BTA calls on TMC sector to ‘step out of shadows’

The Business Travel Association (BTA) unveiled a “blueprint” for its future at its conference in Munich last week with chief executive Clive Wratten telling members it is time travel management companies (TMCs) “stepped out of the shadows”.

Wratten suggested there is “a big job to do” to change perceptions of the sector, insisting: “Business travel isn’t just about suits and briefcases.”

He said “it’s frustrating talking to politicians” and argued the BTA needs to exert its influence on government and public opinion and educate clients and suppliers, saying: “It’s time for TMCs to step out of the shadows and claim their place as economic enablers.”

Wratten noted research among more than 1,000 corporate travellers for a BTA white paper issued at the conference found (62%) of UK business trips were domestic and “tradespeople travel the most, not executives”.

He said: “The BTA’s role is to champion TMCs, but we represent the voice of the managed travel sector not just TMCs.”

Wratten argued: “Why do we need to change perceptions? When you’re misunderstood, you’re undervalued – and when you’re undervalued, you’re underinvested in. We see that with the rail network. When the government understands the value [of a sector], investment follows.”

He outlined four “pillars” of the BTA’s strategy: to become “fully the voice of the sector”, to present TMCs “as marks of excellence”, to attract “the next generation of talent” and “to establish the BTA as an authority the government should listen to”.

Describing it as “a blueprint” for the future, Wratten told members: “Business travel is at a crossroads. We have to change the image of this industry.”

The white paper, entitled ‘Beyond the Boardroom’, highlights the diversity of UK business travellers, who range “from community nurses and skilled tradespeople to consultants and caterers”, with research suggesting 72% use TMCs across all types of trip. Wratten said: “We commissioned the report to challenge outdated assumptions.”

The BTA announced Douglas O’Neill, chief executive of Inntel, as the new chair of its board in place of interim chair Mervyn Williamson after Suzanne Horner stood down earlier this year – with the addition of Donna Fitzgerald of Clarity Travel Management and Louise Hutchinson-Chambers of Corporate Travel Management giving the board a 50:50 gender split.