GBTA Toronto Conference Set For September

GBTA Canada will hold its Toronto Conference at the Sheraton Centre from Sept. 20 to Sept. 21, 2021.

Nancy Tudorache, regional VP, GBTA Canada, said that: “Due to the current national restrictions and our ambition to have a face-to-face event in this region, we have decided to move the Toronto conference to Q3.”

Tudorache continued: “This event has always been a huge success and listening to buyers and suppliers alike, I know our members are keen to meet in person. I am delighted that we have been able to work with the Sheraton Centre in Toronto to accommodate the wishes of our members and I’m very much looking forward to hosting our first in-person event for some time.”

With the change in the Toronto Conference dates, the GBTA advises that its Calgary Western Canadian Conference will now take place in the fall of 2022.

In other news from GBTA, the association held its Canada Town Hall recently to present the annual BTI™ Outlook focused on Canada, and the Association’s regional plans for the year ahead.

Key findings of GBTA’s BTI Outlook include an analysis of 2020 challenges for the business travel industry as well as a recovery forecast.

Highlights include:

• Business travel activity in Canada contributed $25.7B of the $1.43 trillion global business travel spend in 2019. The region ranked 11thin the world in terms of business travel spend.
• Business travel spending plummeted an estimated -51% to $12.5B in 2020.

In terms of a forecast on business travel recovery, the BTI Outlook reports:

• GDP and business travel spend is expected to bounce back in 2021, but recovery will be gradual due to a slow start to the national vaccination effort, a restrictive national travel policy, lagging business confidence and unprecedented debt levels, which will delay economic growth.
• Canada is projected to reach a total business travel spend of $23.6B by 2024, 92% of annual pre-pandemic levels.

Commenting on the results, Tudorache said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on our region and while forecasts show some revival later this year, it is clear that the economy and business confidence is going to take time to recover.”

To register, go to https://www.gbta.org/calendar/programs-by-location/north-america/ready-safe-travel-training-program .

For more on GBTA, go to www.gbta.org .