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Asia Pacific Business Travel to Surpass $700 Billion in 2026, Leading Global Growth Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty 

ByDebbie Iannaci

At its 2026 APAC Conference attracting over 1,100 delegates, GBTA revealed new data on regional business travel growth as well as its economic impact in Singapore

Business travel across Asia Pacific is on a strong upward trajectory, with the region projected to remain the largest global market in 2026 — even as companies navigate ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and economic pressures.

Business travel spending in the region is forecast to reach over $700 billion USD in 2026, accounting for more than 40% of total outbound spending. China is expected to lead the region with $408 billion in business travel spending in 2026, while key markets including Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore are all projected to post strong year-over-year growth.

These were among regional findings unveiled at the GBTA APAC Conference 2026 held 12-13 May at the Marina Bay Sands and co-located with WERC APAC 26  for the 4th year, attracting over 1,100 registered attendees from 35 countries. The event convened industry leaders, corporate travel managers and suppliers from across the region and beyond to explore the current and future state of business travel.

“Business travel continues to demonstrate its resilience and relevance worldwide, notwithstanding geopolitical challenges, with APAC leading that momentum,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “Our latest data, cautiously optimistic, underscores not only the region’s strong growth, but also the critical role business travel plays in driving economic expansion, fostering innovation and strengthening in-person connections. As organizations navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, strategic investment in travel remains essential to achieving meaningful business and diplomatic outcomes.”

The GBTA APAC Conference featured two days of main stage presentations, panel discussions and education sessions, all geared toward advancing the region’s business travel sector and its professionals.

APAC’s Business Travel Growth Continues

On the conference main stage, Neufang outlined the resilience of global business travel and unveiled new spending forecast data for APAC along with its significant economic contribution in Singapore.

According to the latest GBTA Global Business Travel Index (“BTI”) analysis, in 2026 APAC is projected to remain the world’s largest business travel region, even as travel programs face growing pressures from costs, geopolitical uncertainty and evolving risk and safety concerns.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to reach $700.9 billion USD in business travel spending in 2026, showing a year-over-year increase of 10.9%. China is forecast to lead APAC in business travel spending at $408 billion, representing 58% of the entire region.

According to GBTA BTI data, the top five APAC countries for business travel spending — China, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia — represent $623.2 billion USD, or just over 40% of the 2026 global forecast total of $1.69 trillion USD. Among the APAC markets anticipated for strong year-over-year growth are Japan (15.3%), South Korea (13.3%), India (12.5%), Australia (9.7%), Taiwan (24.7%), Indonesia (12.6%) and Singapore (9.0%).

Much of APAC’s growth is being fueled by sectors such as Manufacturing, Utilities, Construction and Administrative Services, highlighting the essential link between business travel and core economic activity — even as recovery remains uneven across industries.

Amid APAC’s strong outlook, there is still concern among regional industry professionals for the remainder of 2026 as reflected in insights presented by Neufang from GBTA’s April global survey of travel buyers, suppliers and intermediaries. Among APAC respondents, optimism fell from 56% in January to 46% in April, with pessimism remaining at about 25%, aligning with GBTA global trends.

Strong Economic Impact in Singapore

GBTA also unveiled early data from its upcoming International Economic Impact Study outlining municipal economic impact of business travel among 25 of the world’s most popular business travel destinations. Based on 2024 data, business travel to and within Singapore annually generates $8.1 billion USD in industry‑driven revenue, including $1.3 billion USD in tax contributions while also supporting 33,636 jobs.

The impact study also reveals that business travel to and within Singapore generated $2.9 billion USD in local value‑added revenue in 2024, reinforcing its role as a key destination for business travel, meetings and events. And for every dollar spent on business travel in Singapore, just over half (56%) stays “local” and adds to the area’s economy.

Growing With APAC Through Community, Learning and Advocacy

Among the total conference delegates, 327 were corporate travel buyers from 205 organizations, representing a combined $21.3 billion USD in annual business travel spending. Additionally, 50% of delegates overall attended for the first time.

“Our APAC conference highlights both the momentum of this region and GBTA’s deepening commitment to supporting its growth,” said Elle Ng-Darmawan, Senior Director, APAC for GBTA. “As the region’s global influence continues to expand, we’re helping to strengthen connections, advance learning and ensure our members are equipped to navigate change and capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead in APAC.”

Supported by the GBTA APAC Advisory Board, regional committees and dedicated member and industry volunteers, conference programming was tailored to the region’s unique needs, featuring targeted sessions, expert insights and interactive experiences such as:

  • Educational programming delivering nine curated sessions offering practical insights on topics ranging from leveraging AI and emerging technologies to advancing responsible, inclusive leadership.

  • Expert perspectives from leading voices across the industry, including Dr. Taimur Baig, Chief Economist at DBS Bank, who explored how macroeconomic trends, political dynamics, and emerging power plays are transforming the business landscape across the region, and Addo AI CEO, Dr. Ayesha Khanna, who shared insights on how different types of AI (generative, predictive, and agentic) are reshaping workflows, traveler servicing and personalization. 

  • Interactive experiences such as Connect First for newcomers, the return of “The Big Idea” session to explore forward-looking concepts shaping the industry, and the GBTA Broadcast Studio featuring insightful interviews with industry leaders.

  • GBTA VentureConnect made its APAC debut, made possible by Oversee, connecting emerging travel tech startups with investors and buyers to drive collaboration and innovation. Eight startups competed on the main stage, with Travelin.AI presented by Roy Golden, CEO & Co-Founder, emerging as the winner based on audience voting and earning the opportunity to present at the 2026 GBTA Convention.

Momentum Powered by Volunteer Members

GBTA celebrated five 2026 APAC Volunteer Award recipients for their outstanding contributions, leadership and impact in the region:

  • Jessica Khoo-Ang, Accor | APAC Advisory Board and Education Working Group
  • Andy O’Mara, Canva | Australia Advisory Board Chair
  • Mike Orchard, Festive Road | APAC and Australia Advisory Boards
  • Timothy Tan, UOB Group | APAC Advisory Board and Education Working Group
  • Nicola Winchester, EY | APAC Advisory Board

GBTA also announced Ewan Lim, Senior Manager, Travel & Meetings Operations, APAC & Emerging Markets for GSK, as the new Chair of the APAC Advisory Board, effectively taking over for Peter Koh as of 13 May.

Upcoming GBTA Opportunities to Connect in APAC and Beyond

The conference closed with a look ahead at upcoming GBTA events, including the annual GBTA Convention, 3-5 August in Chicago. Ng-Darmawan also revealed that the 2027 GBTA APAC Conference will take place 1-2 June, again at The Marina Bay Sands.

To learn more about GBTA in APAC, visit the regional web page here.