The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) – the voice of the business travel community – is disappointed to see the Obama Administration take another misguided swing at the travel industry. A statement issued by the Administration calling for reduced government travel comes at a dangerous time for an uncertain U.S. economy, and NBTA is concerned this unilateral action could undermine the slight recovery the travel industry is just now starting to experience.
Michael McCormick, Executive Director & COO of NBTA, stated, “President Obama’s recent statements calling for a reduction in government travel are troubling for two reasons. First, they are part of a pattern of negative and misguided comments from the Administration that hurt the travel industry at an incredibly challenging time. Second, they seem to imply that cutting travel is the goal. The goal should be to use travel as cost-effectively as possible to meet the needs of the United States. Instead of unilateral cuts, I encourage government agencies to reach out to the industry and learn how to properly manage travel and ‘green’ their travel system.”
Like the U.S. government, NBTA and its members strive to achieve results that are transparent and environmentally sustainable. NBTA will continue to seek opportunities to work with government agencies to promote corporate travel practices that are environmentally sound.