2024 Business Travel Highlights
As 2024 winds down, we're reflecting on the milestones that shaped a dynamic year in business travel. From record-breaking events to shifting trends, here’s a snapshot of the key moments that defined the year for business travellers.
JANUARY-MARCH
Australian Open: the corporate crowd-puller of the year
Move over, footy! Melbourne's Australian Open has emerged as the city's biggest drawcard for corporate travellers, beating even the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup, and Boxing Day Test. New booking data reveals the event’s popularity is surging, with a 21% increase in corporate travel bookings compared to 2023.
Savvy corporate travellers avoid Sydney’s ‘Cruel Summer’
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour took Australia by storm in February, with Sydney's airports facing a surge in traffic. Smart business travellers pivoted to regional hubs like Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour, where flights spiked dramatically compared to the same period in 2023. This trend showcased the growing appeal of alternative destinations for essential travel during peak periods.
Australian Grand Prix: record business crowds
The 2024 Australian Grand Prix delivered its best-ever numbers for corporate attendance, with hospitality suites and business events buzzing throughout the weekend. Companies from tech, finance, and manufacturing sectors used the event as a platform to entertain clients and network, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of Melbourne’s business travel calendar.
APRIL-JUNE
Airfares ease as capacity returns to pre-Covid levels
For the first time since the pandemic, global and domestic air capacity in Australia has fully recovered, leading to a much-needed drop in international airfare prices. This shift has been a game-changer for businesses, enabling more affordable travel and expanding opportunities for growth across industries.
Direct flights resume between South Africa and Australia
The resumption of direct Perth–Johannesburg flights was another big win in 2024. Connecting two major mining and resource hubs, these flights are expected to facilitate over 40,000 annual passengers in each direction, strengthening ties between Australia and South Africa and boosting key industries.
Unpacked in-person event series
Corporate Traveller hit the road with the "Unpacked" series, bringing hands-on insights to Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. From keynote speakers to tailored breakout sessions for travel arrangers and business managers, the events empowered businesses to unlock hidden value in their travel programs. Prizes and networking added to the excitement, with attendees walking away with actionable strategies for smarter travel.
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Rex exits major city routes
Rex Airlines’ departure from capital city routes this quarter highlighted the delicate balance of competition in the Australian aviation market. While regional routes remain a priority for Rex, its exit underlined the continuing demand for diverse travel options across the country
Corporate travel to Paris surged during the Olympics
The 2024 Paris Games drew an unprecedented wave of corporate travel, with bookings to the French capital skyrocketing by 200%. Despite rising travel costs, businesses prioritised Paris for deal-making and networking, resulting in an astonishing 123% increase in bookings through Corporate Traveller.
UK introduces travel authorisation for Australians
Aussies travelling to the UK will now face a new requirement: the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Introduced this year, this scheme mirrors Australia's own travel authorisation system, adding a small fee and an extra step for travellers. Businesses should prepare for this change when planning trips to Britain.
OCTOBER-DECEMBER
Airfares drop across economy and business class
New data from Flight Centre Corporate brands, Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel, revealed international outbound economy airfares dropped 5–10% in the latest quarter (July–September 2024 vs. 2023), saving travellers over $100 each way. Business class followed suit, with fares down 4%, translating to average savings of more than $300.
Expert Advice Unpacked Webinar
To close out the year, we hosted a must-watch webinar sharing expert insights into cost-saving strategies and value-driven travel planning. Businesses gained practical tips on aligning travel programs with broader business goals, ensuring smarter and more efficient travel for 2025. We’ve got two sessions running in Jan, register here.
State of the Market: Trends for FY25
A new global survey from Flight Centre Corporate revealed that 40% of businesses plan to increase travel in FY25, with 42% set to boost their budgets. Small and medium-sized enterprises are leading the charge, leveraging the growing "bleisure" trend that blends business with leisure. The outlook for business travel is brighter than ever, with companies exploring new ways to maximise ROI on their travel spend.
Contact us
Whether you already have a travel partner in place - or are not sure if your business needs one - our expert advice will help you decide. Our blended approach to business travel management makes us truly unique, fill in the contact form to make an appointment with one of our dedicated travel experts today.
