If 2025 proved anything, it’s that business travel is no longer about simply getting from A to B. It was a year marked by visa chaos, geopolitical shocks and rapid technology shift, most notably the mainstreaming of AI. Travellers contended with missed connections during the FlySafair pilots’ strike, last-minute rerouting when Middle East airspace was closed, and eye-wateringly long waits for Canadian visas.
These shifts in business travel have had a direct knock-on effect on hotels. Volatile itineraries, visa delays and rerouting meant longer stays, more last-minute bookings and greater demand for flexibility.
Against this backdrop, FCM, the corporate travel arm of Flight Centre Travel Group, has identified nine events that came to define business travel over the past year.
South African companies, meanwhile, adapted quickly: embracing AI, prioritising traveller wellbeing and learning that in an unpredictable world, resilience matters more than relentless cost-cutting.
Mafojane says what really stands out is how, despite all the curveballs, South African business travel managed to grow by 17% – a testament to local resilience, smart adaption and a wiliness to embrace new ways of working.
According to FCM, these defining moments make one thing clear: “We’re not going back to the old way of doing business travel.”
- The Trump tariff chaos: When Trump slapped tariffs of between 10% and 60% on global imports in April, the uncertainty was felt immediately by South African companies. Suddenly, a routine New York sales trip wasn’t just about closing deals; it was about navigating trade policy volatility and potential supply-chain disruptions. The aviation sector was among the hardest hit, with airline share prices dropping by as much as 15% the following day. Many companies began reconsidering US travel altogether, way for what might come next.
- The visa wait-time showdown: Applying for US or Canadian visas became a logistical nightmare. In some cases, Canadian visa applications took up to 568 days to process. For South African business travellers, last-minute deals and short-notice meetings became virtually impossible if North America was involved. Companies were forced into long-term planning, booking visa appointments months in advance or rerouting meetings to countries with easier entry requirements.
- When geopolitics crashed the party: The Gaza conflict and ongoing Ukraine war translated into cancelled flights, rerouted itineraries and early morning calls from stranded colleagues. Middle East airspace closures in June meant routine trips suddenly required creative detours via Istanbul or Athens. Risk managers remained on constant alert.
- The FlySafair strike: A two-week strike by FlySafair pilots disrupted domestic travel, slashed seat availability and pushed up prices. The episode underscored South Africa’s vulnerability to labour disputes in critical travel infrastructure.
- Batteries, Wi-Fi and the new reality of flying: Two changes reshaped the in-flight experience. New IATA’s lithium-battery rules banned power banks from checked luggage and prohibited charging devices mid-flight, initially sparking fears of lost productivity. Then came the counterbalance: free, reliable onboard Wi-Fi. Suddenly, working in the air became viable again. “Some executives embraced the always-on connectivity,” says Mafojane. “Others desperately wanted their enforced downtime back”.
- AI takes its seat at the corporate travel table: While geopolitical drama dominated headlines, AI quietly transformed corporate travel management. Predictive disruption alerts, alternative routing and real-time safety updates became mainstream. Companies using AI-enhanced tools experienced fewer disruptions and faster rebooking during crises.
- Business travel bounced back: The market grew 17% in 2025, more than double any other African market, driven by pent-up demand for face-to-face connections and expanding opportunities across the continent. Companies weren’t just travelling more, they were travelling smarter with bleisure, wellbeing and sustainability shaping decisions.
- G20 put South Africa in the spotlight: Despite political theatrics, the G20 summit was immediate and lasting, notes Mafojane. “We saw international focus on Africa as a business destination reach levels we’d never experienced before.” The event catalysed investment in MICE infrastructure and positioned South Africa’s credentials as a global conference destination. Tourism minister Patricia de Lille highlighted strong demand for conference hotels, guided tours, cultural experiences, and luxury accommodation.
- Sustainability became non-negotiable: South Africa’s Climate Change Act 22 of 2024 forced companies to rethink travel policies. Carbon budgets, emission tracking and supplier accountability moved from optional to essential. “Sustainability went form nice-to-have to must-have overnight,” says Mafojane. “The companies that got ahead of this curve are the ones thriving as we head into 2026.” END