Week in Review
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Week in Review

Marriott International and Starwood have completed a $13 billion merger as of today, Buying Business Travel reports, making the new hotel company the owner of 30 hotel brands. Skift notes Marriott International is now the world’s largest hotel operator and plans to prioritize combining the Marriott and Starwood loyalty programs. According to Skift, Google has announced…

Video: CWT CEO Talks Technology and Pace of Change
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Video: CWT CEO Talks Technology and Pace of Change

Recently the GBTA Foundation, in partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and the Carlson Family Foundation, released new research showing almost 7 in 10 (69 percent) travel professionals indicate their travel program does not have a mobile strategy in place. Given today’s increasingly mobile world, this isn’t likely to last. Travel professionals agreed, as almost…

Potential Return of Long Security Lines Loom Large If Changes Aren’t Made
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Potential Return of Long Security Lines Loom Large If Changes Aren’t Made

This spring as the busy summer travel season approached, long security lines at airports were becoming a serious issue. People were being asked to arrive at the airport earlier and earlier as wait times continued to swell. An influx of funding, collaboration between TSA with airports and airlines and increased enrollment in TSA PreCheck helped…

Average Compensation for U.S. Travel Buyers Gets Moderate Year-Over-Year Bump

Average Compensation for U.S. Travel Buyers Gets Moderate Year-Over-Year Bump

Average compensation for U.S. travel buyers saw a moderate 1.8 percent year-over-year increase in 2016 reaching $114,000, according to an annual study released today by the GBTA Foundation. Despite only a modest increase, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of travel buyers are satisfied with their compensation, while only 8 percent are dissatisfied – in line with…

Taking Travel Risk Management to the Next Level
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Taking Travel Risk Management to the Next Level

With the frequency and severity of global terror and health threats increasing, safety and security have become the number one concern for companies across the globe. From the Istanbul airport terrorist attack earlier this summer to the outbreak of Zika, mitigating risk for business travelers has never been more crucial. To assist companies in ensuring…

Aerolineas Argentinas President Isela Costantini to Deliver Keynote Address at GBTA Conference Tuesday in Buenos Aires
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Aerolineas Argentinas President Isela Costantini to Deliver Keynote Address at GBTA Conference Tuesday in Buenos Aires

GBTA Conference 2016 Buenos Aires gets underway this evening, and tomorrow conference attendees will hear from featured speaker Isela Costantini, president of the Aerolineas Argentinas Group. Having previously worked for General Motors, Isela took the reins of Aerolineas Argentinas, Argentina’s largest airline, in January of this year. During GBTA Convention this summer, we were able…

Setting a Clear Mobile Travel Strategy

Setting a Clear Mobile Travel Strategy

Download our new app, follow us on social, subscribe for the latest updates, and don’t forget to turn on your push notifications! With so many ways to get connected, mobile is becoming increasingly relevant in the corporate space, and travel professionals are beginning to assess their mobile travel strategies, or lack thereof. To educate organizations…

How the Sharing Economy is Changing Travel Policies
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How the Sharing Economy is Changing Travel Policies

There is no doubt that the sharing economy – particularly the rise in ride sharing and home sharing services – are changing the face of travel. The recent GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index™ Global Report, in partnership with American Express, finds that beyond consumer travel, many business travelers and corporate travel policies are addressing the…

What Do Shake Shack and Delta Air Lines Have in Common?
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What Do Shake Shack and Delta Air Lines Have in Common?

This Sunday is National Cheeseburger Day. What exactly does this have to do with one of the major U.S. airlines though? Today, Delta announced it will be serving Shake Shack burgers to its Delta One business class customers flying from JFK to LAX on Sunday in honor of National Cheeseburger Day. In addition, all flyers…

To Sit Back and Relax or Sit Back and Work During a Flight?
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To Sit Back and Relax or Sit Back and Work During a Flight?

Once upon a time, people would dress up before getting on an airplane. On board, flight attendants would serve complimentary meals with real silverware. Playing cards would be handed out to passengers to help pass the time. While much has changed since then – gone are the meals, the silverware, and the dress clothes –…