Data from the Business Travel Show Europe shows support for minority travelers is declining | News

Corporate travel programs are failing to keep pace with the needs of minority and underrepresented travelers, according to new data released today by Business travel fair Europe.

The survey of 192 business travel professionals, conducted in April 2026, shows that policy support for nearly every minority group of travelers is declining year over year**, despite rising geopolitical tensions, increased risks of harassment and a more diverse and increasingly younger workforce.

The findings highlight a seemingly widening gap between companies’ commitments to DEI and the realities of travel programs and policies, raising concerns about travelers’ safety, well-being and compliance.

Accessibility and women’s safety are leading, but progress has been inconsistent
Travelers with accessibility requirements remain the most supported group, with 41% of organizations reporting specific policies in 2026. This represents an improvement compared to 2025 (35%), but still lags behind 2024 levels (43%). Meanwhile, 42% still have no specific accessibility policy at all.

Support for solo female travelers shows a similar pattern. Although 35% of companies have now introduced policies – up from 29% in 2025 – this is a slight decrease from 2024 (36%). More than half of organizations (51%) still do not provide tailored support for women traveling alone, despite increasing reports of harassment and safety issues worldwide.

Sharp decline in support for LGBTQ+, racialized and younger travelers
However, the most concerning trend, especially as we approach Pride month, is the year-over-year decline in support for the LGBTQ+ community and several other at-risk groups:

– LGBTQ+ travelers: support has fallen from 22% last year and 27% in 2024 to 20% in 2026
– Travelers from marginalized races/ethnicities: down from 23% in 2024 to 19% in 2026
– Younger travelers: dropped from 26% in 2024 to only 14% in 2026
– Neurodivergent travelers: decreased from 18% in 2024 to 11% in 2026

Older and religious travelers also see reduced support
Support for older travelers has fallen from 23% in 2024 to 17% in 2026, while support for Orthodox religious travelers has fallen from 15% to 12% over the same period, despite an increase in anti-Semitic attacks worldwide and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In both cases, more than two-thirds of organizations have now introduced no policy.

The “Plan to Implement” numbers are collapsing – indicating stalled momentum
The number of travel managers who responded that they ‘have plans to support specific minority groups’ also decreased:

– Travelers with accessibility needs: 14% (2024) to only 5% (2026)
– LGBTQ+ travelers: 9% to 3%
– Racialized travelers: 10% to 3%
– Neurodivergent travelers: 12% to 1%

“The annual Business Travel Show Europe survey appears to show that the share of organizations without policies specifically designed for minority groups of travelers has risen sharply over the past year,” said Louis Magliaro, Executive VP of The BTN Group, organizer of the Business Travel Show series of global events.

“This decline comes at a time when geopolitical instability, identity-based harassment and generational expectations are all on the rise and one would expect business travel programs to evolve more rapidly to protect the diverse workforce.

“However, we must remember the intense pressure and scrutiny that, beyond risk management, travel managers face to cut costs, make budgets work harder, take on additional responsibilities with fewer resources, and more. It’s not easy being a travel manager right now, which is why Business Travel Show Europe is designed to provide a shortcut to innovation; from the more than 200 suppliers on the show floor, to the conference content and the peer-to-peer network of more than 700 fellow buyers.”

** chart is AI generated
Business Travel Show Europe, taking place at Excel London from June 24 to 26, will provide buyers with the ultimate platform to tackle these challenges with expert panels, practical workshops and new frameworks for building inclusive, future-proof travel programs, as well as the prospect of networking with an army of peers and discovering innovative products and services from more than 200 travel suppliers.

NOTES:
**Is your travel policy/program designed with special consideration for the following travelers?

NOTES:

**192 people responded to the Business Travel Show Europe survey in April 2026.
– 60% business travel buyer, manager, booker
– 19% purchasing professional with responsibility for business travel
– 6% Meeting and/or events manager
– 3% EA/PA who book business trips
– 31% from Great Britain
– 42% of mainland Europe
– 27% from outside Europe
 
Business Travel Show Europe: June 24-25, Excel London.Register now for free.