This report analysed BCD flight and rail data from 2023 in a range of APAC markets. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/happycreator
Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok are the most visited cities in the
region by APAC business travellers, followed by Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur,
according to BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends 2023 Asia Pacific Report which analysed BCD flight and rail data from 2023 in a range of APAC markets.
The intercontinental list is led by Frankfurt, London and Amsterdam.
Top 10 cities Singapore is clearly leading the way in APAC,
reclaiming its status as a major MICE destination post-pandemic with
robust government support. It also maintained its position as the
primary financial hub in the region, ahead of Hong Kong. and now ranks
as Asia’s top financial center and the third globally.
Changi Airport, the city’s main gateway, recovered to about 86% of
its pre-pandemic passenger volume in 2023, driven by a strong rebound in
Northeast and Southeast Asia traffic, making Singapore an accessible
and convenient destination for business.
“The APAC region is set to play a significant role in global business
travel spending this year, accounting for 42% of the total,” said Greg
O’Neil, president – Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Global
network, BCD Travel.
Top 5 countries for business travellers
Singapore
was the most visited APAC country last year, followed by China.
International travel to and from China has lagged behind its domestic
travel industry rebound, with domestic air travel now 17% above 2019
levels while international travel is still recovering. Factors such as a
shortage of flights, high ticket prices, and administrative hurdles for
visas have contributed to this slower recovery.
The United States is the most visited country globally, followed by
Germany. This is not surprising considering that four American cities
are among the top 10 intercontinental cities.
Top 10 air routes
The most frequently travelled
routes for APAC flights primarily depart from Singapore, which accounts
for four positions in the top 10 city pairs. Hong Kong follows with two
city pairs in the top 10. The top 10 arrival hubs for APAC routes are
predominantly in Southeast Asia and North Asia, with Singapore being the
most popular destination.
For intercontinental routes, Bangalore to Frankfurt tops the chart.
The most frequently traveled routes for intercontinental flights from
APAC mainly depart from Tokyo and Singapore, together holding seven
positions in the top 10 routes. The top 10 arrival hubs for
intercontinental routes are largely dominated by European cities, with
Frankfurt being the most popular.
Rail most popular for domestic travel
Rail travel is a preferred choice for domestic business travel in
China and Japan, offering quicker boarding and deboarding, significantly
reducing overall travel time for distances up to 1,200 km. Train
stations in both countries are typically located in city centres or
business districts, providing easy access to key areas.
“Sustainability has become a top corporate priority, with travel
buyers increasingly aware of business travel’s environmental impact,”
said Jonathan Kao, managing director of North Asia at BCD Travel.
“Chinese companies lead in sustainability, favouring high-speed rail
over air travel for its cost-effectiveness, efficiency and convenience,
especially for distances between 800 and 1,200 km. As the rail network
expands, it’s becoming more competitive with air travel.”