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June 29, 2026

News to Know


Almost Right Isn't Good Enough for Travel's Agentic Future
SOURCE: PHOCUSWIRE, 6/29

There are about 14 places named Birmingham in the U.S. In the new world of travel booking using artificial intelligence (AI) a traveler conceivably could be sent to the wrong place.

The scenario was presented by Travelport CTO Andrew Jordan during a session at TravelTech Show in London last week on travel industry preparedness for agentic commerce.

 
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AVIATION

Jet Fuel Prices Are Falling Fast. Air Fares? Not So Much (CNN, 6/29)

Qatar Airways Abruptly Cancels All Airbus A380 Flights on Major Long-Haul Route [Map] (SIMPLE FLYING, 6/29)

Recall Liability on Airlines: Who Should Be Held Responsible? (AIRCRAFT INTERIORS INTERNATIONAL, 6/29)

Air India Eyes More Foreign Flights as Gulf Crisis Eases (BANGLADESH MONITOR, 6/29)

HOSPITALITY

More Buyers Plan to Use AI for Hotel RFPs, GBTA Study Finds (BUSINESS TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE, FEATURES GBTA, 6/29)

IHG Lines Up Full Saudi Rollout for Luxury and Lifestyle Hotel Brands (GULF NEWS, 6/29)

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OTHER SECTORS

BCD Survey Highlights Cost Pressure and ROI Focus in 2026 Meetings Industry (TRAVEL DAILY NEWS, 6/29)

Industry Spotlight


 

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Headed to the GBTA Convention in Chicago in August?

Travel managers are being asked to do more than ever—especially when it comes to duty of care.

At the 2026 GBTA Convention, the National Limousine Association is here to help. Visit us at Booth #3416 to learn how NLA members deliver safer, more reliable ground transportation solutions designed for today’s business travel programs.

Learn More
 

 

GBTA Annual Business Meeting
GBTA Annual Business Meeting Set for July 8 – Register Now

Join GBTA for its upcoming Annual Business Meeting* taking place virtually on July 8 at 11am ET and hosted by GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang, and Board President, Rosemary Maloney.

This annual session will provide a recap of GBTA’s financials for 2025 along with key metrics, milestones and progress spotlights. Attendees will also gain valuable insight into GBTA’s continued investments in its core mission, programs, people and advocacy efforts, as well as a look at what’s ahead for 2026 and beyond.

The meeting will also feature the results of the 2026 GBTA Board of Directors election , revealing the newly elected leaders for five open seats who will help guide the association’s strategic direction. Election voting concludes on July 7.

Register to attend live or to watch the replay after the broadcast.

 
Register Here
 

*As required by New York State law, this serves as a notification for GBTA members.

 

GBTA Convention 2026
Not Just Sessions — Solutions: What You’ll Learn Across 17 Tracks

Education at Convention isn’t about passive learning. It’s about solving real problems.

Across 15 education tracks, attendees will explore how leading organizations are tackling today’s biggest travel challenges:

  • How AI is being applied in real travel programs
  • What’s working (and failing) in technology implementation
  • How procurement strategies are evolving under pressure
  • How sustainability is reshaping supplier decisions
  • How risk and duty of care programs are being modernized

Each track is built by industry experts who understand what’s actually happening inside travel programs not just what’s trending.

The result? Sessions that are practical, relevant, and ready to implement the moment you return to your desk.

 

Explore Education Program    Register Today

 

Are you an industry expert with insights to share? We'd love to hear from you and have you contribute to this year's program. Submit a Speaker Interest Form >

Upcoming Events

GBTA Annual Business Meeting & Board Elections Results
July 8

GBTA Foundation Gala
August 2

GBTA Convention 2026
August 3 - 5

GBTA LATAM Conference 2026 | Mexico City
October 1

GBTA + VDR Europe Conference 2026 in Partnership with ABTA
November 2-4

View More Events

🌇 Who’s at your table this August?

The GBTA Foundation Gala ✨ brings together leaders, changemakers and supporters of the business travel industry for an evening of connection, recognition and impact.

For companies, it’s an opportunity to host clients, bring teams together and align your brand with the future of business travel. Companies already attending include Avis Budget Group, American Airlines, Hyatt, Accor, Corporate Travel Management (CTM) Group, Delta Business, and Direct Travel.

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GBTA Community+
View the Meetings and Events Toolkit on Community+

Meetings and events are a core part of business travel. GBTA's Meetings and Events Toolkit provides practical templates and resources to help organizations source, plan, and execute events of any size or type, including an RFP module and guidance for selecting the right hotels and venues.

The toolkit includes nine modules, with the first three available to everyone and the remaining six exclusively for GBTA members.

View the Toolkit >

Not a member? Join GBTA to unlock the full toolkit and access exclusive member resources in Community+.
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