[ad_1]
FCM, the corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group, has released a set of striking statistics demonstrating a remarkable surge in business travel between Asia and Australia. These findings for the third quarter of 2023 have revealed substantial growth compared to the same period in the previous year.
The statistics unveiled a surge in bookings from 01 July to 30 September 2023. In particular, travel between India and Australia recorded a notable increase of 21 per cent, showcasing a growing interest in corporate connections between these two nations. Even more impressive was the upswing in bookings from various Asian countries, including China, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia, which experienced an astonishing 83 per cent increase, signifying a near-doubling of demand for travel between the continents.
These trends not only underscore the importance of business relations but also highlight the returning strength of international travel between Asia and Australia. The data reflects a robust post-pandemic rebound in corporate engagements, indicating a desire for in-person connections and face-to-face meetings.
According to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the trade interests of Australia and the ASEAN region are deeply intertwined. Two-way trade between Australia and ASEAN surpasses that with Japan or the United States, reaching over AUD 178 billion in 2022. Furthermore, key Asian countries, including India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, feature among Australia’s top 15 trading partners for 2022. As for future trade prospects, the ASEAN region offers immense trade and economic opportunities for Australia over the next three decades.
Gaurav Luthra, the Managing Director for India at FCM, commented on these promising developments, stating, “Travel between our continent and Australia has always been critical for trade. Our latest innovative statistics show a growing demand for large businesses to explore opportunities ‘Down Under.'”
The inaugural report on “How India Travels”, launched by Booking.com, revealed that Indian travellers are anticipated to be the fourth-largest global travel spenders by 2030. At the launch of the report in Delhi, Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director, and Vice President for Asia Pacific at Booking.com shed light on the travel industry’s resurgence and how Indian travellers are fuelling remarkable growth.
He continued, “This growth aligns with the resurgence of airline capacity and the introduction of more flight options. Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Qantas have replaced smaller aircraft with A380s on routes to major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, making business travel more accessible.”Luthra also noted a compelling trend of corporate travelers extending their stays to take advantage of Australia’s diverse holiday destinations. This not only bolsters business ties but allows professionals to explore and enjoy the scenic beauty of Australia.
Moreover, there has been a notable resurgence in meetings, events, and conferences during the last three months, mirroring the increased demand for business travel. The allure of in-person interactions has grown significantly as the novelty of virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom and Teams has waned.
As corporate travel between Asia and Australia surges, it not only brings both continents closer but also opens doors to new trade avenues and economic collaboration. The increase in bookings reflects a desire to strengthen existing connections and foster new business partnerships, indicating a promising future for trade relations between these regions.
Source link
