October 17, 2025

News to Know

When AI Starts Booking the Room
SOURCE: HOSPITALITY TODAY, 10/17

The idea of agentic commerce is straightforward but profound: intelligent agents that act on behalf of travelers, not just answer their questions.

A traveler might soon ask, “Book me a four-night stay in Lisbon at a small design hotel with vegetarian breakfast options.” The assistant could then research, compare, select, and book — all without human hand-offs. This represents the next phase of digital travel.

AVIATION

49 Airlines: Which Carrier Dominates the Transatlantic Air Market? (SIMPLE FLYING, 10/17)

Non-EU Passengers Face Three-Hour Queues at European Capital Airport Due to New Entry-Exit System (DAILY MAIL, 10/16)

Delta Air Lines on Measured NDC, AI Approach (PHOCUSWIRE, 10/17)

Spirit Airlines Layoffs in Motion: US Airline Operator to Furlough 365 Pilots; Move to Cut $100 Million in Pilot Cost (TIMES OF INDIA, 10/17)

SUSTAINABILITY

Singapore’s Holiday Inn Express Sets Benchmark as IHG Low Carbon Pioneer (TTG ASIA, 10/17)

OTHER SECTORS

The Next Travel Influencer Isn’t a Person, It’s a Conversation (4HOTELIERS, 10/17)

The Top Cities for Business Travel in Europe (BIZ COMMUNITY, 10/17)

Business Travel Emissions: Still Under the Radar in Corporate Climate Reports (TRAVELLING FOR BUSINESS, 10/17)

Industry Spotlight

GBTA APAC
Registration is Open for GBTA APAC Conference 2026 | Singapore

APAC’s Largest Business Travel Conference

📣 It’s official: registration is open for GBTA APAC Conference 2026, coming to the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Singapore on May 12-13, 2026!

This premier event will bring together 1,000+ global business travel and mobility professionals to connect, learn, and shape the future of business travel in Asia Pacific.

GBTA APAC Conference 2026 will once again be co-located with WERC APAC 26, marking a fourth successful year of collaboration. This powerful intersection of business travel and workforce mobility maximizes learning and networking value for all attendees.

Early Bird Rates Available Now

Learn More

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

China - Elevated chikungunya activity reported in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, in October. Avoid mosquito bites.

Ecuador - Protests likely to continue in several parts of Ecuador through at least late October; increased security likely. Avoid all gatherings.

New Zealand - Adverse weather forecast over southern New Zealand through early Oct. 19. Flooding and associated disruptions possible.

United Kingdom - Fuel tanker drivers to stage strike, potentially disrupting flights at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, UK, 02:45 Oct. 17-23:59 Oct. 21.

More Information

Upcoming Events

Navigating New Horizons: Launching Corporate Travel in the Middle East
October 22

GBTA WINiT Summit 2025
October 23

GBTA WINiT Gala 2025
October 23

GBTA Europe Conference 2025 | Hamburg
November 10-12

GBTA Workforce Mobility & Travel Summit 2025
November 13

GBTA India Summit 2025
November 21

View More Events

Checking a bag? Before you toss that tag in your pocket, take a quick photo.

If your bag goes missing, that pic could be the key to getting it back faster—and saving you from scrambling.

Got a business trip or event coming up?

Follow #GBTATips on top ways to make the most of your #businesstravel –and maybe enjoy some #bleisure time 😉

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GBTA Career Spotlight

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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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