Business travel in Houston and the United States is key to healthy economic growth according to a recent study from the Global Business Travel Association that analyzes the most recent full year (2024) data compared to other economic data for the same period.

In 2024, U.S. business travel spending reached $538.5 billion, an increase of 7.5% year-over-year from 2023. This generated $623.8 billion in total gross domestic product, which represents 2.1% of total economic output.

Meetings, conventions, and events remain a major driver of business travel in the U.S., accounting for 21.8% of the nation’s 487.8 million business trips and generating $217.8 billion in spending.

Texas ranked fourth nationally in total business travel spending in 2024, with $23.7 billion in expenditures and $35.5 billion in GDP contribution. The industry supports 423,274 jobs in the Lone Star State.

Business travel is a major driver in the Houston economy as well. According to recent survey data, approximately 22% of overnight visitors to Houston in 2025 participated in business activities during their trip, 5% higher than the U.S. norm.

This year, the Houston market showed steady growth in group room nights booked in Q1 of 2026,  an indicator of business travel, compared to the same period last year, with group demand in Q1 2026 increasing by almost 4% in Houston overall and almost 3% in the Houston CBD.

“Business travel remains a critical component of the U.S. economy. The industry continues to grow, with spending and economic contribution reaching new highs in 2024,” according to the study. “At the same time, structural shifts in how companies travel, meet and deploy labor are reshaping the industry’s footprint.”

Written by Norma Salcedo