MEXICO CITY – Business travel spending in Latin America – which includes Central and South America and Mexico – is projected to reach $63.9 billion USD this year, a 3.2% increase over 2024. However, the region is expected to navigate persistent challenges into 2026 that will continue to weigh on its overall economic outlook, including low investment, widening fiscal deficits, high debt-to-GDP ratios and trade policy uncertainty.

This is according to research presented by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) at its 2025 Latin America Conference, held at the Hilton Mexico City Reforma September 24-25.

The regional conference, now in its 17^th year, drew nearly 500 registered attendees – including more than 180 buyers, and suppliers from 35 exhibiting companies – all representing 16 countries from within Latin America and beyond. Over the course of two days, the event showcased engaging and dynamic Main Stage sessions covering top-of-mind topics for the business travel industry including artificial intelligence (AI), accessibility, geo-political policies and global talent mobility.

New Regional Leadership Recognized

The conference featured GBTA’s two newly appointed leaders for Latin America who officially took their roles on September 1:

• Mariana Pérez Ponce de Leon, based in Mexico City, oversees operations in Northern Latin America, including the key market of Mexico, the existing market of Colombia, as well as emerging markets in Central America.
• Daniel Duarte, based in Buenos Aires, leads Southern Latin America, including the key market of Brazil, the existing markets of Argentina, Chile, Peru, as well as emerging markets Uruguay and Ecuador.

Daniel and Mariana are both recognized leaders in the industry with broad expertise serving and supporting the region. With their guidance, Latin America’s business travel sector will continue to build on its recent successes and embark on a new phase—advancing our collective goal to serve the industry and its professionals across the region. Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA

A Region Driven by a Unique Marketplace and Shifting Global Trends

During the conference opening, Ponce de Leon delivered regional findings derived from the 2025 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook, as well as the CWT GBTA Global Business Travel Pricing Forecast and the July GBTA industry sentiment poll that showcased the current state and forecast for Latin America and the business travel industry, even amidst economic uncertainty and global events.

Key findings for the region include:

• In 2025, business travel spending in Latin America, which includes Central and South America and Mexico, is forecast to reach $63.9 billion, representing about 4% of the global total of $1.57 trillion.
• Brazil is #10 in terms of the top global markets ranked by business travel spending for 2025. Ranking of other markets in Latin America include Mexico (#20), Argentina (#32), Peru (#35), Colombia (#38) and Chile (#47).
• Latin American business travelers spend on average $949 per trip, about 16% less than the global average.
• Blended travel is common amongst the region’s travelers: 62% extend work trips for leisure, more than the global average (59%).
• Business travelers in Latin America see travel as essential to business success, with 88% saying business travel is worthwhile.

Business travel continues to be vital for economic growth and professional connection, but faces both promising opportunities and significant risks, said Ponce de Leon. The evolving landscape will require proactive and informed decision-making.

Duarte added, The engagement of the Latin America business travel professionals at our conference shows their commitment to navigating what’s ahead together. At GBTA, we are focused on delivering the vital insights and connection that help shape the future of our industry.

Key Insights and Thought Leadership Take Center Stage

The Conference’s Main Stage Sessions featured leaders in business travel and meetings management that spoke on a mix of strategic, operational and technological issues shaping Latin America, including:

• Dr. Denise Dresser, political analyst, columnist and professor of political science at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, who addressed the strategic challenges and opportunities facing Mexico and Latin America in an era of evolving U.S.-Latin American relations.
• Guadalupe Pelaez and Teresita Robledo from Achilles International, who led a session exploring accessibility in corporate travel, treating it as both a social responsibility and strategic opportunity.
• Alexandre Cordeiro, Founder of Travel Tech Hub, who shared how artificial intelligence can work together with human judgment to generate business value, especially in travel planning and risk management.

Honoring LATAM Volunteers and Board Service

GBTA recognized its 2025-2026 LATAM Advisory Board as well as three volunteer leaders for their contributions to advancing the business travel industry in the region:

• Felipe Cardona, Chair of the GBTA LATAM Advisory Board
• Felipe Mezquita, GBTA LATAM Advisory Board
• Eva Ramirez, GBTA WINiT Mexico Chapter Lead

Showcasing Local Artists, Highlighting Industry Voices and Ways to Become Involved

Additional highlights from the Conference included the chance to support local artisans who were on site to demonstrate Huichol art, a cultural and spiritual expression of the indigenous Wixárika people, native to the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. Industry experts and leaders shared the latest news and events from their companies at the GBTA Broadcast Studio (videos will be available on GBTA’s YouTube channel soon). Also featured were professional development, academic and sustainability opportunities offered through the GBTA Foundation:

• GBTA WINiT, offering mentorships, events, workshops, awards and professional development opportunities for women in the business travel industry.
• Destination Scholarship, providing funding for university students pursuing studies in business travel (applications are due by November 6).
• The Sustainability Acceleration Challenge, a tool to support companies on their journey toward net zero travel emissions and to strengthen their sustainability efforts.

Access pictures from the 2025 GBTA LATAM Conference here.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA’s global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.

Tara Erwin
Manager, Public Relations and Communications
GBTA