India is fast emerging as the engine of Asia Pacific’s business travel growth, driving record spending and redefining how corporates move, meet, and grow.
By Dr Shehara Rizly Fernando
Business travel is soaring globally and nowhere is this momentum more evident than in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, capturing unprecedented attention, where demand, connectivity, and corporate engagement are rising in tandem.
According to Elle Ng-Darmawan, Regional Director, APAC, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the Asia Pacific region now accounts for over 40 per cent of global business travel spending. “India is a key driver of this momentum,” she said. “It is one of the fastest-growing business travel markets globally and its corporates are travelling with purpose; expanding, training, and building connections.”
What is striking about India’s role in this growth story is how technology has amplified its reach. Across APAC region, 78 per cent of business travellers are comfortable using AI-driven booking platforms, while 72 per cent rely on mobile wallets — the highest rate globally. For India, this shift translates into smarter, more agile travel management systems that cater to the evolving preferences of companies and travellers balancing cost control with productivity.
Corporate travel today is not just about getting from one meeting to another. It is a strategic driver for growth. Indian businesses are investing heavily in travel for sales, training, and conferences; three areas that directly impact market reach and skill development. “Travel enables relationship-building and knowledge-sharing, which are essential for success in fast-evolving markets like ours,”
Elle explained.
Although, the post-pandemic world has brought new priorities. Duty of care now sits at the top of every travel manager’s agenda. “The more people a business has travelling, the greater the responsibility to ensure their safety,” Elle added. Technology plays a key role here, helping companies track employee movement and respond swiftly to disruptions or crises.
Sustainability is another major theme shaping India’s corporate travel approach. With 59 per cent of companies across APAC expected to track their travel emissions by the end of this year — which is double the figures from last year — green policies are becoming standard practice globally. Indian corporates are no exception, as they increasingly align travel policies with environmental commitments and global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
In light of this momentum, GBTA is doubling down on India. After the success of its Asia Pacific conference in Singapore, the association has launched an India advisory board and is hosting its first GBTA India Business Travel Summit in New Delhi in November. The aim is to provide education, resources, and community engagement to help Indian travel professionals adapt to an industry that’s evolving faster than ever. For India, business travel is no longer a cost, it is an investment. As companies compete for global opportunities, India’s ability to blend technology, sustainability, and human connection may well define the next chapter of corporate travel across the Asia Pacific. MT
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