Leading Corporate Travel Organization Launches Taskforce to Develop RT Resources for Corporations
Caleb Tiller, 703-684-0836, ext. 138
Courtney Leigh Beisel, 703-684-0836, ext. 133
Alexandria, VA (January 20, 2006) -- The National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the leading organization representing corporate travel, in a letter to Kip Hawley, Administrator of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), praised TSA’s commitment to a national Registered Traveler program, and urged a transparent development process that actively engages the travel industry.
The letter, from NBTA Executive Director and COO, Bill Connors, CTC, said:
Today TSA outlined some elements of the Registered Traveler program, confirming the commitment to a nationwide rollout in June of this year. NBTA is pleased that TSA will design the program to allow for investment by its private sector partners in Registered Traveler screening resources, that Registered Traveler will utilize the universal redress procedure announced this week by the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and State, and that TSA re-confirmed its commitment to interoperability.
We recognize that there is significant work yet to be done on Registered Traveler, and we look forward to continuing to work with TSA and its private sector partners on this initiative. We take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of NBTA, on behalf of the corporate travel industry, to a Registered Traveler program that enhances security and offers the following:
- completely voluntary participation
- expedited screening for participants
- interoperability between airports
- privacy safeguards to protect program participants
As TSA moves forward with development and implementation, we urge that the process be open and that TSA actively engage the travel industry in dialogue. Transparency is integral to better public understanding and support of Registered Traveler. Industry buy-in is integral to the successful development and ongoing improvements to the program. DHS and State announced this week the formation of an advisory board that will facilitate outreach with the travel industry and the business community to gather input on travel policies, travel facilitation and travel security programs. NBTA recommends that board be engaged by TSA as a resource to help ensure the effectiveness of Registered Traveler, or that a similar body be created with a sole focus on Registered Traveler.
Further, NBTA joins the calls of many interested parties who support the concept of Registered Traveler in calling for TSA to publish a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking. This will ensure the involvement of all interested parties and help to ensure that the final iteration of the federal Registered Traveler program reflect the comments and expertise of all industry participants.
NBTA also convened a taskforce of member travel managers who will evaluate how companies can effectively take advantage of the Registered Traveler program when it becomes available. The taskforce will develop informational resources for NBTA members to use within their organizations.
The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry. For more than 35 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities. NBTA represents over 2,500 corporate and government travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry. For more on NBTA, visit www.nbta.org.
###