UK corporate travel push

INDUSTRY leaders in Britain have called for more recognition of the corporate travel sector, with the UK Business Travel Association (BTA) noting that business travellers are the drivers of international trade.

“As such, our industry should be recognised for its crucial role in the UK economy, and more must be done to improve the wider travel ecosystem,” according to BTA CEO Clive Wratten.

“Constant unruly disruptions are pushing commuters to their cars as they lose faith in public transport networks,” he said, adding that “delays to work trips due to travel incompetence are not only an inconvenience but carry significant economic and environmental costs for the UK.”

The BTA has released a formal Manifesto which outlines a strategic pathway to tackle industry pressure points and calls for more financial clarity following the UK’s departure from the European Union which has seen many SMEs applying for support under the Government’s Global Business Travel Fund.

The Manifesto also calls for trade agreements to include new work visas and permits as well as an industry standard for carbon-offsetting to reduce “greenwashing” by ensuring all businesses are held to the same level of accountability.

“We demand that the Government recognises the value of business travel and works together with the industry to ensure we collectively champion the unique needs of business travellers,” Wratten said.

Demand for business trips has not dampened, the BTA noted, with the sector also supporting more than 280,000 jobs despite a slowing economy.

Contributions from TMCs to the Manifesto suggest business travel could return to 85% of prepandemic levels in 2024.

“However at its current pace, the reality will result in economic growth being stunted further, with additional environmental pressure,” the BTA said.

The full manifesto can be downloaded HERE.