Africa Arm for GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association — the voice of the global business travel industry — has announced the formation of GBTA Africa. The launch of GBTA in the region is supported by the Institute of Travel & Meetings Southern Africa (ITMSA), an affiliate of ITM in the UK, who will power the global association’s development across the region. With this new edition, GBTA expands its global reach and now spans five continents. Talking about the development, Michael W. McCormick, COO and Executive Director of GBTA said, “With a strong, local, buyer-led partner and Africa predicted to boom in 2020, the creation of GBTA Africa makes perfect sense.

The successful development of our networks and activity in the energy and resources sector in other parts of the world, also means we are well placed to bring value to travel professionals in the region.” In addition to an event for the energy and resources sector, GBTA will create a joint conference with ITMSA in September 2012 for the African region, and plans to introduce education and training programmes from the GBTA Academy are already under way. ITMSA’s Chairman, Linda Basson, said, “GBTA can offer African travel professionals so much in terms of development and resources.” Under terms of the agreement, all 119 ITMSA members will also gain direct membership of GBTA Africa and the organisation intends to significantly increase membership across the continent.