April 29, 2025

News to Know

Middle East Business Travel Spending to Grow 6.1 Percent in 2025
(SOURCE: ECONOMY MIDDLE EAST, GBTA FEATURED)

Current trends in business travel spending, shifting global economic conditions and the increasing impact of regional economic strategies have emerged as significant forces shaping the future of business travel in the Middle East.

Experts gathered at the new Business Events Stage during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, part of the newly launched IBTM@ATM Zone, to discuss how regional business travel spending is adapting in response to these global shifts and to explore the financial outlook driving strategic developments across the sector.

AVIATION

American Airlines Ends JetBlue talks, Sues Over Collapsed Alliance (REUTERS)

Virgin Atlantic Cancels Tel Aviv Service (THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE)

Chinese Airlines and Boeing Severely Hit by Tariffs, Beijing Says (REUTERS)

Transatlantic Air Travel Hits a Major Slump With Crushing Economic Slowdowns, Dramatic Fall In Business Travel, and Political Instability (TRAVEL AND TOUR WORLD)

HOSPITALITY

Marriott Has Acquired citizenM Hotels (HOSPITALITY TODAY)

Omni Hotels Launches New Business Travel Program (HOTEL MANAGEMENT)

OTHER SECTORS

Power Cut Continues to Disrupt Travel in Spain and Portugal (BTN EUROPE)

OpenAI Is Building a Social Network (THE VERGE)

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Committees
Meet the GBTA Committees

On Friday, May 16 at 2:00 PM GMT/10:00 AM EST, join GBTA to Meet the Committees. During this call you will learn about the GBTA Committees including upcoming projects and how you, as a GBTA Member, can become involved!

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Colombia - Sporadic protests, clashes possible in Bogota, Colombia, through at least May 1. Transport and business disruptions likely.

Portugal and Spain - Power largely restored across Spain and Portugal early April 29. Air and rail transport, communications disruptions persist.

United Kingdom - Emergency crews responding to electricity substation fire in St John's Wood, London, UK, early April 29. Evacuations, disruptions reported.

Western, Central, and Southern Europe - Unionized workers and activist organizations plan demonstrations across Europe, May 1, to mark Labor Day. Localized disruptions likely.

More Information

Upcoming Events

[Webinar] TSA REAL ID Enforcement Date - May 7, 2025. What your travelers need to know
May 5

GBTA APAC Conference 2025 Singapore
May 27-28

GBTA Sustainability Summit 2025
June 10

GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2025
June 10 - 12

GBTA Convention 2025
July 21-23

View More Events

Live in Toronto — #GBTAToronto25 The stage is SET

We’re kicking things off with Welcome & Opening Remarks, featuring:

⭐ Mark Cuschieri, President, GBTA
⭐ Janette Acosta Sanchez, Country Director, GBTA | Canada

Incredible energy, inspiring words, and a powerful start to Canada’s leading business travel event.

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GBTA Career Spotlight

Is Your Company Hiring?

Use the GBTA Career Center to post your business travel job openings and access thousands of qualified industry professionals looking to make their next career move.

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