GBTA Encourages Government To Support Business Travel

The Global Business Travel Association Canada (GBTA Canada) says it is looking forward to working with Canada’s new federal government on support for business travel and all the benefits it brings to Canadians.

Nancy Tudorache, regional vice president, Canada for GBTA, observed: “GBTA Canada congratulates Prime Minister Trudeau on forming Canada’s new Federal government and looks forward to working with all parliamentarians to support business travel and capture all the benefits that this activity brings to Canadians.”

Tudorache emphasized that: “Advancing policies that facilitate business travel not only drives commerce and trade, it also contributes to our national prosperity and that is something everyone can support as we climb out of this pandemic.”

GBTA Canada data reveals that the pandemic and associated travel restrictions at the height of the pandemic, resulted in nearly a 90%, decrease in business travel that negatively impacted 600,000 jobs and reduced spending in Canada by $2.9 billion (CAD) per month.

And the association is encouraging the new government to focus on the challenges the sector continues to face as a result of the pandemic.

One of the major challenges the sector is currently facing is the lack of a clear and simple vaccination certification program, one that is interoperable provincially and internationally – something that is already in place in many countries around the world.

In addition, GBTA Canada points to the lack of resources at borders making entry into Canada at some Canadian airports a multi-hour process.

Ongoing border restrictions at US-Canadian land crossings also represent serious challenges to the resumption of cross-border business opportunities.

Said Tudorache: “Business travel is about making and strengthening connections, growing careers, doing deals, fostering client relationships, engaging employees, growing businesses, and stimulating economies. Whether it be a corporate meeting in Toronto, visiting an oil site Alberta or meeting with retail locations across the country, these missed opportunities represent a significant loss to the national economy in terms of tax revenue.”

And she concluded: “Our mission is to help restore and improve these interactions by reducing the obstacles to business travel.”