Daily News Brief – September 29, 2020
Time Is Running Out for Small Businesses – Congress Must Act Now
Time Is Running Out for Small Businesses – Congress Must Act Now
GBTA has joined with the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. Travel Association, International Franchise Association, along with trade associations representing wide swaths of the economy, to implore Congress to take swift action to provide additional relief to America’s small businesses.
In a letter sent to the U.S. House of Representatives, the groups urge Members to sign the discharge petition initiated by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. Acting on the discharge petition would compel the House to vote on H.R.8265, which is currently languishing in the Committee on Small Business. If passed, this legislation would amend the Small Business Act and the CARES Act to provide additional resources to businesses, including:
- Offer qualifying businesses with 300 or fewer employees per location that have also experienced a 25 percent revenue reduction, with a second draw at Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the $130 billion remaining in the available PPP program
- Require businesses to use at least 60 percent of these PPP loans on payroll
- Provide streamlined forgiveness of PPP loans of $150,000 or less
- Enable 501(c) (6) organizations to access PPP loans
Read the Full Press Release >>
Please follow this link to send a message to Congress to act on funding for airline employees and to release additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for the industry.
COVID-19 Updates
COVID Vaccine: Russia May Be the First to Announce Data from Final Trial (LIVE MINT)
COVID-19 Global Roundup: More Asian Countries See Coronavirus Cases Decline (CTGN)
More Helpful Articles/Links
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- CDC Dashboard – Updated frequently with new guidance documents and details
- COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country (CDC)
- CDC Coronavirus Information
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Overview of TSA’s “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure.” Campaign
- “Stay Healthy. Stay Secure” Video
- What to Know Before You Go
- TSA Screening Checkpoint Numbers for 2019 and 2020
- TSA’s COVID-19 Webpage
- Runway to Recovery
- TSA Prepared for Summer Travelers with Updated Security Procedures
Visa Information
GBTA Collaboratory Highlights
Register Now for Tomorrow’s GBTA Collaboratory 2020 Webinar:
Buyer Discussion: Has COVID Uncovered Gaps in Your Travel Risk Policy, Program, and Business Continuity?
Wednesday, September 30 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
The GBTA Risk Management Committee will host an open discussion about the realization of uncovered gaps in their risk management program as a result of this pandemic. Key questions will be addressed, such as “What is the organization’s, suppliers’ and traveler’s role in mitigating health and safety risks? What safeguards must be in place before putting our team back on the road? How have your policies, business relationships, and processes changed? Do you have a business contingency plan if one of your suppliers or preferred programs experiences change? Do you have a business plan for a pandemic?” Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and leave with realistic implications and coping strategies from travel disruption in a COVID-19 world.
Moderator:
Jafles Pacheco, Head of Indirect Spend Management, Oerlikon
Panelists:
- Cathy Rigby, Program Manager, Travel Risk and Safety, CFA Institute
- Julia Keim, Procurement Manager – Corporate Travel & Expense, CLEAResult®
- Jan Uecker, Global Travel Manager, UL LLC
Industry Spotlight
GBTA Europe Accommodations Committee in Conversation
Thursday, October 8, 2020 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM BST
Join the GBTA Europe Accommodations Committee as they discuss how both buyers and suppliers are reacting to the current pandemic and planning for the future to meet corporate accommodation requirements. What are the challenges; how are they keeping travelers safe; what changes do they anticipate in terms of stays and what is the outlook for the accommodations sector?
Moderator:
Samantha Van Leeuwen, Head of Hotels & Venues, PwC
Panelists:
- Juliet Howie, Global Head of Enterprise Sales, BridgeStreet
- Alex Ryll, Director of Global Corporate Sales, Pegasus & travel Tripper
- Emma Lamb, Global Security Travel Safety Co-ordinator, Milestone @ Facebook
Job Board
EMEA Travel Operations Manager
Spain
EMEA Travel Operations Manager will drive the travel program, including change management, employee education on travel policy content and communications of the impact of non-compliance to the relevant stakeholders in the organization (budget holders, finance department and the governance board).
Trending Industry News
Aviation Industry News
Airports Compete for Worried Flyers with On-Site COVID-19 Testing, TSA Appointments, Cleaning Robots (USA TODAY)
Singapore Airlines Opens a Restaurant in an Airbus A380 (EXECUTIVE TRAVELLER)
Japanese Airline JAL to Use Gender-Neutral Passenger Greetings (CNN)
How Airlines Can Restore Trust in Long-Haul Flying (SIMPLE FLYING)
Another U.S. Airline Will Offer COVID-19 Testing to Customers (BOSTON.COM)
Hospitality Industry News
HotStats: Profitability up in Europe, Middle East and APAC (HOTEL MANAGEMENT)
Buckle Up – 5 Ways to Accelerate Your Hotel’s Recovery (SABRE HOSPITALITY)
Ground Transportation Industry News
Localiza Takeover of Unidas Would Create Brazilian Car Rental Giant (AUTO RENTAL NEWS)
GBTA Ladders – GBTA’s prestigious mentoring program, Ladders, was developed to provide industry professionals like you with mentorship, education, and collaboration.
If you’re looking to get ahead in your travel industry career, then we’re looking for you! GBTA’s annual mentorship program is accepting applications.
More details on how it works >>
WorldAware Intelligence Brief
Australia – Disruptions Reported at Multiple Port Facilities amid Labor Dispute
Australia – Australian Capital Territory Maintaining Modified Stage 3 Restrictions
Germany – Unionized Public Transport Workers Plan Nationwide Strike
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