Check-in With Suzanne

We are reminded this week that nothing is easy or predictable with regards to getting to the other side of this pandemic.  

Lessons on the return of business travel which were part of the lineup for the GBTA European Conference 2021 in Berlin in partnership with VDR, originally scheduled for next week, will now have to wait a bit longer. Due to the new and dynamic developments around the omicron variant, and newly instated travel and meeting restrictions, GBTA will now be rescheduling the Berlin in-person conference for late February 2022.  

In a matter of days, the world has seen the rise of the omicron variant as a new factor on the pandemic landscape, which is why public health, resilience and agility must be our new norm in the business travel industry. And as regions and governments around the world assess the potential impact of omicron, GBTA continues to encourage a consistent, thoughtful approach to travel. Actions taken should focus on vaccination or recovery status and individual traveler risk versus broad-reaching travel restrictions or border shutdowns.  

The GBTA team will continue to monitor and communicate with safety and health as a priority for everyone who will attend any of our events, including that in Berlin. Berlin attendees and exhibitors should look for details on the rescheduled event coming to their inbox and on the conference website. Health and safety is our primary focus, and we look forward to gathering together in early 2022.

I often reflect on our industry and association, and my gratitude always comes back to our members and staff. Today is #GivingTuesday, “a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.” There are many ways you can give back through GBTA. Today and every day, I thank all of you who generously give of your time and talents for GBTA, or for any of the communities and causes that matter most to you. 

Speaking of what matters to you, if you attended the Orlando Convention as an attendee or exhibitor, please take a minute before this Sunday, December 5, to complete the feedback survey in your inbox. This is the best way to make your voice heard so we can continue to deliver what you need and want as GBTA members and partners. 

Suzanne 

 

News To Know 

Connecting Chile and Canada 

Starting in January, Air Canada will add three new weekly flights on the Santiago-Toronto route. This follows the Canadian government’s reopening of borders and easing of restrictions on foreign travelers who have been immunized with Sinovac (Sinopharm and Covaxin) vaccines. “With Chilean citizens eager to travel back to Canada, we are ready to reunite clients with their families and friends. Our flights from Santiago to Toronto conveniently connect to more than 60 Canadian cities and 50 in the United States through our hubs,” said Alfredo Babún, Air Canada Regional Manager for Andean Countries, enthusiastically. 

UK Government urged to invest in SAF in domestic connectivity review 

According to a report by the Union Connectivity Review, the UK government should support the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plants in parts of the nation that rely on air travel for domestic connectivity. This was among a number of recommendations on how the government can create a more cohesive transport network across the whole of the UK while still focusing on its environmental commitments. 

What can the hospitality industry expect from metaverse? 

The recent announcement of Meta by Facebook and Mesh from Microsoft shows how quickly the virtual immersive experience is coming. While we can see the immediate applicability of this technology in gaming and education, what can the hospitality industry expect from metaverse? Check out these unique insights into the Metaverse and how it interacts with the leisure and business travel industries. 

Travel measures under scrutiny again with omicron variant 

So far Ontario has announced four cases of the new omicron variant which were followed by new restrictions on travel from seven south African countries. Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, stressed the importance of basic health and safety protocols – including getting vaccinated and limiting social circles – in the face of the new variant. Dr. Moore also raised the possibility of limiting airports open to international travel, depending on the need for more on-arrival testing.  

 

GBTA News & Reminders 

Travel Risk Management Bootcamp: Understanding and Implementing ISO31030 

Explore Travel Risk Management in the context of the new ISO 31030 standard and gain the tools and confidence to update and/or create a robust system within your organization. This one-day course, led by travel risk management experts Global Secure Accreditation in conjunction with GBTA and the Anvil Group, is designed to give practical guidance to anyone involved in building and managing corporate travel programs. 

Building and Managing a High-Performance Team: GLP Core Competency in Management 

Today’s corporate leaders require building and managing a globally dispersed and interdependent team across multiple time zones and with diverse cultural differences. This GLP management course will focus on ways to foster employee engagement and how to build on individuals’ strengths through intentional practice. By creating vitality in the work environment and supporting an effective team, organizational leaders can implement and execute strategies to maximize business performance. 

GBTA Convention Replay 

Can’t make it to Orlando for GBTA Convention? Don’t miss out on the new, unique experience, check out Convention Replay! With 5 live streaming Main Stage sessions, 25 educational sessions, virtual exhibitor connections, and more, you can reap the value of the business travel industry’s flagship gathering in a way that’s right for you.