Herman Heunes, General Manager at Corporate Traveller South Africa, said the findings validated what his team was seeing on the ground with South African SMEs and mid-market companies.

"The survey results confirm that sentiment is shifting – companies are ready to back growth with increased travel budgets. We're seeing dynamic South African businesses who view travel as a strategic investment rather than a cost centre. Our rebrand in the last financial year has really helped us connect with this new generation of businesses who appreciate our modern identity and approach."

Globally, for Corporate Traveller, nine per cent of customers surveyed intend to spend over 20% more on their travel, 36% plan to increase by up to 20% more, and 37% believe the amount spent will be similar to last year.

The findings follow the release of end-of-financial-year results to the Australian Securities Exchange. The results showed that FCTG achieved a record total transaction value (TTV) of AUD$24.5 billion, up three per cent year-on-year (YOY) in a challenging global trading cycle, and an AUD$289.1 million underlying profit before tax, at the midpoint of the recently revised range.

The corporate business again delivered a record total turnover (TTV) of AUD$12.3 billion, up two per cent YOY, with Corporate Traveller set to become a AUD$5 billion-per-year TTV business.

FCTG Global Corporate CEO, Chris Galanty, said the survey findings illustrated that customers had a brighter outlook for the new financial year with some macro-economic challenges now starting to ease across the globe.

“There’s no question corporate travel is deemed to be a non-discretionary spend for businesses as a critical facet to surviving and thriving worldwide – this is now evidenced by a significant percentage of our customers planning to increase their travel spend in FY26,” said Galanty.

“These figures paint a positive picture for the world of business travel in the new financial year.

“Significant technology advancements in AI through our Centre of Excellence, combined with an uplift in the utilisation of Corporate Traveller Technology Suite, have enabled us to automate the ordinary, allowing us to provide our customers with the extraordinary.

“Companies, whether they be large multi-nationals, SMEs or start-up businesses, are vital to economies across the globe, and it’s with great pride that we get to deliver our unique blend of the expertise of our people and our innovative technology to service them in their aspirations.”

FCTG Managing Director EMEA, Steve Norris, said there were several highlights and milestones across the corporate businesses for FY25.

“Productivity has jumped in many areas, and our focus on living by our ingrained Family, Village, Tribe structure means our subject matter experts are more empowered to make much quicker decisions – allowing them to shine alongside the Corporate Traveller Technology Suite.”

Heunes further noted Corporate Traveller is continuously advancing its technology in South Africa to help travel managers work more efficiently and serve customers better. “As a result, our team can focus on what they do best: providing service of the highest standard."

With business sentiment rising across southern Africa and enhanced technology platforms streamlining complex travel arrangements, industry analysts expect the corporate travel recovery to accelerate through FY26, potentially reshaping how businesses approach regional expansion and international partnerships.
 

*The State of the Market survey was conducted in June and July 2025. The target respondents were Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel customers, specifically decision-makers, travel managers, and authorised travel bookers. All Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel regions were included. A random sample of 1,234 responses was obtained.