APAC’s Peak Travel Season: Tips for Business Travellers & Travel Managers

Last Updated on: Ogos 15, 2025 at 8:11 am

Asia-Pacific is having a moment. According to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute report, the region dominates eight of the world’s top 15 trending summer destinations for 2025, with Tokyo, Osaka, and Vietnam’s Nha Trang leading the pack. That’s great news for the region’s travel industry, but for business travellers and travel managers, it also means busier airports, higher fares, and hotels filling up faster than ever.

Whether you’re flying in for a client meeting or managing travel for an entire team, peak season in APAC requires a little more strategy. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the rush, keep costs in check, and ensure smooth, stress-free trips.

1. Book Earlier and Smarter

At TruTrip, we’ve seen firsthand that booking earlier almost always means booking cheaper. Our analysis shows that for high-budget flights, using TruTrip’s smart policy to set an 8-day booking deadline for travellers can save up to 15%. Those savings multiply quickly when you’re talking about multiple travellers or long-haul routes.

• Travel Managers: Build a clear peak travel calendar with key APAC dates: Lunar New Year, Golden Week, Eid, school holidays, and circulate it internally. Send booking reminders 2–3 months ahead so teams act before prices jump.
• Travellers: Submit travel requests as soon as meetings or events are confirmed. Waiting for “just in case” changes can cost you, literally, in peak season, often leaving you with more expensive fares and awkward connections.

2. Keep an Open Mind on Destinations

Flagship cities like Tokyo, Singapore, or Sydney tend to sell out first in peak season. If your business travel allows some flexibility, flying into nearby secondary cities can be a smart workaround. Not only can you save on airfare and hotel rates, but you may also avoid the busiest airports.

• Travel Managers: Pre-approve nearby alternatives in policy, like Osaka instead of Tokyo or Johor Bahru instead of Singapore. This allows booking teams to act quickly without going through extra approval layers.
• Travellers: Don’t dismiss a short train or car ride — in APAC, many secondary hubs have efficient transport links and can get you to your destination with less hassle.

3. Negotiate Peak-Friendly Corporate Rates

Hotels often limit corporate discounts during high-demand periods, but you still have leverage. Negotiating the right terms before peak season can make the difference between a smooth trip and scrambling for a bed.

• Travel Managers: Push for last room availability clauses so your travellers can book even when inventory is tight. Add extras like breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, or lounge access — perks that can reduce stress and increase productivity.
• Travellers: Always book through approved corporate channels. Your TMC may have blocked inventory or partner deals not visible on public booking sites.

4. Plan Meetings With Peak Season in Mind

APAC’s busiest airports and city centres can be unpredictable during peak season. Queues at immigration, traffic delays, or even difficulty finding a taxi can derail tight itineraries.

• Travel Managers: Allow for realistic transfer times in schedules. Consider fast-track immigration, meet-and-assist services, or priority hotel check-ins for high-value travellers.
• Travellers: Avoid booking back-to-back meetings immediately after landing. A little breathing room in the schedule can save you from rescheduling or arriving flustered.

5. Make Wellbeing a Priority

Peak season trips often mean crowded flights, packed airports, and tighter timelines — all of which can take a toll on traveller health and productivity.

• Travel Managers: If budgets allow, upgrade long-haul flights to premium economy or business class. Encourage travellers to combine trips into fewer, longer stays to reduce repeated travel fatigue.
• Travellers: Use downtime to recharge — physically and digitally. Find quiet spots in airports to catch up on work or rest, and stick to routines that help you stay sharp (hydration, exercise, sleep).

6. Stay Flexible and Supported

No matter how well you plan, peak travel season is unpredictable. Delays, cancellations, and overbooked hotels are more common when demand is high.

• Travel Managers: Ensure there’s round-the-clock support available — whether through your TMC or an internal travel desk — to handle urgent changes. Communicate emergency contact details before every trip.
• Travellers: Keep your travel desk or TMC contact handy. If something goes wrong, having expert help can turn a major disruption into a quick adjustment.

We can make peak travel seasons easier for you and your team

Peak season doesn’t have to mean peak stress. At TruTrip, we help you navigate even the busiest travel periods with smarter tools, better rates, and real human support.  Tempah demo atau daftar untuk percubaan percuma and see how simple business travel can be — no matter the season.