Business tourist visitor nights in Australia - Data and Analysis (2007-2032)

IBISWorld anticipates the number of business tourist visitor nights to increase by 3.2% in 2024–25 to reach 91.4 million. This increase in business tourist nights is supported by Australia's growing calendar of industry events, conferences and exhibitions, which attract domestic and international delegates. Accommodation providers and related service industries are expected to benefit from these events, with business travel contributing to a growing share of total visitor nights in 2024-25. However, the sector continues to contend with elevated travel costs and tightened corporate budgets limiting business travel. Despite these challenges, business visitor nights are expected to show the strongest growth among all domestic travel segments in the short term, outpacing holiday and visiting friends and relatives travel, according to TRA. The increase in business tourist nights is further supported by Australia's robust calendar of industry events, conferences and exhibitions, which attract domestic and international delegates.Business tourist visitor nights have experienced significant volatility over the past five years, shaped primarily by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery phases. The sector saw a dramatic decline in 2020 and 2021 as lockdowns, border closures and the rapid shift to remote work sharply curtailed corporate travel. As restrictions eased and economic activity resumed, business travel began to recover. However, the pace has been uneven and influenced by ongoing changes in workplace practices and the adoption of virtual meeting technologies. The period has also gradually normalised business travel habits, with increasing demand for networking, training and client engagement opportunities that require in-person presence. By 2024–25, the sector has largely regained momentum, with business tourist visitor nights approaching pre-pandemic levels and business travel reaffirming its importance to Australia's broader tourism and hospitality industries. Overall, IBISWorld forecasts the total number of business tourist visitor nights to grow at a compound annual rate of 0.5% over the five years through 2024-25.