The Business of Travel

Globally, despite certain challenges, business travel spend has continued to grow in 2024. According to GBTA’s latest Business Travel Index forecast, business travel spend is expected to end 2024 above the $1.5 trillion mark – for the first time surpassing 2019 spend. As we head into 2025, what are the current headwinds and tailwinds business travel buyers, suppliers and economists are seeing within this sector? In this podcast, Dallas-based GBTA Board Treasurer, Kevin Sullivan, is joined for a topical discussion with fellow Board members and an economic expert: ·       Ben Park, Executive Director-Travel & Sustainability, Paraxel, GBTA Board of Directors European Region Director – Berlin, Germany ·       Katharine Farrell, Sr. Manager – Sales Digital Marketing Communication, Delta Airlines, GBTA Board of Directors, Director-at-Large – Atlanta, GA, USA ·       Jarrod Castle, Research Analyst, UBS – London, UK The group will offer their unique buy, supply, and analyst insights around bigger picture areas for the business travel industry including: ·       Category-level outlook and overall sentiment for business travel for the year ahead ·       How economic factors have shaped – and will further shape – business travel budgets and travel decisions ·       The impact of changing workforce and related travel for work dynamics ·       The current and future role of sustainability in business travel considerations ·       Top challenges and opportunities ahead for business travel and the industry in their region Listen in for a comprehensive, around-the-world view on the current and future state of business travel.   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License   

Welcome to this episode of the GBTA Business of Travel brought to you by the Canadian Meetings & Events Committee with special guest Heather Reid, Founder and CEO of Planner Protect Inc and the Canadian authority on event contracts. With over 30 years planning conferences and events for clients, Heather has helped hundreds of event organizers generate more than $9M in cash savings and avoided risk. Heather has dedicated much of her career into changing the education landscape for event professionals. In this podcast we explore some of the common issues and roadblocks with event contracts, both on the buyer and supplier side. We look at security and risk issues and force majeure and termination clauses and how the focus on contract language has changed over the years, especially since coming out of the pandemic. In an industry where planners used to “own” everything about a meeting, Heather helps to identify and acknowledge the other key stakeholders that contribute to the event from the contracting process to the execution. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not constitute legal advice on behalf of GBTA.   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

The Meetings & Events Committee (EMEA) brings you this podcast which showcases How Radisson Hotel Group is using AI to optimize venue sourcing for buyers and suppliers. In this episode, Verónica González, a member of the GBTA M&E Committee, and head of Hotel Distribution Account Management at Amadeus IT Group, talks with Mandy Stam from Radisson Hotel Group and key technology partners, to learn more about how Radisson Hotel Groups optimizes M&E RFP Response Time, Conversion Rate and Revenue Generation with the use of AI. They share expertise and insights regarding • M&E Demand trends. • Buyers’ behavior. • Suppliers’ challenges. • How suppliers are using AI to better serve buyers. • RPA and AI trials and errors. • Outcome expected. • Challenges faced & Lesson learned. • Keys to success: flexibility, partnership, innovation, etc. • Results achieved Names: • Verónica González, a member of the M&E Committee, global head of Hospitality Distribution Account Management at Amadeus IT Group. • Mandy Stam, Senior Director Business Solutions, Radisson Hotel Group. • Felix Undeutsch, Co-Founder Hivr.ai. • Tony Marcelli, Director of Product Management at Cvent. • Gonzalo Fortuny, Partner at EY   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

Not every Corporate needs to implement NDC immediately and many can wait for their TMC to enable NDC content. Given all the noise around NDC, is there a temptation to rush NDC content rather than question whether it is relevant at this time?   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

In this episode of the Carbon Compass, the planet-focused subseries of the Business of Travel podcast, GBTA Sustainability Leaders Nora Lovell Marchant, VP for Global Sustainability at American Express Global Business Travel and Page Motes, Chief Compliance and Sustainability Officer at Hertz, share their insights on the key success factors for accelerating climate action in business travel.   Listeners will learn about the key takeaways from Climate Week NYC, and how to navigate key tensions on the road to Net Zero – fastest vs biggest impact; control vs influence; bottom line vs reputation; stronger commitments vs better ideas. Guests also discuss how the newly launched GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge Maturity Assessment can help all travel and sustainability professionals understand their business travel-related emissions, and the importance of taking the assessment for your company's benefit. Access the Acceleration Challenge here.   In each episode of the Carbon Compass, we unveil inspiring stories, innovative strategies, and impactful initiatives from special guests: Leaders committed to steering the course toward a more sustainable future for business travel. Together, we explore, unpack, and demystify the world of sustainability in business travel. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow us on Linkedin.     Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Brought to you by the GBTA | Risk Committee - US. The speakers are: Valerie Ferraro, Manager, Program Operations Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; Craig Collins, Vice President, Client Management - America's, CIBT; Dr. Katherine O'Reilly, International SOS.   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

Brought to you by the GBTA European Accommodations & Payment Solutions Committees. In this episode, our focus is on delving into the ever-evolving payment sector, exploring both established and cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping the landscape of hospitality payments. Our aim is to initiate a dynamic conversation that not only highlights the opportunities these innovations bring but also addresses the challenges. To enrich our GBTA community, we've gathered a panel of industry leaders who will share valuable insights and expertise on this transformative journey within the payments realm.     Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

The GBTA Convention annually brings together in person thousands of industry professionals to learn, grow, network and shape the future of the world’s $1.4 trillion business travel sector. So what can attendees expect at the upcoming GBTA Convention 2024 in Atlanta, July 22-24? What insights can be gleaned from those who are veteran attendees? What are the opportunities and tips for event first-timers? And how can every attendee make the most of their Convention experience?    In this podcast, travel buyer and GBTA Board Vice President, Rosemary Maloney, and travel supplier and President of the GBTA Allied Leadership Council, Tammy Routh, join GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang to preview and discuss what’s new, noteworthy and not-to-be-missed for attendees heading to this year’s Convention.    Link: https://convention.gbta.org    Host & Guest Info  Rosemary Maloney, Alteryx Tammy Routh, Marriott International Suzanne Neufang,GBTA   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

Building an Inclusive Organizational Culture: This episode, brought to you by the GBTA Inclusion and Culture Committee, will explore the significance of transitioning from a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) framework to one that emphasizes inclusion. We will discuss how fostering a culture of inclusion can positively impact employee engagement, retention, and overall organizational success.   Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

Unveiling the April 2024 GBTA industry poll results, this episode of The Business of Travel explores the levels of satisfaction and optimism that global business travel professionals have now related to their career, compensation, job mobility, the future of business travel and more.   The discussion also continues to follow industry sentiment from travel buyers and suppliers about the ongoing evolution of New Distribution Capability (NDC) including education, implementation and readiness.     GBTA’s Chris Ely, Director of Research discusses the highlights and insights with Debbie Iannaci, head of PR, Communications and Research. Drawing on the responses of over 800 business travel buyers, suppliers and other business travel professionals across 41 countries, this 34th installment of GBTA’s ongoing survey series reveals the current state of the profession and industry from those who know it best.    Read the full GBTA April 2024 Poll results here.    Host & Guest Info  Chris Ely, GBTA  Debbie Iannaci, GBTA    Music track is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod  Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License