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*BREAKING NEWS* Hotel CEOs and NBTA to Congress: Stop Bashing Travel (UPDATED Feb. 27, 2:45 p.m.)
February 27, 2009
Editor's Note: Get more on this developing story in Incentive's e-newsletter, mailing next Wednesday to opt-in subscribers. Sign-up here
By Stacy Straczynski
In a press release distributed within the last hour, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) voiced concerns about the recent negative perception of business travel, meetings and events. NBTA urges the corporate travel and meetings community to contact Congress with concerns about how recent actions may harm the business travel and meetings industry—a call that seems to be a direct extension of this morning's public petition from Carlson Hotels Worldwide President and CEO Jay Witzel and other hotel-industry leaders.
In a letter to members of Congress, Witzel and executives from nine of the nation's other largest hotel companies wrote: "We understand the economic pressures that have caused many companies to reduce business travel as part of broader cost-cutting measures. However, we are concerned that legitimate meetings, business events and recognition travel are now being portrayed as perks and symbols of excess."
The letter also cited Department of Labor statistics, detailing that 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost in 2008, and how the Department of Commerce predicts another 247,000 travel-related jobs could disappear in 2009.
"That number may grow if the rhetoric is not toned down," the hotel executives wrote. "…This is a time when we should be looking to create and support jobs, not destroy them. A robust travel industry is a powerful economic stimulus."
The other companies signing the letter included Hilton Hotels Corp, Global Hyatt Corp, Marriott International Inc, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Loews Hotels and Wyndham Worldwide.
NBTA President & CEO Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, says, "NBTA is alarmed by the negative portrayal of the meetings industry and fears Congressional actions that may cripple the travel industry and the economy as a whole. Corporate travel professionals have made travel for meetings and events a cost effective tool that help businesses grow, and Congress must be educated on the importance of managed travel and the benefits it brings."
Large groups, including those that are not receiving federal assistance, are canceling business out of fear for being publicly criticized, the executives say. "Make no mistake, these decisions have serious economic consequences."
Editor's note: For more on Congress and incentive travel news, read "Business Travel Groups Push Best Practices, "The Public Perception of Recognition, as Sparked by Wells Fargo" and "Senate Proposes Incentive Ban for Bailed Out Banks."
A Call to Arms
Via NBTA's online Legislative Action Center, business travel and meetings professionals can submit a letter to Congress explaining the importance of managed travel and meetings, along with all associated economic benefits. The letter is customizable and is sent to the user's elected officials in Washington, DC.
In the e-mail to Congress, travel professionals can say:
• The industry recognizes there are concerns with how companies are spending money. A well managed travel program ensures companies are following guidelines that include competitive bidding, expense reporting, cost containment, and policy compliance. Exactly the type of transparency and accountability President Obama has called for.
• The introduction of legislation and media driven stories are having a chilling effect on the entire travel community. Companies that have never taken a cent of [government assistance] are canceling meetings and other events because they are afraid of being attacked as wasteful. This hurts the business travel industry, but it also affects the bellman, the maid, the waitress and other hourly employees that will be laid off as these meetings and conventions decline.
• As a member of a community that creates $244 billion in spending, 2.4 million America jobs and $39 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state and local level, I hope you will listen to our ideas and suggestions. Let the Treasury Department work with the business travel industry to set guidelines for managed travel. The worst possible step Congress can do now is to ban meetings and conferences. This knee-jerk reaction would not only hurt the targeted companies, it would hurt the entire American economy.
For more information, visit the NBTA Legislative Action Center at http://capwiz.com/nbta.
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