– Data shows top 10 most-booked destinations within the Asia Pacific region and globally –

SINGAPORE, 13 March 2017 – The Asia Pacific region maintains its significance for Singapore’s business travellers, according to new data from American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), with Asia Pacific cities comprising the entire top ten most visited destinations by Singapore-based business travellers in 2016. However, despite the destination data remaining consistent over the past few years, some desire from business travellers to consider other means of transport within Asia-Pacific is becoming apparent.

“The list of top business travel destinations from Singapore has remained incredibily consistent for the past few years now. However, when speaking with our customers, we are noticing an increased desire for greater traveller choice through more variety in airline options including low cost carrier options, as well as broader hotel choices”, said Dr. Carl Jones, Vice President, Global Client Management, APAC,  American Express GBT. 

“While companies are looking at ways to enhance the traveller experience to cater towards younger members of their workforce, it’s important to balance these desires with the realities of travel budgets and what is a realistic policy for your organisation.”

“In terms of the rankings, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta remain the top two destinations due to long existing business links with Singapore, proximity, as well as their roles as technology and data centre hubs for the region. Manila has overtaken Shanghai as the 5th most popular destination this year, and we see Manila’s role as a call centre hub as driving this shift.”

Encompassing all air bookings made directly with American Express GBT for Singapore-based travellers between January and November 2016, the travel destinations data provides a snapshot of business travel flows from Singapore around Asia, and further abroad.  Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok are the top three destinations for business travel, with London ranking as the top business travel destination outside of APAC, followed by San Francisco, which has overtaken New York.

Asian connection remains solid

Cities within Asia Pacific make up the entire top ten business travel destinations from Singapore, and these rankings echo results for the previous two years, with Kuala Lumpur continuing to lead. Despite a business travel spend within the financial services sector remaining subdued, key cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo remain as critical business travel destinations for Singapore’s business travellers. Sydney has replaced Taipei as 10th most popular destination.

Top 10 international destinations

Rank

Destination

1

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

2

JAKARTA, INDONESIA

3

BANGKOK, THAILAND

4

HONG KONG, CHINA

5

MANILA, PHILIPPINES

6

SHANGHAI, CHINA

7

TOKYO, JAPAN

8

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

9

MUMBAI, INDIA

10

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Source:  American Express GBT Singapore point of sale data destination analysis for January – November 2016.

London leads the way outside of APAC

London again ranks as the top business travel destination outside of Asia Pacific. New York has been overtaken by San Francisco, with the return of direct flights between Singapore and San Francisco a ikley contributor to this change.

Top 10 international destinations excluding APAC

Rank

Destination

1

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

2

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

3

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

4

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

5

PARIS, FRANCE

6

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

7

FRANKFURT, GERMANY

8

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

9

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

10

MUNICH, GERMANY

Source:  American Express GBT Singapore point of sale data destination analysis for January – November 2016.

Notes to editors

The data presented here, provided by American Express GBT Global Business Consulting, is based on actual bookings through American Express GBT between between January 2016 – November 2016.

About American Express Global Business Travel 

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) equips companies of all sizes with the insights, tools, services and expertise they need to keep their travelers informed, focused and productive while on the road. With approximately 12,000 employees and operations in nearly 120 countries worldwide, GBT empowers customers to take control of their travel programs, optimizing the return on their travel and meetings investments, while, more importantly, providing extraordinary traveler care.

Learn more at amexglobalbusinesstravel.com and amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/. Follow us @ twitter.com/amexgbt.

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) is a joint venture that is not wholly owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (American Express). “American Express Global Business Travel,” “American Express,” and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express and are used under limited license.

Media Contacts:                                                        

Sarah Blades
American Express Global Business Travel            
+61 2 9271 1467
[email protected]

Andrew Hamilton
Mana Communications
+61 (0)420 447 669
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