A new breed of traveler is mixing business with leisure on so-called "bleisure" trips. But where are they splashing the cash? The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has published the ranking of the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gbta.org%2FPressReleases%2FPages%2Frls_072615.aspx" target="_blank" target="_blank">top 15 markets for business travel spending</a>. In first place is the U.S. where $288.4 billion was spent on business travel in 2014.
1. United States —
A new breed of traveler is mixing business with leisure on so-called "bleisure" trips. But where are they splashing the cash? The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has published the ranking of the top 15 markets for business travel spending. In first place is the U.S. where $288.4 billion was spent on business travel in 2014.
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GBTA says that business travel spending in China is set to increase by 61% in the coming years, from $261 billion in 2014 to $420 billion in 2019. Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province -- known as the "Spring City" because of its weather -- is a good choice for a bleisure vacation.
2. China —
GBTA says that business travel spending in China is set to increase by 61% in the coming years, from $261 billion in 2014 to $420 billion in 2019. Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province -- known as the "Spring City" because of its weather -- is a good choice for a bleisure vacation.
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Japan's total business travel spending in 2014 was $61.5 billion. The country's employees work notoriously long hours, with many putting in as many as <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2015%2F03%2F09%2Fnews%2Fjapan-work-salaryman%2F">80 in a week</a>. Time for a leisure break along a Kyoto canal, we reckon.
3. Japan —
Japan's total business travel spending in 2014 was $61.5 billion. The country's employees work notoriously long hours, with many putting in as many as 80 in a week. Time for a leisure break along a Kyoto canal, we reckon.
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It's not just attractions like Berlin's Brandenburg Gate that draw visitors to Germany. The country ranks fourth for business travel spending.
4. Germany —
It's not just attractions like Berlin's Brandenburg Gate that draw visitors to Germany. The country ranks fourth for business travel spending.
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The UK government states that employees<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fmaximum-weekly-working-hours%2Fweekly-maximum-working-hours-and-opting-out" target="_blank" target="_blank"> can't work more than 48 hours a week</a>, although it's possible to opt out of that restriction. If you're traveling to London for work, there should still be time to visit the Houses of Parliament.
5. United Kingdon —
The UK government states that employees can't work more than 48 hours a week, although it's possible to opt out of that restriction. If you're traveling to London for work, there should still be time to visit the Houses of Parliament.
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In 2000, France introduced a 35-hour work week to encourage companies to hire more people. Parisians have the most relaxed working schedule in the world according to a UBS report, leaving them plenty of time to visit the picturesque Queyras Castle (pictured) near the French Alps for business or pleasure.
6. France —
In 2000, France introduced a 35-hour work week to encourage companies to hire more people. Parisians have the most relaxed working schedule in the world according to a UBS report, leaving them plenty of time to visit the picturesque Queyras Castle (pictured) near the French Alps for business or pleasure.
JEAN-PIERRE CLATOT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Spending on business travel in South Korea grew by 3.9% in 2014. The capital Seoul is a popular conference destination and those flying in and out of it can find decent shopping even at Incheon International Airport, named world's best airport several times.
7. South Korea —
Spending on business travel in South Korea grew by 3.9% in 2014. The capital Seoul is a popular conference destination and those flying in and out of it can find decent shopping even at Incheon International Airport, named world's best airport several times.
KIM JAE-HWAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Latin American business travel spending totaled $52 billion in 2014, and was led by Brazil with $32 billion spent. As host of next summer's Olympic Games the country will see a flood of visitors who are bound to combine work and pleasure.
8. Brazil —
Latin American business travel spending totaled $52 billion in 2014, and was led by Brazil with $32 billion spent. As host of next summer's Olympic Games the country will see a flood of visitors who are bound to combine work and pleasure.
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Travelers in Western Europe spent $271 billion on business trips in 2014, with Italy accounting for $30.9 billion. With cities like Venice (pictured) a short flight or train ride away, a work trip can quickly turn into a cultural adventure.
9. Italy —
Travelers in Western Europe spent $271 billion on business trips in 2014, with Italy accounting for $30.9 billion. With cities like Venice (pictured) a short flight or train ride away, a work trip can quickly turn into a cultural adventure.
Royal Caribbean
India is poised for breakout growth in business travel spending according to the GBTA. In 2014, it accounted for $26 billion. Experts say that 15 years from now the country will likely be a top-five market.
10. India —
India is poised for breakout growth in business travel spending according to the GBTA. In 2014, it accounted for $26 billion. Experts say that 15 years from now the country will likely be a top-five market.
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Travelers in North America spent $318 billion on business travel in 2014, with 90% coming from the U.S., while Mexico and Canada generated the remaining 10%.
11. Canada —
Travelers in North America spent $318 billion on business travel in 2014, with 90% coming from the U.S., while Mexico and Canada generated the remaining 10%.
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Russia may be in the top 15 countries for business travel spending, but last year growth fell -6.7%. The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg was recently ranked sixth best museum in the world by TripAdvisor.
12. Russia —
Russia may be in the top 15 countries for business travel spending, but last year growth fell -6.7%. The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg was recently ranked sixth best museum in the world by TripAdvisor.
The Trustees of the British Museum
After the monotony of business meetings, travelers in Australia can take time off to see Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to one of the largest sandstone monoliths in the world.
13. Australia —
After the monotony of business meetings, travelers in Australia can take time off to see Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, home to one of the largest sandstone monoliths in the world.
Courtesy Anusha Mookherjee
Spending on business travel in Spain went up 6.8% last year. With sites like Gaudi's Park Guell in Barcelona (pictured) it's not hard to see why visitors would want to stick around.
14. Spain —
Spending on business travel in Spain went up 6.8% last year. With sites like Gaudi's Park Guell in Barcelona (pictured) it's not hard to see why visitors would want to stick around.
Istockphoto
With its colorful fields of tulips, the Netherlands attracts plenty of tourists, but total business travel spending for last year also came to a whopping $17.8 billion.
15. Netherlands —
With its colorful fields of tulips, the Netherlands attracts plenty of tourists, but total business travel spending for last year also came to a whopping $17.8 billion.
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