Check-In with Suzanne

Not every professional can say they are also the target audience for the work they do. As business travel industry professionals, we can—we are frequently travel for business ourselves.  

As I head out on my next international business trips, I’ve personally been feeling the impact of GBTA’s advocacy efforts. It’s a great relief not to be concerned about if I’ll be able to get back home, thanks to the elimination of the COVID-19 testing requirement for U.S. inbound travelers. Less restriction opens up precious and productive space in our minds and work schedules: less worrying about travel barriers and more focus on doing business. I would love to hear if the lifting of the requirement has affected how you travel for business now.   

GBTA continues to be active and vocal on behalf of our members and industry in important areas, including our collective journey toward a greener future for business travel. GBTA filed comments last week on climate disclosure rules proposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, putting a spotlight on Scope 3 emissions and traveling for business. 

It’s also that time when all roads in business travel are leading to the GBTA Convention, August 14-17, in San Diego. It’s hard to believe in less than eight weeks we’ll be together again for the most important gathering of the global business travel industry. Have you visited the Convention website lately? Every day we’re adding new Main Stage features and speakers, education sessions spanning 12 industry-relevant tracks, and a lot more.  

So get your teams together and your registrations in – the best attendee rate available right now ends today. Plan to arrive early on Sunday, August 14, to take advantage of attending the WINiT by GBTA Summit and spending time at GBTA’s first-ever Sustainability Pavilion (More details to come!) 

During the event, we’ll deliver the fundamental offerings you look forward to every year, but I promise GBTA Convention 2022 will look different, sound different, and be different, with some surprises in store.  The world keeps evolving and so does GBTA. 

Already registered for Convention? Spread the (social) word #GBTA2022. We can’t (Re)Connect, (Re)Imagine or (Re)Create the future of business travel without YOU. 

Suzanne 

 

News to Know:

Airline industry cuts losses as travel demand returns

The airline industry is set to reduce its overall global losses to $9.7 billion this year, although some regions such as North America may return to profit during 2022. The latest industry outlook by airline association IATA said that the sector’s predicted loss in 2022 would be a “huge improvement” on the losses of $137.7 billion in 2020 and $42.1 billion in 2021 when services were heavily curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Summer hotel rates and occupancy to outpace 2019

So far in June, July and August, global hotel occupancy is about 1 per cent below 2019 levels, but Amadeus noted that, lest any corporate travel buyers think that presents an opportunity for lower rates, the numbers are likely to improve as the summer rolls on. Amadeus data shows that more than half of trips globally are being booked within a week of travel. Bookings within the seven-day window account for 33 per cent of bookings in France, 35 per cent in Germany, 36 per cent in Spain, 39 per cent in the UK and 55 per cent in the US, according to the data.

House passes bill to fund electric air taxi infrastructure

A bill passed by the House of Representatives would seed development of electric air taxi infrastructure such as vertiports, electric charging and fueling stations, and connectivity to existing transportation hubs. The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act would create a two-year, $25 million pilot grant program, with funds awarded to state, local and tribal governments. The measure passed the House by a vote of 338 to 73.

Vaccine mandate for domestic travel within Canada ends today

Canadians no longer have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to board domestic flights and trains or outbound flights abroad starting Monday, June 20. The relaxed rules are part of a raft of measures announced by the federal government earlier this month, in response to the travel sector complaining of long waits and flight delays at airports.Ottawa is also ending a requirement that all federally-regulated transportation sector employers institute a mandatory vaccination policy, and they say they will no longer require a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy in all federally-regulated sectors outside of transportation, such as telecommunications and banking

GBTA News and Reminders:

GBTA Canada Direct Talk

Join GBTA Canada on June 22nd at 2 PM EST for the return of the Direct Talks. These talks are focused on providing Canadian buyers with an open exchange of ideas and understanding of market dynamics.

Ground transportation, meals, and business travel hot topics: Results from GBTA & Uber for Business joint research

Join GBTA and Uber for Business on Thursday, June 23 at 2pm ET for an interactive session where we discuss results from our first joint business travel ground transportation report, which include, the role of rideshare platforms in travel programs, how sustainability is addressed in travel programs, and dining options for business travelers when on the road. Also, hear firsthand from a travel manager about the value of a managed ground transportation program, and end the day with a rooftop cocktail hour including a hosted bar and passed appetizers.