Alamy/Hulya Ozkok via Reuters
Ramadan is generally perceived as a time of slower business activity, with executives postponing major deals and travel schedules at a standstill.
But if we delve into the data, a different picture emerges – one that challenges conventional wisdom about business travel patterns during the holy month.
The pre-Ramadan rush: a threefold increase
One of the most surprising trends in corporate travel is the sharp increase in business trips just before Ramadan begins. While many assume that the holy month generally induces a slowdown, companies are actually scrambling in the weeks leading up to it. Why? The reasons are strategic and practical.
Many businesses – especially those based in Islamic majority countries – rush to close deals, finalise contracts and manage inventory before the holy month begins.
To avoid the challenges of booking and travelling during Ramadan itself, companies make their arrangements in advance, leading to a surge in demand.
Executives and sales teams ramp up their travel schedules. They know that once Ramadan starts, working hours will shorten, decision-making will slow down and clients might be less available for important negotiations.
Instead of a dramatic surge in business travel immediately after Ramadan, we see a gradual return to normality
But just how much does demand for business travel grow during this period? The answer is it can surge up to three times the usual levels. And this isn’t just a one-off – the data confirms it.
The surge in corporate travel before Ramadan is not an unexpected occurrence but a significant and predictable annual trend.
As companies prepare for the upcoming slowdown, business hubs such as Dubai, Riyadh and Jakarta see a marked increase in inbound and outbound corporate travel.
Airlines, too, see a rise in demand, with top carriers such as Emirates (28.25 percent), Turkish Airlines (8.37 percent) and Qatar Airways (5.29 percent) benefiting from this pre-Ramadan rush, according to internal Tumodo data.
Post-Ramadan rebound: myth versus reality
If business travel spikes before Ramadan, then surely there must be a post-Ramadan boom to compensate for the slowdown during the holy month. But in fact, the data contradicts this assumption.
Instead of a dramatic surge in business travel immediately after Ramadan, we see a gradual return to normality. According to our internal data, a 20-25 percent dip during the month eventually gives way to a 30-35 percent rise afterwards.
This suggests that businesses adapt to the rhythms of Ramadan rather than pushing to make up for lost time. Instead of compressing all their postponed trips into the weeks after Ramadan, they spread them out over the following months, taking a smoother, more sustainable approach to travel planning.
Another key factor is the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which follows Ramadan. Rather than immediately returning to business, many professionals prioritise personal and family travel during this period.
Airports remain busy and flights are tightly booked, but they are for leisure rather than corporate trips. This is an established tradition, and companies simply have to account for this tendency in their planning.
What does it mean for the business travel industry?
Business travel rhythms have important implications for corporate travel planning.
Timing is everything. For companies looking to optimise their travel schedules, the weeks before Ramadan are prime time for sealing deals and executing important in-person meetings. Travel managers should anticipate higher demand and prices during this window and plan accordingly.
The smart post-Ramadan strategy. Instead of assuming an immediate rebound after Ramadan, businesses should take a more measured approach, spacing out travel across the following months. Airlines and corporate travel agencies can also use this insight to adjust pricing and marketing strategies.
Airline and destination insights. According to our data, the top airlines chosen for business travel during this period include Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines – companies known for broad regional and international networks.
Key destinations include major commercial hubs such as Dubai, Riyadh, Istanbul, and Kuala Lumpur, which see a noticeable fluctuation in business travel demand around Ramadan.
Andrew Baturin is CMO of Tumodo, an online business travel platform
