Adelaide leads capital cities in increase of corporate travel spend

Our business travel booking data has revealed the growth in travel spending to, and in, Adelaide is flying past the average growth in capital city spending across the country¹. Growth for Adelaide is ahead of the percentage growth levels in the traditionally dominant business hubs of Sydney and Melbourne, as companies look beyond Australia’s east coast for opportunities.

The first half of FY25 saw a 23 per cent YoY jump in business travel spending for Adelaide, while spending in Brisbane rose 10 per cent, Melbourne nine per cent and Sydney six per cent.

This TTV (total transactional value) growth in Adelaide reflects a combination of increased booking volumes and a modest rise in average domestic airfares, up three per cent YoY. This trend was reflected across other destinations in Australia; however, Adelaide recorded the highest growth in total travel spend among the capital cities.

The figures reveal a resilient business travel market in Adelaide, strengthening investment in in-person engagement and a leaning toward business opportunities on the south coast, where the replacement of ageing airline fleets with larger, newer aircraft have improved services². Adelaide has also seen the development of two major business precincts: an innovation district, Lot Fourteen³;  and the southern hemisphere’s largest health research, education and clinical precinct, BioMed City⁴. Financial and insurance services lead the city’s economy, making it an increasingly popular destination for business travel⁵.

Tom Walley, our Australian-based Global Managing Director, says: “Adelaide’s growth in corporate travel spending is exceptional. The city has a diverse economy led by established financial and insurance services, and scientific and technical services, plus there are two major business precincts under development with many businesses already in operation.”

“Business leaders see the value of travelling to these business hubs to connect in person. Meeting face to face allows for spontaneous discussions and the ability to interpret tone and body language, which helps build strong working relationships. Regardless of where you go to do business, companies view travel as an investment, not an expense. Even in tight economic conditions, with fare increases and amidst tighter domestic airline capacity, they haven’t lost sight of the value of face-to-face engagement to sustain and grow business. The city is also growing as a corporate hospitality hotspot, with sporting events attracting record numbers.” 

Adelaide saw a record turn-out for the AFL Gather Round in April 2025⁶, and at the end of 2024 bumper crowds flocked to Adelaide Oval for cricket’s biggest Test in seven years⁷.

Rex’s suspension of major city routes in July 2024 reduced domestic flight capacity by six per cent, leaving just two major airlines – Qantas and Virgin – to service 98 per cent of domestic routes. The number of passengers flying remained stable during that period⁸. By November 2024, domestic load factors on major domestic city flights reached 90.4 per cent, the highest level recorded in at least five years⁹.

The resilience and adaptability of business travel around this period are reflected across the global business travel industry, with reports that performance equalled or exceeded expectations for 2024¹⁰. Global business travel spend is expected to reach $1.63 billion US ($2.56 billion AU) this year and $1.78 billion US ($2.79 billion AU) by 2026¹¹.

Tom says: “We’re watching domestic travel stabilise after a period of disruption – but the priority remains clear. Business leaders aren’t holding back. They’re investing in travel where it delivers value – and right now, Adelaide is delivering.”