2024 – Coming In To Land

One thing we’ve always understood at FCBT is that people are the number one priority. So, I have to say, the trend towards greater personalisation in 2024 is no surprise to us, and we welcome it! 

It’s not just about booking flights and hotels; it’s about understanding individual preferences, anticipating needs, and crafting tailored experiences that make every journey seamless and stress-free. From knowing who prefers an aisle seat to suggesting hotels with the best gym facilities, it’s the small, personal touches that remind travellers they’re more than just a booking reference—they’re valued individuals. 

I think we can all agree 2024 was a challenging year for SMEs when it comes to managing budgets. Rising costs across the board meant businesses had to be smarter.

The secret to balancing comfort and cost? Planning. Those who were flexible and were able to take advantage of better value flights (we’re the experts at this) reaped the rewards. Another cost-conscious trend was the idea of ‘objective stacking’, where multiple tasks were included in a single trip.

At FCBT, cutting your travel costs is central to our mission. This year our Plus Range Program has been hugely popular, thanks to the wide range of unique discounts, deals, value adds and perks we offer on flights, hotels and car rental. In addition, we work with our partners to create and boost specialised offers on SME programs such as Qantas Business Rewards and Virgin Business Flyer. 

The year also saw growth in sustainable travel. Many of our clients began offsetting their carbon footprints or choosing eco-friendly accommodation options. It’s been inspiring to see businesses think not only about the cost of travel but also its environmental impact. While we’re not booking solar-powered planes just yet, small changes are making a big difference. 

The Golden Triangle of SYD - MEL - BNE continues to be one of the busiest in the world. We saw plenty of action here. Further afield, we saw metro, regional and far flung places across our wide country grow significantly in popularity. 

Asia roared back on the international front, with destinations such as Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing proving very popular. Some of the most unique locations our clients have been travelling to include the Ivory Coast, Ulaanbaatar, Baku, Palau, Curacao, Kazakhstan, Bishkek, Mwanza, Chihuahua and Burkino Faso. Look them up on the map if you need to! 

One trend that’s never gone away is the demand for personal service. With the rise of AI, bots and algorithms, people still crave relationships - there’s nothing quite like talking to a real person who understands your unique needs. Whether it’s a last-minute flight change or a tricky itinerary, the value of genuine, human connection has never gone out of style—and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

As a final trend, I think what many people realised this year is that there is great benefit in thinking beyond the booking when it comes to travel management. Whether it’s reporting, insights, travel program planning, travel policies, or consolidating booking all of your travel with one expert – our customers definitely found that the biggest results were achieved when they tapped into our expertise right across the business travel spectrum.

At FCBT, we take business travel personally, and nothing is more personal than meeting face-to-face and building relationships. And as I think about 2024, it’s clear to me that travel remains the beating heart of connection, collaboration, and getting deals done.

Here’s to the team, our clients, and the adventures we shared. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to switch my phone back on and tackle the emails waiting for me at the gate.

Wishing you happy holidays and a successful new year,

Cam Harris

Global GM, Flight Centre Business Travel