European business travelers flocked to the United Kingdom in record numbers last year, despite the political uncertainty sparked by Britain’s planned exit from the European Union.
BCD analyzed air tickets booked by its clients in 2017 and found that the U.K. was the No. 1 destination for its European business travelers. The United States, China and India were the leading intercontinental destinations. BCD also noted a growth in its air bookings last year compared to 2016.
2017 top countries for European business travel
| Intra-European travel | Intercontinental travel |
| United Kingdom | United States |
| Germany | China |
| Spain | India |
2017 Top 10 cities for European business travel
| Intra-European travel | Intercontinental travel |
| London | New York |
| Vienna | Shangai |
| Amsterdam | Dubai |
| Zurich | Singapore |
| Paris | Beijing |
| Barcelona | San Francisco |
| Copenhagen | Tokyo |
| Milan | Chicago |
| Madrid | Boston |
| Frankfurt | Los Angeles |
The rankings reflect key business trends. Major high-technology companies and startups attract European business travelers to California. Trips to Shanghai and Beijing are linked to the importance of European trade with China, now the EU’s second-largest trading partner behind the U.S.
Stewart Harvey, BCD Travel’s president in EMEA, said, “The top ranking of certain destinations reflects not only their importance as business centers, but also their appeal as meeting and conference hot spots.”
