Business travel represents a substantial force in the global economy. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it contributed to more than USD 1.2 trillion, about 25 percent of the travel and tourism sector’s overall economic impact, to the global GDP. Businesses had resumed spending on travel after substantial declines in 2008 and 2009.

A research by Global Business Travel Association Foundation had found that for every one percent change in business travel spending, the US economy typically gains or loses 74,000 jobs, USD 5.5 billion in GDP, USD 3.3 billion in wages and USD 1.3 billion in taxes. The report also stated that personal vehicle (35 percent) was the most popular mode of transportation among US business travellers in 2016, followed by airplane (28 percent) and rental cars (13 percent).

Internal travel encompasses trips taken for intracompany purposes, where employees participate in activities such as training, team building or inspection of field operations. External travel, on the other hand, refers to travel done by employees for engagements outside the company, including in-person meetings with clients and suppliers, trade conferences and customer sales calls.

"Obstacles to business travel, such as cumbersome visa protocols and long flight connections, constrain access to knowhow and limit growth opportunities, especially in developing countries," said Frank Neffke, research director at Harvard Kennedy School’s Growth Lab.

Benefits Of Business Travel

In the past, companies have experienced that, on average, 40 percent of customers would eventually be lost without in-person meetings and support.

Detailed statistical modelling over 18 years and 14 industries indicates that for every dollar invested in business travel, US companies make a USD 9.50 return in terms of revenue. The modelling also found that US business travel has yielded USD 2.90 in profits for every dollar spent.

There is a small segment of employees for whom travel is deemed essential for conducting business. This category accounted for around 15 percent of all corporate travel expenses in 2019 and includes decision makers in manufacturing companies with a wide distribution of factories and plants, and field-operation workers. For some corporate travellers, it is possible to move oversight responsibility to local personnel and/or utilise digital medium. This segment will see their business travel decline. A large segment of business travel is done to cultivate new or important client relationships. This segment will bounce back as soon as Covid-related restrictions are lifted.

A tiny portion of business travel comes from the public sector, professional associations and nonprofits. During the pandemic, many professional associations were able to hold virtual events to replace in-person conferences and will likely be more cautious in their return to travel.

Business Travel Catches The Virus!

Business travel has taken a big hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and its future is still up-in-the-air, waiting for the end of the pandemic and firming up the ‘New Normal’. In 2020, total global business travel expenses contracted by 52 percent, while managed corporate-travel spending in the United States alone plummeted by USD 94 billion (71 percent).

The World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) latest annual research shows that the global travel and tourism sector suffered a loss of almost USD 4.5 trillion to reach USD 4.7 trillion in 2020, with its contribution to GDP dropping by a staggering 49.1 percent compared to 2019. In 2020, sixty-two million jobs were lost, representing a drop of 18.5 percent, leaving just 272 million employed across this sector globally, compared to 334 million in 2019. The threat of job losses persists as many jobs are currently supported by government retention schemes and reduced hours, which could be lost without a full recovery of the travel and tourism sector.

Some business travellers expect to take at least as many business trips in 2022 as they had in the year before the Covid-19 pandemic was declared. While teleconferencing will reduce the need for some business travel, many survey respondents cited the need to meet in-person to rekindle relationships with customers, suppliers and business partners. Another frequent reason cited for the need to travel for business was a job change.

The countries most eager to travel for business once Covid-19 travel restrictions are lifted seem to be China, US and Australia. Of course, the potential increase in Covid cases from the Delta and future variants of the virus may still cause further backsliding on rising confidence levels for resumption of business travel. (TT)

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Hankook Tire will debut at Euro Bus Expo in 2026, strengthening its presence in the UK passenger transport sector. The event runs from 3–5 November at the NEC Birmingham, bringing together operators, manufacturers, suppliers and decision-makers for three days of innovation and networking.

With over 190 exhibitors and more than 7,000 visitors expected, the exhibition showcases full-size buses, coaches, mini vehicles, advanced technologies and services, letting attendees connect with key suppliers across the global supply chain.

At stand 38, Hankook Tyre UK will present its latest bus and coach tyres, focusing on innovation, sustainability and performance. Highlights include the Smart Touring AL22 for long-distance coaches, the urban Smart City AU04+ and AU06 with measurable sidewall protection, the Laufenn LF60 for mixed-use applications and the new e-Smart City AU56 EV tyre engineered for low rolling resistance, reduced noise and higher electric vehicle loads.

With partner Vaculug, Hankook will launch the LB01, a first-of-its-kind hot-cure remoulded urban bus tyre, reinforcing its total tyre solutions role and circular economy commitment. Vaculug’s sustainable manufacturing expertise, recently recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise, supports the collaboration. The 2026 edition also offers seminars and technical sessions on industry trends and greener transport, giving Hankook a platform to boost visibility and reinforce its leadership in the commercial bus and coach tyre market.

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VMI has opened a new service facility in León, Mexico, as the company expands its local support for customers and its growing installed base.

The facility was officially opened on 8^th October , with a ceremony attended by Fonseca, the State’s Subsecretary; Rodriguez, Deputy Mayor Of León; and Harm Voortman, Chief Executive of VMI Group. Customers and local employees also attended the event, which included a tree-planting ceremony.

The company said the new facility had been designed with a focus on sustainability, including waste management and energy use. The tree planting highlighted VMI’s environmental commitments, following its recent achievement of EcoVadis Platinum status.

The opening follows VMI’s recent launch of a sales and support office in Yokohama, Japan, reflecting the importance of the Japanese market to the group.

Alongside the León opening, VMI held a customer seminar showcasing its latest innovations in tyre-building and tyre-component preparation solutions.

“This state-of-the-art facility in León, the drum workshop and our local presence, will help us support customers in Mexico more efficiently with faster response times and enhanced levels of service,” said Voortman.

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Michelin has prepared a six-part documentary series chronicling its 11-season tenure in MotoGP as its current stint as the championship’s sole tyre supplier nears its conclusion. Titled ‘Racing on Trust – A Decade of Michelin in MotoGP’, the production examines the manufacturer’s return to the premier class in 2016 through the perspectives of those directly involved, rather than focusing solely on results and statistical milestones. The first two episodes premiered on 8 October 2026, via the Michelin Motorsport and Michelin Group YouTube channels, with the remaining four instalments arriving weekly on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

The project assembles 25 figures from across the paddock who agreed to recount their experiences without editorial constraint. World champions, current and former riders, team principals, championship executives, journalists and Michelin Motorsport personnel contribute previously untold accounts spanning the 11 seasons. Among them, Valentino Rossi revisits the closing chapter of his career, Marc Márquez addresses his injury and subsequent recovery and Johann Zarco describes the circumstances surrounding his landmark victory at Le Mans. Their recollections, alongside those of peers and officials, trace both the evolution of the sport and the individuals who shaped it.

Contributors include riders Marc Márquez, Valentino Rossi, Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martín, Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Viñales, Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco. Team and organisational figures comprise Lucio Cecchinello of LCR, Ducati Corse’s Gigi Dall’Igna, Alberto Puig of Honda HRC, Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Loris Capirossi of race direction and Hervé Poncharal of Tech3. Media representatives include Sylvain Guintoli, Manuel Pecino, Simon Patterson, Guido Meda and Michel Turco, while Michelin Motorsport is represented by Piero Taramasso, Jean-Claude Catalano, Jean-Philippe Cappelle and Nicolas Goubert, with additional input from Maria Herrera.

The opening episode, ‘2016: The Comeback’, documents Michelin’s return and the formidable task of replacing the championship’s previous sole supplier at motorcycling’s highest level. The second, ‘Regain Trust’, examines how setbacks and difficulties ultimately reinforced confidence between the manufacturer, riders and teams, deliberately avoiding a narrative built exclusively around success.

‘Listen to the Bike’, scheduled for 15 October, begins on a wet circuit with limited grip before delving into rider sensation and feedback, illustrating a development cycle driven by continuous exchange among riders, engineers, teams and Michelin technicians. Breaking Point’, releasing on 22 October, covers the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, when the pandemic, Márquez’s injury and the arrival of a new generation reshaped the competitive hierarchy, a transition symbolically concluded by Rossi’s farewell after more than two decades.

‘A New Era’, arriving on 29 October, follows MotoGP into a fresh phase marked by increasingly capable machines and emerging talent, with Michelin advancing its tyres to extend performance boundaries. The concluding episode, ‘Final Sprint’, releasing on 5 November, reflects on 11 seasons of profound technological change and an exceptional human undertaking.

Throughout the six films, technology remains a constant presence, yet trust emerges as the defining thread, binding riders to their tyres, engineers to teams and, above all, people working together under the extreme pressures of competition.

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FALKEN has unveiled the EUROALL SEASON AS220, a new all-season tyre joining its expanded 2026-27 winter and all-weather portfolio. The AS220 is designed for compact cars, mid-size vehicles and SUVs – the most popular segments in Europe – and extends the brand’s EUROALL SEASON family. It reflects FALKEN’s push to advance modern all-weather tyre technology while addressing a wider range of cars, powertrains, driving styles and applications.

The AS220’s Snow Compaction Grooves retain snow within the tread to improve traction on snow-covered roads, while Hydro Grooves evacuate water to support stability and braking in wet conditions. An advanced temperature-stabilised rubber compound is engineered for consistent performance across climates. These features aim to deliver safety, comfort, efficiency and performance for drivers facing mild winters, wet roads or snow.

The tyre is the first to feature FALKEN’s new VARIO CORE technology. Its VARIO CORE essence combines measures that can improve rolling resistance, wear and drive-by noise. Crucially, it reflects today’s more diverse car parc by focusing on efficiency, durability and a safe driving experience for petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles alike.

Alongside the AS220, FALKEN offers the EUROALL SEASON AS220 PRO for high-performance passenger cars. It targets dynamic handling and dependable performance in varied weather, with precise handling, stability and control at speeds up to 167 mph (270 kmph). Advanced 4D-NANO Design technology and a modern lightweight construction contribute to wet grip, efficiency and extended tyre life, combining premium all-season performance with year-round usability.

FALKEN’s winter lineup also includes the EUROWINTER HS02 and HS02 PRO, developed for confident handling in challenging winter conditions. The HS02 uses a directional V-shaped tread for water evacuation and stable wet handling, while Miura-Ori 3D sipes can enhance traction and braking on cold, icy or snowy roads. The HS02 PRO targets higher performance, with an optimised tread design supporting snow and wet capabilities, precise handling and stability. Its groove design aids traction on snow and slush while maintaining a sporty character. Both benefit from Advanced 4D-NANO Design technology for wet grip, rolling resistance and wear, with significantly reduced weight versus previous generations.

For SUV and 4x4 drivers, the FALKEN WILDPEAK A/T AT3WA all-terrain tyre combines off-road capability with on-road comfort as a genuine year-round solution. Its tread pattern features a zig-zag centre rib, ribbed shoulder grooves, rigid tread blocks and offset shoulder blocks, improving on- and off-road traction and braking on loose surfaces, mud and snow. These also support self-cleaning, while a robust tread block and reinforced sidewall with gripping edges enhance stability, durability and off-road traction. 4D-NANO Design technology further supports fuel efficiency and performance across a broad range of weather conditions.

Marcus Schulz, Assistant Manager – Product Planning, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, "Winter road conditions present unique challenges for tyres with drivers expecting a tailored tyre for their vehicle. With our current winter portfolio, we combine innovative technologies with everyday practicality, offering solutions for a broad range of vehicles and applications. In doing so, FALKEN ensures motorists can rely on balanced and dependable tyre performance, even in changing weather conditions.”

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