GBTA NEWS ROUND UP
Members of the GBTA have benefited from a number of new initiatives recently. These include
New standard terms and conditions
The Guild of Business Travel Agents has drafted a set of standard trading procedures – the do's and don'ts of business travel – to help corporate clients keep tabs on their travel management company's performance.
“Until now, there has never been a trading standard for business travel management,” explains GBTA chief executive Philip Carlisle. “As a consequence, some client companies had artificially high – or low – expectations of their agency. Equally, business travel agents themselves had no real ‘best practice' guidelines.
“Guild members pride themselves on their professionalism and they felt that to have a ‘written constitution' of standard trading procedures could only enhance their professionalism – to the ultimate benefit of their clients.”
A guiding hand with employment issues
The GBTA's human resources working party has recently produced a variety of guidance papers on changes in employment laws – covering topics as diverse as part-time working and maternity leave.
New regulations governing flexible working came into force earlier this year meaning employees with at least 26 weeks of service can apply for flexible working if they are responsible for a child under six. Maternity leave rights also changed this year meaning women can take longer periods off work. GBTA members employ a high proportion of female staff. The HR working party felt that producing guidelines on these changes would be helpful.
Travel insurance training
The Guild offers a comprehensive programme of travel insurance training, encompassing new rules and regulations recently imposed by the FSA. The training scheme, which has been running for a decade, includes a tailormade training manual available to members and non-members alike at a charge of £7.50.
"The GBTA doesn't exist merely to serve the interests of its own members,” says Carlisle. “As an association, we endeavour to promote the interests of travel management companies, their clients and their travellers, and the business travel industry as a whole."
Ends
For further information: Vanessa Aves/Steve Dunne, Brighter PR, tel 020 7603 2168.