Charlotte ranks high as business travel destination

Travel companies report the Queen City has experienced the largest year-over-year growth of all major US cities for business travel.

A large crowd of travelers pack the main walkway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

A major hub for business travel, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is ranked among the world’s busiest airports.

Photo by CLTairport

Going to work or traveling to Charlotte? It’s becoming one and the same as the Queen City is experiencing a business travel resurgence.

CLTtoday learned exclusively from leading business travel companies Corporate Traveler and FCM Travel that Charlotte is one of the top destinations for business travel from July to September— ranking 16th in the country.

But wait, there’s more. The city has experienced the largest year-over-year growth out of all the cities ranked in the top 20, up 18%, with more corporate travelers starting to visit Charlotte.

“With traveler confidence on the rise, more and more business travelers have been embracing the return to the road and visiting the Queen City, which has emerged as a dynamic hub for business activity and growth,” said Billy McDonough, FCM Travel President for the Americas.

A group of people mingling atop Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo.

A healthy job market continues to drive young business professionals to the Charlotte region.

Photo courtesy of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Charlotte outpaced other major US cities, including Atlanta and Dallas in terms of year-to-year increases. The data was sourced through an analysis of flights booked from July through September, compared to the same time period last year.

“Given its favorable location in the Southeast and being home to a major international airport, Charlotte has seen an influx in corporate travelers from all over the country, further strengthening its appeal as a business travel destination,” added McDonough.

Cars driving past the departures area, facing Uptown Charlotte.

A major renovation project is happening at Charlotte Douglas to accommodate a recent rise in business travelers.

Photo by CLTtoday

The city is working to meet this business travel influx. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is in the thick of a massive renovation project known as Destination CLT. The six-year project — which includes a lobby expansion, a 146,000-sqft glass canopy, and a recently-debuted concourse — is scheduled to be finished in 2025. The $4 billion upgrade will accommodate an estimated 2.8 million travelers a year.

Welcome to Charlotte.

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