New data from Corporate Travel Management (CTM) reveals that events are the most common reasons why millennials and Gen Z workers take business trips.
A global survey of 702 Millennials and Gen Z employees was conducted in March 2025, revealing that 44% of participants rank meetings, events and exhibitions as the main objectives of business travel.
The survey found that 86% of respondents fly business at least once a year, while 70% fly one to five times.
When asked, “What is the main purpose of a business trip?”, the top three answers are:
Meetings, events, exhibitions (44%) Training and education (42%) Customer/Sales meetings (38%)
Regional variations
The top three ranking objectives of North American respondents (36% of the sample) were identical.
In the UK, “Internal Conference” ranked third, so one and two remained the same.
Singapore was the only other region that ranks both “internal meetings” and “conferences, events and trade shows” among the top three, while Hong Kong was the only region that included “supplier and partner meetings” as the top three reasons to travel to business.
Millennials v gen Z
There are also differences in the Millennial vs Gen Z answers, with three main objectives to match millennial business travel to the overall ranking, but the “customer/sales meetings and ‘training and education’ leading the table for Gen Z business travelers.
“We’ve seen a lot of people living in the world,” said Mike Leeson, Europe’s general manager at CTM meetings and events.
He added: “What we saw at CTM M&E is the exact opposite. In recent years, we have spent a lot of our time working at home and at hybrid capabilities, and have actually hoped that millennials and ZZ workers will meet in more directions, which has encouraged the need for all kinds of events.”
Leeson continued: “Gen Z respondents say meetings, events and exhibitions are less important than millennial respondents, but I think this is simply because, generally speaking, they still have the right role to participate in strategic events.”
What do the next generation enjoy about business trips?
CTM also asked millennials and Gen Z respondents what they enjoy most about traveling for business.
Overall, the top “perks” for both Gen Z and Millennial business travelers are seen as follows:
1. Experience a new destination (51%)
2. Cooperation with colleagues and partners (47%)
3. Take a break from the routine (46%)
4. Meet new people (37%)
Leeson said: “What we see is a strong alignment between the purpose of the business trip and what young travelers value most.”
He added: “Conferences, events and trade shows continue to be key factors for business trips, providing exactly what Z and millennial travelers are looking for: an opportunity to collaborate, develop relationships and meet new people.
I’m looking for the future
Finally, respondents were asked whether the importance of occupational travel expected to increase inline with professional experience and seniority.
70% of all respondents agreed that the importance of business travel would increase with professional experience and seniority.
Leeson said: “Meetings and events remain important touchpoints for building relationships, sharing knowledge and supporting career growth as experts advance.”
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