Events drive business trips for Gen Z and Millennial workers according to new global data released by Corporate Travel Management (CTM). The report highlights that younger professionals increasingly view business travel as an opportunity for in-person engagement, professional growth, and escaping routine. Far from shying away from travel in favor of digital meetings, Gen Z and Millennials are fueling a rebound in face-to-face business interaction across key regions.
Top Reasons Younger Employees Travel
CTM’s March 2025 survey of 702 Millennial and Gen Z employees found that conferences, events, and trade shows are the leading reasons for business trips. An impressive 44% of respondents named such gatherings as their primary purpose for travel, followed closely by training and education at 42% and customer or sales meetings at 38%.
| Primary Reason for Business Travel | Percentage of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Conferences, events, and trade shows | 44% |
| Training and education | 42% |
| Customer/sales meetings | 38% |
The survey also reveals that 86% of respondents take at least one business flight per year, with 70% flying between one and five times annually. This suggests that travel is not only tolerated among younger generations but is actively embraced as part of their professional lifestyle.
Regional Differences and Travel Preferences
While the overall global rankings were fairly consistent, regional variations emerged. In North America and the UK, the top two reasons remained the same—conferences and training. However, UK respondents listed internal meetings as their third-most common reason for travel, whereas Hong Kong included supplier and partner meetings. Singapore also recognized internal meetings among its top travel purposes.
Differences between Millennials and Gen Z were also notable. For Millennials, the top three matched the global rankings. However, Gen Z travelers listed customer and sales meetings first, training and education second, and events third—possibly reflecting their earlier career stages where sales and onboarding take precedence over strategic conferences.
| Reason for Travel | Millennials | Gen Z |
|---|---|---|
| Conferences, events, and trade shows | 46% | 35% |
| Training and education | 44% | 36% |
| Customer/sales meetings | 38% | 37% |
| Internal meetings | 36% | 34% |
| Special projects | 28% | 19% |
| Supplier/partner meetings | 26% | 32% |
| Teambuilding | 26% | 22% |
What Younger Travelers Value
CTM didn’t just examine why younger professionals travel but also what they enjoy most about it. The most common benefits cited were experiencing new destinations (51%), collaborating with colleagues and partners (47%), taking a break from routine (46%), and meeting new people (37%). These perks align directly with the most common reasons for travel, suggesting that the same experiences young professionals seek are also the ones they find most rewarding.
- Experiencing new destinations: 51%
- Collaborating with colleagues and partners: 47%
- Taking a break from routine: 46%
- Meeting new people: 37%
Mike Leeson, General Manager Europe at CTM Meetings and Events, said, “These findings challenge the once accepted view that the next generation of business travellers will be more content doing business digitally. In fact, what we’ve seen at CTM M&E is the exact opposite.”
Leeson explained that remote work and hybrid roles have increased the desire for in-person interaction, noting that business events offer valuable opportunities for collaboration, relationship-building, and team bonding. “These are the kinds of meaningful, in-person experiences that simply can’t be replicated virtually,” he added.
Looking Toward the Future of Corporate Travel
Looking ahead, a strong majority of respondents believe business travel will become even more important as their careers progress. About 70% said they expect the significance of travel to grow with increased responsibility and professional seniority. This indicates that organizations should not only maintain but also enhance travel programs for rising talent.
Mike Leeson concluded, “Meetings and events are going to remain essential touchpoints for building relationships, sharing knowledge, and supporting career growth as professionals advance.”
The data from CTM paints a clear picture: the next generation of professionals is embracing travel not just as a requirement, but as an opportunity. As conferences, training programs, and meetings continue to evolve, companies that prioritize strategic in-person gatherings may find themselves ahead in talent engagement, retention, and growth.
