Young professionals crave work trips but face more stress – highlighting the need for better support, balance, and digital tools
Mar 27, 2025
A new report by American Express Global Business Travel and Ipsos UK reveals that Gen Z (ages 18–28) is highly enthusiastic about business travel, with 70% looking forward to it. However, they also experience more stress, disruption, and uncertainty compared to older generations, suggesting a need for better support and clearer communication from employers.
Key takeaways
- Gen Z engagement & challenges: 70% of Gen Z looks forward to business travel, but they also report the highest levels of stress (45% report disruption) and are less aware (63%) of employer responsibility for their care while traveling.
- Millennial enthusiasm: Millennials (29-44) are most positive about business travel, seeing it as exciting, career-boosting, and good for teamwork. They also show the most comfort with using generative AI for travel tasks.
- Support during disruptions: Most business travelers feel well-supported by employers during travel disruptions – 84% in the UK, 90% in the US.
- Tech vs. human help: While 60% of travelers across generations are open to digital/self-service tools during disruptions, 70% still value human assistance. Gen Z is slightly less comfortable with GenAI than Millennials.
- Blending work and leisure: 62% have extended work trips for leisure, and 52% have mixed leisure with work – raising questions around balance and compliance.
- Workplace values & flexibility: 65% say employers allow them to uphold personal values on the road. Frequent travelers feel this even more (78%).
- Travel as a job perk: 40% of remote workers consider travel opportunities important when choosing a new job.
- Future outlook: 55% expect to travel more in five years, and two-thirds believe work travel will become easier.
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