Business Travel Show Europe data reveals drop in support for minority travellers | News
Corporate travel programmes are failing to keep pace with the needs of minority and under‑represented travellers, according to new data released today by Business Travel Show Europe.
The survey of 192 corporate travel professionals, conducted in April 2026, reveals year‑on‑year** declines in policy support for almost every minority traveller group, despite rising geopolitical tensions, increased harassment risks and a more diverse and increasingly younger workforce.
The findings highlight a seemingly widening gap between corporate DEI commitments and the reality of travel programme and policy, raising concerns about traveller safety, wellbeing and compliance.
Accessibility and women’s safety lead but progress is inconsistent
Travellers with accessibility requirements remain the most supported group, with 41% of organisations reporting dedicated policies in 2026. This represents an improvement on 2025 (35%) but still falls short of 2024 levels (43%). Meanwhile, 42% still have no accessibility specific policies at all.
Support for solo women travellers shows a similar pattern. While 35% of corporates now have policies in place – up from 29% in 2025 – this is a slight drop on 2024 (36%). More than half of organisations (51%) still offer no tailored support for women travelling alone, despite rising reports of harassment and safety concerns globally.
Sharp declines in support for LGBTQ+, racialised and younger travellers
The most concerning trend, however, particularly as we approach Pride month, is the year-on-year decline in support for the LGBTQ+ community as well as several other high‑risk groups:
– LGBTQ+ travellers: Support has dropped from 22% last year and 27% in 2024 to 20% in 2026
– Travellers from marginalised races/ethnicities: Down from 23% in 2024 to 19% in 2026
– Younger travellers: Down from 26% in 2024 to just 14% in 2026
– Neurodivergent travellers: Down from 18% in 2024 to 11% in 2026
Older and religious travellers also see reduced support
Support for older travellers has fallen from 23% in 2024 to 17% in 2026, while support for Orthodox religious travellers has dropped from 15% to 12% over the same period despite a rise in antisemitic attacks globally and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In both cases, more than two thirds of organisations now have no policies in place.
“Plan to implement” numbers collapse – signalling stalled momentum
The number of travel managers who responded they have ‘plans to support’ specific minority groups also dropped:
– Travellers with accessibility needs: 14% (2024) to just 5% (2026)
– LGBTQ+ travellers: 9% to 3%
– Racialised travellers: 10% to 3%
– Neurodivergent travellers: 12% to 1%
“The annual Business Travel Show Europe research appears to show the proportion of organisations with no policies designed specifically for minority traveller groups has risen sharply over the last year,” commented Louis Magliaro, Executive VP of The BTN Group, organiser 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 increasing and one would expect corporate travel programmes would be evolving faster to protect diverse workforces.
“However, we need to remember the intense pressure and scrutiny travel managers are facing beyond risk management to cut costs, make budgets work harder, assume 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 200+ suppliers on showfloor, to the conference content and the peer-to-peer networking with over 700 fellow buyers.”
** chart is AI generated
Business Travel Show Europe, taking place 24-26 June at Excel London, will provide the ultimate platform for buyers to address these challenges head‑on with expert panels, practical workshops, and new frameworks for building inclusive, future‑ready travel programmes, as well as the prospect of networking with an army of peers and discovering innovative products and services from over 200 travel suppliers.
NOTES:
**Has your travel policy/programme been built with special consideration for the following travellers?
NOTES:
**192 people responded to the Business Travel Show Europe survey in April 2026.
– 60% corporate travel buyer, manager, booker
– 19% procurement professional with responsibility for corporate travel
– 6% Meetings and / or events manager
– 3% EA / PA who books corporate travel
– 31% from the UK
– 42% from the mainland Europe
– 27% from outside Europe
Business Travel Show Europe: 24-25 June, Excel London. Register for free now.
