TBM Staff - Mumbai
Corporate travellers are increasingly choosing business class for trips to Asia, with the region reporting the highest year-on-year growth in premium travel. Data from Flight Centre Travel Group’s corporate travel arms—FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller—highlighted significant growth in business travel to Malaysia (31%), Hong Kong (19%), India (18%), the Philippines (9%), and China (8.8%) in H2-2024 compared to H2-2023.
Asia’s strategic importance is reflected in its dual role as a critical trade region and a transit gateway between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. “Asia is vital for global business, with trade relations involving China, Hong Kong, and India driving travel demand,” said Sunny Sodhi, Managing Director of FCM Travel India. The region’s central location has also positioned it as a preferred destination for conferences and events, attracting delegates from major cities like London, New York, and Sydney.
Trade integration within Asia continues to rise, with nearly 57% of the region’s trade value in 2022 originating within Asia, according to McKinsey & Company. ASEAN has emerged as a key connector, with Vietnam doubling its imports from China and increasing exports to the United States by USD USD 60 billion between 2017 and 2023. Similar trends are evident in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, further boosting business travel demand to these destinations.
Sunny Sodhi also noted that increased airline capacity, competitive pricing, and greater availability have supported the surge in business class travel. Looking ahead to 2025, trade will remain a focal point under a new global administration, but the necessity of business travel will persist as companies prioritise growth and connectivity. Key markets driving business class growth to Asia include Malaysia, India, and Hong Kong from ANZ; Singapore, Thailand, and India from the Americas; and Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia from the UK.
