GBTA to Unveil Key Insights into Asian Corporate Travel Trends at ITB Asia 2013

Key new insights into Asian corporate travel trends will be revealed at a special one-day business travel forum during ITB Asia 2013, hosted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Messe Berlin.

ITB Asia 2013 will be held in Singapore from 23-25 October.

Staged from 10am to 4pm on 24 October at ITB Asia 2013’s main venue - Suntec Singapore, the GBTA Forum shall offer a schedule of live discussions, with keynote conversations including the importance of data collection; latest developments in travel booking and SMART technology; a close look at travel management programmes; findings from a new study on the hidden costs of business travel, including a ‘Travel Stress Index’; and an account of corporate travel in Australia and its close relationship with Asian markets.

At ITB Asia 2013, GBTA will also present its forward looking whitepaper, sponsored by VISA, entitled: ‘GBTA Business Travel Outlook (BTO) Report for 2013 – 2017’.

Welf J. Ebeling, Vice President Operations, GBTA Asia, said, “The GBTA Business Travel Forum is announcing latest economic forecasts on business travel spending in the region, along with new insights and ideas to help business travel professionals successfully plan for the future.”

Also part of the programme, a new in-depth study on China is set to detail how China’s business travel market is set to overtake the United States as the world’s biggest spender by 2015.

Corporate travel buyers are urged to register by 2 September 2013 to reserve places at this important debut event.

In another first, the GBTA will also be launching a certification programme for business travel managers in Asia at ITB Asia 2013, on 25 October 2013.

The GTP Certification Exam for Corporate Travel Experts qualification recognises and credits corporate travel professionals for their expertise in the sector – empowering the careers of hundreds of global travel professionals.

“It is the only corporate travel certification of its kind, and it is internationally recognised,” said Mr Ebeling. “This certification is long overdue in one of the world’s largest business travel markets.”

The GTP Certification Exam is based on overall knowledge of the industry. Answers to 150 questions test broad knowledge earned through work experience, identifying key skills that reflect ‘real-world job expertise’.

The exam has been scientifically developed by business travel professionals and subject experts, and shall be marked by third party certifiers.

“The GTP Certification is designed to raise industry standards, enhance individual performance, and recognise those skilled in the core competencies of business travel management,” Mr Ebeling added. “It is proven to provide certificate holders with a more marketable profile and upward movement in the industry pay scale.”

Registration for the first examination programme in Asia, to be held during ITB Asia 2013, is open until 5 October 2013. The examination fee is US$300 for GBTA members and US$400 for non-members.

The GTP Certification is made possible through a newly signed, three-year agreement between GBTA and Diners Club International. Over the next two years, the certification exam will be held at GBTA Conferences throughout Asia Pacific.

Diners Club Vice President and Head of Corporate Payment Solutions, Asia-Pacific, James Alba-Duignan said, “Recognition and certification of professional business travel managers is a natural progression for the region as the sector becomes more critical, complex, and demanding. Expertise in travel and expense management is now increasingly recognised as a key component of corporate success in Asia, and this programme is unique in recognising those that have the expertise and experience in managing a company’s expenditure, while ensuring a traveling employee’s comfort, safety, and convenience”.