The need for a holistic and standardized understanding of business tourism and its related concepts

This study aims to contribute to the standardization of the definition of Business Tourism by analysing the context of the concept through a systematic literature review

SO1: To establish, through a literature review, the commonalities and differences between the concepts of Business Tourism, Business Travel, and Business Events.

RQ4: What commonalities and differences exist between the definitions of Business Tourism, Business Travel, and Business Events?

SO2: To analyse, through a literature review, the evolution of the concepts of Business Tourism, Business Travel, and Business Events.

SO3: To analyse whether the current definition of Business Tourism aligns with the reality of the sector.

SO9: To propose a universal definition of the concept of Business Tourism.

The section discusses the evolution and current state of business tourism, highlighting its long history and the limited academic attention it has received compared to leisure tourism. It examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated digitalization and emphasized the need for sustainable recovery strategies. Post pandemic: There is a growing academic interest in business tourism, with more studies addressing topics such as tourism economics, destination development, and sustainable management. The section also points out the ambiguity in defining and differentiating between "business tourism," "business travel," and "business events," emphasizing the need for a more integrated understanding of their interconnected roles and cumulative contributions.

The section explains the interconnectedness and distinctions between Business Tourism, Business Travel, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). It highlights that Business Tourism encompasses a broader range of activities and services beyond just travel, while Business Travel focuses on individual work-related trips.

According to the UNWTO, business tourism involves travel for professional or business purposes outside the usual workplace, while the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) expands this definition to include the use of technologies that support business operations and economic growth.
ICCA, MPI, and Reed Travel Exhibitions, has developed a framework to standardize and measure the economic impact of Meeting Tourism globally. This framework, which includes methodological recommendations and a pilot program, aims to quantify and qualify meetings as part of 'Conference and Convention Tourism,' 'Event Tourism,' 'Business Tourism,' or the 'Meetings Industry.' However, it does not cover business travel activities like client meetings, sales trips, and corporate travel, making it incomplete for a full analysis of business tourism

Business tourism today encompasses a wide range of activities beyond traditional MICE events, including remote working from different destinations, hybrid events combining virtual and in-person participation, and “bleisure” travel, which integrates leisure elements into business trips. It also includes sports &entertainment-related business events

The sector now emphasizes sustainability and social responsibility, aligning business travel practices with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to balance economic benefits with environmental and social considerations.

Individual Business Tourism, which includes work-related trips such as meetings, client visits, and training; and Group Business Tourism, which covers organized events like conferences, conventions, and corporate activities. These branches are further divided into Corporate, Associative, Institutional, and Sports & Entertainment events, reflecting the diverse nature of business tourism activities and their role in supporting various professional, educational, and recreational objectives.

The demand perspective in business tourism primarily involves understanding the motivations and behaviors of business tourists, though most research focuses on forecasting visitor volumes using models like ARIMA or ECM.

The supply perspective in business tourism focuses on providing services and managing destinations, including the development of facilities and event organization while addressing social, economic, and environmental impacts. The sector must adapt to evolving trends and consumer preferences, leveraging technology and sustainable practices to remain competitive. Public sector entities, like Convention Bureaux, play a key role in promoting destinations, and intermediaries (TMC´s, PCO´s, DMC´s etc) help bridge the gap between supply and demand by educating consumers on sustainable tourism practices.

The Consumer/User Perspective focuses on analyzing the experience and satisfaction of business tourists with the services and products they consume. It highlights the shift towards prioritizing the traveler’s experience, with an emphasis on technological innovation, accessibility, and sustainability. The evolving "smart" tourist demands solutions that go beyond cost savings, emphasizing environmental responsibility and safety. Tools like user experience maps help identify pain points in the travel journey, providing insights for enhancing the overall business travel experience (A total of 25 pain points have been identified in the Smart Business Travel Map, categorized into 8 areas: Communication, Service Offerings, Best Practices, Training, Community, Strategy, Purchases, and Budget).