GBTA has been a long-time supporter and advocate of the Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act which has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and is awaiting the signature of President Biden.
Also referred to as the “Tour Bus,” GBTA sees the bill as a positive step in restoring global business travel and meetings in the U.S. and abroad. In 2021, GBTA’s Business Travel Index forecast that the year's global business travel spending would be 40% less than prior estimates, a loss of approximately $550 billion in annual direct travel spending due to the pandemic.
“Inclusion of these items is a great step forward in government and business working together. It will help ensure we continue to get back to business travel, one of the important drivers for keeping economies moving around the world. Face-to-face business meetings are instrumental in driving job creation, fostering team productivity, increasing corporate revenues, and facilitating expansion efforts,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA.
In the Tour Bus, GBTA advocated for the implementation and support of the “Visit America” Program and the creation of an Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism within the Department of Commerce. This role will be vital in establishing goals, pursuing strategies, and convening public and private sector stakeholders toward increasing international travel.
In September 2021, Neufang testified on behalf of GBTA and its members during the US Senate Subcommittee hearing titled “Legislative Solutions to Revive Travel and Tourism and Create Jobs” related to the Tour Bus.
