Singapore is APAC’s top business travel destination: report

The city was the most visited country in the region last year.

Singapore ranked as the top destination for business travellers in BCD’s latest Cities & Trends report.

BCD’s rankings showed that Lion City has retained its status as the leading destination in APAC to conduct major meetings, conferences and exhibitions post-pandemic.

It said government support has also been crucial in ensuring the city-state’s appeal for corporate travel. A major contributor is the $870m OneAviation Support Package for the aviation sector in 2021 and about $300m worth of aid extended to help its tourism sector bounce back from the pandemic.

Trailing behind Singapore is its Asian financial hub rival Hong Kong, followed by Bangkok in the third spot, Tokyo (4th) and Kuala Lumpur (5th). Rounding out the top 10 are Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei, Jakarta and Manila, respectively.

Based on BCD flight transactions, Singapore was the most visited country in APAC last year, surpassing China and Japan.

The most frequently traveled routes for APAC flights also primarily depart from Singapore, while the city-state was also the most popular arrival hub for APAC routes. It was also the top city for layovers on APAC flights thanks to its location and connectivity.

“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, BCD Travel’s President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Global Network.