Up in the north west of Ireland, the Mayor of Derry Maolíosa McHugh is concerned about the Northern Ireland/Ireland border in the wake of Brexit. The city works closely with neighbouring Donegal in the Republic, particularly for trade missions to Boston, and the movement between the two is so frequent you wouldn't know a border is there.
Come March 2019 McHugh is not certain what will happen. "There are more cross border journeys here daily — people live, work and go to school on both sides. Brexit is a major issue," he says. It's hoped there will be a border on the Irish Sea instead of a hard land border, and after years of conflict that region doesn't want to see a fractured economy and relationships.
It's just one example of how outside factors such as those in politics and civil rights can affect travel patterns. Derry was something of a 'no go' for years during The Troubles but peace has encouraged investment and jobs in the science and educational sectors as well as technology firms.
There are also improved air links, which always change travel patterns to a city. In Derry's case there is a public service requirement for flights to London Stansted but the old midday Ryanair service was not always the best for business travellers. Jochen Schnadt, chief commercial officer of bmi regional says the now double daily service it operates between the cities is changing travel patterns and saving companies money.
"Some routes are for public service or are in place for big clients that want the connectivity. It's not always possible to justify a corporate shuttle but if there's the leisure passenger element too then it works," he told me. "When travel buyers think about the total cost of trip sometimes a smaller airport closer to the factory or office is better value, and independent airlines like us can talk to airports to arrange that lounge access, fast-track entry and car parking are included in the negotiated fare."
Entrepreneurs and smaller businesses also benefit. Mark Short of The Quiet Man Distillery uses the Derry-London route regularly, and because of the new morning and evening times can do the trip in a day; meaning there isn't a hotel room cost attached. Schnadt argues these business travellers have always been there but with more local flight options, and better times, they are able to travel more, or differently.
Businesses and politicians will have to wait to see how access will change in Northern Ireland over the next two years
If it means more choice and a cheaper total cost of trip, it might be worth checking what your local airlines can do for your business.