BCD Travel’s recent report shows Germany retains its top position as the most visited European country by business travelers, with the United States leading the intercontinental list.
According to the Cities & Trends 2025 Europe Report published by BCD Travel, Germany continues to be the most frequented country by European business travelers. Based on BCD’s flight and car rental data from 2024, the report also reveals that the United States tops the intercontinental list.
The top 10 European cities for business travel in 2024 were largely consistent with the previous year, with Stockholm moving up one place, pushing Brussels to the 10th spot. Western Europe’s business travel growth was predominantly driven by real estate activities, followed by the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors. In contrast, the intercontinental list was dominated by U.S. cities, with eight cities in the top 10 and Dubai maintaining its third position.
| 2024 ranking | European cities | Intercontinental cities |
| 1 | Amsterdam | New York City |
| 2 | London | Chicago |
| 3 | Frankfurt | Dubai |
| 4 | Munich | Washington, D.C. |
| 5 | Paris | San Francisco |
| 6 | Copenhagen | Boston |
| 7 | Zurich | Atlanta |
| 8 | Vienna | Seattle-Tacoma |
| 9 | Stockholm | Shanghai |
| 10 | Brussels | Los Angeles |
Germany was the most visited European country for business travel, with little change in the rankings compared to previous years. Italy showed the strongest increase in inbound business travel within Europe, owing to its economic recovery, increased business confidence and activity, and an expansion in airline operations.
| 2024 ranking | European countries | Intercontinental countries |
| 1 | Germany | United States |
| 2 | United Kingdom | United Arab Emirates |
| 3 | Netherlands | India |
| 4 | France | China |
| 5 | Italy | Canada |
| 6 | Spain | Qatar |
| 7 | Switzerland | Singapore |
| 8 | Denmark | Japan |
| 9 | Sweden | Brazil |
| 10 | Austria | Morocco |
The international rankings remained mostly the same, with the U.S. holding the first position. China, however, demonstrated a significant rebound in travel, influenced by eased travel restrictions, a surge in travel demand, economic improvement and policy initiatives encouraging travel.
London was the most popular hub for European flights, accounting for eight city pairings in the top 10 European routes. For intercontinental routes, London to New York City was the most frequented.
Most European flights were booked in economy class (92%), with only 7% opting for business class. However, the breakdown for intercontinental flights was equal, with business and economy classes accounting for 44% each.
For 21% of all air bookings in Europe, travelers booked a rental car for an average of four days. The primary reasons for renting a car included convenience, speed, lack of alternative transportation and cost.
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