A survey conducted by CSA for Navan reveals a marked generational gap regarding business travel. Over the past twelve months, 64% of French working adults under 35 reported having traveled for work, compared to 38% of those aged 50 and over.
The results were released by Navan on July 15, 2026, and published by the CSA Institute the following day. They are based on an online survey conducted from June 15 to 21, 2026, among 809 working French adults aged 18 and over.
CSA indicates that the sample was constructed using the quota method, applied to gender, age, socio-professional category and region of residence.
Summary
Navan measures a 26-point gap between generations
Across the entire sample, 51% of respondents reported having made a business trip regularly or occasionally during the past twelve months.
This proportion reaches 64% among those under 35, compared to 38% among those aged 50 and over. The survey therefore measures a gap of 26 points between these two age groups.
However, it does not allow us to establish the causes of this difference. The job performed, the level of responsibility, the sector of activity, the employer's travel policy, or personal circumstances can also influence the frequency of business trips.
It would therefore be excessive to claim that age alone explains the observed behaviors.
Business travel is still considered important by 71% of working people
According to the CSA study commissioned by Navan, 71% of working people consider business travel to be essential or important in their activity.
Trade shows topped the list of reasons for travel, accounting for 44% of responses. Team events, including seminars, followed with 38%.
The results also show that 86% of those under 35 believe that business travel strengthens working relationships and company culture. This proportion is 64% among those aged 50 and over.
Regarding skills development, 84% of those under 35 believe that business trips promote learning, compared to 66% of respondents aged 50 or over.
These figures measure the stated opinions of those surveyed. They do not constitute an objective assessment of the impact of travel on collaboration, training, or company performance.
Bleisure is much more common among young travelers
Among working people who travelled for work, 65% of those under 35 reported having often or sometimes extended their stay for personal reasons in the past twelve months.
This practice, generally called "bleisure", concerns 24% of business travelers aged 50 or over.
The gap between the two categories thus reaches 41 points. Furthermore, 77% of those under 35 say they are willing to extend a business trip if the opportunity arises.
The study does not systematically specify who finances the extra nights, associated transportation, or personal expenses. Therefore, it does not allow for a direct measurement of the revenue this practice could generate for hotels, destinations, or distributors.
The hotel remains the most frequently mentioned accommodation
Hotels remain the preferred option for 42% of all working people surveyed and for 45% of business travelers.
Among those under 35, 18% say they prefer to rent local accommodation through an online platform for stays of several days. This proportion is 14% for all professionals.
These results are based on declared preferences and not on the actual volume of overnight stays booked by each age category.
The train is more often chosen by people aged 50 and over
Given equivalent duration and cost, 57% of working people surveyed say they prefer the train to the plane.
This preference reaches 60% among people aged 50 or over, compared to 52% among those under 35.
Navan's press release presents this difference as an indicator of greater environmental awareness among older respondents. However, the survey published by CSA measures a choice between two modes of transport under comparable conditions. It does not, on its own, demonstrate that this choice is primarily based on environmental considerations.
Those under 35 are more likely to cite the possibility of working during the journey as a criterion for choosing transport: 39%, compared to 28% among those aged 50 or over.
Young working people are demanding more flexibility
When planning a trip, 46% of those under 35 cite flexibility, particularly the ability to change a ticket, as an important criterion. This figure rises to 39% among working adults aged 50 and over.
Overall, 52% of travelers surveyed prioritize saving time, even at the cost of reduced comfort. Conversely, 40% prefer greater comfort, even if it means a longer journey.
The time saved was cited by 55% of respondents aged 50 or over and by 60% of managers.
The study also reveals a difference in how people manage their flight departures. Among those surveyed, 14% of those under 35 report arriving less than an hour before their flight, compared to 7% of those aged 50 and over.
Expense reports remain a source of irritation for those under 35
The majority of respondents, 68%, consider organizing a business trip to be relatively straightforward. Conversely, 22% find the process complex and perceive the administrative tasks as a burden.
Among those under 35, managing expense reports and supporting documents is the first difficulty cited, at 41%.
Younger respondents also mentioned the expectation of managerial validation, at 33% compared to 28% among those aged 50 or over, as well as reservation changes, at 33% compared to 22%.
Among people aged 50 and over, delays, cancellations and other unforeseen transportation-related issues are the top concern, at 44%.
Digital tools are considered useful by three out of four working people
According to the survey, 75% of professionals believe that technological tools greatly or partially facilitate the organization of their travel. This proportion reaches 82% among frequent travelers.
Navan markets a platform that combines business travel booking and expense management. The company therefore has a direct commercial interest in the topics covered by the study.
This relationship does not make the results inaccurate, but it must be stated: the survey was conducted by CSA on behalf of Navan, and the conclusions highlighted in the press release were selected by the company.
What exactly Navan said
Zahir Abdelouhab, SVP EMEA at Navan, commented on the results as follows:
“The most striking finding of this study is that young professionals place immense value on face-to-face meetings. The professional world will always rely on human contact. We believe that with AI, face-to-face interactions become even more essential, as everyone seeks to prioritize authentic relationships. AI simplifies the organization, booking, and payment of travel, but its true strength lies in removing constraints and freeing up time so that employees can focus on their mission.”
says Zahir Abdelouhab, SVP EMEA at Navan.
This quote expresses Navan's position. The study does not directly measure the effect of artificial intelligence on the need for face-to-face meetings and does not demonstrate that its use leads to an increase in business travel.
Navan reveals specific uses, not a general return to business travel
According to the specialized press, the results of the survey were mainly interpreted as a sign of a different relationship to business travel depending on age.
They show that those under 35 surveyed travel more frequently than those 50 or older, report extending their stays more often and place a high value on professional meetings.
However, these figures are not sufficient to demonstrate a "strong comeback" for the entire French market. The study provides no data on changes compared to a previous wave, no booking volumes, no average spending, and no comparison with the period preceding the health crisis.
For tourism professionals, the most directly usable data concerns booking flexibility, the weight of expense reports, preference for train travel under equal conditions, and the reported frequency of bleisure among young travelers.
Article published on July 22, 2026 based on the CSA investigation for Navan and information available at that date.
Sources
- https://csa.eu/news/les-habitudes-du-voyage-daffaires-chez-les-actifs-en-emplois-en-2026/
- https://www.deplacementspros.com/travel-experience/comment-le-rapport-aux-voyages-daffaires-evolue-au-gre-des-generations
- https://investors.navan.com/
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