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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently unveiled its new study that demonstrates the impact that business travel has on the US economy and employment. The study, GBTA US Economic Impact Study: Business Travel’s Impact on Jobs and the US Economy, used data from 2022, the latest full year for which a complete set of data is available for analysis.
According to the report, spending for 2022 business travel in the US accounted for $421.1 billion—resulting in $119 billion in tax receipts—and supported 6 million jobs. It topped the world in business travel spend in 2022, and GBTA forecasts that it will be first or second worldwide in spending again this year.
GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang
The full study can be read here.
“The data shows that business travel is a substantial contributor to the health of the US economy, and therefore also a key driver for the global economy,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “Business travel supports millions of jobs and delivers billions in tax revenue, which is why it is important for policymakers to consider the impact on the industry when devising economic policies—and for sustainable solutions to be prioritized, funded, and developed to help us abate travel’s hardest-to-abate sectors.”
Additional highlights:
- A total of 429.9 million business trips were taken within the US.
- About 67 percent of trips were taken for transient purposes: sales, client service, government and military travel, and travel for construction or repair, while the rest were for meetings and conventions.
- Business travelers traveled an average of 4.1 days in 2022 (versus 3.3 days as cited in 2017 GBTA research).
- The average spent per trip was $632, with lodging commanding the top spot (34 percent of spend).
- The average age of US business travelers is 44.3 years.
- Bleisure, or blended travel of business and pleasure, accounted for 33.8 percent of trips, staying an average of 4.4 days. More men travel overall for business, but women added a leisure component to their business travel at a much higher rate than men in 2022.
These 15 states account for more than 65 percent of all business travel spend (highest to lowest):
- California
- New York
- Florida
- Texas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Colorado
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Washington
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Nevada
- Virginia
California and New York were the top markets for business travel spending with $35.62 billion and $23.31 billion, respectively. Nevada ranked first among the top 15 states in terms of its ratio of business travel spend to GDP, with $6 billion of business travel spend comprising 3.2 percent of the state’s GDP.
GBTA will also hold its annual convention this year in Atlanta this July 22-24. Visit convention.gbta.org for more information.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[06.18.24]
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Boston Chauffeur President Mark Kini with the Dodging for Dollars championship belt
Boston Chauffeur recently returned to the dodgeball court when they played in the seventh annual Dodging for Dollars fundraiser tournament to raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield. The Peabody, Mass.-based luxury car operator defeated 16 other teams to take home the championship belt. Most importantly, however, the company raised more than $8,000 dollars for the club.
Boston Chauffeur President Mark Kini is a longtime supporter of his local Boys & Girls Club and called the tournament a major success.
“It’s great to be involved with this organization and the things they do for the community,” says Kini.
The Boston Chauffeur dodgeball team raised more than $8,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham & Wakefield is a proud affiliate of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the nation’s most effective youth development organization in the United States. Serving Greater Boston for 50 years, the organization provides fun experiences and educational programming to over 3,000 members across their two locations after school and throughout the summer. They are proud to work with young people from a wide range of economic, social and family circumstances, regardless of their gender, ethnic, and racial background.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is something that Kini holds dear to his heart.
“I grew up in Wakefield, and there was no club when I was growing up. I got into a lot of trouble as a kid. When they started the organization, I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and hit it off with Chief Development Officer Anthony Guardia. The club has grown substantially over the years,” says Kini.
Kini says the tournament was competitive from both athletic and fundraising standpoints, and he was profoundly moved by the donations he received from the industry.
“I reached out to my local network and friends,” he says. “I have to tell you, because I’ve built so many great partnerships and friendships in the limousine business, I would say half the donations came from operators. It was amazing to get that kind of support.”
Visit bostonchauffeur.com or bgcstoneham.org for more information.
[06.18.24]
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On June 11, the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) held a membership meeting that attracted more than 30 attendees, including guest speakers and members of the Maryland Limousine Association. Sponsored by Advantage Remarketing Solutions, the event was held at the Hilton Springfield.
VLA members and guests with vehicles supplied by Advantage Remarketing Solutions
VLA President William Kerr of Camryn Limousine believes that the organization is on a getting back on its feet and on its way to become an industry powerhouse.
“We had a good turnout, and membership has more than doubled since the last meeting. We’re excited about the future of the VLA,” says Kerr.
With VLA members reporting a number of issues at the Dulles and Reagan airports, Kerr says they were pleased to have two representatives from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department speak about parking, pickups, and illegal operators.
Also on hand were Chris Swat and Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions, who shared a bit about their services, and brought a new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Ford Transit for attendees to check out and test drive.
“They are big supporters of local associations,” adds Kerr.
With Maryland Limousine Association President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines at the meeting, the coming inauguration was discussed, in particular the difficulty that operators are having operating in D.C. city limits. Both associations are planning a joint meeting at the upcoming CD/NLA Show in National Harbor on October 13-16.
In the meantime, however, the VLA is planning its next member event on August 27 in Virginia Beach. Tentatively scheduled at the Oceanfront Sheraton, the association is planning a fishing trip prior to the member meeting, which Kerr believes will attract attendees from throughout the state and beyond.
“We think that people will come to this one and maybe stay a couple of days,” he says.
Visit virginialimousineassociation.org for more information.
[06.18.24]