GBTA Poll Shows Vast Majority of Companies Have Effective Risk Management Plans

Alexandria, VA (March 31, 2016) – More than 72 percent of global travel buyers report that their company has a risk management plan in place, according to a poll conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and its European partner associations. In addition 81 percent found their company’s risk management plan to be effective directly following the terror attacks in Brussels.

“Risk is a part of doing business and in the past year we have seen duty of care rise to the forefront as the number one issue for our members, so it is not surprising to see so many have risk management plans in place,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “Still, with 28 percent reporting their company either doesn’t have a risk management plan in place or they are unsure if there is one and 13 percent who found their plans ineffective after the Brussels attacks there is clearly still work to do. While 80 percent would normally be seen as a great success rate, when lives are at stake, we need to do better. GBTA will continue to work with members and provide resources around risk management.”

In addition, the poll revealed 90 percent of travel buyers said their company’s travel within Europe would see no change, or would only be slightly or moderately limited.

“We live in a global economy and even when faced with terror, we cannot live in fear,” McCormick continued. “Businesses still need to do business and people will still need to travel, so it is imperative to plan, prepare and stay informed so that your business can make prudent decisions about its travel program.”

Methodology: This survey was conducted online from March 23-28, 2016. In total, 301 participated in the survey, spanning 10 countries in Europe and the United States.

CONTACT: Colleen Gallagher, +1 703-236-1133, cgallagher@gbta.org

About the GBTA Foundation
The GBTA Foundation is the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. Collectively, GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its growing network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts with world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media. The Foundation was established in 1997 to support GBTA’s members and the industry as a whole. As the leading education and research foundation in the business travel industry, the GBTA Foundation seeks to fund initiatives to advance the business travel profession. The GBTA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, see gbta.org and gbta.org/foundation.