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GBTA Convention Plus | Professional Development | GBTA Hub | Blog
August 30, 2022

Check-In with Suzanne


Back to Office Means Back to Business Travel – Or Does it?

During my GBTA Convention Main Stage presentation on the “State of the Global Business Travel Industry,” I shared that many of us in our sector have been asking the same question – “Where are we now?” – when it comes to the trajectory of recovery and planning for what’s next.

One of the areas our industry is still trying to assess is how the return of workers to offices aligns to the return to business travel. And vice versa.

A year ago, we saw trending polling data that told us the return to office would be a key enabler for return to business travel. But what we’re seeing now in several large markets is actually different… travel may be coming back faster than people are to offices.

From a GBTA July 2022 survey, more frequent business travelers want to travel (85%) and say they need it to accomplish their goals. This compares to data from a June U.S. poll which indicated approximately 55% of employees are working full-time onsite while the remainder are partially (35%) or fully remote (15%). Although there are several factors that would come into play, this might indicate that more people want to travel for business than want to commute to an office.

Additionally, in a recent discussion I had on business travel and office trends with a major global company, their leaders told me they were seeing a 40% return of employees to their London-based office and only 16-20% in their New York City area-based offices. Others from Fortune 500 companies outside of major cities with whom I spoke while in San Diego two weeks ago said they are essentially 100% back to the office.

So, what does that mean for travel managers and corporate travel policy as the “Future of Work” movement continues to up-end our industry and “standard” processes from pre-COVID? It probably depends on the industry, roles, employee sentiment, and company culture. A one-size approach will not fit all, and ongoing analysis, adaptation, and internal communication and coordination will be key for travel managers as the dynamics of work and travel will likely continue to change. Keeping a seat at the table that you earned in the midst of the pandemic is going to be key as you work out new policies to meet your company’s current trajectory of “recovery.”

In the coming weeks, watch for and make your voice heard as we field our next GBTA Business Travel Recovery Poll where we’ll continue to explore this topic and others in our ongoing benchmarking and assessment of our industry’s evolution. In the meantime, you can check out the all the available GBTA Research and resources on our newly redesigned website.

Suzanne

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News to Know


Germany pushes for ‘pay as you fly’ model

Following the cancellation of thousands of flights this summer, the German state of Lower Saxony, in the country’s north west, has called to abolish advance payment for flight bookings. Instead the state’s transport minister Bernd Althusmann, earlier this month, renewed calls to introduce a ‘pay as you fly’ (PAYF) model, where payment for plane tickets is processed upon check-in. The Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection welcomed the initiative, which could be on the agenda at the next Federal Council meeting set for 16 September, according to a report by German business newspaper Handelblatt.

 

Singapore to end quarantine for unvaccinated visitors

Singapore is to end its requirement for unvaccinated travellers to serve a seven-day quarantine period on arrival in the destination. From Monday (29 August), international visitors to Singapore who are not classified as being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer have to self-isolate for one week. But unvaccinated travellers will still be required to test negative for the virus within 48 hours of their departure to Singapore. Under current rules, fully vaccinated travellers can enter Singapore without undergoing any Covid tests or having to go into quarantine.

Read more News to Know and GBTA News and Reminders

AVIATION

EU Airlines’ Seat Capacity Almost Back to Pre-Covid Levels (BREAKING TRAVEL NEWS)

Preserving Networks for a Stronger Recovery (IATA)

São Paulo and Rio Airports Coping with Travel Surge (ETURBONEWS)

India to Soon Have New Jet Fuel Pricing Method; Airlines See Relief: Report (MOENY CONTROL)

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

The Road Ahead For Ground Transportation (PHOCUSWIRE)

HOSPITALITY

How Hotels Can Be Effective Remote Offices (HOTEL MANAGEMENT)

SUSTAINABILITY

New Partnership Focuses on Sustainable Environment (FIJI SUN)

The Carbon Column – Travel better (ENERGY LIVE NEWS)

OTHER INDUSTRIES

US Travel Tech Giant Sabre Plans ‘Multi-Million Dollar’ Investment (TIMES OF INDIA)

Industry Spotlight


WINiT Gala
WINiT by GBTA Gala 2022 Awards

Nominations are open for the 2022 GBTA WINiT Awards acknowledging individuals and companies who have gone beyond in driving career mobility and gender parity. https://www.gbta.org/professional-development/content-collaborate/gbta-winit/winit-gala/

Nomination deadline: September 22, 2022.

Awards will be presented at the 2022 GBTA WINiT Gala on October 27th at the Westin Times Square, New York City.

Learn More

 

Travel Risk Management Bootcamp: Understanding and Implementing ISO31030

•  September 14-15
•  November 8, (Brussels)

Travel Risk Management Bootcamp: Understanding and Implementing ISO31030 - next date September 14-15. This course, led by travel risk management experts Global Secure Accreditation in conjunction with GBTA, is designed to give practical guidance to anyone involved in building and managing corporate travel programs.

Resources


Crisis24 Intelligence Brief

China, Japan and Taiwan - Typhoon Hinnamnor tracking westwards across the Philippine Sea early Aug. 30. Close approach to Okinawa Prefecture, Japan Aug. 31.

South Korea - Officials in South Korea require electronic travel authorization for travelers from visa-free countries arriving in Jeju from Sept. 1.

Mexico - Anti-government activists to march in downtown Mexico City, Mexico, Sept. 3. Heightened security and disruptions likely.

Taiwan - Taiwan eases self-health monitoring rules for inbound passengers from Sept. 1. Entry ban remains in place for most foreign travelers.

More Information

Upcoming Events
Certificate in Corporate Travel Execution (CCTE)
September 8

GBTA Europe Town Hall
September 15

Business Travel Returns: How Travel Managers Are Responding
September 15

Travel Risk Management Bootcamp: Understanding and Implementing ISO31030
September 14 - 15
2:00 PM-5:00 PM BST /
3:00 PM-6:00 PM CEST /
09:00 AM-12:00 PM EDT

WINiT Gala
October 27
7:30 – 10:00 PM ET

GBTA Conference 2022 – Brussels in Partnership with VDR.
Nov 8 - 10

View More Events

 

@oneworld Alliance: #oneworldalliance CEO Rob Gurney talks about what Oman Air will bring to #oneworld and how #sustainability is a critical priority for the alliance.

"Sustainability is not something we should compete on," Gurney said in an interview at the GBTA | Global Business Travel Association Convention in #SanDiego. "What we're trying to do here is #savetheplanet. It's as simple as that."

See the full interview

View Post

GBTA Career Spotlight
Financial Analyst

The Financial Analyst is a part of the Finance & Strategy team and will assist with financial data analysis, budgeting and forecasting. They will support the Senior Director of Finance with financial analysis, modeling, reporting, and decision making. Learn More

View Other Openings
 
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