Check-In With Suzanne

The Latest Insights On What Lies Ahead For Business Travel’s Recovery  

I’ll take progress over perfection every day because progress is what truly gets you where you need to go. In our latest GBTA Business Travel Recovery Poll released last week, we definitely saw more signs of progress based on what almost 600 global business travel professionals told us.

Those surveyed say their domestic volume is back to 63%, and international is back to 50% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, with 26% even reporting they are back to 70% or more. And even with economic concerns, 75% of travel buyers say their company has no immediate plans to limit business travel as a result. A majority of travel managers (78%) expect the number of company business trips will be higher or much higher in 2023. Among travel suppliers, 85% expect corporate client bookings to be higher or much higher, and 80% expect the same for travel spending as well. You can check out more from the October GBTA poll here.

This week I’m spending a few days in Washington, DC, including at ATPCO’s sold-out Elevate event for a panel discussion on the “Corporate Travel State of Play.” I’ll also be touching base with several others including Nick Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, and GBTA’s US government affairs agency, Cornerstone, and spending time with GBTA committee leaders and our very own GBTA team on the ground here. Definitely a multi-purpose business trip! So much can be done collaboratively to keep our industry and recovery moving forward – it’s our privilege to work together with other great groups, initiatives, leaders and teams toward achieving the greater good that business travel instills.

With the fourth quarter in full swing, our eyes are squarely on GBTA in-person events in three great global centers for business: New York City for the WINiT Gala in October; Brussels for our Sustainability Summit and European Conference with VDR in November; and finally, in Bangkok for our first-ever APAC Travel Summit with PATA in December. There’s so many opportunities to join GBTA and our partners to be part of community, learning and advocacy in action for our industry. Please join us and add your voice to our collective purpose.

Suzanne    

News to Know

States Adopt Net-zero 2050 Global Aspirational Goal for International Flight Operations

Culminating two weeks of intensive diplomacy by over 2,500 delegates from 184 States and 57 organizations at the 41st ICAO Assembly, ICAO Member States adopted a collective long-term global aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The achievement of the LTAG will rely on the combined effect of multiple CO2 emissions reduction measures, including the accelerated adoption of new and innovative aircraft technologies, streamlined flight operations, and the increased production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). (TRAVEL DAILY NEWS)

UK Firms Plan to Increase Business Travel During the Next Year

Two-thirds of UK companies plan to increase spending on business travel by at least 50 per cent over the next year, according to research from corporate card company American Express. A survey of business leaders and travelers also found that 42 per cent of SMEs were looking to take more business trips in the next 12 months. More than 80 per cent of companies believed that travel played a key role in increasing revenue, with 60 per cent planning to expand around the UK and 35 per cent wanting to enter new international markets. (BTN EUROPE)

Read more News to Know and GBTA News and Reminders

Industry Spotlight

PATA - GBTA APAC Travel Summit
Day 1 | Main Stage Sessions Announced

Don’t miss this two day education and tradeshow event December 8-9 in Bangkok at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) Bangkok, Thailand.

Main stage sessions are now confirmed, Day one on main stage will have discussions on Blended Travel and Sustainability and its impact on the current and future of travel (Leisure, MICE, Business).

Blended Travel
With the rise in work from anywhere and the flexibility that brings, there is a renewed interest in blending business and leisure travel and activities. Furthermore, today’s travelers are thinking more about how they spend their time at home and on the road, and their impacts they have on their environment and local communities. Explore the impacts of this shift in mindset and the potential positive effect that travel can have on a local ecosystem.

Sustainability and its impact on the current and future of travel (Leisure, MICE, Business)
Climate change and efforts to improve sustainability practices continue to be relevant throughout the travel industry, particularly as travelers are making more socially conscious decisions in their travel planning. Together, let’s take a look at what’s happening today, what’s on the horizon and how we can reduce the environmental impact of travel to contribute to positive change.

Speaker announcements coming shortly, register now and secure your space.

GBTA Sustainability Summit | Brussels, 8 November 2022
Driving Action to Net Zero Business Travel

Announcing Think Tank Session at the Summit
“Turning ambition into action – what’s next to green business travel?”

Join Chris Elmitt, CEO of LIVVE, for this Interactive session to develop a climate action plan for our sector. This two part think tank session will be held on main stage at GBTA’s first ever Global Sustainability Summit on 8 November 2022 in Brussels, focusing on Driving Action to Net Zero Business Travel. Learn More

Register for the Conference and Sustainability Summit together and save €100! Just add to your Conference registration

Resources

Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

Czech Republic - Emergency crews responding to train derailment near Poricany, Czech Republic, Oct. 11. Rail disruptions ongoing. Avoid the area.

India - Separatist groups plan general strike in Manipur State, India, Oct. 15. Business and transport disruptions likely. Violence possible.

Micronesia, Federated States of - Officials ease COVID-19 entry and interstate travel restrictions in Micronesia as of Oct. 11.

Switzerland - Unionized workers to stage strike and protest march in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 12; heightened security and transport disruptions likely.

More Information