The importance of emerging economies to UK businesses is reflected in the presence of Johannesburg, Shanghai and Mumbai in the list of top destinations for executive travellers.
Outside Europe, Johannesburg in South Africa was the fourth most-visited city for UK executives in 2014, according to booking figures compiled by American Express Global Business Travel.
Shanghai in China was eighth on the list, with the Indian city of Mumbai 10th. Top outside-Europe destination for UK executives was New York followed by Dubai and San Francisco.
In Europe last year, the most-visited city for UK travellers on business was Amsterdam followed by Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris and Zurich.
London was the leading UK city for business travellers, followed by Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Aberdeen.
American Express said the presence of Southampton in ninth place and Bristol in 10th place the UK list "demonstrates that business in the south of England isn't confined to London, with these regional hubs attracting a high number of business travel bookings".
On the long-haul destination list, American Express said: "The presence of Johannesburg, Shanghai and Mumbai on the list is evidence of the growing importance of emerging economies to UK businesses."
These were the most-visited UK destinations for British business travellers in 2014:
1. London
2. Edinburgh
3. Glasgow
4. Belfast
5. Aberdeen
6. Manchester
7. Birmingham
8. Newcastle
9. Southampton
10. Bristol