It costs nearly twice as much to buy a Big Mac in London as in Johannesburg, and the same goes for business travel expenses.
New data from FCM Consulting’s Q3 Trend Report 2024 reveals the vast differences in travel costs worldwide, showing that South Africa remains a relatively affordable destination for business travellers.
It’s a quirky but telling way to understand cost differences around the world — and when it comes to business travel, those differences are eye-popping.
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“The Big Mac comparison perfectly captures what the report shows us in business travel costs. Same product, same quality, wildly different price tags depending on where you are,” said Bonnie Smith, general manager of Corporate Traveller.
In Sandton, a night at a sleek business hotel costs R2 425 (up 14% from the previous quarter).
In London, the same room is priced at R5 867, with similar rates in Paris at R5 666 and Amsterdam at R4 980.
Cape Town remains relatively affordable at R3 208 per night, despite a 29% increase. The report lists the most expensive business travel cities by region, with London, Riyadh (R5 801), Singapore (R5 055), and New York (R9 149, up 15%) leading the pack.
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More affordable cities include Johannesburg, Jakarta (R2 592), Mumbai (R2 815), and Bangkok (R2 704). Dubai (R3 170) and Abu Dhabi (R3 490) are mid-range, reflecting their roles as international hubs.
Car hire costs show even greater variation. A premium sedan costs R429 per day in Johannesburg, while the same car in Germany is R1,212 — nearly three times as much.
For flights, global airfares are stabilising. Economy seats have decreased by R299 (-3%), while business class fares have risen by R2,554 (+6%).
In Africa, aviation is growing, with a 2% increase in flights and 2,1% more seats, helping to keep regional airfares steady. With global travel demand rising and hotel occupancy in major cities exceeding 50%, the gap between domestic and international costs is expected to grow.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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