THE GUILD OF TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Companies (GTMC) has launched its long-awaited Business Travel Manifesto. The GTMC's executive had worked for two years under the guidance of a public affairs agency to gain access to Whitehall.
The manifesto was the culmination of the group's efforts to establish itself as a credible and united voice of the business travel sector and a major lobbying force alongside the Institute of Travel and Meetings and Abta.
Chief executive Anne Godfrey called on politicians to take the manifesto, and its findings, seriously. Labour's Louise Ellman, chair of the Government's transport select committee, said it gave added value and that politicians would "take note of it", but failed to outline exactly what role it might play.
She also suggested the business travel sector should brace itself for inevitable spending cuts after the general election.
The MP did, however, say that the manifesto had thrown up some surprises. "We knew connectivity was important to travellers domestically, but hadn't considered international connectivity and the importance of high-speed rail." Simplifying the survey's main message, Godfrey said: "All that business travel wants is to get from A to B as quickly as possible, and to be able to work during their journey." The Business Travel Manifesto was compiled after the GTMC polled some 1,250 business travellers in November.