Cvent Global Travel Managers New Report Reveals Shift to Centralized Sourcing, Cost Management, and Technology Investment in Business Travel – Travel And Tour World

The evolving landscape of corporate travel and meetings management in 2025 has led to significant changes, as organizations continue to adapt to new priorities, emerging technologies, and sustainability goals. A recent report, the Cvent Global Travel Managers Report, has shed light on the growing trend of centralized sourcing for both business travel and meetings. This shift reflects a broader effort to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency, as companies increasingly recognize the need for smarter, more integrated travel management solutions.

The report, which surveyed over 1,600 decision-makers across various regions, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa, highlights how the role of travel managers has evolved to address rising costs, increased operational demands, and sustainability targets. In particular, it showcases how organizations are rethinking how they manage travel and meetings, underscoring the importance of technology, sourcing platforms, and strategic decision-making in meeting their goals.

Centralized Sourcing Becomes the Norm

The report reveals that, in 2025, 91% of travel managers are now responsible for both business travel and meetings sourcing, marking a substantial increase from 2017, when only 64% of such programs were consolidated or moving in that direction. This shift toward centralized sourcing is primarily driven by the need for operational efficiency, with 49% of travel managers globally and 53% in Europe citing this as the key motivator. Centralizing the management of both travel and meetings has allowed companies to achieve significant cost savings. In fact, 83% of respondents reported reduced costs due to this approach, with European companies being particularly keen on adopting centralized sourcing as a cost-control best practice.

This trend reflects a broader shift in how organizations view travel management. Rather than seeing it merely as the booking of flights and accommodations, travel managers are now expected to contribute to the company’s broader business objectives. They must deliver measurable outcomes while keeping expenses under control and maintaining a high standard of service for both business travelers and event attendees. With the introduction of centralized sourcing, travel managers are better equipped to make informed decisions, manage budgets effectively, and drive greater value from every trip and meeting.

Cost Pressures Influence Travel Priorities

Despite the push toward greater efficiency, the report emphasizes that travel budgets are expected to remain under pressure in 2025. A significant 71% of travel managers anticipate a rise in costs, which will prompt companies to reassess their travel and meeting approvals. Notably, incentive trips and internal meetings are most at risk of being cut, with 31% of respondents indicating these categories would be the first to be reduced if budgets become more restrictive.

This cost-conscious approach reflects the delicate balance that travel managers must maintain between supporting business growth and managing a tighter budget. However, the report highlights that, despite the financial pressures, companies are unwilling to cut technology spending. Only 13% of respondents globally indicated plans to reduce their technology budgets in 2025. This suggests that organizations view technology as a vital investment for controlling costs and improving the efficiency of their travel programs. Technology platforms are now seen as essential tools for managing increasingly complex programs, offering real-time reporting, streamlining workflows, and ensuring compliance across various business travel and meeting initiatives.

Meeting Objectives Shape Business Travel Decisions

Even with financial constraints, the value of face-to-face engagement remains high in the business world. According to the report, 43% of travel managers globally identified acquiring new customers as the top reason for organizing in-person meetings. This is particularly important as companies look to expand into new markets and strengthen relationships with clients. Other key objectives driving business travel include building customer relationships, employee training, and fostering collaboration within teams. These objectives demonstrate that travel is still viewed as an investment in business growth rather than just a discretionary expense.

Given the increased cost pressures, organizations are becoming more strategic about which meetings and travel experiences truly require in-person attendance. The report suggests that by focusing on high-value meetings, such as those centered around customer acquisition, companies aim to maximize their return on travel spending while minimizing lower-priority trips that could be replaced by virtual meetings. The rise of hybrid and virtual meetings has certainly reshaped the business travel landscape, but face-to-face engagements continue to play a crucial role in strengthening business ties and driving long-term growth.

Technology and Content Enable Smarter Sourcing Decisions

Technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the decision-making process for travel managers. The report highlights how sourcing technology and online content are helping managers make better decisions when selecting hotels, venues, and suppliers. Approximately 48% of travel managers stated that the availability of guest room specifications, images, and videos most influences their decision to submit a request for proposal (RFP). This underscores the growing importance for hotels and venues to provide clear, detailed, and visually appealing information to attract corporate bookings.

Despite the wealth of information available online, the report notes that 33% of travel managers still struggle to determine whether a hotel meets their program’s needs. This indicates a gap between the abundance of data and the clarity required to make confident decisions. Sourcing platforms have become particularly valuable in Europe, where 43% of travel managers reported that these platforms help them assess and analyze bids more easily. These platforms enable travel managers to reduce complexity, compare offers, and negotiate better deals, all while keeping costs under control.

Sustainability Goals Influence Decision-Making

As sustainability continues to be a key concern for organizations worldwide, the report reveals that environmental and social considerations are increasingly influencing travel and meeting decisions. Travel managers are now expected to prioritize sustainable practices when sourcing hotels and venues. Many organizations are implementing policies to reduce their carbon footprints and minimize the environmental impact of their travel and meetings.

The demand for sustainable options has led to the rise of green-certified hotels and venues, as well as the implementation of sustainable practices by suppliers. This is reflected in the decisions made by travel managers, who are now more likely to choose suppliers that align with their company’s sustainability goals. As a result, hotels and venues that invest in sustainability initiatives and transparent sourcing practices will be better positioned to attract corporate business in the competitive meetings and events market.

Technology Investment Remains Strong

Despite cost pressures, technology investment remains a priority for travel managers. Only 13% of respondents indicated plans to cut technology budgets in 2025, demonstrating the critical role that advanced technology platforms play in managing complex travel and meeting programs. These tools enable travel managers to monitor spend, ensure policy compliance, and gain visibility across both business travel and meetings. As companies consolidate their programs, the need for a unified platform to manage sourcing, bookings, and reporting becomes even more important. Technology is not only a tool for cost control but also a way to ensure greater agility and responsiveness to changing business needs or external disruptions.

Hotels and venues that understand this shift toward digital sourcing and sustainable practices will be better positioned to win corporate business. The report clearly indicates that suppliers who align with travel managers’ needs, including technology, sustainability, and cost management, will have a competitive edge in the increasingly complex meetings and events market.

Conclusion

The 2025 Cvent Global Travel Managers Report highlights the ongoing transformation in how organizations approach travel and meetings. The shift towards centralized sourcing, combined with the growing reliance on technology and the increased focus on sustainability, signals a new era for business travel management. As travel budgets remain under pressure, travel managers are adopting smarter sourcing strategies to ensure cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable travel solutions. By embracing new technologies and leveraging advanced sourcing platforms, organizations are well-positioned to manage increasingly complex travel programs while meeting their business and sustainability goals.

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