London and New York remain top business travel destinations for U.S. business travelers, according to BCD Travel’s “2018 Cities & Trends Report.” Travel to Dublin shows strongest international growth. New York City topped the list of domestic destinations, followed by Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta.
International top 10
London topped the list of most-frequented international cities for business travelers from America, despite the United Kingdom’s Brexit plans. Frankfurt, Tokyo, Paris and Amsterdam followed respectively as U.S. business travelers’ most- frequent destinations for international trips. European cities account for seven out of the 10 leading international destinations. The top 10 list includes two cities in the Asia-Pacific region: Tokyo and Shanghai. Both China and Japan are top U.S. trade partners. Despite political tensions over trade with China last year, Shanghai experienced a year over year increase in bookings of 17%. These rankings are based on flight tickets booked by BCD Travel clients in 2018 and 2017 in a range of international markets.
“The continuity in the list of top domestic and international cities for U.S. business travelers between 2017 and 2018 shows the importance of these markets as both national and global business and economic centers. Overall, the picture painted by the report is one of a growing global economy in 2018,” said BCD Travel’s Americas president Craig Bailey.
30% more tickets to Dublin
Year over year, Dublin experienced the highest growth rate of U.S. business travelers, among the top destinations. Dublin secured the number nine spot on the list of top 10 cities while surpassing São Paulo and nudging Singapore off the list. The increase is likely a result of increased investment by American businesses into Ireland and vice versa, with large, global companies such as Google, Accenture and Facebook establishing European or international headquarters in Dublin over the past several years.
Another advantage of Dublin as a European gateway city is the airport’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) air Preclearance operations, which enable travelers departing Dublin for the U.S. to clear immigration and customs inspections before boarding the plane rather than upon arrival. Dublin and Shannon are the only two European airports currently offering this service.
Find out more about the economic developments at these top business travel destinations. Ask how BCD Travel can help you streamline your corporate travel program.
