by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 1:10 PM ET, Wed March 26, 2025
Artificial intelligence is gaining ground in corporate travel management, but many Canadian businesses remain wary.
A new survey by Corporate Traveller, conducted by YouGov, found that while 75% of small and mid-market enterprises (SMEs) are using AI tools for travel management, only 1 in 6 fully trust the technology.
The findings highlight a divide between AI adoption and confidence in its capabilities.
While nearly half of SMEs (49%) have already integrated AI into processes like booking, expense tracking, and safety monitoring, a significant number remain skeptical.
Only 17% of respondents said they completely trust AI, while 33% expressed little to no trust.
Generational differences play a role in AI sentiment. Younger professionals, particularly Gen Z, are more open to AI’s potential—25% of them report complete trust in the technology.
Only 3% of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation share that confidence.
Despite this, AI-driven efficiencies are already yielding significant benefits.
Flight Centre Travel Group credits AI for contributing to its $117 million underlying profit in the first half of 2025.
“We started building generative AI features in March of 2023, but the market wasn't ready,” Daniel Senyard, Senior Vice President of Commercial Platforms and Innovation at Flight Centre Travel Group said.
“When customers reached out to us, they would say, ‘I hope you're not using AI.’ Fast forward to 2025, and all of them now say, ‘Show us your AI roadmap.’”
Does that mean AI will replace the corporate travel manager?
Looking ahead, more than half of SMEs (58%) believe AI will either somewhat or completely replace corporate travel management by 2030. However, experts argue that AI will enhance, rather than eliminate, human expertise.
“AI is a tool just like a calculator is a tool,” says Francis Syms, Associate Dean of Information and Communications Technology at Humber Polytechnic.
"Almost anyone can enter numbers into a calculator, but fewer people know how to find a square root, and even fewer can use it for graphing. Similarly, AI can process information, but you need skilled professionals to interpret and apply that information critically."
The study findings suggest businesses that embrace AI while maintaining a human-centric approach may gain a competitive edge, while those reluctant to adapt risk falling behind.
Full survey findings here: corptraveller.com.
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