AI adoption in corporate travel is high but challenges remain

While 90% of business travel managers are using AI, many corporate travel programmes are struggling to scale their efforts effectively, according to a new study by Serko and Sabre.

The report ‘2025 State of AI in Corporate Travel: Unlocking Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges’ looks at how AI and generative AI (genAI) are reshaping the business travel landscape.

Based on a survey of more than 300 US-based travel managers at companies with over $50 million in revenue, the report details key AI challenges, successes and priorities for the sector including ROI and technology demands.

Conducted in conjunction with market research provider PureSpectrum, the report found that AI has moved from experimentation to expectation.

Although AI adoption in corporate travel is high, success isn’t guaranteed and travel technology partners must take a more proactive approach to bridge the gap between potential and performance. 

Key findings of the report include:

• There has been widespread adoption of AI or genAI with over 90% of respondents using it

• Primary reasons for using AI include cost savings (71%), enhancing the traveller experience (68%) and improving data analysis (63%)

• 52% of respondents say AI has exceeded expectations, while 45% say it’s meeting them

• Nearly half of travel managers believe that AI will have a “significant” or “transformative” impact on their programmes over the next five years

• Some respondents feel supported, with 49% saying support from travel partners is only “moderate” and 11% saying they’ve received little or no help

• The biggest roadblocks include implementation hurdles (46%), lack of internal talent (19%) and budget constraints (14%) 

Sundar Narasimhan, SVP and President at Sabre Labs, said: “The corporate travel industry is moving quickly from exploring AI and genAI to deeply embedding it into their operations. What was once a ‘nice-to-have’ is becoming an operational necessity. Companies that fail to integrate AI-driven decision-making risk falling behind, not just in efficiency and cost savings, but in their ability to deliver the seamless, personalised experiences that travellers now expect.

“Our focus is on helping our customers navigate this shift with confidence, helping to ensure they have the right tools, strategies and support to turn AI investment into meaningful traveller and business outcomes.” 

Andrew Revell, Head of AI at Serko, added: “This is a defining moment for the industry. Our customers are asking not just for tools, but for trust, expertise and a clear path forward. We are focussed on delivering on all three.” 

serko.com; sabre.com