| News for government travel professionals |  |
| Government Travel Update |  |  |
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- Questions over negotiated hotel, airline rates arise
Each year at about this time, travel-management companies negotiate hotel and airline rates for the following year for the corporate clients. Last year, economic chaos surrounded the annual ritual, prompting rates to be renegotiated several times. One trend that appears stable for the upcoming year, however, is lower corporate spending on travel, with the National Business Travel Association reporting that 71% of its members planning to reduce nonessential travel next year. The New York Times
(11/2)
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Egencia predicts rise in air ticket prices in 2010: Egencia recently released its 2010 Corporate Travel Forecast and Hotel Negotiability Index, which found that the average price of airline tickets in most leading Northern American markets for business travel will likely increase next year. Some cities, such as San Diego, Phoenix and Seattle, will see significant hikes in air ticket prices, according to the index. Meanwhile, average daily hotel rates in the same destinations are expected to decline by up to 5%, Egencia said. BTNOnline.com
(11/3)
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More business travelers take 1-day trips to save money: Business travelers are increasingly turning overnight work trips into one long day of travel to save money as well as time. Some travelers are even taking the one-day jaunts on trans-Atlantic trips. Richard Job of the Flight Centre, said he's talked to executives who fly from Vancouver, B.C., to London and back in the same day. "That's something new to them in the last six to 12 months," Job said. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
(11/4)
- Taxes on rental cars continue to rise
In 1990, there were 14 excise taxes levied for car rentals or leases. Since then, another 100 have been added, covering 43 states as well as the District of Columbia. The taxes make it difficult for travelers to avoid them, and in some cases the taxes are upward of 20% of the car rental bill. The taxes are costly to travelers and a nuisance to rental car companies that would rather not become tax collectors. Despite a partnership between the National Business Travel Association and eight rental car brands to raise awareness of the taxes and rein in the taxes, the taxes are proliferating as municipalities look for revenue to cover their shortfalls. USA TODAY
(11/3)
- Government lifts travel ban on people with HIV/AIDS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the U.S. will no longer prevent people with HIV/AIDS from receiving a visa or entering the U.S. The change will take effect early next year, according to the CDC. HIV/AIDS has been on the list of communicable diseases that prevent people from entering the U.S. since 1987. Travel Weekly
(11/3)
| Travel Industry News | | |
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- Despite promising signs, global airline losses seen hitting $11B
Airlines around the globe have so far reported a combined $400 million in profit for the third quarter, but an international trade association still predicts full-year losses of $11 billion. Statistics show that "travel volume growth turned positive in September for the first time in a year," though yields remained "extremely challenging." More than 100 new aircraft were delivered in September, outpacing the number of planes slated for retirement. Air Transport World
(11/4)
| International Monitor | | |
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- U.S. cautions Americans about traveling in India
The State Department has issued a travel alert for India after the FBI broke up a terrorist attack plot in the country. "The U.S. government continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India," the State Department said in an updated alert. "Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit." Read the official travel alert for India. Press Trust of India
(10/30)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Column: Secure Flight runs into a little turbulence
Columnist Joe Sharkey says that although there are plenty of people trying to ensure the Secure Flight program is successful, travelers are still running into some obstacles. The Transportation Security Administration program requires that all airline passengers' names on their ID and boarding passes match exactly. In the first phase of the program, which we're currently in, some leeway will be given. However, some travelers say they have already run into issues with the program because their names include characters, such as hyphens or apostrophes, that don't make it onto the boarding pass. The New York Times
(11/2)
- Editorial: Time for Congress to step up TSA oversight
A Washington Times editorial blasts the TSA for spending nearly $800 million on screening technology without a comprehensive risk analysis or cost-benefit analysis. "TSA can't provide a timetable for beginning cost-benefit analyses or for creating performance measures for its new technologies," the paper complains, urging stepped-up pressure from Congress. The Washington Times
(11/4)
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Register for the 2010 National Travel Forum
Registration for the 2010 National Travel Forum (NTF) is now open. Visit www.nationaltravelforum.org for more information and updates as you make your plans to attend. The 2010 event will offer more opportunities for you to attend education sessions that help you steer your travel program toward continued success, a tradeshow that introduces you to the products and services impacting your travelers and program and countless chances for you to network with colleagues. Register here today to ensure you are attending the government travel event of 2010.
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| About GTG |
NBTA has created the Government Travel Group (GTG) to provide government travel professionals with access to the member benefits that have
long set NBTA apart as the leading association for corporate travel professionals, in addition providing unique benefits that focus on the needs of
the government travel manager.
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| | Recent GTG SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, October 21, 2009
- Wednesday, October 07, 2009
- Wednesday, September 23, 2009
- Wednesday, September 09, 2009
- Wednesday, August 26, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
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