Adelaide has been named one of the world’s top three emerging international business travel destinations, joining Hyderabad and Manchester in a new global report.
The South Australian capital was recognised in the latest Amex Trendex: Business Travel Edition, which identified destinations experiencing significant growth in corporate travel activity.
The international destinations were selected using American Express commercial customer airline transactions, measuring growth across a 12-month period between 2024 and 2025.
According to the report, Adelaide’s rise has been supported by increased corporate travel spending, major commercial developments, growing innovation precincts and a record expansion of the city’s international aviation network.
One of the most significant additions was United Airlines’ direct service between San Francisco and Adelaide, which launched in December 2025.
The route was the first-ever direct connection between the United States and South Australia and contributed to Adelaide Airport recording its busiest year.
Major events are also playing an increasingly important role in attracting corporate travellers.
The research found 93 per cent of business travellers planned to attend major events while travelling for work in 2026, while 84 per cent agreed that investing in events helped their company stand out from competitors.
South Australia’s growing events calendar includes international fixtures such as LIV Golf Adelaide, which recently delivered the largest event in the tournament’s history, as well as the arrival of MotoGP on a new Adelaide street circuit in 2027.
Minister for Tourism Emily Bourke said the international recognition would deliver benefits well beyond the business events sector.
“When people travel to Adelaide for business, the flow-on benefits for local businesses and the state’s economy are far reaching, from accommodation and hospitality bookings to local transport companies and tourism operators,” Minister Bourke said.
“The research confirms what we already know: investing in areas like major events and AI innovation is investing in South Australia’s growth, strengthening our standing as a rewarding place to visit, live and do business.”
The report also identified artificial intelligence as an emerging priority, with AI usage among business travellers almost doubling year on year as organisations embrace new digital and mobile tools.
The State Government said South Australia’s dedicated Office for Artificial Intelligence and recently announced Data Centre Strategy positioned it to capitalise on the trend.
Business Events Adelaide CEO Damien Kitto said Adelaide was increasingly being recognised for its expertise in sectors of global importance.
“Adelaide offers a unique and affordable setting without the cost and complexity of larger cities, making it easy for business event organisers to deliver world-class events,” Mr Kitto said.
“It’s exactly why more and more of the world’s peak bodies are choosing Adelaide.”
American Express’s previous Trendex edition also used commercial airline transaction growth to identify emerging international business destinations.
