The UK’s Business Travel Association (BTA) has today launched a manifesto outlining a strategic pathway to tackle industry pressure points for 2024.

The aim of the manifesto is to offer a “framework for all sectors to ensure a prosperous travel network”.

The 18-page document outlines key issues for 2024 such as filling the skills gap, achieving net zero emissions, investment in transport networks and encouraging EV use, as well as asking for a fund to help SMEs with their business travel.

The manifesto emphasises that outdated and abandoned infrastructure such as the HS2 project, connectivity issues, poor sustainability commitments, and a depleting workforce are challenging traveller trust. 

Clive Wratten, CEO of the BTA, said: “Constant unruly disruptions are pushing commuters to their cars as they lose faith in public transport networks. 

“Delays to work trips due to travel incompetence are not only an inconvenience but carry significant economic and environmental costs for the UK.”

BTA calls for an industry standard of carbon offsetting with greater collaboration between the government and industry sectors to guarantee a suitable accreditation.

According to the document this will reduce greenwashing by ensuring all businesses are held to the same level of accountability. 

Wratten added: “There is no common standard for businesses operating in the industry. This must change. We demand that the government recognise the value of business travel and work together with the industry to ensure we collectively champion the unique needs of business travellers.”  

BTA urges the Governemnt to offer financial
incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies or grants to airlines and
industry more widely to encourage the investment and deployment of SAF
across the industry. It calls for at least 75 per cent of APD from
ultra-long-haul flights be ring-fenced for funding green projects.

The manifesto also pushes for a new UK Global Business Travel Fund, and more financial clarity following the UK’s departure from the European Union. 

According to the document, SMEs can currently benefit from the DIT Internationalisation Fund, which provides grants to support business travel for reasons such as market research, consultancy, independent market visits and trade fairs.

However, BTA says it is unclear whether this fund will continue following the UK’s departure from the European Union and this would affect hundreds of SMEs.

International Fund Administrator, Capita, says around 200 SMEs currently apply for this fund each month.

BTA is asking for the fund to continue or see it replaced with a UK Global Business Travel fund and, if implemented, this could be coordinated as part of the signing of new Free Trade Agreements, encouraging SMEs to travel to new trading partners, unlocking new business deals in key industries across the world.

Other key points the manifesto addresses:

• Rail: the simplification of rail ticketing options including definitions of peak and off peak to be “consistent and agile enough to respond to industry and public demands”;
• Better connections: BTA wants to see the prioritisation of rail infrastructure and key business routes across the UK, including HS2 and Network North. “We would like to see Network North deliver on better connectivity, not only between our major Northern hubs, but also our smaller towns where transport connections often make travelling for business time consuming and difficult”;
• International Trade Agreements: the manifesto looks at the issue of more flexible trade agreements for those working remotely abroad;
• Skilled leaders: to look at other ways to encourage those into the business travel sector and have a long term strategy for future workforce;
• EV: BTA welcomes the Government’s existing target of 300,000 EV
  charging points by 2030 but wants information on where geographically
  these charging points will be allocated particularly to fit in with
  other transport plans including Network North.

The manifesto features contributions from travel management company (TMC) partners and predicts that the 2024 outlook could be positive, with business travel returning to 80-85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.