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GBTA Board Spotlight: Once Upon a Time in a Small Country Up North…

In this feature series, GBTA’s Board of Directors share their views on topics that matter most to members, the industry, and the way forward for business travel. Today’s guest author is GBTA Board member, Jens Liltorp.   Maybe the headline caught your attention? Hopefully, as this was my intention. I’ll reveal why a bit later in my…

Preparing for the new world of airline retailing

Changes in airline distribution mean that corporate travel managers may soon no longer have access to the same fares and products as they are accustomed through their traditional channels. What this means to individual corporates will depend on which airline, TMC and OBT they are using. In this podcast three travel buyers will discuss how…

Reaching the ‘Finish” Line: A Recap of the 2023 Hotel Sourcing Season

In the second installment of the GBTA Accommodation Committee’s Sourcing Podcast Series, Lukasz Dabrowski (HRS), Pauline Robin (RoomIt by CWT), David Mollov (TRIPBAM), and Steven Van Overmeiren (Baker McKenzie) discuss post sourcing season insights, how the RFP season compared with forecasts, as well as high level-strategies utilized. Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod…

Travel Managers Weigh In on Business Travel’s Outlook for 2023

New report from GBTA and Spotnana reveals travel manager sentiment on post-pandemic recovery, changing priorities, economic risks, and balancing cost savings and the traveler experience Alexandria, VA and New York City (March 16, 2023) – A majority of U.S. corporate travel buyers expect their company’s business travel to ramp up and return to pre-pandemic levels by the…

What is GBTA Ladders? Mentorship, Education and Industry Networking for You!

Are you looking to join a top-talent community of the industry’s rising stars and senior leaders, and to enhance your personal and professional career development? On this podcast, you’ll hear from the Season 9 leadership team as they talk all things GBTA Ladders – from the program’s key pillars of mentorship, networking and education, to…

On The Road to Connect, Learn and Be Inspired

Traveling for business is all about connecting − and this is a marathon month for me on behalf of GBTA and our constituents. I kicked off last week in Marbella, Spain, with a keynote presentation at the Lufthansa City Center General Assembly, marking LCC’s first international in-person annual conference in 40 months. It was energizing…

Eventi, meeting e congressi: trend e sfide della ripresa / Events, meetings and congresses: trends and challenges of the recovery

La seconda parte del 2022 ha visto la riscoperta degli eventi fisici come momenti indispensabili di condivisione, formazione, business e networking. I trend che oggi connotano il comparto hanno le radici proprio nella ripartenza dell’anno scorso a cui si aggiungono nuove sfide. Quali sono le opportunità da cogliere nel 2023? Perché gli eventi sono da…

GBTA Commends Biden Administration’s $1 Billion Grant Release to Boost Air Travel Improvements and Passenger Experience 

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, applauds the Biden Administration’s release of $1 billion USD in grants to fund critically needed projects that facilitate air travel, increased travel demand, and an enhanced passenger experience.   This funding, a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress…

Driving climate action in business travel: GBTA Sustainability plans for 2023

GBTA’s Sustainability Initiative – a program managed by the GBTA Foundation – focuses on driving climate action to create a future where global business travel can be done with a net positive impact on the planet and its people. As we move into 2023, GBTA Vice President, Mark Cuschieri, sits down with Jenny Sabineu, Chair…

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GBTA Forecast Expects Key Business Markets in Europe Will Fully Recover in 2026

Europe makes up lost ground and is anticipated to be the fastest growing business travel market in 2023 London, UK (22 February 2023) – The business travel industry in Europe continues its progress towards full recovery to its pre-pandemic spending levels of USD $392 billion, but the divergent recovery in business travel continues across the region.  Europe’s…

Advocacy’s Critical Role in Driving the Advancement of Business Travel

When it comes to GBTA’s advocacy for global business travel, it’s a year-round mission. In 2022, GBTA’s initiatives ranged from advocating for lifting border restrictions and testing protocols as the pandemic leveled off, to expanding sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, to advancing critical budgeting and resourcing provisions in legislative bills. Our efforts were geared towards…

Business Travel Trends Driving the Future of Spend Management

Clive Cornelius, Head of Travel Segment at Visa Business Solutions Europe and Peter van Spaandonk Head of Sales Europe at Yokoy discuss one of the hot topics in our industry, managing business travel expenses. With the current economic uncertainty, travel buyers are looking for ways to effectively manage employee travel expenses. Clive and Peter share…

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GBTA WINiT Elects New Advisory Leaders, Launches International Women’s Day Event 

International Women’s Day on March 8 is a “global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.” Mark your calendar to join GBTA WINiT for a live virtual event: “Celebrating our Voices on International Women’s Day. A Day to #EmbraceEquity” (register…

What The Industry Expects Next: Insights from the GBTA Q1 2023 Business Travel Outlook Poll

The GBTA Research Team − Chris Ely, Research Director, and Mark Sharoff, Research Manager – provide more insights and analysis around the GBTA’s Q1 2023 Business Travel Outlook Poll in a sit-down interview with Debbie Iannaci, head of Communications, Public Relations and Research at GBTA. Based on poll data collected across global travel buyers, suppliers…

GBTA Global Risk Committee Releases Updated People Risk Management / Travel Risk Management RFP Guide

With the start of the new year, many organizations are reassessing their current contracts and existing RFPs, especially with the rapid changes in business travel and meeting environments. Looking at how organizations best mitigate and respond to risk for their employees and those who travel and attend meetings/events should also be added to this list…

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Global Business Travel Forecast 2023: Bookings, Spending and Optimism on the Upswing, GBTA Poll Shows

New research points to continued industry recovery, easing of supplier staffing constraints, and mixed outlook on China travel Global business travel is forecast to see an uptick in 2023 versus 2022. Companies are expected to send more employees on trips and travel suppliers anticipate an increase in corporate travel spending. Sectors such as finance, insurance,…

The Politics of Travel: How Congress Shapes the Recovery and Outlook of the U.S. Rental Car Market

In this podcast episode, GBTA Vice President of Government Relations, Shane Downey, talks with Gordon Reel, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs from Enterprise Holdings, to learn more about the post-pandemic recovery and forecast for the U.S. rental car market as well as legislative issues of interest in the new 118th Congress. Reel also shares his expertise…

Tech Safari Series: Coupa Brings End-to-End T&E Management Built to Scale

The GBTA Tech Committee brings you the podcast version of the Tech Safari Series which showcases new technologies launching cutting-edge solutions in business travel. In this episode, Katie Virtue, GBTA Tech Committee Member talks with Devon Tivona from Coupa to learn more about the company and its technology first approach to T&E Management. Devon is…

Check-In with Suzanne: Resolutions for a New Year in Global Business Travel

It’s with optimism for what’s ahead that I pen this first Check-In for 2023. While many business travel-related activities wound down over the holidays, the travel industry did not. Ours is an industry that never sleeps, and many professionals worked to serve millions of travelers and trips around the world over the end-of-year holidays. Connecting…

Tech Safari Series: Snowfall Offers an Ecosystem to Business Travel

The GBTA Tech Committee brings you the podcast version of the Tech Safari Series which showcases new technologies launching cutting-edge solutions in business travel. In this episode, Katie Virtue, GBTA Tech Committee Member talks with Ron Glickman from Snowfall to learn more about the company and it’s new ecosystem offering to the business travel industry….

Risk Predictions for 2023

As we move from 2022 into the new year, it is important to evaluate the ever-changing travel and risk landscape.  We should focus on developing solid processes to protect our companies and employees from the potential dangers both while traveling and in our normal business activities. Over the past couple of years, we have seen…

Incorporating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into your Meetings & Events

Diversity is a fact and being more inclusive is becoming a necessity in order to fully engage today’s workforce and creating inclusive spaces for your meeting and event attendees is equally as important as when they are back in their regular workspaces.  Our podcast will discuss why it’s important, how to get started and provide…

A Special 100th Podcast: the GBTA Foundation and Creating a Better Future for People and Planet

The GBTA Foundation, the charitable arm and outgrowth of GBTA’s overall mission, was relaunched by the association in July 2022 to create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet. As GBTA marks and celebrates the 100th episode of its “Business of Travel” podcast, GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang sits down with Delphine…

Industry collaborates to solve talent crisis across business travel industry during GBTA Europe Conference

The Big Idea reports on industry findings Brussels (5 December 2022) – Representatives from all areas of the business travel eco- system gathered at the GBTA Europe Conference in Brussels in November during The Big Idea session, sponsored by BCD Travel. The travel management company developed the theme for the session “Travel and The Law…

The Dawn of the Employee-Centric Travel Program

Based on a recent GBTA study, sponsored by Deem, travel managers are challenged with understanding and providing technology solutions for accessible travel. Almost a third of travel managers say their corporate booking tool does a poor job accommodating these travelers and two-thirds say their company does not have clearly defined processes or resources for accessible…

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GBTA Applauds New Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the voice of the global business travel industry, welcomes the adoption of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to create new, detailed sustainability reporting requirements and significantly expand the number of European and non-European companies subject to the European sustainability reporting framework. The CSRD will replace the existing…

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Reflections from Brussels: Community, Learning, Advocacy and Action for Business Travel’s Future

Last week hundreds of stakeholders from the global industry gathered in Brussels for a pair of back-to-back GBTA events – the Sustainability Summit and the Europe Conference with VDR – as together we continue to set the agenda and create the platform for the many voices within our sector.  The GBTA Sustainability Summit centered around…

ESG Efforts and Innovations for Business Travel’s Greener Future

Sustainability is emerging as a major driver in the evolution of business travel and that definitely includes in the hotel space. Jean Garris Hand, Vice President, Global ESG, Hilton sat down with Debbie Iannaci, head of GBTA Communications and Research during the 2022 GBTA Convention to provide insights on how sustainability is shaping business travel,…

Many Voices, One Purpose – Business Travel Industry Unites for GBTA Europe Conference 2022 in Partnership with VDR

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – and German business travel buyer association, VDR – wrapped up their eighth successful joint regional conference in Europe this week. Hosted at the Square – Brussels Convention Centre, 8-10 November, the event brought together more than 800 attendees from 22 countries for insights,…

FCM EXPANDS EUROPEAN FOOTPRINT INTO SPAIN 

Barcelona office opens to support growing  business travel needs of clients and prospects  10 November, 2022 – Global travel management company FCM today announced it is boosting its service capabilities across Spain through the opening of a new FCM ownedand-operated Barcelona office staffed by a dedicated team of expert consultants.  Previously assisted by local agency…

TripStax warns against rush to implement new tech to fix human talent challenges in 2023

More start-up tech companies will enter the business travel sector in 2023 with innovative solutions for automating pockets of the business travel industry predicts TripStax (www.tripstax.com). However, TMCs should not rush to adopt new tech merely to solve human resourcing challenges, TripStax warns, as hasty decisions could lead to another level of chaos in terms…

TRIPBAM Contract Audit for Air and Hotel Identifies

Thousands in Lost Savings for Clients   BRUSSELS, 10 November 2022 — TRIPBAM, the global provider of air and hotel rate reshopping, auditing, benchmarking and sourcing, today shared new client data in which its TRIPBAM Contract Audit solution for air and hotel identified hundreds of thousands in lost savings from a handful of global corporates.  The…

Direct ATPI introduces Microsoft Teams technology integration to supercharge client experience 

The traveller persona-based technology will consolidate everything a traveller requires for a seamless journey. 11th November 2022 – Dominant provider of corporate travel solutions Direct ATPI has partnered with Microsoft to empower the tech-savvy traveller. This innovation will allow clients to view, plan, book and discuss business trips all on Microsoft Teams. From downloading an…

Employees across Europe concerned about delayed expense reimbursements   

Thursday 10, November – A new SAP Concur study has found that over half (58%) of employees across Europe are concerned about the impact of delayed expense reimbursements on their personal finances. The “Expense Management in Times of Inflation: How to Improve Employee Experience” report takes a closer look at the topic of inflation and…