Final GBTA BTI Outlook Of The Year Shows Rising Momentum, But Group Notes Serious Concerns from Business Travel Professionals

Business travel spending is expected to see a robust year in 2014 fueled by steady corporate profits, increases in business investment and an improving U.S. economy. However, the ongoing partial government shutdown and potential default could derail progress and is already impacting business travel sentiment.

The final Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook – United States of the year, sponsored by Visa, Inc., forecasts that total U.S. business travel spending should grow by 7.2% in 2014, reaching $288.8 billion. Reversing a 2013 decline in trip volume, total trips taken should grow by 1.6% to 459.2 million. But a GBTA survey of more than 250 business travel professionals released Friday finds that two-thirds of respondents (66%) are concerned that their business will be negatively impacted by a partial shutdown longer than one week. A potential U.S. government default is a serious concern for 59% of respondents.

"The business travel industry is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and business travel is looking at a strong rebound year in 2014. The current government shutdown and potential default couldn't have come at a worse time. Just as we're finally turning a corner, all of these gains are being put at risk," said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. "We strongly urge Congress to recognize the damage caused by these unnecessary disruptions to U.S. business travel and keep our country open for business."

"Business travel spend is also a leading indicator of employment growth by one to two quarters. Clearly, the GBTA outlook for 2014 should bode well for the job market, but it all depends on whether our elected leaders can keep the economy on track," McCormick added.

To date, 40% of respondents say the partial shutdown has already impacted them, their company and or their company's employees. Of those who reported feeling an effect, the top three impacts were:

• Cancelled meeting or business opportunities in the United States – 57%
• Increased uncertainty about the economy – 57%
• Cancelled bookings – 50%
• Specific examples of the partial shutdown's impact on business travel professionals are included below.

GBTA currently expects that 2014 spending will be strong across all categories of business travel:

• International outbound spending should increase by 12.4% to $36.6 billion on a 7.2% increase in trips.
• Group travel spending should increase by 7.2% to $124.1 billion on a 1.5% increase in trips.

"If we can keep our economy on track, we should see robust international outbound growth, and emerging markets in regions like Latin America, Asia and the Middle East should see a growing percentage of U.S. traffic. The outlook for meetings is also a positive sign, because these are longer-lead spending decisions that businesses only make if they're feeling more confident about the direction of the economy and their own growth prospects," McCormick added.

In 2014, both international outbound travel and the meetings and events sector are forecast to turn in their strongest growth since 2011.

FMI: www.gbta.org