London is no longer in the top ten cities worldwide when it comes to the cost of a business trip, according to new research.
The study, by ECA International, said that the strength of the euro and the Swiss franc has pushed a number of European cities higher, dislodging the British capital from the top ten despite the high costs of accommodation in the city.
Simon Franklin ECA International's daily rates manager says, "Whilst the price of business travel to London has remained relatively static over the past few years, the strong performance of the euro in the past year has seen costs in other cities such as Paris and Monaco overtake the UK capital. The cost of business travel in the UK overall has continued to fall, with every surveyed UK location seeing a drop in the table."
Aberdeen has fallen from 13th to 39th in ECA's ranking.
"Aberdeen especially illustrates the sudden drop in cost for business travel to the UK, falling from 13th to 39th in the European rankings in just two years. This has been exacerbated by the recent downturn in the oil and gas industry which has led to a reduction in demand for business travel to the area, as well as having an impact on the local economy," says Franklin.
New York remains the most expensive city for a business trip at an average cost of £611 per day, followed by Geneva (£554 per day) and Zurich (£514). The rates include average costs for hotel accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, taxis and daily essentials.
Franklin says, "The high demand for hotels in New York is reflected in the premium rate that rooms are currently charged at; averaging £392 per night at a four-star hotel. The high cost of hotels and transport, as well as mandatory 15-20 percent tipping policies during meals out, contribute to the US city being the most expensive in the world for business travel."
This week's chart shows the daily cost of business trips to the most expensive cities in Europe.
