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- Studies link business travel, higher profits
Two travel-industry studies, commissioned by the National Business Travel Association and American Express Business Travel, show that deep cuts in travel can harm a company's bottom line. Oxford Economics, in a study released recently, found that each dollar spent on travel by a U.S. company can generate an average profit of $3.80. Meanwhile, a study from IHS Global Insight estimates that U.S. companies could miss out on $193 billion in profit for 2009 because they cut too deeply into business travel. "We understand there's an economic downturn," said Christopher Pike of IHS. "It doesn't mean cutting business travel by 30% when an industry's sales are down by 5%. That's where we're saying you're probably going too far." USA TODAY
(9/16) 
- Pittsburgh airport strengthens security for G-20 Summit
Security agencies have called in the National Guard and increased their presence at Pittsburgh International Airport as world leaders head to the city for the G-20 summit that will begin Thursday. Officials insist the visitors will be safe from the "terrorist interest" supposedly aimed at the nation's sports stadiums, hotels and entertainment venues. The Transportation Security Administration has hired 35 additional screeners to help the 300 security officers who run checkpoints at the airport. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
(9/23)
- Sen. Boxer says passenger-rights bill is likely to be approved
As advocates of passenger-rights legislation met in Washington, D.C., this week, Sen. Barbara Boxer said Congress will likely approve such legislation. "Every day they [airlines] prove to us how much we need this legislation," said Boxer, D-Calif., who is co-sponsoring the bill. However, Boxer said the rules, which are included in the reauthorization bill for the FAA, could be "watered down." USA TODAY/The Associated Press
(9/23), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)/The Middle Seat Terminal blog
(9/22)
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- Column: Travelers should take advantage of airports' flu shots
With the outbreak of H1N1 influenza this year, it appears more important than ever for travelers to get flu shots, and more airports are catering to the situation, columnist Harriet Baskas writes. Travelers may have to wait until December to get a flu shot at an airport, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging most people to get their shots as soon as they can, she writes. USA TODAY
(9/16)
- Analysis: Airlines battle over largest airports
Joe Sharkey explains the airline industry's trend of shifting capacity from smaller airports to the nation's largest airports, prompting a battle over what are considered the most strategically important. "At some point, you have got to shift gears and decide which battles you're going to fight and win, because you can't win them all when you're that much smaller," said Dan Garton, vice president for marketing at American Airlines. NYTimes.com
(9/21)
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- U.S. warns Americans about traveling to the Philippines
The U.S. State Department has updated its Travel Warning for the Philippine island of Mindanao as well as the Sulu Archipelago. U.S. citizens are asked to avoid travel there or use extreme caution if travel is necessary as terrorist groups continue attacks. Read the State Department's Travel Warning for the Philippines. TravelPulse
(9/22)
- Most say security concerns do not deter overseas trips
A newly released survey finds that 73% of Americans are not deterred from overseas travel by safety or security concerns. However, the destination choice of most travelers is influenced by such issues. Health concerns influence more than half of respondents' destination planning. "To illustrate, travelers concerned about the H1N1 virus outbreak in Mexico last spring canceled vacation plans en masse, greatly affecting tourism to that country," said Mike Ambrose, president of the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, which commissioned the survey. Travel Agent Central
(9/17)
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- DHS: PASS ID is a critical piece of national security legislation
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says the REAL ID initiative to standardize individual states' driver's licenses is "unrealistic ... and not getting us to where we need to be." Testifying before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Napolitano lobbied for passage of the proposed bill, the Providing Additional Security in States' Identification Act of 2009. "PASS ID is a critical piece of national security legislation that will fix the REAL ID Act of 2005 and institute strong security standards for government-issued identification," she said. SecureIDNews
(9/19)
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Budget now for the 2010 National Travel Forum
Budget now for the 2010 National Travel Forum taking place in Orlando, Fla., June 29 to July 1! This event will provide 50% more education and plenary sessions, in addition to the many networking opportunities available. So mark your calendars -- it is the government travel event not to be missed! Registration will be opening soon and will start at $500. Not a member? Find more information here.
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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, September 09, 2009
- Wednesday, August 26, 2009
- Wednesday, August 12, 2009
- Wednesday, July 29, 2009
- Wednesday, July 15, 2009
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
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