With the recent announcement by London Heathrow Airport that it would limit travelers to no more than 100,000 per day through September to combat crippling staff shortages, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is calling on the European Commission to prevent a roadblock to the travel industry’s recovery. This comes on the heels of the US lifting the pre-travel testing for US-bound vaccinated passengers in June, which was considered a big win for business travel. With London as one of the most popular destinations or through-points for international business travel, this announcement could impact its tenuous comeback.
GBTA Convention San Diego August 14-16
“GBTA is calling on the European Commission to prioritize and expediate the needed safety background checks to help alleviate the pressure at airports. The EU must set policies and procedures in place for the future as a precautionary measure should the situation arise again,” said GBTA Regional Vice President Catherine Logan.
Despite the setback, business travel bookings have been increasing each month since restrictions were eased on international travel in 2021. According to GBTA, business travel is projected to reach pre-COVID levels of $1.4 trillion by 2024.
GBTA is doing a bit of traveling of its own as it heads to San Diego for its 53rd Convention this August 14-17. With the theme of (Re)connect, (Re)imagine and (Re)create, the association aims to reunite the global business travel community while looking ahead at the needs of travel buyers, suppliers, and business travelers.
The four-day event includes countless networking events (including its Welcome Reception, “Taste of San Diego” at Bayfront Park), State of the Industry, numerous professional development courses and education sessions (broken into tracks), and Expo floor hours—where many transportation companies in our space have displayed in the past. The event is attended by thousands annually from all over the globe. WINiT, the women’s organization that is a part of GBTA, will also hold the WINiT Summit on August 14. That morning, attendees are also invited to join the GBTA’s 4th annual 5K Run/Walk, which will traverse the sights of San Diego and benefit climate carbon off-setter nonprofit Cool Effect.
Registration and more information is available at convention.gbta.org.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[07.19.22]