Accor Hotels COO Talks M&A with GBTA
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Accor Hotels COO Talks M&A with GBTA

Days before the start of GBTA Convention 2016 AccorHotels completed their acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, making newly apointed AccorHotels COO Kevin Frid a great person to talk to about one of the industry’s hottest topics – mergers and acquisitions. During a time of unprecedented consolidation in the travel industry, GBTA Executive Director and…

The Olympics and Infrastructure Development: Does it Last?
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The Olympics and Infrastructure Development: Does it Last?

All eyes will be on Rio in the coming weeks as the 2016 Summer Olympic Games get underway with the Opening Ceremonies taking place tonight. While there have been numerous reports of facilities that are either incomplete or in disrepair, the games will go on, and Brazil is hoping that the Games will help give…

Oscar Munoz Wants to Put the Heart Back into the Friendly Skies
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Oscar Munoz Wants to Put the Heart Back into the Friendly Skies

Listen to United CEO Oscar Munoz talk, and you will hear a lot about heart – how he wants United to lead with heart, how he thinks more heart needs to be incorporated into the business world today and the inevitable discussions of his heart transplant shortly after he took over the reins of one…

GBTA Week In Review
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GBTA Week In Review

With travelers and travel professionals of all stripes anticipating massive waits at the nation’s airports this summer, The Wall Street Journal reports on the TSA’s efforts to reduce wait times. Current wait times have become so long, that many passengers are missing their flights. The problem is expected to get worse as we enter the…

GBTA Kicks Off 2016 Gift of Knowledge Programs in Shanghai and Beijing
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GBTA Kicks Off 2016 Gift of Knowledge Programs in Shanghai and Beijing

First announced in 2014, The Gift of Knowledge Initiative was created to implement an innovative and comprehensive program to further develop the travel management profession in China. In 2015, more than 200 individuals were able to participate in the inaugural delivery of workshops in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen bringing travel professionals together to discuss timely…

GBTA Calls for China Business Travel Industry to Enact Policies Encouraging Travel

GBTA Calls for China Business Travel Industry to Enact Policies Encouraging Travel

In response to the expansion of the scope of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in China, GBTA issued the press release below: On 5 March 2016, China’s Premier Li Keqiang announced the expansion of the scope of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to several key sectors including hospitality to take effect from 1 May 2016….

Is The Safety of Your Business Travelers Worth 45 Minutes?

Is The Safety of Your Business Travelers Worth 45 Minutes?

Today GBTA announced the launch of a new Travel Risk Management Maturity Model (TRM3™) Self-Assessment Tool created in partnership with iJET International. Duty of care is a major component of a travel buyer’s job. Travel security risks or medical emergencies can happen anywhere and anytime in today’s world, so it is imperative for organizations to…

CBP Announces Additional Enhancements to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization

CBP Announces Additional Enhancements to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization

GBTA has been closely following developments with the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) as steps have been taken to continue to strengthen this important security program. The VWP is a critically important element in America’s efforts to protect our homeland. Since its inception in 1986, it has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with our closest…

Keeping Business Travelers Safe in an Uncertain Time
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Keeping Business Travelers Safe in an Uncertain Time

Today, GBTA released a new poll showing continued resiliency in business travel following the Paris attacks. More than 90 percent of U.S. and European business travel buyers now report that their company’s travel to and within Europe has remained largely unaffected by the Paris terrorist attacks. This shows increased levels of resiliency since the immediate…

New Survey Finds Satisfaction Significantly Higher for Business Travelers Enrolled in TSA PreCheck
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New Survey Finds Satisfaction Significantly Higher for Business Travelers Enrolled in TSA PreCheck

Navigating airport security is one of the most important parts of the modern travel process, yet, at times, it can be the most frustrating. Every day, as business travelers enter security lines at airports, their blood pressure increases as they wait in line to take off their shoes, remove their belts and place laptops in…