Australians and New Zealanders travel more frequently for business than any other nation, according to new research from the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), with almost 37 percent of organisations sending employees on weekly domestic business trips.
Corporate Traveller, the flagship SME division of FCTG, revealed the global average for weekly domestic business travel is almost 32 percent, with 42 percent of companies sending employees on monthly work trips.
Across the ANZ region, almost half of companies (44 percent) are sending employees on business trips once a month, with just 12 percent saying their staff travel once or twice a quarter for work.
Tom Walley, Australia-based Global Managing Director for Corporate Traveller, says the figures represent a growing shift in how Australians and New Zealanders are travelling post-COVID, with domestic travel trends in the region shaped by numerous factors including the decentralisation of businesses, surging internal regional migration and even the regional infrastructure boom.
“Since pandemic restrictions eased, there has been well-documented internal migration from major capitals, such as Sydney and Melbourne, to regional Australia with coastal hotspots such as Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast seeing an influx of professionals calling the regions home,” he said.
“Despite our relatively small populations, Australians and New Zealanders are leading the charge when it comes to domestic travel. And given Australians and New Zealanders have long valued personal connections, it’s not surprising this extends to the way businesses approach travel.
“Interestingly, as flexible work arrangements have grown, it has amplified the need for domestic travel, with ANZ businesses demonstrating the importance of keeping teams connected with regular trips across the regions.”
Across the globe, 31.8 percent of businesses in the Americas send their employees on weekly business trips, compared to 23.5 percent across EMEA and 21.7 percent in Asia.
Walley adds that enhanced regional airports, improved transportation links and the development of business-oriented accommodations reflect a commitment to supporting domestic mobility, helping to make domestic travel more accessible and efficient.
“As we move into 2025, we expect ANZ businesses to continue leading domestic travel, leveraging it as a proven tool for business success, and a way for flexible work teams to connect, network and engage on a far more impactful level,” he said.
