UK SMEs are continuing to prioritise international business travel despite ongoing disruption linked to the Middle East, according to our new research — signalling a shift towards more considered, value-led travel.
Our survey of 1,000 UK SMEs reveals that appetite for overseas travel remains strong, with 39% planning to increase international trips over the next 12 months and 67% expressing confidence in travelling abroad for business.
This sustained demand reflects the continued importance of in-person connection in driving commercial growth. The primary motivation for increased travel is to generate new business opportunities (38%), followed by meeting new suppliers or manufacturers (35%) and attending overseas events and conferences (31%).
At the same time, SMEs are increasing their investment in travel. Nearly two thirds (62%) expect to spend more on overseas trips over the next year, compared to just 10% anticipating a reduction. Average projected spend has also risen significantly, from £43,000 in 2024 to £57,000.
Our data also highlights a significant shift in travel patterns, with bookings via Middle Eastern hubs down 85% year-on-year, while alternative routing via Asia has increased by 166%. Demand for destinations such as the US (+17%) and Australia (+61%) remains strong.
The findings also point to a more deliberate and risk-aware approach to travel planning. More than a quarter (26%) of SMEs say they are actively avoiding certain regions or routes, while 55% are now less willing to send employees to the Middle East. In practice, this is driving a clear shift in travel patterns, with businesses continuing to travel but re-routing via alternative global hubs and prioritising destinations perceived as lower risk.
Europe remains the dominant destination, with 68% of SMEs expecting to travel there most frequently over the next year, and 40% saying they are now more likely to send colleagues there in light of current geopolitical uncertainty.
Alongside destination choices, purchasing behaviour is also evolving. While cost remains the leading factor (45%), this is closely followed by flexibility (33%) and the ability to adapt plans quickly in response to disruption (32%). While flexibility has long been a feature of corporate travel, its importance is being further reinforced in the current environment.
Melanie Quinn, our Director of Corporate Travel, said, “What we’re seeing is not a slowdown in business travel, but a shift in how it’s approached. SMEs are continuing to invest in travel because they recognise the value of face-to-face interaction — but they’re doing so more carefully, with greater focus on risk, flexibility, and return on investment.
“We’re also seeing businesses adapt how they travel — whether that’s re-routing journeys or prioritising destinations where they feel more confident. In this environment, access to expert advice and real-time support is becoming increasingly important, as businesses look to balance duty of care with the need to stay commercially competitive.
“Ultimately, this is about confidence. Even in an uncertain global landscape, SMEs are showing resilience — but they want to travel with the right support around them.”
In this landscape of shifting routes, rising costs, and heightened risk awareness, the message from UK SMEs is clear: international travel is still essential, but it has to be smarter, safer, and more strategic.
That’s exactly where Travel Counsellors for Business comes in.
Our dedicated corporate travel specialists work as an extension of your team, helping you to:
Re-route with confidence, avoiding higher-risk regions while still reaching key markets like the US, Australia, and Europe.
Build agile itineraries that prioritise flexibility, so you can adapt quickly when plans change or disruption hits.
Maximise the return on every trip by aligning travel plans to your commercial goals, from new business development to supplier meetings and overseas events.
Strengthen your duty of care with proactive risk management, traveller tracking and real-time, human support whenever and wherever you need it.
If your business is increasing its international travel but wants to do so more thoughtfully, with the right protection and expertise behind every journey, we’d love to help.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your SME’s travel strategy, keep your people safe, and give you the confidence to keep growing globally.
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