US Treasury urged to recognise value
The US government should recognise the value of well managed travel programme, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has said.
In a filing to the US Treasury, the Association stressed the importance of such programmes especially to companies which were receiving government assistance.
The NBTA urged the Treasury to promote responsible travel, pointing out that the industry supported 2.4m jobs and accounted for $240bn spending each year.
It called on the Treasury to back industry guidelines, promoted by the NBTA and other organisations, for managing "excessive or luxury travel and event expenditures."
It also urged companies to adopt these guidelines and develop a travel management programme.
The Association also asked the Treasury to consider the travel manager's evolving role.
It offered the Teasury help into the changing role which was "due to the volatile complexities of the industry".
It said its comments highlighted a "travel manager's goals to implement cost savings initiatives and ensure the safety and security of travellers."
Kevin Maguire, NBTA's president and ceo, said: "NBTA believes a well-managed corporate travel programme ensures companies are following policies that include competitive bidding, expense reporting and cost containment - exactly the type of transparency and accountability the Obama Administration has sought."
He added some companies which were receiving state help had behaved irresponsibly earlier this year.
He added: "The outcry and media stories of frivolous spending rocked the industry, and companies that hadn't accepted assistance began to cancel meetings and events for fear of being labelled wasteful.
"To ensure the integrity of necessary corporate functions, NBTA is hopeful the Treasury Department will comment favourably on business travel that is important to economic growth and financial stability."
www.nbta.org