smarter, with technology as the backbone of their strategies.
