GBTA welcomes EU plan to make business travel more efficient, sustainable

In meetings with key policymakers in Europe this week, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) continued to drive home the message that business travel is a vital driver of economic growth, international collaboration and innovation.

Senior GBTA officials participated in more that 20 meetings with key representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and upcoming EU Council Presidency to advance policies that support a thriving, sustainable and modernized business travel ecosystem.

Meeting with the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, GBTA emphasized the importance of seamless and secure travel across borders. The association offered its collaboration to both the European Union and the U.S. Mission on the implementation of new travel procedures such as the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), by coordinating advanced, factual communications with its members.

And GBTA indicated that it will support the EU Digital Travel Credentials once released by the European Commission next year, on the condition that it aligns with its call for an interoperable and opt-in system where business travellers’ data privacy is guaranteed.

The association also urged the EU to consider further incentives for the production and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); recognizing the need for the development of viable solutions to decarbonize travel.

GBTA also asked for the recognition of the business travel sector as a key driver of progress in future EU travel and tourism policy initiatives, including the Sustainable Tourism Strategy that will be released next year.

With the European Commission’s announcement of a major investment plan to accelerate high-speed rail across the EU — including proposals to establish interoperability and data-sharing requirements for cross-border services — GBTA highlighted the importance of making rail a viable option for business travel, with better access to content, multimodal connections and clarity of refund and journey continuation rules.

These developments directly align with business travel imperatives: shorter transit times, improved connectivity between key business hubs and more reliable options to substitute flights with rail where feasible. GBTA views the modernised rail-network agenda as a major step toward a more efficient, sustainable travel environment for corporate travellers.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said: “Business travel is a vital driver of economic growth, international collaboration and innovation. Our meetings in Brussels reflect GBTA’s long-standing commitment to shaping a policy environment that supports traveller mobility, sustainability and modernisation. We look forward to continued dialogue and partnership with EU leaders to ensure the business travel sector remains resilient and forward-looking.”

In the Photo

Seen in the photo, from l to r, are Shane Downey, Vice President, Government Relations, GBTA; Fulvio Origo, Country Manager, Italy, GBTA; Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner, Internal Affairs and Migration; Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA; Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President, Advocacy, GBTA