After two years of lockdowns and restrictions that forced many businesses to forego their travel, Corporate Traveller's recent booking data shows the business sector is eager to return to the skies.
Corporate Traveller analysed its flight bookings from 7 February to 23 March and found an increase in domestic and international flight bookings. Specifically, international bookings increased by 416 per cent, while domestic bookings increased by 18 per cent.
Tom Walley, Global Managing Director at Corporate Traveller, says: “While this strong growth in international bookings has come off a small base, given that most international corporate travel was off limits before borders opened, travel bookings – particularly advance travel bookings – can be seen as an indicator of business confidence and optimism.”
Corporate Traveller’s advance booking data revealed that 59 per cent of its domestic and international flight bookings were made up to 10 days before travel, while 11 per cent were made at least four weeks in advance.
Tom expects the proportion of advance bookings to increase throughout the year, as businesses grow more confident to plan trips without fear of cancellation.
Despite high COVID cases within the data period, Australians have found the confidence to travel at least domestically for business. “The combination of open borders, eased restrictions and a return to workplaces has given businesses and consumers a much-needed boost in confidence.”
Top destinations for travel
Corporate Traveller has ranked the top 10 domestic business travel bookings from the date that each State opened its borders late last year, to 7 February this year.
The top 10 destinations included:
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Canberra
- Cairns
- Townsville
- Mackay
- Gold Coast
Tom says: “I expect Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland to remain popular destinations for travel this year, while bookings to Western Australia will grow now that the State has reopened.”
With more international destinations easing restrictions, many businesses will be looking to return to international travel. Corporate Traveller identified the top five international business destinations between 7 February and 23 March:
- London
- Singapore
- Los Angeles
