Reaching Asia's Elite: Top 10 Commercial Business Districts to Target in 2025

Commercial Business Districts (CBDs) offer exceptional opportunities to reach elite audiences, connecting directly with decision-makers, industry leaders, and high-net-worth professionals. In Asia’s top CBDs, where economic powerhouses host financial giants and industry leaders like HSBC, DBS Bank, Samsung, Toyota, and Alibaba, the stakes are high. These vibrant hubs are where decisions that shape markets are made, and where a brand’s presence signals authority and prestige. 

For brands, securing visibility in these sophisticated spaces goes beyond exposure; it’s a statement of relevance. With advanced Programmatic and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) options, prime advertising spaces in airports, towering skyscrapers, and bustling CBD corridors give brands an unmatched advantage. Without a foothold in Asia’s CBDs, a brand risks being left out of the conversation in the world’s most influential markets. Here, a strategic presence doesn’t just reach audiences—it cultivates lasting trust and impact. 

1.Central- Hong Kong 

Hong Kong’s Commercial Business District (CBD) is a powerhouse, home to the Asian headquarters of major global players like HSBC, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Deloitte. This high concentration of influential companies creates a dynamic ecosystem where business leaders, decision-makers, and high-net-worth individuals converge daily. 

Strategically positioned at the crossroads of East and West, Hong Kong’s CBD offers brands unmatched access to Asia’s most affluent audiences. Just a 25-minute Airport Express ride from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), consistently ranked among the world’s best, the CBD welcomes a steady influx of global executives and luxury travellers daily. This prime connectivity creates invaluable advertising touchpoints, from VIP airport lounges and duty-free zones to high-traffic transit hubs, capturing the attention of decision-makers at every stage of their journey. With premium Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) and Programmatic OOH options citywide, brands have a rare chance to establish presence among the elite. Act now, because these coveted placements won’t last. 

2.Shenton Way and Marina Bay- Singapore

Singapore’s Commercial Business District (CBD) is not only Asia’s second most influential business hub but also a must-enter market for brands targeting ultra-affluent decision-makers. The city ranks sixth globally for centi-millionaires, with 336 residing in Singapore alone. This powerhouse district, home to industry giants like DBS Bank, OCBC, and CapitaLand, draws a concentrated, high-net-worth audience. With 4,869 Programmatic Digital Out-of-Home (PDOOH) sites across the CBD, brands have a rare chance to engage this influential group with high-impact, real-time messaging. But in this competitive arena, those who act now will secure the brand visibility that genuinely influences. 

Singapore’s world-class connectivity through Changi Airport and Seletar Airport brings thousands of international executives and affluent travellers into the CBD daily, making it an unparalleled gateway to top decision-makers across Asia and beyond. With transformative projects like the Greater Southern Waterfront set to expand commercial and residential spaces, the urgency to claim a visible, commanding presence in Singapore has never been greater. Brands that step in today will position themselves at the forefront of an evolving, high-stakes market where every impression counts.

3.Marunouchi –Tokyo 

Tokyo’s central business district (CBD), especially the Marunouchi area, is an advertising goldmine for brands aiming to reach Asia’s business elite. Marunouchi alone houses over 600 major corporate headquarters, providing unmatched access to high-net-worth individuals and influential decision-makers across finance, tech, and consulting sectors. With Narita Airport offering direct links to global hubs, Tokyo’s CBD consistently draws a steady flow of executives, investors, and corporate leaders, making it an ideal location for advertising campaigns that reach affluent audiences with significant influence over regional and international trends. 

Narita Airport offers high-visibility zones ideal for impactful advertising, including international arrival and departure halls, exclusive VIP lounges, baggage claim areas, and large digital displays along central walkways, ensuring brand exposure to affluent travellers. Tokyo’s premium out-of-home (OOH) advertising spaces in major traffic areas further enhance visibility, creating a powerful presence for brands targeting the city’s influential business community. With an average disposable income around JPY 4.3 million (USD 39,000) per resident, Tokyo’s high purchasing power and ongoing infrastructure projects, such as Tokyo Torch, position the CBD as a future-ready landscape for ambitious brands looking to engage Asia’s forward-looking market. 

4.Lujiazui-Shanghai, China 

Shanghai stands as a top-tier commercial powerhouse in Asia, with a central business district (CBD) that draws in a high-income, decision-making audience. The CBD areas, including Lujiazui, People’s Square, and the Bund, are home to over 500 multinational corporations and financial institutions, solidifying Shanghai as a critical hub for global business operations. These areas host major financial giants, tech innovators, and consulting firms, creating a dense network of corporate headquarters and affluent professionals. This concentration offers advertisers direct access to influential individuals with substantial sway over regional and international markets. 

Shanghai’s connectivity is further enhanced by its two major airports, Pudong International and Hongqiao International, which serve as primary entry points for international business travellers. Pudong, a central hub for long-haul flights, and Hongqiao, located closer to downtown, provide valuable advertising opportunities in high-traffic zones such as VIP lounges, arrival and departure halls, and main walkways. High-visibility DOOH sites across the CBD, including digital billboards and interactive displays, capture the attention of influential audiences with targeted, dynamic content in some of the city's busiest areas.  

5.Beijing, China 

Accessing an audience of high-level decision-makers and global leaders is an exceptional advantage, allowing brands to be seen where impactful business decisions are made. Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) is at the heart of this opportunity, housing 117 Fortune 500 companies—including titans like Bank of China and CITIC Group—and hosting 114 regional headquarters of multinational corporations, representing half of such headquarters in the city. This exclusive environment elevates brand presence among a network of influential global players. 

Strategically connected to global markets via Beijing Capital and Daxing International Airports, the CBD is a gateway to Asia, offering premium ad placements in VIP lounges, luxury retail zones, and departure gates to reach affluent travellers. Within the CBD, digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising further amplifies brand visibility in high-traffic areas like commercial plazas, upscale shopping districts, and office towers, positioning brands at the heart of business influence.  

6.Mumbai, India 

 
Mumbai’s prominence as one of Asia’s top Commercial Business Districts makes it an unparalleled hub for reaching affluent, decision-making audiences. Mumbai contributes approximately 6.16% of India’s total GDP of nearly $4 trillion, underscoring its role as a powerhouse in the nation’s economy. Known as India’s financial capital, Mumbai is home to premier institutions like the Bombay Stock Exchange and headquarters of numerous multinationals. Advertising in this space provides brands with exclusive visibility among high-net-worth professionals, senior executives, and influential entrepreneurs driving regional and global economic trends.  

Beyond the CBD, Mumbai’s upscale neighborhoods, such as Juhu and Bandra, offer valuable Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising opportunities, reaching affluent residents and celebrities within a cosmopolitan, luxury-oriented consumer base. Mumbai’s strategic appeal is amplified by its international accessibility through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. Brands can leverage high-traffic areas within the airport, such as premium lounges, baggage claim zones, and private terminals, creating touchpoints that captivate affluent visitors.  

7.Gangnam District- Seoul, Soth Korea

 Seoul stands as one of Asia’s premier Commercial Business Districts, making it an ideal market for reaching affluent, decision-making audiences. As South Korea’s economic powerhouse, Seoul hosts the headquarters of major multinational corporations, including Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, along with numerous financial institutions. Advertising within Seoul’s CBD offers brands a rare opportunity to engage directly with high-net-worth professionals, top executives, and influential decision-makers who shape industry, technology, and global market trends.  

With Incheon International Airport as Seoul’s gateway to the world, prime advertising spots like VIP lounges, luxury retail corridors, and first-class boarding gates offer unmatched visibility to affluent international travellers and Seoul’s elite. Additionally, DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home) sites throughout Seoul’s high-traffic districts further enhance brand impact, engaging a tech-savvy, upscale audience in the city’s most dynamic environments. 

8.Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou, as one of Asia’s leading Commercial Business Districts, offers unparalleled access to an affluent, decision-making audience. As a critical economic hub within China’s Greater Bay Area, the city is home to over 200 operations of Fortune Global 500 companies and more than 100 corporate headquarters, underscoring its dense concentration of major businesses and financial institutions. Advertising within Guangzhou’s CBD provides brands with high visibility among influential executives, high-net-worth investors, and decision-makers who drive both regional and global market trends, making it an ideal location for brands targeting a sophisticated business audience.The city’s global accessibility further enhances its appeal. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of the busiest airports in China, serves as a gateway to international cities and is frequented by high-income business travellers. Prime advertising locations within the airport, such as luxury retail corridors, VIP lounges, and first-class boarding areas, enable brands to captivate affluent visitors and corporate elites. With its advanced infrastructure and focus on digital transformation, Guangzhou’s CBD also offers numerous DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home) opportunities across prominent skyscrapers and transit hubs, making it a powerful choice for businesses seeking to establish their presence in Asia’s most dynamic markets. 

9.Bangkok, Thailand 

 
Bangkok, the Commercial Business District of Thailand, offers prime access to an affluent, decision-making audience. Hosting over 1,000 multinational corporations, including major financial institutions and tech companies, Bangkok’s CBD has become a focal point for business in Southeast Asia. Known for its dynamic economic landscape, the district is home to prominent corporations, including regional headquarters for global financial institutions, real estate giants, and tech innovators. Advertising in Bangkok’s CBD provides brands with an exceptional opportunity to engage directly with high-net-worth professionals, senior executives, and influential entrepreneurs who shape both Thai and regional markets. This business-centric area allows brands to establish visibility within a sophisticated, luxury-oriented market, building connections with key decision-makers. 
 
Bangkok’s global accessibility solidifies its appeal as a premier business and advertising hub. Don Mueang International Airport connects millions of international travellers, brands can leverage strategic placements in premium lounges and high-traffic areas to reach affluent audiences. Bangkok’s advanced infrastructure, including 2,150 programmatic Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) sites in key areas, enables dynamic brand engagement with a sophisticated, tech-savvy crowd, making Bangkok’s CBD an unmatched choice for businesses targeting Southeast Asia.

10. Jakarta, Indonesia  

 
As the economic powerhouse of Indonesia, Jakarta is home to major corporations and financial institutions, including regional headquarters for multinationals, leading banks, and energy giants. Advertising in Jakarta’s CBD places brands at the heart of this dynamic business environment, enabling direct engagement with high-net-worth professionals, senior executives, and influential decision-makers driving growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. 

Jakarta’s global connectivity further enhances its appeal. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, one of Asia’s busiest, links the city to major international destinations and draws a high volume of affluent business travellers and investors. Premium advertising locations within the airport—such as VIP lounges, high-traffic transit zones, and exclusive shopping areas—enable brands to capture the attention of Jakarta’s elite and international visitors. Additionally, Jakarta’s advanced infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives support dynamic Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) and programmatic DOOH advertising across prominent skyscrapers and transit hubs, offering brands a strategic way to connect with a tech-savvy, cosmopolitan audience in a market known for its rapidly growing affluent demographic.