Global Business Travel Association

Unprecedented GBTA Election Failure Highlights Participation Challenges

Unprecedented GBTA Election Failure Highlights Participation Challenges

Many members feel they left last week’s Global Business Travel Association convention in Orlando with unfinished business. GBTA said it did not receive enough votes in its annual election to seat new officers or decide on new bylaws. The announcement shocked some of the organization’s supporters. One called it an embarrassment. Another claimed incompetence. Many…

New United Reports Promise More Accurate Emissions Data
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New United Reports Promise More Accurate Emissions Data

[UPDATE, Feb 3, 2017: We published new information related to this article here.] The U.S. government appears poised to recognize that airplanes cause air pollution. Airlines already know this. They’ve done a lot to mitigate the impact. To help corporate clients with theirs, United Airlines this year created custom emissions reports and carbon offset options….

When Are Refundable Fares Permitted By Policy?

When Are Refundable Fares Permitted By Policy?

Most organizations favor nonrefundable airline tickets because they’re almost always cheaper than unrestricted options. Industry data suggest corporate travelers use the lower fare classes for around 85 percent of trips. Although corporate managers encourage that booking behavior, airlines charge fees and impose rules for applying the resulting unused credit. Optimal use of nonrefundable airfares requires some diligence. Still, the more…

Fares Following Fuel? Maybe Not

Fares Following Fuel? Maybe Not

Some think an obvious consequence of dramatically lower fuel prices is lower airfares. But it’s not that simple. It may not even be likely. “Lower fuel prices translate into lower operating costs for airlines, and, sometimes, air carriers pass along these savings to travelers in the form of lower air ticket prices,” according to an…

Disruptors Turn To Veteran Travel Managers For A Little Order

Disruptors Turn To Veteran Travel Managers For A Little Order

[UPDATE, April 8, 2016: We published new information related to this article here.] Disintermediation of distributors gets a lot of attention, but the corporate travel profession also has doomsayers. Fears abound on outsourcing, realignment to procurement, generational challenges and technological change. Mobile computing has disempowered corporate policies and mechanisms of all sorts. Industry discourse has…

For Green Travel, Progress And Lip Service
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For Green Travel, Progress And Lip Service

For corporations and individuals looking to reduce their carbon footprints, business travel is a troublesome contributor. Chasing sales opportunities and growing revenue often requires travel. For some companies, business travel is the single biggest source of carbon emissions. In the middle of the last decade, green travel initiatives seemed to have momentum. But then the…

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