BEYOND THE BOARDROOM: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND RESILIENCE IN 21ST-CENTURY BUSINESS TRAVEL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/tmsr.2025.9Keywords:
Bleisure Travel Dynamics, Digital Nomadism, Smart Tourism Ecosystems, Crisis Resilience, Sustainable Corporate TravelAbstract
Business travel, a critical engine of the global economy, has undergone profound paradigm shifts in the 21st century. This article systematically analyzes the evolution, crisis adaptation, and future trajectories of the international business travel sector from 2001 to 2025. Utilizing a multi-dimensional documentary research framework—encompassing economic, technological, psychological, legal, and sustainability dimensions—the study evaluates three distinct eras: pre-pandemic growth, pandemic-induced disruption, and post-pandemic recovery. Findings indicate that while the pre-COVID-19 era was defined by robust economic expansion and the nascent emergence of "bleisure," the devastating 2020 crisis served as an unprecedented catalyst for digital transformation and remote work. Consequently, the post-pandemic landscape is no longer characterized by a return to the traditional status quo, but rather by the mainstreaming of bleisure travel, the proliferation of digital nomadism, and the accelerated integration of smart airport ecosystems. Furthermore, the analysis highlights a critical pivot towards environmental sustainability and enhanced corporate duty of care. Ultimately, this study proposes strategic policy recommendations for stakeholders to balance economic imperatives with social and environmental responsibilities, ensuring a resilient, technologically integrated, and adaptable future for global business travel.
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