Event planners and travel buyers in Asia Pacific face a more predictable cost environment in 2025 and 2026, though growing expectations and shifting event formats mean the pressure’s far from over. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Leah (AI generated)
After years of post-pandemic turbulence, business travel and events pricing is finally showing signs of stabilisation. According to the 2026 Global Business Travel Forecast, jointly released by CWT and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), airfares, hotel rates, ground transport, and meetings-related costs are expected to see only modest shifts through the next 18 months.
Airline capacity, room supply, and car rental fleets are gradually catching up with demand – though inflationary pressures, economic uncertainty, policy shifts, and geopolitical tensions remain key watchpoints.
The report outlines two possible scenarios – a base case with continued moderate economic growth, and a global recession scenario.
Airfares and hotels: APAC leads in value
APAC remains the most cost-effective region globally for business airfares, with the average ticket price (ATP) recorded at US$502 in 2024, a 2.9% increase year-on-year. A slight decline of 1.8% is forecast in 2025, with a 0.8% rebound in 2026. These trends point to increased airline capacity and more normalized demand post-COVID, though supply chain disruptions in aircraft production remain a limiting factor.
Hotel prices in APAC are trending upward, rising 4.5% to US$138 in 2024, and forecast to increase 3.6% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2026. Cost pressures stem from rising labor and construction costs, particularly in major business hubs. Limited new hotel development due to high borrowing costs is also constraining supply.
Ground transport normalises across the region
Car rental prices in APAC saw a 6.3% jump to US$54.30 in 2024, but are set to grow more moderately – 1.8% in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026. Improved vehicle availability and a more balanced fleet composition are contributing to this stabilization, offering relief for corporate ground transport budgets.
Shift towards small, strategic, and experience-led events
One of the most pronounced trends in the forecast is the evolution of the meetings and events landscape in APAC and globally. The average cost per attendee rose 4.5% in 2024 and is projected to increase 3.7% in 2025 and 2.4% in 2026.
The shift toward smaller, curated experiences is a defining feature, with organizations prioritising quality over quantity to maximise impact and ROI.
Growing expectations around wellness, sustainability, and hybrid capabilities, along with ongoing shortages in premium event venues, are adding further cost pressure.
Planners are increasingly looking to secondary cities where hotels and venue rentals are more competitively priced.
Smart strategy as the way forward
“While economic uncertainty hasn’t gone away, corporate travel buyers are regaining leverage and have more room to optimize their programmes,” noted Patrick Andersen, CEO of CWT. “Whether it’s capitalising on localised pricing trends, securing added value through smarter negotiations, or rethinking event formats for greater impact, this is a moment to be proactive and strategic. With the right approach, organizations can stretch their travel budgets further and deliver even greater returns.”
“That landscape will continue to be shaped by inflation, supply constraints, and evolving traveller expectations,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “The good news is that with better data and clearer trends, buyers can plan with more confidence. Success will come from staying informed and flexible, while aligning travel decisions with broader business goals.”