Asia Pacific (APAC) is a critical growth driver for global business travel and GBTA’s latest forecast for 2025 shows spend is expected to reach US$632 billion, representing a six per cent year-on-year increase.
APAC countries also make up a third of the top 15 markets for spend – namely, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia – representing over US$563 billion; and China is and will continue to be a major engine of growth projected to reach US$$373 billion this year.
GBTA’s newly-elected APAC regional director, Amarnath Lal Das – who is Accenture Solutions’ India travel and global crisis and compliance lead – told TTGmice that he will be working with all sector leaders and communities to shape initiatives that make travel more inclusive, resilient and future-ready.
“The region is one, but each country is unique in its culture and contributions,” Lal Das commented.
His priority will be “to work closely with my fellow board members and our advisory groups and staff across the region to ensure that we are understanding and delivering on the unique needs and interests of our members and partners”.
The aim is to engage members via the advisory boards to deliver solutions such as education programmes that provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
“We’re also delivering in-person connection events, so that business travel professionals can meet and share ideas, insights and expertise,” he added.
He also named the priority of promoting the value and importance of business travel in the region, and will also help guide the continued growth of GBTA by introducing localised offerings and programmes.
There are around 500-plus GBTA members in the region and Lal Das sees membership increasing from every part of the region, most notably from Australia, China, India, Singapore and Japan.
Lal Das observed: “APAC is crucial, accounting for over 40 per cent of global business travel spend last year, according to GBTA research. But it is also a large and diverse region, with members across different countries having unique needs.”
