When it comes to the policies that shape the future of business travel, you—whether a travel manager, supplier, or industry professional—need a voice in the room. Last week, GBTA’s Advocacy team amplified that voice, meeting with European policy decision-makers to influence the frameworks and regulations that directly impact business travel.

Over three days, GBTA’s team, including Fulvio Origo, Delphine Millot, Shane Downey, and representatives from Grayling Public Affairs, conducted 15 meetings across Brussels. This included six meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and their advisors, four sessions with European Commission divisions such as DG Move and DG Home, a discussion with the U.S. Mission to the EU, and meetings with key industry stakeholders from airlines, hotels, and travel technology providers.

These meetings were opportunities to represent the interests of GBTA members and the industry overall to and address the challenges that shape how business travel operates across borders. Key topics included streamlining travel processes, maintaining competitiveness, and paving the way for sustainable business travel.

  • Spotlight on Business Travel: GBTA highlighted the critical role of business travel’s $1.4 trillion contribution to the global economy. Meetings with MEPs Jens Gieseke (EPP) and Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D)—both members of the Transportation and Tourism Committee—focused on the distinct needs of business versus leisure travel.
  • Digital Travel Innovations: MEP Gieseke expressed strong support for digital travel documents to cut through bureaucratic hurdles, a move that could streamline your travel processes.
  • Proactive Support for Key Policies: We engaged on upcoming legislation like the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation, which aims to simplify rail bookings across Europe with a single ticketing system, and shared your perspective on policies that impact traveler experience.

GBTA also gained critical updates on regulatory changes that could affect your travel planning:

  • Postponed Rollout of Entry/Exit System (EES): Due to technical challenges, EES implementation will now begin in early 2025, delaying the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until at least 2026. This extended timeline gives stakeholders more time to prepare for compliance.
  • Sustainable Transport Investment Plan: Expected in 2025, this initiative will drive both decarbonization and competitiveness, ensuring that EU companies remain at the forefront of sustainable travel solutions.

GBTA will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize your needs and the broader business travel community. To keep updated on GBTA’s advocacy efforts in Europe, subscribe to a newsletter, bookmark the GBTA Advocacy page and follow GBTA on LinkedIn.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.