Amsterdam and New York Emerge as Favored Destinations for European Business Trips: Report

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

In the 2023 edition of BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends Europe report, Amsterdam and New York emerge as the prime destinations for European business travelers, with Germany and the United States ranking as the top countries visited. The insights are drawn from BCD’s analysis of flight and car rental data across various European markets.

Reflecting a resilient recovery, overall business travel expenditure in Europe reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The pace of recovery varies across regions and countries, influenced by geopolitical shifts, supplier availability, and other factors. Notably, Western Europe leads the resurgence, evidenced by the resurgence of in-person meetings and events, as well as the revival of international business travel capacity and demand. Conversely, other parts of Europe face slower recuperation, hindered in part by the conflict in Ukraine among other challenges.

On the global front, the United States dominates the intercontinental business travel landscape, claiming seven spots in the top 10 cities. Nevertheless, Dubai stands out in third place, propelled by its ambitious growth agenda aiming to become the world’s premier tourist destination. Rounding out the list are cities like Singapore and Shanghai, underscoring the diversity of international business travel hotspots.

“While global business travel rebounds, the pace of recovery in China has been more gradual,” said Jonathan Kao, managing director of North Asia. “Beijing has dropped off the list from its 2019 position as the eighth most visited intercontinental city for European business travelers, and Shanghai has fallen from second to 10th place. Despite this, we’re encouraged by the recent visa exemptions for travelers from certain European countries, and overall, more lenient visa procedures. We anticipate a significant resurgence in business travel to China in 2024, evidenced by the early increase in travel volumes we’ve seen in the first two months of 2024.”

Top five countries for business travel
Germany emerges as the foremost visited European destination, with the United Kingdom slipping from its 2019 first place to second in 2023. Following Brexit, entry requirements for EU and Swiss citizens have tightened, mandating a valid passport for travel to the U.K. since October 2021, in contrast to the previous freedom of entry with a national ID card.

Nevertheless, the U.K. remains a prominent hub for business travel. The Netherlands, France, and Italy trail closely behind in third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively.

In the intercontinental realm, the United States takes the lead, with the United Arab Emirates, India, and China following suit. This underscores the robust trading ties between Europe and Asia. Canada rounds off the list in fifth position.

“Risks like geopolitics and rising crime, new sustainability legislation and remote work continue to impact business travel volumes and where travel budgets are directed to,” said Michèle Lawley, BCD’s president of Europe. “Airline capacities once sufficient might become scarce. A destination once safe might have become dangerous for travelers. These are some examples of why travel programs quickly need to adjust to new circumstances. We support our corporate clients by keeping them abreast of any developments, advising them on supplier negotiations, managing risks, and providing travelers with tools they like to use.”  

The top 10 business travel routes predominantly stem from London and Frankfurt, comprising eight of the positions for intercontinental flights departing from Europe. Amsterdam and Paris round off the list as the ninth and tenth departure hubs respectively.

In terms of arrival hubs for intercontinental routes, the United States predominantly dominates the top 10, with New York City emerging as the most frequented destination. Shanghai stands as the sole APAC arrival hub among the listed destinations.

Cabin Class Overview
In 2023, European travelers’ preferences for cabin classes on intercontinental flights saw business class at the forefront, capturing 47% of bookings. Economy class was not far behind, securing 42% of the share. Premium economy and first class trailed with 10% and 1% respectively. These figures stand in contrast to an upcoming report on U.S. travelers, which shows a higher preference for business class at 53% and a lower preference for economy class at 36% on intercontinental routes.

Flight Preferences for Business Travel in Europe
For business-related travel within Europe, a significant majority (84%) opt for direct flights, leaving a small fraction (16%) choosing connecting flights. The scenario shifts when it comes to intercontinental journeys, where the choice between direct and connecting flights is nearly split down the middle: 51% direct versus 49% connecting.

“The chosen service class, type of flight and even the route have a direct effect on CO2 emissions,” Lawley added. “For example, direct flights offer a shorter route and use less fuel on landing and take-off than connecting flights. By analyzing their emissions data, companies can hone in on what behaviors or policies they want to influence or change to support smart and purposeful travel.”

Car Rental Insights
In Europe, car rentals accompany 21% of all air travel bookings, with an average rental period of four days. Germany dominates the car rental market, boasting five cities—Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Berlin—among the top 10 destinations for car rentals. The list is completed by Paris, London, Amsterdam, Milan, and Barcelona.

A comprehensive BCD car rental survey, gathering insights from over 900 business travelers globally, reveals the primary motivations for renting a car. Most business travelers rent vehicles for direct visits to their company’s offices, client meetings, or to provide onsite services. The key advantages of car rentals cited include convenience, speed, the absence of alternative transport options, and cost-effectiveness.

Source: BCD Travel

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