The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Canada Conference 2023, which was held in Toronto from May 15 to 17, says that full recovery in Canada business travel is likely by 2025, with total business of USD 32 billion, highlighting that business travel in Canada is set for a prosperous, developing future.
For its annual regional event, the GBTA, the leading organisation and “voice” of the international business travel sector, welcomed Canadian business travel professionals and organisations to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. As part of the conference’s hallmark “Big Night Out” networking event, over 685 registered business travel buyers, suppliers, and other guests and 58 exhibiting businesses gathered for main stage speeches, panel discussions, and educational sessions as well as Canada volunteer recognition.
Nancy Tudorache
“Bringing together GBTA’s business travel community for insights, learning, and face-to-face connection time are all key to navigating and growing the sector in Canada. This event engages industry professionals and organizations in better understanding and preparing for the future of business travel while also enabling them to engage and learn in an incredible peer-to-peer environment,” says Nancy Tudorache, Regional Vice President-Americas, GBTA.
Strong forecast and outlook for business travel In Canada
GBTA says that the conference covered important issues and opportunities for the Canadian business travel industry, such as the needs of the next generation of travel managers, the evolution of travellers and the passenger experience, perspectives on the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC), sustainability in business travel, and retraining the workforce. A special welcome event for new and returning industry experts was among the event’s many buyer and supplier workshops, networking opportunities, and other features.
It adds that Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA, presented Canada-specific forecasts from GBTA’s Business Travel Index (BTI) Outlook report as well as overall insights and trends ahead for the industry. With most global business travel on the rebound post-pandemic, based on the last GBTA BTI, in 2022 Canada was projected to have year-on-year growth of 47 pc. At that pace, Canada is among the top 15 markets worldwide for business travel spending with USD 15.2 billion for 2022. In 2023, the forecast for spending growth is 32 pc, or a total of USD 20.1 billion. Based on current forecasts, Canada is expected to be back at pre-pandemic levels in 2025 with an annual business travel spend of USD 26.1 billion.
The statement says that a panel of experts took the stage from the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), National Airline Council of Canada (NACC), Association of Canadian Travel Associates (ACTA), and Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC) to discuss the current state of the Canadian travel business industry from each association’s perspective.
Jeffery Latimer, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame, presented the session keynote, Proudly Canadian, No Apology Necessary, highlighting some of the greatest Canadians and their achievements with video and stories.
