As the world recovers from the disruptions of recent years, business travel is making a steady comeback. According to a World Travel and Tourism Council study, spending in 82 major cities globally is projected to account for approximately a quarter of all business spending in the coming decade.
Domestic travel is set to drive this recovery initially, as companies focus on rebuilding local connections and driving regional growth. International travel, however, is expected to take longer to reach pre-2019 levels, as organizations remain cautious with travel budgets, focusing on balancing in-person meetings with the cost-saving benefits of virtual interactions.
By 2032, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital is predicted to have the largest share of business travel spending in the world. Lagos’ share of business spending is anticipated to make up more than half of the city’s tourism spend and is joined by fellow MEA region cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in the top four.
These cities are not only centres of economic growth but also represent strategic points for trade and investment in Africa and the Middle East.
The report cautions that while tourism rebounds, the risk of overcrowding looms in certain popular destinations. To prevent this, cities must proactively establish policies that manage visitor flows and protect local infrastructure.
