Four Canadian city pairs rank among the world’s fastest-growing business travel routes, according to new data from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
Charlotte-Toronto ranked as the second-fastest-growing business travel route globally, while London-Montreal placed 10th. Canadian domestic routes Kelowna-Vancouver and Calgary-Winnipeg also earned spots in the global top 10, reflecting strong demand across both international and domestic business travel markets.
World Cup Impact
The findings came as Canada hosted matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the impact major global events can have on corporate travel. Among the World Cup host cities featured in the report, Toronto recorded the largest increase in contracted hotel rates during the 2026 sourcing season, rising 4.8% compared with 0.3% in Los Angeles.
Airfares are also increasing. The report found fares to World Cup host cities have risen 42% year-over-year on U.S. domestic routes and 13& on flights from Europe, prompting airlines to add capacity on select routes during the tournament period.
Beyond the World Cup, Amex GBT’s Business Travel Prices Index found the overall cost of business travel increased 8.3% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter, driven by higher airfares, sustained demand for premium travel and accommodation, and geopolitical factors affecting global aviation.
Published monthly, Business Travel Pulse analyzes transaction data and market trends from Amex GBT’s global travel network to identify developments shaping business travel worldwide.
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