Event Educates Lawmakers on Negative Impact of Air Security Fee Increase on Corporate Travel Industry
Caleb Tiller , 703-684-0836, ext. 138
Courtney Leigh Beisel , 703-684-0836, ext. 133
Alexandria, VA (April 25, 2006) – More than 50 corporate travel managers and suppliers gather today in Washington, D.C., for the second of two days of the National Business Travel Association’s (NBTA) 4th Annual Legislative Summit. The event focuses on educating elected officials about the impact of a proposed air security fee increase on the business travel industry.
NBTA President and CEO, Suzanne Fletcher, commented, “Taxes and fees on travel services are important in the business travel industry because they impact our companies’ bottom lines. The NBTA 4th Annual Legislative Summit offers the perfect opportunity for travel managers and suppliers to meet with representatives on Capitol Hill to ensure lawmakers are fully aware of the potential impact an aviation security fee increase would have on the travel industry.”
In the first day of the summit, participants attended a day-long informational session, titled “Congressional Dynamics and Communicating Effectively with Capitol Hill.” The seminar featured a panel of experts including representatives from the Library of Congress, former Congressman Al Swift and several lobbyists. Through the session, attendees gained knowledge on how to become involved with their companies’ lobbying and government relations efforts to provide further value to employers. The session was available as an elective credit for the Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE) program, the industry’s only certification course for corporate travel managers and suppliers.
Today attendees will put this knowledge to use through a series of meetings with elected officials to oppose the proposed increase to air security fees and other issues relevant to the business travel industry.
“The taxes and fees levied on the average air ticket is 26 percent of the fare, meaning that this commodity is already taxed more than the so-called ‘sin taxes’ imposed on alcohol and tobacco products,” continued Fletcher. “Business travel is not a sin, but a vital aspect of our nation’s economy. It is essential that Congressmen and Senators are informed of the financial burden this increase would cause on a travel industry that has just recovered from a multi-year slump and an aviation industry that continues to struggle.”
Founders Award
The NBTA Founders Award was presented to Jim Williams, director of the US-VISIT Program. The award is presented each year during the NBTA Legislative Summit to honor a government leader whose work has improved the ease and safety of travel or has contributed to excellence and innovation in travel-related policy.
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 2,700 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.
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