Over half of Gen Z and millennial business travellers in Asia say they regularly turn work trips into leisure breaks, according to new global data from Corporate Travel Management (CTM). The figure hits 55% in Singapore and Hong Kong – far higher than the global average of 42%. In North America, only 29% say they typically add time off to the end of a work trip. The findings come from a new survey of 702 Gen Z and millennial business travellers conducted in March 2025. The results paint a detailed picture of how younger professionals travel, book, and think about business trips.
Why they do it
Asked what they enjoy most about business travel, the top answers were:
- Experiencing new destinations
- Collaborating with colleagues
- Taking a break from routine
63% of UK-based respondents said they want to travel more for business – the highest globally. Across all regions, 55% said they’d like to travel more for work.
Who’s flying and how often?
86% of respondents said they fly for work at least once a year. Most (70%) travel between one and five times annually. Australians travelled the most, with 84% reporting 1–5 work flights per year.
Do they care about sustainability?
Yes – but not enough to outweigh convenience and cost. While sustainability didn’t crack the top three reasons for choosing a flight or hotel, more than half (55% for flights, 51% for hotels) said it’s still a consideration. In Singapore and Hong Kong, the sustainability stats were higher:
- 75% consider it when booking flights
- 69% when choosing hotels
- 59% for car rentals
- 76% expect employers to pay extra for greener options
Booking habits and travel policies
Most travellers book their own trips: 59% globally, rising to 66% in the UK. 42% book through a travel management company, and 32% go direct to suppliers. Globally, 70% say they have a corporate travel policy, but only 54% feel it aligns with their personal travel needs.
What they want from suppliers
Top three airline priorities:
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Price
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Flight schedule
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On-time performance
Top hotel features:
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Location
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24/7 reception
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On-site fitness/wellness facilities
Loyalty programmes aren’t a deal-breaker, but they’re still used. 43% always pick travel suppliers based on loyalty perks, and 38% say they sometimes do.
CTM COO Eleanor Noonan said: “Millennials already make up roughly 75% of the global workforce, closely followed by Gen Zs. As future business decision makers, it’s critical that we understand their unique views and expectations of business travel.”
