The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has outlined its key priorities for the next European Parliament term, emphasising the need for streamlining the passenger experience and accelerating the decarbonisation of travel within the EU over the next five years.
Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, underscored the association’s commitment to collaborating with European institutions to ensure that the business travel sector continues to facilitate work, commerce, and diplomacy while aligning with the EU’s ambitious green transition plans.
GBTA’s policy priorities aim to advocate for well-considered policies from EU lawmakers post the June elections, focusing on sustaining business travel’s role in enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and supporting its green transition agenda.
The association calls for the timely completion of critical initiatives aimed at digitalising travel procedures, such as the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). These measures are expected to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and streamline administrative processes for business travelers.
Additionally, GBTA urges ongoing revisions of passenger rights regulations to bolster traveler protection in unforeseen circumstances, emphasising the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks with evolving travel needs.
Addressing the imperative of decarbonising travel, GBTA emphasises the importance of making sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) more accessible and calls for a clearer EU legislative framework to incentivise and facilitate its adoption.
Another focal point is modernizing ticket distribution regulations to enable more multi-modal travel options, aligning with the growing demand for greener transportation alternatives among business travelers. GBTA emphasises the need for timely implementation of initiatives such as the EU’s Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) to enhance digital ticketing for journeys combining different modes of transport.
GBTA’s advocacy for these priorities reflects its commitment to fostering a conducive environment for sustainable and efficient business travel within the EU, aligning with broader efforts to promote environmental sustainability and enhance travel experiences.