Malaysia (31%), Hong Kong (19%), India (18%), Philippines (9%), and China (8.8%) were growth standouts for the second half of 2024 versus the second half of 2023, according to data from FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller.
Corporate travellers are increasingly opting for business class when flying to Asia, with the region leading the world in year-on-year growth for premium travel.
This is according to data from FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller, the corporate travel businesses of Flight Centre Travel Group. It revealed that Malaysia (31%), Hong Kong (19%), India (18%), Philippines (9%), and China (8.8%) were growth standouts for the second half of 2024 versus the second half of 2023.
Bertrand Saillet, managing director of FCM Travel Asia said: “Asia has two massive benefits for business travellers. Not only is trade critical with the likes of China, Hong Kong, and India for companies worldwide, but it also acts as the transit gateway that connects the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.”
Related: Strong passenger demand continues to fuel business travel
Data from FCM’s Meetings & Events business also revealed an uptick in Asia being the destination of choice for conferences, with Sallet saying the geographic location is of real benefit, with the region centrally located for those coming from London, New York, or Sydney. FCM referenced a McKinsey report that highlighted how Asia is now the world’s second-most integrated trade region after the European Union, saying this highlights the importance of the area for business.
FCM’s data identified that the top three business class growth to Asia as follows:
Top three business class growth to Asia from Australia and New Zealand:
Top three business class growth to Asia from The Americas:
Top three business class growth to Asia from the UK:
Singapore
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Saillet added: “Trade will be in the spotlight in 2025 with a Donald Trump administration, but the one thing that won’t change is the critical nature of business travel for companies that know it’s a necessity rather than a luxury, and that it’s a key facet to surviving and thriving.”