BTA COMMENT Getting back to business

January and February have flown by and the year has certainly started with a bang. It's great to be back in the midst of industry events; networking and catching up with old and new industry faces.

It seems we are finally getting back to what business travel is all about.

The length of the TMC guide in this issue of The Business Travel Magazine is evidence of this, as well as verifying the significant role that TMCs continue to play in the wider business travel infrastructure to ensure the UK keeps moving.

What is clear is that this role continues to change, especially as the needs of the planet evolve too.

Last year we saw the industry’s focus shift to tackle environmental, social and governance concerns, with TMCs developing their services to support clients in their quests to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint and wider impact on the planet.

This challenge will remain under constant review until the industry effectively collaborates for a truly sustainable future. But I remain optimistic that this is not far away.

It’s clear that the survival of the sector through the pandemic, its effective response to sustainability concerns and its broader influence on the business travel network is a testament to the tenacity of our community after what has been a very long and challenging few years.

This community is one I am proud to be a part of for over 30 years of my career.

It is a fantastic industry to learn in, challenge yourself, network and grow.

While TMCs are now reaching and exceeding 90% of staffing levels, talent recruitment and retention remain key barriers to the progression of the industry and standards of service seen in the days pre-pandemic, which we are working hard to address through initiatives such as our Generation Advisory Board and Business Travel Ambassadors.

Overall, the TMC outlook for 2023 remains a positive one as we all look to reconnect, facilitate and increase business travel throughout this year.

Clive Wratten Chief Executive Officer thebta.org.uk