Search

×

USTA cites uneven guidance for slow business travel rebound

Business-related travel will not return to the pre-COVID volume in the next two years amid lack of clear and consistent guidance from the federal health authorities on professional meeting and events (PMEs), according to a study released Tuesday by the US Travel Association. Presently, only about one-third (35%) of U.S. businesses are engaging in business-related travel.

A staggering 65% of all the jobs lost in the U.S. in 2020 were supported by travel and they cannot recover entirely without a swift return of all segments of travel, particularly in-person PMEs, the analysis said.

“As more American adults are vaccinated and pent-up demand for travel is released, it’s more important than ever that businesses and local, state and federal governments recognize the role meetings and events will play in our ability to make a full economic recovery,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton. “By following CDC guidance and implementing common-sense safety measures, we’re hosting professional meetings and events in our hotels across the country and we are confident that these important gatherings can happen safely once again.”

To support the revival of PMEs, a coalition of travel industry businesses and organizations under the US Travel Association umbrella is launching an initiative called ‘Let’s Meet There’ on June 16 in Las Vegas to promote the full and safe reopening of the business travel sector.

While travel was the hardest hit sector due to the ongoing pandemic, spending on travel for large, in-person PMEs dipped by 76% last year, amounting to losses worth US$97 billion. One of the major factors of the slow return of PMEs is the uneven patchwork of guidance among jurisdictions regarding big gatherings.

However, with increasing vaccinations, lowering infection rates, easing of COVID restrictions and rebounding traveler confidence, domestic leisure travel is expected to reach 99% of its pre-pandemic peak in 2022 and grow steadily.

Health care scientists at the Ohio State University released a white paper, called the ‘Scientific-Based Evidence for Conducting Safe and Healthy PMEs’, on Tuesday that includes an analysis focused on a review of proven health and safety measures, showing that it is safe to conduct and attend PMEs.

“A thriving travel industry— and the broader US economy— are dependent on the return of business travel and PMEs. Americans are eager to reconnect with colleagues in person, via business meetings, conferences and conventions, and these scientific analysis and recommendations make clear it is possible and safe to do so,” said US Travel president and CEO Roger Dow. “A consistent approach to reopening PMEs, including guidance from the CDC that differentiates PMEs from other large gatherings, is critical to infusing confidence and optimism into this key sector of our economy.”

Comment