For decades, business travel has been seen as a necessary evil—or a golden ticket, depending on who you ask. But a new 2025 survey from Booking.com for Business peels back the curtain on how employees really feel when they trade their desks for departure gates.

The verdict? While being away from home poses real emotional and logistical challenges, most professionals embrace business travel not only as a professional obligation but as a personal opportunity.

According to Deloitte’s 2024 Corporate Travel Study, a commanding 83 percent of employees enjoy business travel, calling it valuable for both career development and personal growth. In the latest survey, a representative sample of over 1,000 U.S. and U.K. travelers confirmed the same: the rewards of the road still outweigh its tolls.

The Allure of New Places—and Perspectives

So what exactly do travelers love about hitting the road for work?

When asked to rank the most appealing aspects of business trips, respondents overwhelmingly cited the chance to explore new destinations. Sightseeing, trying local cuisine, and taking in different cultures topped the list—proving that even among back-to-back meetings and airport security lines, the pull of travel remains strong.

“I often get tired doing the same thing over and over, so traveling is a way to break that routine,” one traveler explained. “It gives me a clear head as well.”

This anecdotal evidence finds support in neuroscience. The Pacific Neuroscience Institute reports that international travel boosts creativity, enhances executive function, and reduces stress by exposing the brain to new stimuli. Travelers often return home with renewed energy—and fresh insights.

That break from routine seems to fuel productivity, too. According to the survey, 59 percent of business travelers said work trips make them more productive. And many want to maximize the experience: Deloitte’s research reveals that two-thirds of corporate travelers now plan to add leisure elements to their trips.

When Business Travel Becomes Personal

For many, travel itself is a passion—and work trips offer a chance to indulge it. Previous data gathered by Booking.com for Business shows that 52 percent of travelers say all-paid dining options are a highlight, while 47 percent value high-end accommodations.

“Traveling to a new city gives me the opportunity to try new foods and drinks,” said one respondent. “It helps me relax—it’s a hobby I enjoy.”

More than half of those surveyed (52 percent) said business travel positively impacts their mental health, and 46 percent reported physical benefits as well. The message is clear: when companies allow room for flexibility and wellness, employees are more likely to thrive on the road.

The Power of Loyalty Programs

If business travel is a lifestyle, then loyalty programs are its currency.

Nearly a third of business travelers listed earning points and perks as a major benefit of their work trips. The appeal is strongest in the U.S., where 81 percent of travelers say they collect loyalty rewards to redeem for personal use—compared to 68 percent in the U.K.

According to the 2025 Comarch Customer Loyalty Predictions Report, American professionals continue to lead globally in airline loyalty program enrollment. In the Asia-Pacific region, 28 percent of business travelers are members of at least one airline program—rising to 61 percent in Singapore.

Smart companies are taking note. By encouraging loyalty program participation and allowing travelers to reap personal benefits from work travel, employers can drive higher satisfaction and improve employee retention.

Being Away Still Hurts

Yet for all the perks, business travel has a human cost. The biggest challenge by far? Being away from loved ones.

Respondents across the U.S. and U.K. cited physical distance and emotional disconnection as the top stressor—surpassing even delays, long flights, and disrupted sleep routines.

“Being away from family or loved ones can be most challenging because it involves physical distance, emotional separation, and a sense of disconnection,” one respondent shared.

Others noted that adjusting to different time zones and losing their wellness routines often left them drained or unproductive. “It affects my productivity, comfort, and daily habits,” another traveler explained. “Adjusting to new schedules and environments can feel inconvenient and stressful.”

Solutions include designing more flexible itineraries, offering extended stays to allow for downtime, and building in opportunities to check in with family or maintain healthy habits.

Flexibility Is the Future

Ultimately, the findings suggest a clear path forward for business travel policy: be more human. Support the full traveler experience—not just the logistics of moving people from one place to another.

Employers looking to improve travel satisfaction can incorporate per diem reimbursements that cover cultural or culinary experiences, offer personalized options through travel management platforms like Booking.com for Business, and empower employees to take advantage of loyalty programs.

Understanding what today’s professionals value—exploration, flexibility, wellness, and connection—can help companies get the most from their travel investments while caring for the people who make those trips happen.

As the line between work and leisure continues to blur, the companies that get it right will be the ones whose travelers return not just with expense reports—but with insight, inspiration, and a reason to go again.