The top 3 business travel destinations for South Africans in 2024
South African business travellers always have plenty of business travel destinations to choose from, but three hot spots rise to the top for 2024: the UK, Singapore, and the UAE. According to Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM, these were the most popular global business travel destinations for South African business travellers in the last quarter of 2023 – and all signs point to them topping the list in 2024, too.
"Economic ties, trade partnerships, and flight routes play a big role in which are the popular business travel destinations for South Africans," explains Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM Travel. "These three locations check all the boxes as business travel hubs."
1. The UK: Where business meets Buckingham magic
The UK has always been a top pick for South African business travellers, and it looks like 2024 won't be any different. According to a Statista survey, professionals are heading to the UK mainly for client meetings, training sessions, and conferences. “Travelling to the UK for business is a doable 11 hours, and the time difference is convenient. Plus, with over 200,000 South Africans living in the UK, it also offers a chance to combine work with family time for many,” says Smith.
But there's more to this love story. The UK and South Africa share strong economic ties, trading in various goods like minerals and agricultural products, and South African businesses have a presence in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, telecoms, and mining in the UK.
Travel Tip: Keep an eye on room prices in London; they're expected to rise by about 9%. It's a good idea to start negotiations with suppliers early or reach out to your TMC for assistance in managing these increased costs that come with this global business travel destination.
2. Singapore: Where no business is an island
Singapore's appeal to South African business travellers has a lot to do with its evolving relationship with Africa. In 2018, only 60 Singaporean companies operated in Africa. Now, more than 155 are actively involved, making Singapore one of Africa's top ten investors.
In a sign of this deepening connection, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a significant trip to Africa in May 2023, where he met with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Their discussions resulted in substantial agreements covering sectors like technology, sustainability, and skills development. Trade relations have also flourished, with the exchange amounting to a substantial $14.38 billion in 2022. So, it's no wonder South African business travellers are increasingly drawn to this international business travel hub.
Travel tip: Hotels will be crazy expensive in March because Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is hitting town. If you're not a die-hard Swiftie, hold off on your trip and save some cash. That way, you can kick back and enjoy Raffles' new villa-style spa and resort on Sentosa Island.
3. UAE: Where business blooms like desert roses
In June 2023, the Dubai International Chamber (DIC) opened an office in Johannesburg. This move aimed to make it easier for businesses from both places to get together and do business. The chamber has over 70 South African companies on its list, a 77% increase since 2016. South Africa is the UAE's top trading partner in Africa, which is probably why it's become a hot business travel destination for travellers in 2023.
"Part of the reason for this increased interest is that Emirates has upped the number of flights to South Africa. From March 2023, the frequency of Emirates flights from South Africa was increased to 42 weekly flights,” says Smith.
Travel Tip: If you're interested in the latest advancements in AI, mark your calendar for October 14-18, 2024, when GITEX Global, a significant tech and startup show, will be held in Dubai. It's a great opportunity to stay updated on tech trends.
Want to start planning trips for your top global business travel destinations in 2024? Get in touch, and we'll help you get the best bang for your buck.