Business trips are different now as workers pick up AI tools that make planning easier and reduce the usual admin load. Booking.com for Business surveyed 1029 travellers across the UK and the US, and their findings show that younger workers use these tools far more than older travellers. Their research also shows small regional differences and a strong preference for tools that save time and money.
AI has started to sit in everyday routines rather than being treated as something special. Booking.com for Business found that 14% of travellers in both the UK and the US already use AI tools to book their flights. 17% use them for hotel bookings now that AI is handling tasks that travellers once wanted to carefully take care of themselves.
Expense management has become another busy area. 16% of US travellers and 17% of UK travellers use AI features that capture receipts and shorten reimbursement waits. Workers who spend long days in meetings seem to appreciate anything that removes paperwork at the end of the trip.
Navigation help is popular as 18% of travellers in each region use AI to find their way through unfamiliar streets. Translation also really helps when it comes to support. 19% of UK travellers and 17% of US travellers use AI tools to communicate without feeling lost in conversation.
Also, earlier Booking.com for Business research showed that 47% of travellers were drawn to automated expense tracking and 45% were drawn to itinerary help. Workers want tools that take the thinking out of basic travel chores. Meeting and event support also ranks well, with 36% of UK travellers and 37% of US travellers saying these features appeal to them.
Why Are Younger Travellers Using AI More Often?
The age divide in the Booking.com for Business survey is pretty noticeable. 52% of workers under 35 said they use AI tools during trips. Only 25% of travellers above 34 said the same. The AP NORC study gives more context. It found that 60% of adults use AI to search for information, but this rises to 74% for those aged 18 to 29.
Younger workers have grown up surrounded by apps that simplify daily tasks, so using AI to book a hotel or translate a quick message feels natural to them. Older travellers have spent many years working without digital help, so they sometimes see travel tools as an inconvenience because it means moving from what has always worked for them.
Booking.com for Business found that 27% of UK travellers aged 35 to 55 use AI during trips. The number goes down to 14% for those aged 56 and above. This creates real differences in confidence levels. HR teams that notice this early can guide workers at a pace that suits them instead of forcing one method for everyone.
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Are UK And US Travellers Using AI In The Same Way?
Regional differences appear, though not so much in extreme ways. UK travellers use AI translation tools at 19%, while their US counterparts sit at 17%. Navigation use lands close as well, with 18% in the UK and 19% in the US.
Interest in itinerary support stays steady across both regions. Booking.com for Business research shows that 45% of US travellers want these features, while 42% of UK travellers feel the same. UK workers then show interest in meeting and event tools at 36% and health and wellness features at 35%. In the US, travellers place automated expense reporting and meeting support together at 37%.
These differences may feel small, yet they really impact what companies choose when they look for travel platforms that need to satisfy teams in more than one country.
The Booking.com for Business experts comment on the future of AI in corporate travel, saying:
“Already used by business travellers to plan itineraries, aid with translation, and expedite expense tracking, AI is fast becoming a behind-the-scenes partner for better travel experiences.
“Driven by media coverage and innovative product rollouts, tech enthusiasm may fluctuate over time. Yet our survey makes clear that overall, AI is increasingly viewed as a practical, time-saving tool by bookers and finance teams alike.
“If you’re looking for more practical ways to support travelling employees, platforms like Booking.com for Business provide a fully integrated solution. Simplifying everything from itinerary planning to expenses management, travel management tools help organisations stay ahead of the curve as traveller expectations evolve.”
