Check in with Suzanne

Hello everyone –

 

Nothing is more important in our industry than restarting business travel safely on an international basis.

So, with the G7 face to face meeting concluding last weekend, I wanted to let you know of GBTA’s active pursuit these past several days to strongly encourage these and other EU governments to (a) open borders for business travelers who pose little risk and (b) coordinate efforts on eased border crossing criteria and recognition thereof by their authorities.

• In advance of the G7 meeting last week we continued outreach to Member States and issued a call to action to government leaders. You can view the statement here.
• Last week we were joined by Lotten Fowler of the Swedish Business Travel Association in a meeting with a Swedish EU attaché to present our position on the EU Digital Covid Certificate implementation and the easing of restrictions for vaccinated individuals to enter the EU. We gathered insights about next steps and a timeline for implementation of the covid certificate within Sweden and other EU member states. Click here to learn more.

And after the G7 meeting we have been very pleased to see that the G7 did indeed take a position on our industry’s push – recognizing the importance of international travel and adding, “We recognize that this will need a set of common standards for travel including interoperability and mutual recognition of digital applications, testing requirements, recognition of vaccination status including exemptions and comparable criteria for when responsive measures may be required.” Click here to read the full communiqué.

And while our association goes through our very important governance cycle of board of director elections in the coming weeks, it’s important to remember that we – the staff and volunteers –  serve you, our GBTA members, and industry ecosystem players. We will continue to work to lift up this important industry for major world policy makers to make it the vibrant and economic driver it was pre-pandemic.

 

News to Know

U.S. and U.K. Take Steps in the Right Direction: Ahead of last weekend’s G7 Summit, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new joint working group to develop recommendations for opening up travel between the two countries.

CEOs Call for Transatlantic Air Travel Reopening: In their joint call to re-open, the CEOs of the five carriers that offer U.K.-U.S. passenger service cited the costs of the restrictions to both country’s economies and also called on the U.K. to add the U.S. to the country’s green list.

U.K. Travel “Day of Action” Called for June 23: Travel industry groups will use the day of action to put pressure on the U.K. government to support a safe return to international travel, in advance of the June 28 date when the government is expected to decide on the next steps for international travel.

Canada Takes a Step in the Right Direction: The Canadian government announced that beginning in July, fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents crossing the border into Canada will no longer be required to stay at a hotel for part of their quarantine period. Travelers will still have to show a negative pre-departure test, take a COVID-19 test upon arriving in Canada, and self-isolate until their most recent test result comes back negative.

Call to Action in Canada: The Tourism Industry Association of Canada has launched a new campaign – #OpenTheBorder – pressuring the government to start reopening the border between Canada and the U.S. GBTA Canada members are encouraged to write your Member of Parliament to tell them to do their part to safely reopen the Canada-U.S. border.

 

GBTA News & Reminders

GBTA Board of Elections are underway beginning June 21! If you’re a member, watch for your election ballot from our independent 3^rd party Election Services. And if your membership has lapsed – there’s never been a better time to renew – to make your vote count! Click here to read up on the active slate of candidates.

GBTA Europe Town Hall Is this Thursday: Join this important meeting where the main topic will be “Information Challenges During the Covid Era.” You can register here.

Save the Date – GBTA Annual Business Meeting & Mid-Year Virtual Summit on July 20: Registration will launch this week for this important virtual session where you’ll hear an update on GBTA, learn the results of the board of directors’ election and participate in relevant and timely education sessions.

GBTA LATAM Advisory Board Welcomes New Members: Join me in welcoming the seven new members who will all serve through 2023! This recently appointed board is part of GBTA’s objective to re-engage with the LATAM region and address region-specific challenges.

As more and more travelers take to the skies, rail, rental cars and hotels this summer, GBTA will continue to advocate forcefully on your behalf to ensure business travel rebounds quickly and safely.

 

Suzanne