The BTA Pulse | Business Travel Leaders Tackle Finance Innovation and the UK Visitor Levy

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.In this episode of The BTA Pulse, Clive and Andrew reflect on a busy conference season, including the ITM conference in Brighton and their joint finance event with BEAM, covering topics like e-invoicing, virtual cards, and open banking.With aviation and people & talent conferences still to come, the diary remains full. The pair also turn their attention to the bigger picture, discussing the global geopolitical climate, oil prices, and the impact on business travel. A key focus is the UK's proposed visitor levy, with the BTA set to make their case directly to ministers at Westminster in June.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the What’s Up in Business Travel  podcast for Week 20 of 2026.  This weekly podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening in the world of business travel - in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we cover the following stories:JD Power: Airline Satisfaction Up Despite Industry PressuresAmexGBT to go private in $6.3 billion dealMemorial Day travel set to hit record levelsSouthwest bans humanoid robots onboard flightsAirlines cut flights as fuel prices surgeBoeing faces another major 737 Max crash payoutAirlines race to replace former Spirit routesTikTok launches in-app travel booking platformTrivago files antitrust lawsuit against GoogleUnited flight attendants approve new labor contractAccor and Uber link loyalty ecosystemsJetBlue and United expand loyalty partnershipJourney acquires Epicurate to expand experiencesCitation invests in World Travel HoldingsPorter adds disruption protection productSingapore Airlines selects Starlink Wi-FiBrightline expands distribution through AmadeusDelta deploys premium-heavy A321neosYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us Fan MailThe NoJetStress Podcast is a traveler wellbeing podcast for frequent business travelers covering health and peak performance on the road as well as to help business travelers maintain optimal health and avoid burnout no matter how much they travel.  Christopher Babayode, a Corporate Travel Wellness Expert shares his insights on Traveler Wellness.In this episode, Christopher talks about:What Part 135 charter operations actually are and how they differ from commercial (Part 121) carriers.Shannon's work with the ASTM F46 Aerospace Personnel Committee , a global standards body tackling the gaps in business aviation safety and crew certification.Why crew fatigue is far more than just a sleep issue, encompassing lighting, air quality, dehydration, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing.The wellness blind spots hiding in plain sight for frequent flyers and the crews serving them.How wearable tech like the Oura ring is helping bring data-driven awareness to crew health.The duty of care argument for employer wellness investment, and why it doesn't have to break the budget.The generational shift, pushing the next wave of aviation professionals to demand healthier workplaces.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by Christopher Babayode and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about NoJetStress, visit us at NoJetStress.com and check out the P.H.A.R.E Well Audit Checklist.Support the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the What’s Up in Business Travel  podcast for Week 18 of 2026.  This weekly podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening in the world of business travel - in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we cover the following stories:Spirit Airlines shuts down after failed bailout talksAirlines move quickly to capture demand after spirit exitAmerican Airlines tightens rules on portable battery use onboardRecord-long DHS shutdown endsAirline Trade Group Asks for $2.5 BillionAir Europa to Add GDS FeeSouthwest reports transformed financial results in Q1American and Alaska in Talks Over a Revenue-Sharing PartnershipHawaiian Airlines Joins OneworldUber adds hotel bookings in partnership with ExpediaLyft Agrees to Acquire Gett's U.K. BusinessAmadeus to acquire biometrics tech specialistAir India enters into interline partnership with WestjetAlaska Airlines embarks on its first flight to EuropeLyft Now Allows Riders to Pay With United MileagePlus MilesAmerican Airlines and TSA expand TSA PreCheck Touchless IDHertz Launches Operating Co. for Uber Robotaxi, Driver SupportHilton to bring app to more AI platformsAmerican Airlines Overhauls AppYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.In this episode, Clive Wratten and Andrew Clarke catch up on a busy period for the BTA team, covering a packed agenda of events, industry wins and what's coming up.  They discuss the Generation BTA Board's standout event at Eccles College, where over 200 students were introduced to careers in business travel, sponsored by British Airways. The team also reflects on Premier Inn's Thrive initiative, which trains and employs adults with neurodivergent needs. Clive gives an exciting preview of the BTA's September conference in the Costa Blanca for what promises to be a fantastic event. The episode covers key takeaways from the recent BTA & beam Accommodation, Meetings & Events session, including an eye-opening debate on hotel safety versus security, and looks ahead to upcoming Finance and Aviation Sessions. Finally, the team celebrates a significant rail win, securing an extension to refund flexibility on anytime tickets for TMC members, and provides an update on the ongoing hotel visitor levy campaign.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the What’s Up in Business Travel  podcast for Week 15 of 2026.  This weekly podcast is great for those who need to know what’s happening in the world of business travel - in under 15 minutes.On this week's podcast, we cover the following stories:JetBlue explores strategic saleBleisure travel surge reshapes trip behaviorSpain upholds €64M fine against Airbnb Lufthansa raises distribution feesUnited expands premium strategyAirlines raise bag fees as fuel costs surgeUnited cuts capacity to prepare for prolonged fuel spikeIndian airlines object to free seat selection policyUber agrees to acquire BlacklaneITA Airways joins Lufthansa's loyalty programMarriott Bonvoy partners with Ethiopian AirlinesMakeMyTrip partners with MastercardAlaska unveils business class suitesDelta selects Amazon Leo for satellite Wi-FiUnited Airlines brings Lie-Flat ‘Couch’ seatingRadisson Hotel Group plans 100 'Net Zero' hotels by 2030Wizz Air launches digital cabin initiativeAmgine taps Prime NumbersYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.The episode covers the upcoming Accommodation, Meetings & Events Session, where hotel volumes, security and risk will be high on the agenda, alongside growing interest from across the sector. They also highlight the BTA’s continued lobbying on the proposed visitor levy, warning of the potential cost impact on corporates and the need for business travel voices to be heard.Explore Ryanair’s new terms for TMCs, wider pressures across rail, air and accommodation, and the importance of keeping members informed through events, campaigning and industry debate.Gain updates on future BTA conferences, including Aviation, Finance Sessions and the Autumn Conference in Costa Blanca.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us Fan MailLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:KAYAK CEO Steve Hafner exits his role after 22 years.Amadeus announce the closure of their self-service API portal.Due to the supply chain crisis in Pratt & Whitney engines, it has become more profitable to dismantle modern aircraft for parts than to operate them.Wizz Air was in the news with two big developments: They launched Wizz Link, using Dohop technology to empower customers to book more self-transfer journeys within a single booking flow.After a very successful trial, they will roll out Wizz Class to their entire fleet. The unions for American Airlines flight attendants and pilots say they’ve lost faith in management’s ability to steady the airline after another year of weak profits and poor on-time performance, and they want CEO Robert Isom out. AirAsia is on track to launch their Kuala Lumpur - London route via Bahrain later this year.Sabre, PayPal and Mindtrip, Inc. team up to work on an agentic AI travel shopping workflow solution.Extra StoriesYou can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.The latest BTA Pulse highlights key pressures in business travel and ongoing lobbying efforts. A central focus was the proposed overnight visitor levy, with the BTA and industry partners pushing for business travel exemption or a flat nightly charge instead of a percentage.The upcoming Air Passenger Duty increase from 1 April was also raised, with continued campaigning against rising costs, particularly premium economy pricing.Changes to national rail refund rules were flagged as a major concern, though a short extension has been secured. The episode also promoted the April conference, welcomed new partners, and encouraged members to stay engaged and involved.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show

Send us Fan MailWelcome to The BTA Podcast.  In these podcasts we will endeavour to share our thoughts, concerns, optimism and build those all-important human connections with our Partners, Members and Guests.In this episode of the BTA Pulse, Clive Wratten and Andrew Clarke discuss the success of the recent Corporate Travel Summit, the impact of global events on business travel, and the crucial role of travel management companies in supporting organisations during times of disruption.They also cover key industry issues including the proposed hotel levy, rail refund changes, and share updates on upcoming BTA sector conferences and the Autumn Conference in Spain.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created by The BTA and edited & distributed by BusinessTravel360.  For more information about The BTA visit TheBTA.org.ukSupport the show