Over a third (34%) of US employees who travel for work feel more passionate about their jobs, according to research from TravelPerk, a travel management platform. For those in Gen Z, 35% say business travel has helped them gain promotions, compared with just 26% of millennials. That shows, said the company, that business travel can be more beneficial for those starting out.

The survey included 4,000 employed adults who travel for work in the UK, the US, Spain and Germany from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, 2023.

Overall, 37% of US employees find business travel great for their personal and professional growth. The main business travel opportunities for younger travelers are networking and meetings (39%), conferences and events (31%), research (29%), training and development (29%), and teambuilding and offsites (29%).

With almost half of all US employees citing developing new skills (46%) and forging stronger professional relationships (42%) as benefits to business travel, it’s clear to see how this can aid career progression, according to TravelPerk. But for Gen Z, business travel is not just about professional development. Nearly a third (29%) said it has helped their mental health, compared with18% among those aged 45-54; also, this is much higher than Gen Z in the UK (17%).

Avi Meir, CEO of TravelPerk, said the company firmly believes that when people travel for work to connect with others, “it creates positive energy that can only be experienced in real life.” He said TravelPerk is seeing companies invest in travel for the productivity that results from that connection. “This is why traveling for business is increasingly viewed as a lever for business growth, instead of an expense,” said Meir.

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