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Check-In with Suzanne
Travel, Tariffs and Transformation: Steering Through Industry Shifts
Recent US government actions ─ such as tariffs, cross-border policies and entry restrictions ─ have surged to the forefront, bringing emerging realities that most industries find themselves now navigating. What might be the impact on global business travel?
Our latest GBTA poll reveals the outlook as a result of these actions from over 900 industry professionals. This includes a fair percentage of global buyers, suppliers and intermediaries who are anticipating declines ahead for business travel volume, spending and revenue, as well as overall signs of waning optimism for 2025.
Analyzing the poll data, we can also see differences across regions. For example, results show a lower percentage of EMEA buyers expect a decrease in spending compared to North America and Canada. A higher percentage of APAC buyers are optimistic about the industry for 2025 compared to North America and Europe. And Canadian travel professionals are the most likely to personally know someone who has had been affected by US policy changes.
Spending time in Europe over recent weeks, I’ve gained a broader regional perspective on these fast-changing developments. I look forward to ongoing industry conversations on this evolving topic especially at our upcoming conferences in Canada and Asia Pacific. Please reach out if you have insights you’d like to share with me.
In the near term, some long-awaited changes are happening for US travel. On May 7, TSA’s REAL ID program starts its phased rollout, designed to enhance security by improving identification reliability. Understanding the requirements will be essential. For US domestic travel after May 7, passports will remain compliant forms of identification, but some US driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs may not be. I urge you to attend GBTA’s May 5th webinar for comprehensive information on REAL ID compliance for US domestic travelers.
Further away, changes in travel to Europe are on the horizon. It’s not too early to start understanding the new ETIAS rules that begin in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS is a travel authorization linked to a traveler’s passport and will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of the 30 European countries. Follow all the developments via the official ETIAS website to stay informed.
Finally there’s an immediate opportunity for you to make a difference in the global business travel community by raising your hand to run for the GBTA Board of Directors. Several seats are open ─ and I have some late-breaking news. A Direct Member at-Large seat opened up last week due to a resignation, so we have extended the deadline to May 9th to accept nominations. If you’re an active member, consider nominating a peer (with their permission) or yourself. Members should look for your personalized email link from “Election Services” and contact gbtahelp@electionsservicescorp.com if you have any questions.
Even with any challenges ahead, the outlook and value of global business travel remain strong. As the landscape changes, staying informed and engaged will be crucial for us to shape our industry’s future together.
Suzanne
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