Singapore was the top regional destination for Asia/Pacific business travelers last year, while Frankfurt topped the list of intercontinental destinations, according to BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends 2023 Asia Pacific Report.

BCD noted Singapore has been “an accessible and convenient destination for business” with 2023 passenger volume at Changi Airport reaching about 86 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The eight most traveled routes by business travelers in the region were flights to or from Singapore, according to the report. Singapore was followed by Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur as the top destinations for travelers within the region, according to the report, based on BCD flight and rail data.

Shanghai ranked sixth on the list, and China overall ranked second behind Singapore in countries visited by Asia/Pacific business travelers, BCD said. The report noted international business travel to China has lagged domestic recovery within the country.

“Domestic air travel is at 17 percent above 2019 levels, while international air travel is still recovering,” according to the report. “Factors such as a shortage of flights, high ticket prices and administrative hurdles in obtaining visas have contributed to this slower recovery.”

Frankfurt was the top intercontinental location for Asia/Pacific business travelers, with three of the top four most-traveled intercontinental routes in the region to the German business hub—from Bangalore, Shanghai and Tokyo. London, Amsterdam, San Francisco and Munich rounded out the top five intercontinental destinations, though the United States was the most visited country by intercontinental travelers in the region, followed by Germany.

The report also noted that Asia/Pacific business travelers are less likely to fly on business class on intercontinental flights than U.S. travelers but more likely than their European counterparts. For Asia/Pacific business travelers, 49 percent of intercontinental flights were booked in business class. By comparison, 53 percent of U.S. intercontinental flights were booked in business class, and 47 percent of European intercontinental business flights were booked for the front of the cabin.

On regional flights within Asia/Pacific, however, only 17 percent of travelers booked business class, the report indicated.

GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS – Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Kenneth Bryan, has issued a strong call to all Caribbean people to continue exercising vigilance during this hurricane season by preparing for storms, while also being ready to respond and recover swiftly.

“Even as we protect life and property here in the western Caribbean, we stand in solidarity with the people of St. Vincent and the islands of the Grenadines who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” said Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands. “Their pain is our pain, and their struggles are felt across our entire region,” said the CTO Chairman, who noted that “when one member of our Caribbean family is affected, we all feel the impact. But together, we must unite and support each other through these challenging times”.

The CTO is committed to working closely with relief organizations to ensure a coordinated and effective response to hurricane impacts.

“We recognize the critical importance of preparedness. As hurricanes become more frequent and intense due to climate change, we urge all residents and businesses to take necessary precautions. Secure your homes, stock up on essential supplies, and have a clear plan in place. At the same time, we must be ready to support our neighbors and contribute to swift recovery efforts,” Chairman Bryan emphasized.

“Climate change poses a significant threat to our region, and we must be proactive in our response. This hurricane season, let us demonstrate the strength of our Caribbean spirit by preparing diligently and standing in solidarity. Our collective efforts will make a difference and ensure that we emerge stronger and more resilient,” Chairman Bryan added.

Chairman Bryan also called on the international community to assist the region with rebuilding infrastructure, restoring essential services, and helping communities get back on their feet. “We contribute the least to and suffer the most from the changing climate, so we need the global community to help provide resources for improved building standards, better communication systems, and more resilient infrastructure to mitigate future hurricane impacts.”

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.