Mid-Sized Cities Emerge As Viable Hubs For Business Travelers

Major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta continue to attract a large portion of business travelers. However, mid-sized cities have been grinding out their fair share of the business travel market over the last several years with such destinations as Charleston, SC, Richmond, VA and Boise, ID emerging as viable hubs for business travelers.

According to an American Express survey, a commitment to business travel is based on its proven value: 93% of companies agree they can attribute business growth to in-person meetings and events, and 87% of travelers say their client relationships benefit more from in-person interactions than virtual meetings. Nine in ten companies agree that having greater control over travel spending is increasingly important amid today’s evolving business landscape, with 60% expecting their company’s focus on optimizing budget to intensify further in the next 12 months.

Business travelers and companies surveyed indicated that growth options are driving business travel, stating that maintaining or getting more time with clients (64%) and new or more business (59%) were top reasons for business travel to increase or stay the same over the next 12 months. This stands true even with external forces at play, with nine-in-ten senior business leaders across decision-makers (92%) and travelers (88%) noting it’s still worth traveling for in-person meetings despite the evolving business environment.

Fernando Iraola, Executive Vice President, Global & US Large Enterprises, American Express:

• “We are seeing a rise in business travel to Richmond, Charleston and Boise, where growing talent pools and thriving industries like aerospace, tech and semiconductor manufacturing are attracting significant corporate investment. The increase in business travel to mid-size cities like these underscores that being there in-person is still the gold standard to drive business growth.”
• “Business travel is no longer a choice between growth and cost control; with the right technology, it’s both. Whether through virtual cards or seamless expense management platforms, businesses are turning to payments and expense management technology to help manage costs and keep employee travels smooth.”
• “Business travel is no longer just about being on-the-ground, it’s about proving that every trip has a clear and defined outcome. Our Amex Trendex survey found a clear focus on ROI, with 66% of companies tracking sales and 60% monitoring client feedback specifically stemming from business travel, proving that in today’s evolving business environment, business travel must be driven by measurable business outcomes.”

Boise, Idaho

• Boise’s growing economy boasts strong job growth, expanding tech investment, and major developments such as Micron’s large semiconductor manufacturing expansion.
• Boise holds a strategic geographic location with efficient access to businesses in the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and Northern California markets, and other western states making it a good base for business travelers.
• Business travelers often applaud Boise’s convenient, walkable, and clean downtown, including a 10-minute ride from/to the airport from downtown, nearby restaurants and hotels, minimal congestion, and safe, short commutes.
• The Boise Airport welcomed more than 5 million travelers in 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year BOI has set a passenger record, with traffic up nearly 5 percent compared to 2024. Boise is an efficient, easy airport with non-stop flights to 27 domestic destinations and connections to more than 350 cities worldwide.
• The city offers a strong meetings offering anchored by the Boise Centre, Idaho’s largest convention facility, with about 86,000 square feet of meeting space. For companies seeking intimate, productive events without big-city complexity, Boise is an ideal environment.

Carrie Hughes, Executive Director of Visit Boise, says, “Boise has reached a point where business travelers are discovering how compelling, clean, and efficient the city is. You can land at the airport, be downtown in minutes and walk to meetings, restaurants and hotels. That convenience, combined with Boise’s friendly, welcoming vibe, is becoming a real advantage for companies hosting meetings or visiting clients. Mid-sized cities like Boise are hitting a sweet spot for business travel. You get our beautiful mix of urban and outdoor, the thriving culinary and bar scene, and the amenities and meeting infrastructure companies need, but without the congestion, rising costs and time lost navigating larger metros.”

Andrew Heidt, VP of Sales for Visit Boise, adds, “We’re seeing growing interest from organizations looking for accessible and authentic destinations. Boise provides the infrastructure for meetings and conventions while delivering unique experiences, including outdoor adventures, that make people want to stay longer and return.”

“Boise as a destination for business travel has a way of surprising people,” says Andrea Cantor, Director of Economic Development at the City of Boise. “Business executives fly in expecting a quick trip and leave wondering why they haven’t been making this a regular stop. Boise has much to offer, but it’s the community and how willing people are to collaborate that really sets us apart.”

Richmond, Virginia

Already business-friendly and home to several Fortune 500 companies, Richmond is emerging as a major business travel hub thanks to incentive-based business expansion legislation, workforce development programs and a breadth of companies selecting the state for relocation and expansion. Significant economic developments are also underway in the Richmond Diamond District and City Center Innovation District, helping to make Richmond an ideal location for businesses to grow their footprint.

Katherine O’Donnell, President & CEO, Richmond Region Tourism, says, “The Richmond Region sits at the intersection of accessibility, affordability and innovation. As companies look beyond the largest metros for meetings, events and corporate travel, mid-sized destinations like Richmond are delivering exactly what business travelers need including excellent venues, a dynamic culinary and cultural scene, and the ability to connect with a region that’s experiencing real economic momentum. We’re seeing a clear shift toward mid-sized regions that offer the infrastructure of major markets but with greater ease and authenticity. The Richmond Region embodies that balance. Business travelers can host impactful meetings and also experience a thriving arts, food and history scene.”

Jerrine Lee, Vice President of Sales, Richmond Region Tourism, adds, “Meeting planners are increasingly choosing mid-sized destinations because they can deliver a high-quality experience with fewer logistical challenges. In the Richmond Region, planners find flexible venues, a vibrant downtown and easy access from major East Coast markets. The Richmond Region offers something business travelers value most: efficiency. You can fly in, get to your hotel in minutes, host a productive meeting, and still have time to experience the region’s restaurants, attractions and historic neighborhoods. Meeting planners are discovering that the Richmond Region delivers everything they expect from a top-tier meeting destination with the accessibility, energy, and character that attendees remember.”

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is a tourism hotspot with southern charm and a distinct culture, which has created a robust economy and flourishing environment for businesses. The recent growth of key industries like aerospace, automotive, and tech, and the “Charleston Inspired” economic development strategy’s investment in technology and entrepreneurship are driving even greater business expansion in Charleston, bringing more business travel with it.

Helen Hill, President and CEO of Explore Charleston, says, “The Charleston region has become a growing hub for business travel as a result of sustained economic expansion, industry diversification, improved accessibility, and a world-class hospitality infrastructure. We are now home to a wide range of industries – from advanced manufacturing to life sciences – that generate increased domestic and international travel to the market. The Greater Charleston Area is also more convenient to reach than ever before, thanks to continued growth in air service at Charleston International Airport, with 11 carriers offering nonstop flights to more than 50 destinations. Additionally, the region’s culture, climate and quality of life make it an especially attractive community for professionals, whether they are visiting for meetings and events or choosing to live and work in the area.”

Global Destinations:

Kumamoto, Japan – Located in Kyushu, known as “Silicon Island,” Kumamoto has historically been a center for Japan’s semiconductor industry, with 200 leading companies present in the city. The explosive growth of the semiconductor industry has attracted numerous related industries, such as equipment manufacturers, material suppliers and R&D facilities, as well as food production and medical care, opening doors for cross-industry collaboration and increased business travel.

Cork, Ireland – The city of Cork is reinforcing its status as a business and innovation hub with its thriving tech and life sciences sectors, business-friendly policies and strong international connectivity via its award-winning airport. With its walkable city center, celebrated culinary scene and recent recognition as a top global destination, Cork is capturing the attention of business and leisure travelers worldwide.

Malmö, Sweden – The coastal city has developed a thriving startup ecosystem, with growth in the tech and gaming industries especially, thanks to city-sponsored initiatives that provide funding and foster a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs. Malmö’s proximity to Copenhagen, located just across the Öresund Bridge, provides access to international air travel, a broader investor base and a wider talent pool, enhancing Malmö’s appeal and capacity to host a rising influx of business travelers.