With nearly 13 million female-owned small businesses in the US generating almost $1.8 trillion in revenue, women are breaking barriers and reshaping the business landscape. This is reflected in business travel, where 45% of US business travelers are now women, seizing opportunities to network, develop skills, and advance their careers.
To support female professionals, many cities are improving safety, offering secure accommodations and facilities, such as co-working spaces with mothers’ rooms and networking events tailored to women.
Booking.com for Business have revealed the best US cities for businesswomen, scoring them on factors like top female executives and women-focused business events. Combining this data, we give each city a business travel score out of 10. We’ve also highlighted women's top travel concerns and most sought-after amenities to make business trips smoother and safer.
Best US cities for female business travelers
1. Boston, Massachusetts
Women's business travel score: 8.13
Boston is the best business hub for women, scoring 8.13 out of 10. An excellent location for business investment, the city fosters an environment for professional women to thrive. Boston is ranked in the top five with 504 top female executives per 100,000 people. This is no surprise due to the city’s efforts to provide women with more business opportunities. For example, The Boston Club is a major organization in the city that hosts events to help advance women’s professional and personal growth.
Many networking organizations, from Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS) to Boston Business Women (BBW), help women grow professionally. Just behind Kansas (17%), Boston offers the second-highest percentage (14%) of co-working spaces with a mother's room, allowing for facilities and amenities that cater to women with children.
2. Seattle, Washington
Women's business travel score: 7.72
Seattle ranks second, scoring highly for its 10% proportion of coworking spaces with a mother’s room. The Washington business hub also has 488 top female executives and 371 women’s business events per 100,000 people.
Washington State also offers coaching and training to help businesswomen succeed through its Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB) and the Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), supporting women-owned businesses.
3. Minneapolis, Minnesota | Kansas, Missouri
Women's business travel score: 7.32
Minneapolis and Kansas City are third for female business travelers. Minneapolis ranks third for the number of top female executives per 100,000 people, with 544, while Kansas, Missouri, ranks top for almost one-fifth (17%) of coworking spaces with a mother’s room.
Minneapolis has a strong economy and a diverse mix of industries, such as tech, healthcare, and retail. The city is known for its workplace gender equality. It has numerous women-led businesses and supportive networks like the Women Venture organization, which offers resources and funding. Similarly, Kansas City has a growing entrepreneurial scene with organizations like the Women’s Business Center, making it an ideal location for women business travelers.
The biggest worries for US female travelers
Despite the US having many top locations for female travelers, some women may face different worries when traveling, whether it's concerns surrounding safety or navigating cultural differences. We have revealed the biggest fears among US females participating in Booking.com’s 2024 Travel Trends survey.
Over a third (35%) of US female travelers reported that experiencing the crime of feeling unsafe is their biggest travel worry. This is a common travel worry for women in the US.
Spending more money than budgeted (31%) and getting sick (27%) are also top travel worries among US women.
The facilities and amenities women in the US look for the most when booking a room
To better understand women's specific needs and preferences when booking business travel, we surveyed female respondents across the US to identify the amenities they value most. While some facilities may appeal broadly to both men and women, others emerged distinctly among women. These preferences aren’t always just functional necessities but may also consider convenience, safety, and comfort, which can differ for men and women.
Female respondents from the US stated that air conditioning is the most crucial amenity when booking accommodation, with four-fifths (80%) of women putting this at the top of their list.
Parking is the second most important facility, with more than half (52%) of females choosing this option. On-site parking is particularly valued as it provides easy access to the accommodation and helps women feel safer, as they are not required to walk long distances at night or navigate unfamiliar areas. 24-hour check-in follows in third place, with nearly half (49%) of the women opting for this option. This is mainly because it helps reduce stress by accommodating unexpected travel issues, from flight delays to schedule conflicts, allowing for peace of mind.
Regarding in-room amenities, over two-thirds (68%) of women stated that having a power outlet/socket near the bed was essential. This is likely due to its convenience, making it easier to charge devices such as phones and tablets from the comfort of the bed. A refrigerator (59%) was also an important in-room necessity, followed by a nice view (49%).
What women in the US find the most important when booking a flight
For more than half (56%) of female respondents from the US, the time of departure and arrival is the most important factor when booking a flight. This preference is unsurprising, as flight times help with better trip planning and allow women to consider safety factors, such as traveling to and from the airport during daylight hours. This can make their journey feel more secure and less stressful, particularly in unfamiliar destinations.
Having the option between direct flights and layovers is another significant factor for 54% US women. This can be important depending on priority and whether it aligns with your schedule.
Over a third (35%) of the female US respondents value the flight's duration. This may be due to several reasons, such as helping to prepare for the flight. Knowing how long a flight will take helps decide what to pack and account for.
Top destinations for female business travelers in the world
Beyond the United States, more females are traveling worldwide. According to research, many women travel internationally for solo and business purposes. A Forbes report suggests that 64% of global travelers worldwide are females while only 36% are male.
Europe is a popular destination for female travelers for female travelers as it offers women plenty of opportunities due to many European countries generally being considered safe. This continent also offers several initiatives for female entrepreneurs thanks to its well-developed economies across many countries. One notable example is the European Investment Bank's (EIB) ‘SheInvest’ initiative, which helps female entrepreneurs by funding projects promoting gender equality in business.
To highlight interesting insights on female travelers on a global scale, we looked at the following factors: women legislators, senior officials, and managers, the global gender gap score, the gender pay gap, and the average business trips taken by women. We gave each country a business travel score out of 10 to reveal the top destinations for women worldwide.
1. Sweden
Women's business travel score: 7.72/10
As a significant leader in gender equality, Sweden is globally considered a top location for businesswomen, scoring 7.72 out of 10. The Discrimination Act states that employers and employees should work actively to even out the pay gap between the sexes. In 2022, women’s average monthly salaries in Sweden were 90.1% of men’s, showcasing the nation’s progressive efforts to close the gender gap. Considering economic opportunities and educational attainment factors, Sweden currently scores 0.816 out of 1, one of the highest globally.
Sweden also offers plenty of opportunities for women in leadership roles, with over two-fifths (42%) of legislators, senior officials, and managers being women. For example, prominent female figures include Magdalena Andersson, the first woman to serve as Sweden's Prime Minister; she held office from 2021 to 2022. Helena Helmersson is CEO of H&M Group, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, and is a well-known figure in the Swedish business scene. The country is continually working towards closing its gender pay gap, a 7.04% difference between men and women in 2022.
2. Belgium
Women's business travel score: 6.77/10
Belgium ranks second with a score of 6.77 out of 10. The country has one of the lowest gender pay gaps in work, with just a difference of 1.11% between men and women, and this is significantly lower than many other countries. This is primarily due to Belgium's equal pay law, which mandates equal pay for equal work between male and female workers.
Additionally, Belgium is improving its representation of women in more management and senior-level positions, with over a third (36%) of legislators, senior officials, and managers identifying as female. For example, Sophie Wilmès, the former Belgian Prime Minister, made history as the first female head of government.
The nation is also notably one of the top countries for closing the global gender gap, looking at factors such as health and political empowerment, with a score of 0.793 out of 1. This is unsurprising as it has several organizations that support women in business, including the Belgian Association of Women Business Leaders (FCE).
3. Portugal
Women's business travel score: 6.77/10
Portugal ranks in joint second place and is considered to have a thriving female entrepreneurial scene. Events like the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and the Women in Tech Summit take place in Lisbon, providing networking opportunities and support for women in business.
The country also has a relatively high rate of women legislators, senior officials, and managers (37%). This includes figures such as Elvira Fortunato, a renowned scientist and the Vice-Rector of Universidade Nova, who has been recognized as one of Portugal's 25 most influential women in recent years. Isabel Vaz, CEO of Luz Saúde Group, is also a prominent figure. She has been consistently acknowledged for her influence in the healthcare and business sectors, earning her a spot on the Executiva’s list of the most influential women for many years.
Preparation and safety are essential for a successful and productive trip when planning business travel. You should always ensure you have business travel insurance. Whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, it helps you prepare for unexpected travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations, baggage delays, medical issues, and more, bringing you peace of mind._
Business events designed for women, such as leadership conferences, networking forums, and industry-specific workshops, create opportunities for female professionals to connect. Cities with a strong representation of female executives often foster more inclusive business cultures, making these destinations particularly attractive for women business travelers. For a business traveler, this translates to more relevant events, a supportive professional network, and a welcoming atmosphere that prioritizes the needs of women in business.
It is essential to choose secure accommodation that meets all your safety needs. Look at the reviews before booking your business travel accommodation. Be mindful of where your accommodation is located if it offers services such as a 24/7 reception or help desk._
A good business destination balances productivity, safety, and comfort, which has become even more critical to ensuring a successful business journey as a female. With Booking.com for Business, you can easily plan and secure accommodations, flights, and rental cars that fit your needs.
For more information on traveling as a businesswoman, check out our top 10 tips for female business travelers._
Women are increasingly shaping the business travel landscape, with cities and countries adapting to meet their unique needs. From safety and supportive amenities to inclusive professional networks, the best destinations for female business travelers prioritize productivity, security, and comfort, empowering women to thrive in their careers.
Methodology
We compared the biggest cities in the US on the following factors:
- Women holding "top executive" positions in each city per 100,000 people using top 10 tips for female business travelers. The population figures were taken from the city population 2023 estimates.
- The percentage of co-working spaces with a mother's room using top 10 tips for female business travelers, sourced on 10/15/2024.
- Women's business events (e.g., workshops, seminars & networking sessions) 100,000 people using Eventbrite, collected on 10/23/2024.
A weighted ranking system was used, which considered the average scores out of 10 for each relevant factor across each city and calculated an overall score out of 10 for each location to reveal the top cities for female business travelers. Each factor was given equal weight. We looked at cities with a crime rate of under 60, sourced from Numbeo on 27/11/2024.
We compared countries from around the world on the following factors:
- The percentage of women legislators, senior officials, and managers using WeForum’s 2024 report.
- This source was also used to collect the Global Gender Gap score using 2024’s Global Gender Gap Index.
- The Gender pay gap data was sourced using OECD 2022 Gender Wage Gap figures.
- The average number of women who took a domestic or international business trip in 2023: Booking.com Travel Trends 2024.
We used a weighted ranking system that considered the average scores out of 10 for each relevant factor across each city. The factors of the average number of domestic and international trips taken by females were given half weighting to ensure a fair comparison with the other factors. We then calculated an overall score out of 10 for each location to reveal the top countries for female business travelers.
We used Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2024 to reveal:
- The most common travel worries among women by country.
- The most important facilities for women by country.
- The most important amenities for women by country.
- The most important factors for women when booking a flight by country.
This research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2024, and are involved in trip planning. The sample comprises 32,300 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January or February 2024.
