Remember when Dubai and Beijing were exotic travel destinations? Nowadays, they're as common as Chicago or London for some business travelers. Emerging now is a new crop of up-and-coming and growing cities that are becoming players on the global scene. As international business investments in these cities grow, we're seeing airlines adding flights, and four- and five-star international hotel chains breaking ground.

That's all good news for the corporate executive who can look forward to comfortable, efficient, and, most importantly, productive business trips when working in a lesser-known location. Here are 10 cities where you just might find yourself doing business in the not-so-distant future.

Krakow, Poland

Long known as Poland's cultural capital, these days Krakow is attracting not only vacationers, but executives working with Google, IBM, Motorola, Shell, Electrolux, and Delphi, which all have offices here. Many factors have helped Poland's second-largest city be the only city in the European Union to post positive GDP in 2009. Among them, 22 universities that produce English-speaking technology specialists; a new highway system that connects to Germany and Western Europe; and a 2.5-hour train service from cities such as Vienna and Berlin. LOT Polish Airlines (www.lot.com) has service from New York and Chicago, with plans to increase flights this summer, and budget carrier Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) recently added Krakow flights.

When in Krakow, stay at the stunning Hotel Copernicus (www.copernicus.hotel.com.pl), the city's only Relais & Châteaux property; the Sheraton Krakow Hotel (www.sheraton.pl/krakow/), a five-star with Wisla River views; or the Radisson Blu Krakow (www.radissonblu.com), also right in the city center, with excellent meeting facilities. For dinners out, there's the Michelin-listed Copernicus Restaurant that's in the hotel, and Wierzynek (www.wierzynek.com.pl), which has been serving Polish classics since 1364. Krakow's many museums and annual festivals are ideal for off-the-clock time.

Hyderabad, India

There's nothing like a new international airport to put a destination on the map. Hyderabad's is just two years old and already has top travel magazines voting it India's favorite. But the capital of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh has also steadily attracted a who's who of multinationals, with its vast IT services, which frequently take the form of call and communications centers for computer manufacturers such as Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, and financial groups like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Hyderabad also has expanding pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Getting to India's fifth-largest city is easier than ever these days, with both Etihad Airways (www.etihadairways.com) and Kingfisher Airlines (www.flykingfisher.com) launching service there this year. The likes of British Airways (www.britishairways.com), Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com), and Gulf Air (www.gulfairco.com) have also upped service since the airport's 2008 opening.

Corporate travelers can look forward to the opening of new hotels in Hyderabad this year and in the years ahead. Taj Hotels (www.tajhotels.com) is adding to its existing Taj Krishna and Taj Deccan properties, with the stunningly grand Taj Falaknuma Palace opening in July. Just 20 minutes from the airport, this restored 60-room private palace will be ideal for meetings and incentives. An InterContinental hotel will also launch in 2013.

Hyderabad has a lively restaurant scene, but many corporate diners like to entertain in hotel restaurants, such as Firdaus in the Taj Krishna, or Kebabs & Kurries in Sheraton's ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad. These excellent Indian restaurants are known for their biryani, a regional specialty of basmati rice and goat meat.

Kiev, Ukraine

As Europe's second-largest capital, Kiev sees practically every major Western brand setting up some kind of headquarters–UPS, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Kraft Foods, along with the mix of international banks and scientific research and development firms, for which the city is known. The city has also evolved as a competitive host of conventions and trade shows, undercutting costs of many Western European cities.

Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com) and national carrier Aerosvit Airlines (www.aerosvit.com) fly direct from New York's JFK International Airport, and carriers such as British Airways, which is adding flights in July, connect through Europe. Ukraine International Airlines (www.flyuia.com) also announced new flights from Geneva and Rome.

Top international hotel brands are beginning to arrive here, with the InterContinental Kiev (www.intercontinental-kiev.com) opening a five-star last August within walking distance of the business district. It joins the five-star Hyatt Regency Kiev (www.kiev.regency.hyatt.com), also in the city center. The Premier Palace Hotel (www.premier-palace.com), one of the city's grand dames, offers executive floors. Apartment rentals, which can be booked through websites like flatlux.org, are also popular for extended stays. Many are well located, provide airport pickup, maid service, and are half the price of a hotel stay.

Kiev's dining and nightclub scene is also achieving international standards. Annabelle Restaurant (www.annabelle.kiev.ua), considered by many the city's finest French offering, provides private rooms for business dinners. One of Kiev's biggest trends is takeout, so when in the mood for a night in, have the concierge call Vesuvio Pizza (www.vesuvio.ua); Dva Gusya (www.dvagusya.ua), or "two geese," a chain of quality inexpensive Ukrainian restaurants; or one of the many sushi restaurants. These eateries will also cater for business meals.

Manama, Bahrain

If you've traversed the globe recently and watched CNN International in your hotel room, you've likely heard a stream of advertisements promoting Bahrain. The island nation in the Persian Gulf has been jockeying to attract business development with a tolerant, more Western approach to modern life than some of its Middle Eastern neighbors. While tourism is growing, oil and finance are the key industries here in the island capital of Manama. When the world's largest causeway is completed later this year, linking Bahrain with Qatar, getting to Bahrain for business will be easier than ever, as an existing causeway links with Saudi Arabia. As it is, Gulf Air, the kingdom's national carrier, runs daily flights from Europe and Asia, and numerous other airlines also service the island, including United (www.united.com), which is now flying here via Kuwait.

Travelers increasingly have their choice of five-stars in Manama, including The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa (www.radissonblu.com), which overlooks the Gulf, and the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa (www.sofitel.com), slated to open at the end of the year, with the first thalassotherapy spa in the Gulf region. Bahrain's restaurant scene is international, with everything from Italian to Lebanese. Waves (www.ichotelsgroup.com), with its seafood menu and proximity to the Diplomatic Area, is an ideal spot for a business lunch. Isfahani (www.isfahanirestaurants.com), an upscale chain of Persian restaurants, is also within Bahrain's key business districts. Carnivores can try The Meat & Wine Co. (www.themeatandwineco.com), a popular Western-style steakhouse chain in the Middle East.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Rocked by on-and-off civil unrest for the past decade, it looks as though the commercial capital of Sri Lanka can finally move forward. With a busy port on the Indian Ocean, and glass, chemical and textile industries, this modern city is also working to attract convention and meetings business. Its proximity to beaches and rainforests make it ideal for groups that crave safaris and eco-adventures. The fact that Colombo is serviced by 12 international carriers—Etihad added flights this year—make it an appealing journey.

The Taj Samudra, is a five-star favorite of business travelers that also has generously sized function spaces. The Hilton Colombo (www.hilton.com) is just steps away from the World Trade Center, and Cinnamon Grand Hotel Colombo is another solid five-star with great views (www.cinnamonhotels.com). Colombo's ethnic diversify is reflected in its cuisine, which runs from Indian to Chinese and Arabic. Hotel and resort restaurants are popular, such as Curry Leaf for local Sri Lankan cuisine in the Hilton. But also try The Bayleaf (www.bayleafcolombo.com), an Italian kitchen set in a grand mansion, with tables overlooking a canopied garden.

Durban, South Africa

It's World Cup mania in the country until July 11, but even after the last footballer has left the pitch, Durban will continue to grab attention with South Africa's busiest port and its Florida-like coast and weather. As South Africa's third-largest city, about a one-hour flight from Johannesburg, Durban is busy with shipbuilding, its sugar industry, petroleum refining, and automotive assembly, as well as numerous food manufacturers and chemical companies. A new international airport opened in May, with Emirates (www.emirates.com) recently adding flights.

Of course, you can stay in town at the Royal Hotel Durban (www.theroyal.co.za), one of the city's finest five-stars, but for extended stays or a weekend-long beach trip, check into the Oyster Box (www.oysterboxhotel.com), a luxurious boutique hotel on the Indian Ocean that's been a classic here since 1947. Whether you're staying at The Royal Hotel or have other accommodations, sample traditional colonial cuisine in the elegant Royal Carvery, and for a laid-back dinner, try Butcher Boys (www.butcherboysgrill.co.za), a South African steakhouse chain with excellent ribs, chops, and T-bones.

Calgary, Canada

Go west! to Canada's fourth-largest city that's not only the commercial hub for the western half of the country, but also Canada's energy capital. Oil, gas, and alternative green energies are all part of the economy here, as well as financial services, agri-business, and information technologies. Just an hour's drive from the Canadian Rockies, business travelers can pack in a little hiking, biking, and fly fishing, if time allows.

Calgary's airport has a $2.4-billion expansion underway to accommodate more international flights. In March, Air Canada (www.aircanada.com) launched nonstop service to Tokyo. You can also get to Calgary direct from Houston. To encourage tourism and business travel, the city is launching an e-commerce booking website this month at www.visitcalgary.com.

For an atmospheric stay in Calgary, book into the century-old Fairmont Palliser (www.fairmont.com/palliser), a classic that conveniently connects to the Telus Convention Center via an indoor walkway. Fresh from a $6-million renovation, the Hyatt Regency Calgary (www.calgary.hyatt.com) provides state-of-the-art comfort. The food scene is all about local produce, game and fresh fare. Try Rouge (www.rougecalgary.com) an elegant award-winning restaurant nestled in a historic home; Catch (www.catchrestaurant.ca) for seafood; and Caesar's Steakhouse and Lounge (caesarssteakhouse.com) for Calgary's famous Alberta beef. Many restaurants have private rooms for business parties.

Hangzhou, China

Blink, and there's something new opening in Hangzhou, the wealthy city that's the capital of Zhejiang province. It's 90 minutes south of Shanghai by bullet train, which explains why it's been developing so quickly. China's capital of silk—also famous for its tea, rice paddies, and agriculture—has evolved into a manufacturing hub for automotive parts, electronics, appliances, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and technology.

It's understandable that more and more airlines are making their way into Hangzhou. Dragonair (www.dragonair.com) has added flights from Hong Kong; Hainan Airlines (www.global.hnair.com) from Singapore; and EVA Air (www.evaair.com) flies here from Los Angeles LAX.

Executives will by vying for business trips to Hangzhou now that the Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake (www.fourseasons.com), a luxurious resort-like property, is opening in October. In Qianjiang New Town, another five-star is debuting when the InterContinental Hangzhou opens this fall, with Club rooms and an executive lounge.

There's no shortage of excellent dining in Hangzhou, especially with two longtime classics. For an important meeting, book into Lou Wai Lou, which not only offers delicious Chinese cuisine, but also has a picturesque setting on West Lake. For noodles try Kuiyuan Restaurant, a local classic dating back to the 19th century.

São Paulo, Brazil

It's hard to find an industry that isn't present in Brazil's largest and richest city. Telecommunications, auto manufacturing, banking, fashion, pharmaceuticals, electronics, finance, banking, and more, produce 15 percent of the country's gross national product. A huge conference and international meetings business sees plenty of executive travel here, as well as the large number of German and American businesses that have offices in São Paulo. Delta Air Lines recently acknowledged travel demand, adding flights to São Paulo in May, with LAN (www.lan.com) following suit.

If you need to be in the city's new Marginal Pinheiros business and financial district, stay at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo (www.saopaulo.grand.hyatt.com). The Sofitel São Paulo also has a great location overlooking Ibirapuera Park, with on-site tennis courts as a bonus. Enjoy the lively dining scene in this city, with dinner at D.O.M. restaurant (www.domrestaurante.com.br), famous for its award-winning Brazilian nouvelle cuisine. Make a reservation, or get ready to wait in line at Mestico (www.mestico.com.br), a local favorite that's an exciting blend of Thai and Bahian cuisine.