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Australians and New Zealanders travel more for business than almost any other nation, with a global Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) survey across its flagship corporate businesses revealing that more than a third of businesses now send employees on at least one work trip a week.

Corporate Traveller, the flagship SME division of FCTG, revealed 37 per cent of ANZ businesses send staff on weekly business trips – a considerable leap from the proportion of businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (23%), Asia (21.7%) and even the Americas (31.8%).

Tom Walley, Australia-based Global Managing Director for Corporate Traveller, says the figures represent a growing shift in how Australians and New Zealanders travel post-COVID, with domestic travel trends in the region shaped by numerous factors including the decentralisation of businesses, surging internal regional migration,1 and even the regional infrastructure boom.2

“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.3

“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 approach 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.”

The survey showed the global average for weekly business trips is almost 32 per cent, with 42 per cent of most companies sending employees on monthly work trips. In comparison, almost half of ANZ companies (44%) send employees on work trips once a month, while only 12 per cent said their staff travel for work once or twice a quarter. A little under seven per cent claim employees travel once or twice a year.

Tom continues: “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.”