Due to a continued investment in the advancement of national infrastructure, China is on track to become the largest corporate travel market in the world, according to the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG).

China began contributing funds towards infrastructure development even before the Beijing Olympics and has kept pace in recent years, with approximately $237 billion being spent on infrastructure between 2011 and 2015.

“Despite a slowdown in the speed of economic growth in China, business travel to the region continues to increase: business travel expenditure was $18 billion in 2000, $62 billion in 2010 and is expected to reach $277 billion in 2020,” HRG China director of sales and account management Yates Fei said.

China has provided its aviation industry with additional air routes, including Finnair’s service to Chongqing and Air France’s connection to Wuhan, with more expansions planned for 2013.  

Although air travel is the primary mode of transport for business travellers, rail travel is expected to increase and substantial funds have been devoted to advancing these services within China.

“$239 billion is committed to further develop high-speed rail tracks, directly improving business travel in the country,” Mr Fei said.  

The ‘Ministry of Rail’ plans to make high-speed rail available to all cities with over 500,000 inhabitants by 2020.

Chinese business travellers have also welcomed and embraced technology, streamlining internal processes and bookings and managing events better through the use of mobile applications.

The Global Business Travel Association suggests China will become the world’s largest travel market over the course of the next three years, crediting healthy and growing infrastructure advancements.