According to BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends 2023 Asia Pacific Report, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok are the most visited cities in the region by Asia-Pacific (APAC) business travellers.
Top 10 cities
Singapore is clearly leading the way in APAC, reclaiming its status as a major business events destination post-pandemic with robust government support. It has maintained its position as the primary financial hub in the region ahead of Hong Kong and now ranks as Asia’s top financial centre and the third globally. In 2023, Changi Airport recovered to about 86% of its pre-pandemic passenger volume, driven by a strong rebound in North-east and South-east Asia traffic, making Singapore an accessible and convenient destination for business.
“According to GBTA’s 2023 Business Travel Index, 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 of Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Global Network at BCD Travel.
Top five countries
Singapore was the most visited APAC country last year, followed by China. The recovery of international travel to and from China has lagged behind the rebound in the country’s domestic travel industry following the end of its zero-Covid policy. Domestic air travel is at 17% above 2019 levels, while international air travel is still recovering. Factors such as a shortage of flights, high ticket prices and administrative hurdles in obtaining visas have contributed to this slower recovery.
The US 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 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 South-east Asia and North Asia, with Singapore being the most popular destination.
For intercontinental routes, Bengaluru to Frankfurt tops the chart. The most frequently travelled 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 travel
Rail travel is a popular choice for domestic business travel in China and Japan. Unlike air travel, which requires lengthy check-in and security processes, rail travel offers quicker boarding and deboarding, significantly reducing overall travel time especially for distances up to 1,200km.
Train stations in both countries are typically located in city centres or business districts, providing easy access to key areas. Train tickets can also be more economical compared to airfares, especially when considering hidden costs such as transportation to and from airports and baggage fees.
“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. “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.”
The full Cities & Trends 2023 Asia Pacific Report with insights about APAC business travellers can be found here. The report is based on BCD flight and rail data from 2023 in a range of APAC markets.
