GBTA Asia Pacific Conference 2025 Reflects the Dynamic Role of the Region in Shaping the Future of Business Travel

The growth and vital role of the Asia Pacific region in the future of global business travel was clearly demonstrated by the strong turnout, engagement and insights from the GBTA APAC Conference 2025 held at the Raffles City Convention Centre in Singapore from May 27-28. Hosted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the premier trade association and “voice” of the global business travel industry and co-located for the third year with the WERC® Regional Summit, the event brought together over 950 industry professionals including corporate travel managers (268), travel suppliers, and other industry partners along with nearly 50 exhibiting companies and sponsors.

The two-day program showcased over 80 featured speakers and prominent regional experts plus ten breakout sessions, guided by regional APAC committees, along with collaborative buyer- and supplier-only sessions. Sessions focused on industry forecasts, current challenges, and emerging trends shaping the future of business travel. Key topics included travel program evolution, workforce mobility, artificial intelligence, payments, sustainability, and the next generation of business travelers.

APAC continues to show its position not only as a leading region in global business travel but also as a highly engaged community of industry professionals. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and interest which shows that GBTA along with our partner, WERC, are bringing what is needed and wanted in tailored programming, education and in-person connection by the business travel sector in the region. Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional Senior Vice President for EMEA and APAC

APAC Business Travel Forecast Shows Continued Growth, Region More Optimistic for 2025

During the opening Main Stage presentation, Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, provided the latest forecast for APAC from the GBTA Business Travel Index (BTI) Report.

• While acknowledging potential headwinds, by the end of 2025 business travel spending in APAC is expected to rise to $679 billion USD, a 10.9% increase from 2024.
• Five APAC markets – China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia – rank among the top 15 markets worldwide for business travel spending. The APAC markets anticipated to have the most growth in spending in 2025 are South Korea (28.3%), India (23.9%), Australia (14.0%) and Japan (10.9%).
• GBTA BTI survey results show APAC business travelers are more likely to take six or more trips per year versus other regions, averaging three days per trip. They were much more likely to use mobile wallets (69%) including access to corporate credit cards (62%) than other regions. They were similar to their global peers in their top reasons for traveling including seminars and training (26%), sales and partner meetings (20%), and conferences (15%). Additionally, 61% combine business with leisure travel and 81% say business travel is worthwhile in achieving their objectives.

Neufang also revealed the results from APAC respondents to an April GBTA global poll assessing the potential impacts to business travel from U.S. government actions such as imposed import tariffs, US entry and cross-border restrictions, and advisories against travel to the US. In the poll:

• APAC travel buyers expressed greater optimism for 2025 compared to their global counterparts.
• Fewer APAC buyers expect a decline in their company’s travel volume (20% vs. 29% globally) or spending (23% vs. 27%).
• Among those anticipating a decrease, APAC respondents also foresee a smaller drop (14% vs. 21%).

APAC Insights Revealed from the GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge

Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Sustainability, GBTA and Managing Director, GBTA Foundation presented insights for the APAC region from the global GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge. This global initiative helps travel buyers assess the maturity of their travel programs to benchmark progress and accelerate the journey toward net zero.

APAC companies were categorized in the “planning phase,” with opportunities identified to drive further action. Millot said 54% of APAC companies who participated in the Challenge have included sustainability considerations in their travel policy, with purposeful trips being the top sustainability practice. Over two-thirds say they have sustainability features included in their corporate travel booking platforms. Additionally, APAC is expected to make strides in emission tracking, with 59% of companies expected to be tracking their emissions by the end of 2025, doubling the number of APAC companies who reported they were doing so as of 2024.

Millot encouraged APAC companies to participate in the 2025 Acceleration Challenge with submissions opening on June 10.

​Recognition of Award Recipients, New GBTA Advisory Boards in APAC and Upcoming GBTA Elections

GBTA announced three Business Travel Service Award winners in APAC for their contributions in the region as volunteer leaders:

• Peter Koh, Chair, APAC Advisory Board, GBTA
• Sandeep Shastri, Senior Director, Airline Distribution, Sabre Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.
• Kenji Soh, GM, Southeast Asia, FCM Travel

Additionally, in support of its growing presence in APAC, GBTA announced during the conference the formation of two new GBTA Advisory Boards in India and China, bringing together regional professionals from leading organizations to provide strategic advisement, industry knowledge, and local market insights.

Also marking the continuing expansion in the region, in opening remarks from Mark Cuschieri, GBTA Board President, he encouraged APAC members to vote in the upcoming GBTA elections, June 2-July 8, for their first-ever elected dedicated APAC Regional Board seat, as approved by GBTA’s global membership in 2024.

GBTA and WERC Mark Third Year of Co-Located Programming – and Announce 2026 Plans

In 2022, GBTA and WERC saw the opportunity to create a unique gathering for the APAC business travel sector. While each organization's conference runs independently, the collective attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors benefit from access to all sessions, a shared expo, and networking events.

Our collaboration with GBTA brings together complementary communities, expands our collective reach, and elevates the experience for members and sponsors, all in the pursuit of empowering more seamless global talent mobility. We look forward to another impactful year together. Anupam Singhal, WERC President & CEO

We saw a convergence in the shared objectives of GBTA and WERC. Co-locating our events has been very successful. This year’s attendance exceeded last year’s by nearly 20% and this is a testament to the continued relevancy and value our shared attendees receive from our partnership. Elle Ng-Darmawan, Regional Director, APAC, for GBTA

It was announced that GBTA and WERC will again co-locate their conferences in 2026 which will be held at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on May 12-13, 2026.