Leading Business Travel Destinations in Asia Pacific for 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Overview of Business Travel Trends
BCD Travel’s report on Cities & Trends for 2025 highlights Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong as the premier destinations for business travelers within Asia Pacific. In intercontinental travel, Frankfurt, London, and San Francisco are the leading cities. This data is based on the travel activities of BCD’s clients throughout 2024 across various APAC markets.
Top Business Cities in Asia Pacific
Singapore leads the rankings, benefitting from its strategic positioning and robust economy. Key factors contributing to its success include:
- Reciprocal visa-free agreements with many Southeast Asian countries
- Increased flight availability
- Reduction in airfare
These elements foster a business-friendly environment, resulting in a 20% increase in visits from the previous year. Following Singapore, Tokyo has seen a remarkable 38% rise, solidifying its spot in second place. Hong Kong maintains a stable position, alongside Bangkok. Cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, and Seoul show consistent performance, while Sydney has made a breakthrough into the top 10.
2024 Rankings Comparison
| APAC Ranking | Intercontinental Ranking |
|---|---|
| 1: Singapore | 1: Frankfurt |
| 2: Tokyo | 2: London |
| 3: Hong Kong | 3: San Francisco |
| 4: Bangkok | 4: Amsterdam |
| 5: Kuala Lumpur | 5: New York City |
| 6: Shanghai | 6: Seattle-Tacoma |
| 7: Seoul | 7: Munich |
| 8: Taipei | 8: Paris |
| 9: Jakarta | 9: Los Angeles |
| 10: Sydney | 10: Chicago |
Intercontinental Travel Routes
In the intercontinental travel sector, Europe and North America each secure five spots in the top 10 cities. Notably, Frankfurt, London, and San Francisco emerge as the most frequented destinations. The Global Business Travel Association’s report indicates that Asia Pacific led the world in business travel expenditure growth in 2024, with 78% of respondents indicating more frequent travel when compared to 2023.
Most Visited Countries
According to BCD’s flight data, Singapore ranks as the most-visited country in APAC, followed closely by China and Japan. The United States continues to be the leading destination for intercontinental travel, with rankings remaining unchanged since the previous year.
| APAC Ranking | Intercontinental Ranking |
|---|---|
| 1: Singapore | 1: United States |
| 2: China | 2: Germany |
| 3: Japan | 3: United Kingdom |
| 4: Malaysia | 4: Netherlands |
| 5: Thailand | 5: France |
Leading Flight Routes
Singapore emerges as the central hub for APAC flights, with five city pairs ranking in the top 10. Notably, the route from Shanghai to San Francisco has improved in ranking from 17th to 10th position. Bengaluru contributes to this landscape by offering three of the top 10 intercontinental routes, with the Bengaluru to Frankfurt route leading in popularity.
| APAC Ranking | Intercontinental Ranking |
|---|---|
| 1: Kuala Lumpur – Singapore | 1: Bengaluru – Frankfurt |
| 2: Singapore – Kuala Lumpur | 2: Shanghai – Frankfurt |
| 3: Bangkok – Singapore | 3: Tokyo – New York City |
| 4: Singapore – Bangkok | 4: Tokyo – San Francisco |
| 5: Singapore – Jakarta | 5: Singapore – London |
| 6: Jakarta – Singapore | 6: Tokyo – London |
| 7: Singapore – Hong Kong | 7: Bengaluru – London |
| 8: Hong Kong – Singapore | 8: Bengaluru – Seattle-Tacoma |
| 9: Tokyo – Singapore | 9: Tokyo – Frankfurt |
| 10: Singapore – Tokyo | 10: Shanghai – San Francisco |
Cabin Class Preferences
A significant majority of travelers in the APAC region—approximately 84%—choose economy class for domestic flights, while around 15% prefer business class. In contrast, intercontinental travel sees an even split, with 45% utilizing both classes.
Flight Preferences: Direct vs. Layover
Direct flights are favored by APAC travelers, constituting 89% of all travel. However, intercontinental flights show a different trend, with only 25% being direct, likely due to the distance and limited options available.
Notably, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok rank as the top layover cities in the APAC region, while Dubai, Doha, and Frankfurt dominate for intercontinental layovers, providing excellent facilities and smooth connections for business travelers.
Innovations in Rail Travel
China and Japan are recognized for their advanced rail systems. Japan offers the renowned Shinkansen bullet trains which are notable for their speed and reliability, making city-to-city travel easy and efficient. Similarly, China’s high-speed rail network is expanding, with key routes offering rapid transport between major urban centers.
| China | Japan |
|---|---|
| 1: Changsha – Shenzhen | 1: Tokyo – Osaka |
| 2: Shenzhen – Changsha | 2: Osaka – Tokyo |
| 3: Shanghai – Beijing | 3: Tokyo – Nagoya |
| 4: Shanghai – Suzhou | 4: Nagoya – Tokyo |
| 5: Shanghai – Yancheng | 5: Kyoto – Tokyo |
| 6: Yancheng – Shanghai | 6: Tokyo – Kyoto |
| 7: Shanghai – Hangzhou | 7: Osaka – Nagoya |
| 8: Beijing – Shanghai | 8: Nagoya – Osaka |
| 9: Suzhou – Shanghai | 9: Yokohama – Osaka |
| 10: Hangzhou – Shanghai |
Sustainability in Travel Choices
As businesses consider sustainability, rail travel presents a lower carbon footprint compared to air travel. With efficient city-center connections and high punctuality, trains offer a compelling alternative for those seeking eco-friendly travel options without sacrificing speed or comfort.
