FCM Travel Unveils ‘Emerging Markets Report,’ Identifying the Fastest-Growing Secondary U.S. Cities for Business Travel

New York, NY (July 14, 2026) – FCM Travel, the flagship large-market division of Flight Centre Travel

Group, today announced the launch of its Emerging Markets Report, which reveals the fastest-growing secondary business travel markets across the United States. 

According to the report, Greensboro, North Carolina ranked as the top emerging market, with flight bookings increasing 27.6% year-over-year to outpace all other cities, followed by Columbus, Ohio (+18.4%) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (+14.8%). Greensboro’s rise reflects its position as a cost-efficient regional hub with strong East Coast accessibility, a diversified industry landscape, and expanding corporate activity across the Piedmont Triad region.

The report analyzed thousands of flight bookings from FCM clients in 2025 and ranked U.S. cities based on year-over-year growth in booking volume. The rankings excluded the country's 20 largest markets to spotlight the ten secondary cities that recorded the strongest percentage growth in flight bookings. The top ten markets span a diverse cross-section of cities across the U.S., reflecting growing interest among organizations in expanding business travel beyond traditional metropolitan hubs.

In addition to the rankings, the report provides a comprehensive profile of each city, supported by insights from FCM travel managers who possess a deep understanding of local market conditions. Each city profile includes information on population, climate, key industries, cultural identity, hotel infrastructure, airport connectivity, airline service, transportation options, and the major events that business travelers should consider when planning visits.

“Through the launch of our Emerging Markets Report, we aim to help organizations understand the increasing role of secondary destinations in corporate travel programs,” said Billy McDonough, President, FCM Americas. “In addition to serving as attractive alternatives to traditional business travel hubs, many of these markets are emerging as strategic destinations in their own right, with cities like Greensboro, Columbus, and Fort Lauderdale offering a compelling combination of accessibility, value, and economic potential.”

While major, first-tier markets often command the attention of business travelers, these emerging destinations are driving more business travel activity and creating new opportunities for organizations across the country. Factors such as expanding industry sectors, increased airline service, favorable hotel availability, and unique regional advantages are helping fuel their growth.

McDonough added, “These destinations can also provide meaningful cost advantages, enabling organizations to maximize travel budgets without sacrificing connectivity as they navigate continued economic uncertainty and rising costs across the industry.”

Top Emerging Markets in 2025

1. Greensboro, North Carolina – 27.6%
2. Columbus, Ohio – 18.4%
3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida – 14.8%
4. Indianapolis, Indiana – 10.9%
5. San Antonio, Texas – 6.1%
6. Tampa Bay, Florida – 4.5%
7. Sacramento, California – 3.9%
8. Santa Ana, California – 3.3%
9. Salt Lake City, Utah – 3%
10. Hartford, Connecticut – 1.5%

For complete information and to access the full Emerging Markets Report, please visit here.

Media Contact

Scott Weiss – FCM Travel

U.S. Director of PR and Communications

scott.weiss@us.flightcentre.com