BTN Europe published dozens of guest columns in 2020 from a
diverse range of contributors, each of them voicing an opinion, offering advice
or sharing their concerns as the Covid pandemic swept across the world.
Featured below are the most-read contributions (Source:
Google Analytics page views) from last year. Thanks to all our guest columnists
for communicating their thoughts and, ultimately, helping the industry navigate the challenges of the pandemic and its ultimate recovery.
All BTN Europe’s guest columns can be found here, while proposals
for new articles are welcome at any time – please email editor-in-chief Andy
Hoskins.
And just like that, travel is gone (28 April, 2020)
By travel tech innovator Johnny Thorsen
“This is not the end of a Hollywood blockbuster or
a great new advert. It is the end of corporate travel as we have come to know
and love it for more than 20 years.”
The value of the travel manager (13 August, 2020)
By Holly Warner, global business consulting
director at Amex GBT, and Cathy Katynski, global travel programme manager
“While the role is bound to
evolve in this new operating environment, one thing will remain constant:
travel managers are central to cross-functional collaboration.”
The inside track: how Covid-19 affected one TMC (1 July,
2020)
By Marcus Eklund, global managing director, FCM
Travel Solutions
“Like most businesses in the travel industry, FCM was forced to take some tough
decisions and we immediately reviewed our processes to see where we could
reduce costs.”
Covid-19 and corporate travel: taking action for what comes
next (30 March, 2020)
By Cara Whitehill, chief commercial officer, Traxo
“Travel suppliers and service providers who support
corporate travel managers and the programmes and travellers they manage are
experiencing a catastrophic and unprecedented meltdown of their business in a
shockingly short time.”
Business travel’s new normal will take time to emerge (19
May, 2020)
By Manuel Brachet, vice president of customer
success, Egencia
“Strong
travel culture is linked with innovation, growth and overall competitive
advantage in large part because of the empathy engendered when we’re
face-to-face – without a screen between us.”
Looking ahead: how to reduce travel programme costs in 2021
(29 July, 2020)
By Lori Menzione and Al Norman, American Express Global Business Travel, Global
Business Consulting
“You know
the income your business generates through in-person meetings far exceeds the
savings of grounded travellers, but you will still need to satisfy looming
demands from finance teams.”
Duty of care’s central role in business travel recovery (22
June, 2020)
By Adam Knights, regional managing director EMEA, ATPI Group
“The
stronger the duty of care approach, the more likely that regular business
travel can return for the long term. Business travel’s reputation and recovery
rests on getting it right.”
Button up your OBT as Coronavirus bears down (10 March,
2020)
By Darrin Grafton, chief executive, Serko
“The
epidemic will spark a more thorough review of company risk management and
duty-of-care processes and policies once the worst has passed.”
Are you ready for post-Covid meetings and events? (11 August,
2020)
By Nour Mouakke, founder and chief executive, Wizme
“It’s
important not to underestimate delegate resistance to attend such meetings and
the level of reassurance they will need.”
Three things corporates must do as business travel returns (6
August, 2020)
By Liz Emmott, UK general manager, Amadeus
“We cannot
ignore the changed landscape, and it is vital that business travel agencies and
travel departments step up to support corporate travellers looking to travel
with confidence and purpose.”