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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and CWT, a self-described business to business for employees platform, are peering into their crystal ball—backed by a healthy dose of data—to prognosticate what the near future of business travel could look like. As a supplement to their Global Business Travel Forecast, the organizations have released a supplement called 2040: Baseline, Boom, or Bust, which focuses on three scenarios that could impact the state of corporate travel in the coming decades.
The supplement recognizes the rapid changes in demographic shifts and global volatility in addition to emerging technologies as part of its considerations. Further, it offers recommendations to businesses to navigate the changing landscape and prepare their companies for the evolution.
Among the interesting observations is the prediction that the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for ground transportation could become standard practice as the push for sustainable travel intensifies, meaning that ground transportation could replace short-haul flights—that is, if virtual tech doesn’t replace the “need” to travel.
The potential scenarios addressed include:
- Base Case: Business travel is projected to stabilize with a moderate growth rate, reaching just over 1 billion passengers by 2040. This growth is driven by a balanced approach to sustainability and technology, with companies adopting eco-friendly practices and advanced travel management tools. Companies will prioritize essential travel, leveraging virtual meeting technologies to enhance efficiency. The percentage of the workforce involved in business travel is expected to rise to nearly 18%, reflecting a steady but measured increase.
- Boom: Under the boom scenario, business travel experiences robust growth, with the number of global business travelers exceeding 1.2 billion passengers by 2040. This surge is fueled by increased travel to emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Asia, which are projected to account for a substantial portion of the growth. The widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and advancements in green technology contribute to this scenario. Nearly 22% of the global workforce is involved in business travel, driven by heightened global collaboration and the integration of AI, VR, and automation in travel processes.
- Bust: In the bust scenario—the most pessimistic of the three—business travel growth slows significantly, with the number of business travelers reaching around 800 million by 2040. This slowdown is attributed to stringent sustainability regulations, slow adoption of eco-friendly practices, and the rise of remote and flexible work arrangements. Companies will increasingly rely on virtual interactions and hybrid events, focusing on essential trips only. Geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty further contribute to the reduction in travel, with stricter visa regulations and carbon taxes playing a role in the diminished travel demand.
“The future of business travel is at a critical juncture, driven by technological advancements, sustainability mandates, and evolving global dynamics,” said CWT EVP & Chief Customer Officer Nick Vournakis. “Our report emphasizes the need for businesses to be adaptable and proactive in their travel strategies. Whether navigating a boom in global travel or adapting to a slowdown, businesses that proactively integrate technology, prioritize sustainability, and stay agile will be best positioned to thrive in this shifting landscape.”
The full report is available here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[10.22.24]
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MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines (left) with VLA President Bill Kerr of Camryn Executive Transportation
The Maryland Livery Association (MLA) and Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) held a joint meeting on October 15 in the ballroom at the CD/NLA Show at the Gaylord National. Sponsored by Advantage Remarketing Solutions and HILB Group, the meeting featured a packed house of operators and vendors from the Beltway Area and beyond. Under the theme of “the Importance of Local Associations,” MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines and VLA President Bill Kerr of Camryn Executive Transportation presented as a tag team and welcomed several high-profile guest speakers.
First, NLA and New England Livery Association President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine was introduced to talk about the NLA and associations as a whole. He said that being part of regional/national organizations presents operators with a “unified voice,” particularly in times of crisis. Barenholtz also spoke of the importance of lobbyists to local associations, as they give the group a powerful voice with legislators. Lastly, the NLA president said that being part of regional associations is “like having a 20-group” as you can share ideas and issues with fellow operators.
Next, Kerr introduced representatives from the meeting’s sponsors. Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions spoke briefly about his company’s services as dealer and financer of vehicles, and he was followed by Bryan Johnson of insurance provider the HILB Group. Joseph then took the opportunity to thank Chris Weiss and Rob Smentek of Chauffeur Driven for supporting local associations in the magazine and at meetings. A representative from Limo Anywhere also spoke, offering 50 percent off set up fees to the meeting’s attendees.
NLA Treasurer/Florida Limousine Association President Rick Versace of A1A Global Group was next to take the podium. He reinforced Barenholtz’s sentiment about the strength of lobbyists and then spoke a bit about the insurance crisis facing the industry. Versace cited tort abuse as the primary cause of the exceptionally high rates that operators are seeing. He also discussed the importance of operators and chauffeurs having access to the curb at airports.
Then, Jennifer Matthews and Andrea Bickley of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority were introduced. The pair was on hand to perform on-site permitting for operators who operate at Dulles and Regan International Airports.
Kerr and Joseph then offered tips and advice to build stronger local associations. Joseph advised leaders to “always think about takeaways and bring education to every meeting.” He shared that the MLA member attendance has grown substantially at their meetings and credits the education and guests that they offer at their lunchtime meetings. He also suggested that organizations need to build a board of directors the way one would build a business. Joseph encouraged the associations to get good vendors involved on the board level. Kerr discussed the recent revamping of the VLA with a new board and emphasized the importance of joining other regional associations as an affiliate member.
Visit marylandliveryassociation.org or virginialimousineassociation.org for more information.
[10.21.24]
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Can you believe we’re less than a week away from the 2024 CD/NLA Show in National Harbor? We’re ready to hit the Gaylord National on October 13-16, located just outside Washington, D.C., and frankly, we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve planned four days of networking, education, and, yes, fun, and can’t wait to see our industry friends and colleagues once again. Despite the show being just around the corner, there’s still time to register and, most importantly, save money. Simply click here to join the industry event of the season and beat the onsite prices.
By now, you’re undoubtedly more than a little interested in the 2024 CD/NLA Show events and sessions, and who can blame you? But if there were only a simple and easy way to get the lowdown on the entire show and plan your time in National Harbor… Well, thanks to returning sponsor North Point Global Transportation Services, the show app is here! This app is your gateway to all of our show’s exhibitors, attendees, speakers, events, floor plans, and so much more—in other words, everything you need to navigate the CD/NLA Show. Just head to your favorite app store and search for CD NLA Shows to download the newest version of our show app.
Once you have the app, you can schedule personal appointments with other app users, whether it’s having coffee with an affiliate or dinner with a vendor. Don’t forget that you can also customize your show agenda by saving events that you don’t want to miss and receive push reminders. Download today and create your personal profile. It’s easy and free!
Nicole Banks of I AM Resource
In the meantime, while you’re planning your show experience on the app, be sure to make plans to stick around on Wednesday, October 16, for a pair of deep-dive sessions. First from 8:45-10:15 a.m., we have Beyond the Basics: Advanced Strategies for Leveraging Team Personalities. Join presenter Nicole Banks of I AM Resource as we will explore advanced strategies to improve communication and collaboration within your team. Learn how to use the strengths of diverse personalities to resolve conflicts, make better decisions, and create a more cohesive, high-performing work environment. Walk away with practical insights and techniques to help your team achieve sustained success.
Sean Duvall of Golden Limousine International 
Jeff Shanker of Black Tie Transportation
Then at 10:30 a.m., we conclude our educational programming with Perfecting the Recipe for a Stronger Risk Management and Safety Plan, an in-depth look at building your safety program. In this session, moderated by Sean Duval of Golden Limousine International and featuring speaker Jeff Shanker of Black Tie Transportation, you’ll go beyond the basics and dive into real-world examples you can bring back and implement right away. You’ll get hands-on materials, templates, and practical tools that will take your safety efforts to the next level. Whether you’re refining your current program or building from scratch, this session will give you the actionable resources you need to drive results.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[10.08.24]