Perth has seen the largest growth in incoming international business travellers over the past year to July 2023, according to Corporate Traveller.

The SME division of Flight Centre found Perth in the running to outpace Melbourne in international business travellers in FY24.

Corporate Traveller MD, Tom Walley, said the rise in international business travel is partly due to Western Australia’s continued growth in the construction and mining sectors.

“Corporate Traveller data from earlier this year revealed that the construction industry is the leading sector for travel spend, having increased its expenditure by 98 per cent between the first quarter of 2022 and 2023,” he said.

“It’s a clear indicator that business is booming with more travel required for employees and stakeholders needing to visit new sites and projects across Australia.

“With Western Australia’s continuing prosperity in mining and resources, it’s no surprise business travellers from interstate and international locations are flocking to the state for this reason.”

There is growth across the board for international business traveller arrivals for all five Australian cities included in the data analysis. Yet surprisingly, Melbourne and Sydney are lagging behind the trajectory of other capital cities.

“Melbourne and Sydney have always had good international connections in corporate business, with both CBDs home to many global companies and international events; Sydney is hosting the World Business Forum this October, for example,” Walley said. 

“However, Brisbane, Adelaide and particularly Perth are gaining international business presence on a faster scale.

“We can only expect this to continue, with the continuation of hybrid working and growing globalisation in business.”

Total incoming international travellers based on bookings between June 2022 to July 2023.

Melbourne: 7%
Sydney: 8%
Adelaide: 21%
Brisbane: 25%
Perth: 34%