GBTA Statement Against US Violence Towards Asian Communities

Alexandria, Virginia (March 26, 2021), The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, condemns the recent increase in hate crimes against Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other Asian Americans in the United States. GBTA believes strongly in diversity, equity and inclusion. Actions that fly in the face of such principles and that rise to the level of open hatred, criminal violence and harassment are dangerous and absolutely unacceptable.

GBTA recently founded a global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to address issues related to ensuring fair and respectful treatment for all business travelers and professionals in our industry. The committee’s mission is to increase global awareness of the many DEI-related issues facing business travel professionals – in the workplace, travelling, attending meetings, or handling travel needs.

“Travel is a force for good. During these times, the travel eco-system also needs to come together for the greater good. It should go without saying that no one should ever be targeted because of their race, gender, disability, or sexual identity,” said DEI Committee Chair J. Grant Caplan, adding: “As business travel begins to return from the dangers created by the pandemic, we must ensure safety in all contexts, including inexcusable treatment at the hands of others.”

CONTACT:
David Leibowitz (NORAM), 602-317-1414, david@leibowitzsolo.com
Nikki Stimson (EMEA), +44(0) 7764 618199, nstimson@gbta.org

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s largest business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations across four continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.