The Guild of Travel Management Companies made its first official foray into the political arena this week with the launch of its long-awaited business travel manifesto.
The GTMC’s executive had worked tirelessly over the last two years under the guidance of a public affairs agency to gain access to the corridors of Whitehall, engaging with government, opposition parties and civil servants.
The manifesto was seen as a culmination of the organisation’s efforts to establish itself as the credible and united voice of the business travel sector and a major travel industry lobbying force alongside the Institute of Travel and Meetings and Abta.
Speaking in front of politicians and press at the document’s launch in Westminster, the GTMC’s chief executive, Anne Godfrey (pictured left), said it was a pivotal moment in the history of the membership organisation. She called on politicians to take the manifesto, and its findings, seriously.
Labour’s Louise Ellman (pictured right), chair of the Government’s Transport Select Committee, said the manifesto had brought added value and that politicians would “take note of it”, but failed to outline exactly what role it might play.
She also suggested that the business travel sector and the broader transport sector should brace itself for inevitable spending after the general election.
The MP did, however, say the manifesto had thrown up some surprises.
“We knew connectivity was important to travellers domestically, but had not considered internationally connectivity and the importance of high-speed rail.”
Godfrey said: “ All the business travel wants is to get from A to B as quickly as possible, and to be able to work during their journey.”
The Scot, who succeeded Philip Carlisle as chief executive at the GTMC’s AGM earlier this month, said her members wanted clarity and unity from political parties on a number of issues surrounding roads, the rail system and aviation.
The manifesto was compiled after the GTMC polled some 1,250 business travellers in November last year.