GBTA is hedging its bets on Asia-Pacific, spurred by strong and increasing appetite among business travel professionals in the region wanting to be part of a professional community, to learn and to be heard.
The US-based association is tapping the momentum of its successful Asia-Pacific (APAC) conference, held in Singapore in May, by collaborating with its APAC regional and local GBTA advisory boards such as those recently established in India, China and Australia.
While tariff-related disruptions to net exports are likely to act as a drag on businesses, Catherine Logan, regional senior vice president, EMEA and APAC, is optimistic that China – “the second-largest business travel market in the world” – is poised to continue to be a major driver of growth for the sector.
China represents 61 per cent of APAC’s spending, and GBTA’s recently-published Business Travel Index Outlook report shows China’s growth is expected to moderate from five per cent in 2024 to 4.6 per cent in 2025, and 4.4 per cent in 2026.
However, Logan believes policy measures China introduced in March 2025 – aimed at boosting consumption, supporting investment and stabilising the property sector – should help offset some of the negative impacts.
“In the longer term, China’s structural shift toward domestic consumption remains central to sustaining growth momentum,” she added.
Meanwhile, GBTA will support, develop and nurture current and future volunteer members.
Logan commented: “In APAC, the foundation that Peter Koh (APAC Advisory Board chair) was instrumental in creating for GBTA members and programmes. It will continue to further evolve and grow as our advisory leaders and volunteers also continue to expand and bring their own insights and expertise.”
Koh, an industry veteran, received the Business Travel Service Award at the 2025 GBTA APAC conference and the President’s Award at GBTA Convention in Denver in July.
Other industry experts such as Sandeep Shastri, senior director, Airline Distribution, Sabre Asia-Pacific; and Kenji Soh, general manager, South-east Asia, FCM Travel; were recognised at the APAC event.
Logan continued: “We consult extensively with our advisory boards across APAC to provide business travel professionals with the skills, knowledge and networking opportunities they need to thrive, both as volunteer leaders within GBTA and in their chosen profession.”
She highlighted that “APAC is a powerhouse of growth for the business travel sector”, adding that its members across the large and diverse region have unique needs. As such, GBTA is working closely with volunteer members to “deliver localised offerings and programmes such as for education that provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive”.
“Building on the strong momentum of the APAC conference in Singapore, our focus is on continuing to expand and enhance our year-round offerings to our expanding membership across the region,” Logan added.
GBTA’s re-engagement in APAC started in 2023 with the appointment of Elle Ng-Darmawan, Asia Pacific regional director, nearly eight years after the association closed its regional Bangkok office in March 2015.
