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GbTA GoES INTERACTIVE AT EuRopEAN CoNFERENCE deleGATes at the GBTA's 2021 European Conference in Berlin in December will be able to join interactive sessions to discuss and share ideas on four aspects of post pandemic travel programmes. ‘The Big Idea’ and a ‘Think Tank Series’ - new to the programme will run alongside main stage presentations focussing on key strategic issues and breakout sessions on industry excellence. Sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion will be even higher on the agenda at this year's conference, which is being held on
December 6-8 in partnership with VDR, the German Business Travel Association. "The way in which we work has changed and the GBTA European Conference will address these issues and provide an opportunity to once again connect, to share and to learn from one another," said a spokeswoman. Delegates will also get the chance to network at a welcome reception and a Christmas-themed 'Mingle All the Way' reception, and join a morning running tour taking in Berlin's most famous landmarks.
PanDemic forces inDePenDent tmc to sell off travel assets The TRAvel-RelATed assets of independent TMC, Flightline Travel Management, have been acquired by Global Travel Management (GTM). “It is very sad that another great name and a superb SME TMC has been removed from the business travel industry but we are looking forward to working hand-inhand with new customers," said Scott Pawley, GTM Managing Director.
34%
Train alternatives under six hours
Research commissioned by Greenpeace shows 34% (51) of the 150 busiest short-haul flights in the EU have train alternatives under six hours, and the same can be said about 73 of the 250 busiest shorthaul flights in Europe (the EU plus Switzerland, Norway and the UK)
mckinsey Report triggers optimism GlOBAl business travel spending looks set to rise by more than a quarter this year and reach two thirds of pre-Covid levels by the end of 2022, says a report from the World Travel & Tourism Council in collaboration with McKinsey & Company. It predicts a modest 26% rise in global business travel spend this year followed by a further rise of 34% next year. But this comes in the wake of a 61% collapse in business travel spend in 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions. Julia Simpson, WTTC CEO & President, said: “Business travel is starting to pick up. We expect to see two thirds back by the end of 2022. Business travel has been seriously hit but our research shows room for optimism with Asia Pacific and Middle East first off the starting blocks.”
[ NEWS bITES ] >> AMERICAN Express Global Business Travel has completed the acquisition of Egencia >> TRIPACTIONS has secured a $275 million in Series F growth funding, pushing its post-money valuation to $7.25 billion >> QANTAS has brought forward the restart of services between London and Melbourne to November 6, six weeks earlier than originally planned >> CYCAS Hospitality is to take over the operation of three upscale boutique hotels - the Mercure London Hyde Park, Mercure London Paddington and the Hotel Indigo London Paddington - as part of a deal with London Town Group >> HEATHROW Express has released seat-yoga exercises for passengers to relieve tension >> THE BUSINESS Travel Magazine’s website, thebusinesstravelmag.com, was named Best Trade Publication Online at the Travel Media Awards <<
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com
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