Global Business Travel Group Inc.

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 07:32

How business travel can boost company culture

Mission statements. Company values. Team-building activities. Group lunches. Corporate initiatives. These are all ways companies can build and reinforce supportive and engaging workplace cultures.

As remote working is so common, employees might not be together in the office all the time - or at all. This means face-to-face interactions are more valuable than ever, and companies must be more intentional when promoting work cultures.

One way businesses can help to foster a more positive and inclusive company culture is through business travel. Here's how:

The benefits of a strong corporate culture

There are many advantages to having a positive work culture, for both employees and employers, including:

  • Reducing staff turnover: A strong company culture can make employees feel valued and means they might be more likely to stay with the organization long term.
  • Increasing employee engagement: An appealing work culture can increase employee engagement by creating a sense of belonging. This can help to make employees more productive, as they likely feel more committed to their work and company.
  • Enhancing productivity: A more positive work culture can encourage employees to go the extra mile and be more efficient, as they may feel more invested in the business.
  • Better collaboration: Open communication is a key part of strong working cultures. It makes it easier for staff to work together to solve problems and be more creative.
  • Attracting top talent: Having a positive company culture can be an attractive pull for potential employees, as many seek businesses with a good culture and values.

How can business travel programs boost company culture?

Business travel is a relationship builder - seeing colleagues in person allows travelers to create stronger connections than they might have done remotely. 62% of travel decision makers say that the top benefit of business travel is building new client relationships and prospecting.

Virtual tools can connect teammates, but there's only so much that can be built through a computer screen. Business travel helps to foster meaningful connections with colleagues, regardless of where they are in the world.

Nearly 80% of business travelers say that traveling for business boosts their job satisfaction. Happy employees tend to perform better, so companies need to take good care of them, whether they're working remotely or are on a business trip.

Business travel can also give employees greater flexibility with where and when their work can be done. They might be working with colleagues in different time zones or across oceans, which is exciting and offers a different pace of working. It can expose them to new ideas, cultures, and experiences to inspire innovation and creativity.

Having a strong corporate culture is crucial to driving the business forward. Travel opportunities can help foster a sense of community, support employee well-being, and reduce the risk of burnout. Read our article for more about mental health during business trips.

What to look for in a business travel program

Companies should have a flexible travel policy to support a more positive work culture. Here are three areas that should be a priority when businesses are looking to strengthen their company culture through an effective travel program:

Clear communication

Communication is key to building a successful corporate travel program. Employees must understand travel policies and procedures empower them to make informed travel decisions.

Policies should prioritize traveler behavior, giving them the right guidance to be compliant (especially when travel is not urgent).

Regular updates and open channels for feedback can make sure that policies remain relevant and that employees feel informed and valued. Transparency in communication also helps employees know the purpose behind travel guidelines.

Companies should also provide detailed travel apps or platforms where users can access information, ask questions, and get support.

The right technology

This can also make a big difference to the success of a company's travel program. Booking a trip should take minutes and be an intuitive experience for travel managers and travelers. It should feel personal, easy to do, and offer a global network of travel options from preferred providers.

For example, one of Amex GBT Egencia's tools, Egencia Analytics Studio, consolidates all booking data in one place. You can view reports on your travel programme's overall performance or dig into specific details.

Powerful data visualizations help users understand a travel program's performance quickly so that any alterations can be made. And it gives businesses the ability to take this information to leadership teams and show them how travel spend works to achieve the company's goal.

How to build a strong culture via a travel program

Increasingly, organizations are recognizing that effective corporate travel management is a strategic investment that can yield significant business benefits. By using travel programs strategically, companies can foster a stronger corporate culture, boost employee morale, and achieve broader business objectives.

A Deloitte study found that 51% of traveling teams expressed a desire for more opportunities to travel. This demand is driven by the potential to engage in additional events, conduct more in-person meetings, and fulfill their desire to travel more.

Here's how companies can maximize the cultural and business benefits of their travel programs:

1. Work out ROI per trip

To do this, businesses need to work with stakeholders to get the data and information to define the return on investment (ROI) per trip. This metric not only quantifies the program's impact but also helps identify areas for optimization.

2. Align with company business goals

A travel program should support the overarching goals of your company. Is your organization focused on innovation? Overall growth? Retaining clients? Keeping top talent or creating operational efficiency? It's important to identify goals that are right for the organization, so every journey contributes to its strategic vision.

3. Present plans to the leadership team

Demonstrate how travel expenditure can support key business areas to get leadership buy-in. Think about how strategic travel expenditure aligns with and supports your organization's core business objectives. Highlighting the connection in key areas, like client engagement or market expansion, can strengthen your case for leadership buy-in.

Work with a travel partner

Creating a positive workplace culture doesn't happen overnight. But with the right mindset and plans, business travel can be a great way to do it. Working with an experienced travel company, like Amex GBT, can help to create a robust and flexible travel solution that encourages a stronger business culture.

To find out more about our business travel solutions, get in touch with a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team today.

Global Business Travel Group Inc. published this content on June 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2025 at 13:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io