Singaporeans most lavish spenders on business trips

S$587 are spent just on a typical business trip.

According to Accor Asia-Pacific Business Traveller Research 2012, on average, Singapore-based business travellers spend the greatest amount – US$468 (S$587) – on a typical business trip. The average spend across the region was US$375  (S$471), with Indonesians spending the least, at US$243 (S$305) and Indians coming in second at US$399 (S$501).

Here's more from Asia-Pacific Business Traveller Research 2012:

Singapore business travellers also increased their hotel spend more than any other country, budgeting over 16% more per night in the first half of 2012 than they did in the first half of 2011, with an average hotel allowance per night of US$156 (S$196), up from US$134 (S$168) last year. By comparison, the average business traveller in Asia-Pacific spent US$125 (S$157) per night, up 3.3% from last year.

Connectivity on the go is paramount to Singaporean business travellers; 63% of respondents identified free WiFi internet as a key factor when choosing a hotel, beating out location, loyalty card membership (46% each) and price (42%). For business travellers across the region, the most important factors that influence hotel choice are: that the hotel is near to where they do business (53%), free WiFi (49%) and a competitive price (46%).

Singaporean executives are among the hardest working of their regional counterparts, with 60% of respondents saying they always or usually work while in the hotel, on par with Hong Kong travellers, and higher than the regional average of 56%.

At the same time, Singaporean business travellers also appear to be among the most health-conscious in the region – tied with Hong Kong – with 13% of respondents saying they always use the hotel fitness centre when they travel.