Top 10 Corporate Travel Trends That Will Redefine the Corporate Car Rental Industry in 2026

Manish Chandrashekar
Oct 30
5 min read

Corporate travel in India is no longer a peripheral function it is an integral component of enterprise strategy, employee well-being, and sustainability mandates. As businesses prioritize operational efficiency and carbon accountability, mobility programs are evolving from traditional car rentals into data-driven, technology-enabled ecosystems.

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), global business travel spending is forecast to reach USD 1.57 trillion by 2025, up 6.6 % from 2024, and is projected to exceed USD 1.7 trillion by 2026. This renewed momentum places tremendous responsibility on mobility partners like Eminent Transit, a leading corporate car rental company and a employee transportation service in India, to deliver safety, technology, sustainability, and measurable ROI.

Below are the 10 defining trends that will reshape the corporate car rental landscape in 2026.

Top 10 Corporate Travel Trends in Corporate Car Rental Industry

1. Data-Driven Mobility Will Define Efficiency

Fleet intelligence becomes a business differentiator

The corporate travel ecosystem is becoming data-centric. Predictive maintenance, route analytics, and driver performance dashboards now drive decision-making.

A 2025 report by Amadeus and GBTA shows that 72 % of travel managers globally now use analytics to optimize ground-transport spend. For car-rental providers, data transparency and integration with enterprise dashboards will no longer be optional it will be expected. Eminent Transit’s AI-enabled fleet-tracking and telematics systems already align with this next-gen mobility model.

2. Sustainability and ESG Integration Take Centre Stage

Green fleets and zero-emission mobility

Sustainability is a core purchasing criterion in corporate travel programs. The India Car Rental Market is valued at USD 2.74 billion (2024) and projected to grow at 14.5 % CAGR through 2033, largely driven by electric and hybrid fleet adoption (IMARC Group, 2025).

Corporate clients increasingly demand emissions-reporting dashboards and prefer partners that align with ESG metrics. Eminent Transit’s adoption of EVs and energy-efficient vehicles exemplifies how sustainability can coexist with scale.

3. Hybrid Work and “Bleisure” Mobility Are Redefining Travel

Flexibility becomes a key business lever

The blending of business and leisure known as bleisure is altering travel itineraries and fleet utilization. Cvent’s 2025 Corporate Travel Survey notes that 64 % of Indian enterprises now permit employees to extend business trips for leisure purposes.

For mobility providers, this means offering variable rental durations, weekend extensions, and premium categories suitable for both corporate and personal use ensuring compliance without compromising comfort.

4. Duty-of-Care and Safety Dominate Procurement

Risk mitigation moves to the boardroom

Post-pandemic mobility strategies centre around duty-of-care, regulatory compliance, and traveler security. A GBTA Poll (Q1 2025) revealed that 57 % of buyers plan higher spending on safety-centric vendors.

Corporate car rental firms must adopt rigorous driver-verification processes, GPS tracking, fatigue-monitoring, and incident-reporting systems. Eminent Transit’s partnership with Netradyne for AI-driven fleet-safety solutions sets a new benchmark for compliance and reliability.

5. End-to-End Technology Ecosystems Transform Corporate Travel

Mobility management goes digital-first

Technology integration is redefining how enterprises procure and monitor travel. FCM Travel’s 2025 Insight Report highlights AI, predictive analytics, and seamless UX as top priorities for global business travel managers.

For corporate car rental providers, this translates to mobile-first booking platforms, API connectivity with travel-management systems, cashless billing, and centralized audit trails. Eminent Transit’s proprietary booking portal enables real-time visibility and automated reporting, empowering corporates with control and transparency.

6. Personalized and On-Demand Mobility Replace Fixed Routes

Customization drives value creation

Static fleet allocations are being replaced with dynamic, demand-responsive operations. IMARC 2025 data projects India’s online car-rental market to reach USD 7.11 billion by 2033 (CAGR 17.7 %) fueled by flexible mobility needs.

Corporate clients now expect modular services: hourly rentals, just-in-time dispatch, and custom billing. Eminent Transit’s scalable operations and multi-class fleet structure enable enterprises to right-size mobility without compromising availability.

7. Subscription and Asset-Light Models Gain Momentum

The rise of “Mobility-as-a-Service”

Corporate mobility is shifting from ownership to subscription-based usage. Mordor Intelligence (2025) forecasts an 8.13 % CAGR for India’s self-drive segment through 2030.

Subscription plans for corporate fleets help companies avoid capex while gaining predictable opex and 24/7 support. Eminent Transit offers long-term leasing and vehicle-attachment models with bundled driver, fuel and maintenance packages ideal for large corporates and IT enterprises.

8. Cost Optimization and ROI Accountability

Data visibility drives smarter budgeting

With global business travel spend rising, CFOs are re-examining mobility ROI. A 2025 Travel Trends Today report estimates that India is among the top 15 business-travel markets, with spend expected to rise by 9 % year-on-year.

Enterprises increasingly seek analytics on cost per kilometer, idle time, and fleet utilization. Providers like Eminent Transit differentiate through performance dashboards and AI-based cost-tracking that quantifies value delivery beyond fare savings.

9. Tier-2 Expansion Reshapes the Corporate Travel Map

India’s next growth engine

Business travel demand is rapidly spreading beyond metros. According to Grand View Research (2025), India’s business travel market is projected to reach USD 162 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.3 % from 2025-30).

Tier-2 cities such as Mysuru, Coimbatore, Surat, and Indore are emerging as corporate hubs. Eminent Transit’s presence in 117+ cities positions it as a key player to bridge regional mobility gaps for expanding enterprises.

10. Experiential Travel and Event Mobility Rise

When corporate travel becomes brand experience

As companies host leadership offsites, client events, and international delegations, mobility has become an extension of brand experience. Thomas Cook India (2025) reported a strong shift towards event-led and experience-driven travel among corporate groups.

Corporate car rental partners must offer executive chauffeur services, luxury fleet options, and co-branded experiential mobility solutions. Eminent Transit already delivers customized transport for corporate events and premium client movements.

The Road Ahead for Corporate Mobility

The corporate car rental industry is entering a decade of re-invention anchored in data, sustainability, safety and digital integration. Organizations are redefining mobility from a cost centre to a strategic enabler of employee productivity and brand trust.

Eminent Transit stands at the forefront of this evolution, combining enterprise-grade technology, AI-based safety analytics, nationwide reach, and a commitment to ESG-driven growth. As corporate travel continues to expand in volume and complexity, choosing a mobility partner aligned with 2026’s core trends will be pivotal to operational excellence.

Key Takeaways

Corporate travel is now a strategic mobility function, not a logistics expense.
Data intelligence, sustainability and safety are the three foundations of 2026 mobility.
Subscription models and Tier-2 expansion will reshape procurement strategies.
Experience-driven travel and technology platforms will differentiate leaders.
Eminent Transit’s innovation-driven approach positions it as the benchmark for India’s corporate car rental industry in 2026 and beyond.