Check-In with Suzanne

Charting the Course in Sustainable Corporate Travel Procurement Begins Here

Today I’m dedicating my column to a topic important to our industry and, more broadly, our planet. Only five months ago, GBTA and the GBTA Foundation, in collaboration with the Sustainability Committee, marked a significant step forward with the launch of our Sustainable Procurement Standards. This initiative – and the extensive set of People + Planet assessment questions that it provides – is designed to equip corporate travel buyers with needed tools to begin their journey in making informed, sustainable procurement decisions.

This effort has generated both excitement and learnings. We’re witnessing a growing recognition of the urgency for sustainable practices within our industry. Already one-third of travel buyers are now selecting suppliers who align with their sustainability goals, as GBTA research shows.

However, suppliers have been grappling with a barrage of sustainability questions, often presented in various formats and without clear guidance on how the information will be used. This overwhelming process is diverting valuable resources away from executing other supply-side sustainability initiatives.

Working with both buyers and suppliers, these open-source Sustainable Procurement Standards are now available for aviation and accommodation. By providing standardized language to the industry, we aim to streamline the procurement process for both sides and enable more efficient data collection and more productive conversations.

Over the past weeks, we’ve seen buyers and suppliers already using the new Standards. But while the questions are relatively easy to adopt in the aviation sector, the accommodations industry faces unique hurdles.

The sheer volume of hotel RFPs processed annually has long necessitated technological support. While the Standards will be integrated into the GBTA RFP catalog next year, the broader industry platforms will require time to adapt. This transitional period presents both opportunities and challenges for buyers, suppliers and RFP technology providers.

Here are just a few ways our industry can navigate this complex landscape:

• Travel buyers: exercise flexibility as hotels and RFP tech platforms work to implement the Standards; consider including the sustainability questions as optional to support the industry’s transition.
• Hoteliers: transparent communication about your sustainability journey and timeline for compliance with the Standards is essential.
• Technology providers: invest in platform enhancements that incorporate the Sustainable Procurement Standards to empower buyers and suppliers to work more efficiently and effectively.

Together, we can overcome the initial hurdles and build a more sustainable future for business travel and have a positive impact on our planet.

Suzanne

Industry Spotlight

GBTA Webinar
Join Us to Explore the Future of Traveller ID! – Webinar

Tomorrow, August 28
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CET

Our webinar aims to enlighten attendees on the current advancements and future potential of the Traveller ID, a revolutionary concept designed to streamline travel processes. By integrating documents, identities, payments, bookings, and invoices into a single wallet, this technology promises significant benefits for business travelers and their employers.

Brought to you by the Europe Technology Committee.

GBTA WINiT
Join GBTA WINiT in New York for the Annual Summit & Gala

It’s official – our WINiT program is coming to New York for two exciting events, October 24, 2024:

GBTA WINiT Summit | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET
The WINiT Summit is more than just an event—it's a movement to positively transform the careers and lives of women in global business travel. Join colleagues from various industry verticals and immerse yourself in the full spectrum of value the WINiT program offers. Learn more and register!

GBTA WINiT Gala | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM ET
Celebrate excellence at the WINiT Gala, where we'll announce the winners of the 2024 WINiT Awards! View details. (Note that registration for the Gala is separate from the Summit.)

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