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)
Yokohama Tire Offers GEOLANDAR Prize Drawings In Tread Lightly! Fundraiser
- By TT News
- November 13, 2026
Yokohama Tire has partnered with Tread Lightly! for the Protect What Moves You fundraiser, running through 30 November. Consumers who donate can enter to win GEOLANDAR tyre prize packs or a full set of tyres. Proceeds support trail stewardship, responsible recreation and keeping public lands open.
According to Yokohama’s Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Melissa Aguirre, each USD 10 donation earns one entry for a GEOLANDAR prize pack, while donations of USD 100 or more earn one entry for a set of Yokohama tyres. The initiative complements Yokohama’s environmental ‘Caring for our Communities’ partnerships, which include Surfrider North Orange County and the California State Parks Foundation.
Aguirre said, “We’ve been an official partner of Tread Lightly! for three years and have collaborated on several stewardship projects across the country to improve access, restore trails and protect natural resources for off-road enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. The Protect What Moves You campaign will definitely help with those efforts.”
James Boyd Jr., Executive Director of Tread Lightly!, said, “We’re grateful for Yokohama Tire’s continued partnership and commitment to protecting the places we all love to explore. Through our work together, we’ve made a meaningful impact on trails and public lands across the country. The Protect What Moves You fundraiser gives outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to support responsible recreation and hands-on stewardship while helping ensure these places remain accessible for future generations.”
TRAC Survey Finds Four In Five Canadian Motorists Prioritise Winter Tyres Amid Unpredictable Weather
- By TT News
- November 13, 2026
The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) has released findings from a new Abacus Data survey indicating that four in five Canadian motorists, or 80 percent, regard winter tyres as more essential than ever amid increasingly unpredictable winter weather. The survey was commissioned by TRAC to assess driver attitudes as climate change continues to shape variable and challenging driving conditions.
Motorists are contending with rapid temperature swings, snowfall, freezing rain and other weather events. Among drivers who do not use winter tyres, fewer now consider all-season tyres sufficient, falling 11 points from 2025 to 64 percent, while more are cutting back on winter driving, up 11 points to 35 percent. This season, 80 percent of Canadian drivers are equipping their vehicles with winter tyres.
Although 86 percent of drivers view winter tyres as an important investment despite the rising cost of living, financial pressures appear to influence purchasing decisions, with 38 percent citing increased living costs as a reason for not buying them. Those who use winter tyres report tangible safety benefits, as 83 percent say the tyres have saved them from a collision or loss of control. Protecting their families through enhanced traction, cornering and stopping power in cold weather remains the primary motivation at 67 percent.
Additional reasons include lower insurance premiums at 26 percent, advice from family and friends at 21 percent and retailer recommendations at 14 percent, while 42 percent point to winter tyres being mandatory in their province. Regionally, usage stands at 86 percent among Atlantic Canadian drivers, 77 percent in Ontario, 74 percent in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, 75 percent in Alberta and 65 percent in British Columbia.
With more tyre choices than ever, motorists can find products matching their needs and budgets. TRAC recommends shoppers rely on the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol, which verifies a tyre meets or exceeds Transport Canada's minimum snow traction threshold. Drivers have three options: all-season tyres, all-season tyres bearing the symbol and dedicated winter tyres, and selecting the right tyre can mean the difference between a surefooted winter motoring experience and a nervous drive.
Driving on all-season tyres in winter results in longer stopping distances and compromised handling below 7°C, while symbol-bearing all-season tyres offer moderately better traction but are intended for occasional, light-to-medium snowfalls. Dedicated winter tyres deliver the highest performance and remain the safest choice. TRAC's Winter Tire Cost Calculator compares the cost of a single set of tyres against adding a second set of dedicated winter tyres. Abacus Data surveyed 1,232 Canadian drivers online between 16 and 21 October 2026, yielding a margin of error of plus or minus 2.79 percent, 19 times out of 20.
Carol Hochu, President and CEO, TRAC, said, “With winter weather becoming harder to predict across Canada, choosing the right tyres for the winter season is an important part of preparing for the road ahead. Winter tires provide the traction and control drivers need in all winter conditions, whether they encounter cold, dry pavement, rain, snow, slush or ice. The fact that the vast majority of winter tyre users say their tyres have helped them avoid a collision or loss of control underscores their value as a safety investment, even as the cost of living continues to rise.
“Winter tyre use remains high across Canada. They represent an important measure that contributes to safer winter driving. We must continue to educate drivers about their benefits, particularly younger drivers, newcomers to Canada and anyone with limited experience driving in winter conditions. Even as living costs climb, most Canadians are making winter tyres a purchasing priority. Winter tyres are a proven safety choice, giving Canadian drivers the confidence they need no matter the weather conditions.”
Kuraray America Marks National STEM Day With San Jacinto College Event
- By TT News
- November 13, 2026
Kuraray America, Inc. marked National STEM Day on 8 November by spotlighting a community educational event that brought together 15 of its volunteers and students from the Houston Japanese Supplementary School at San Jacinto College for a day of hands-on exploration and discovery.
Participants engaged in activities illustrating how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) converge in chemical manufacturing. Experiments with superabsorbent polymer beads explored chemistry and material properties, while a tour of the college’s facilities introduced industrial equipment. Students also learned about water filtration and distillation processes and how mathematical concepts underpin scientific and engineering applications.
One student showed particular interest in the distillation tower, linking the experience to the Kuraray Group’s contributions to everyday life and its mission of achieving for people and the planet what no one else can. The event also benefited KAI volunteers, who shared technical knowledge, exchanged perspectives and learned alongside potential future scientists and engineers.
Kuraray America thanked Reiko Fuwa and Tomohiro Tani for coordinating the visit, Hans Vandommele for sharing his expertise and all 15 KAI volunteers. The company also expressed appreciation to San Jacinto College for facility access and to the Houston Japanese Supplementary School students for their curiosity, enthusiasm and thoughtful questions.
Liberty Tire Recycling Showcases Recycling Leadership At SEMA 2026
- By TT News
- November 12, 2026
Liberty Tire Recycling attended the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, held from 3–6 November at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The automotive aftermarket event, one of the industry's largest, drew over 160,000 attendees from the automotive, tyre and transportation sectors to review new products, technologies and business opportunities.
The Lakin Tire brand, a consistent SEMA exhibitor, once again used the show to reinforce industry relationships and present Liberty's tyre collection, recycling and sustainable resource management capabilities. Personnel from Grade/Used Tires, Commercial Truck Tires, Metals, Recycling and Collection, together with corporate and regional leadership, met customers, suppliers and industry professionals from around the world.
The booth received existing and prospective customers from numerous tyre and automotive segments during the week. Costco Wholesale Corporate Office, United Tires and UTU Wholesale were among the organisations that stopped by to examine Liberty Tire's products, services and nationwide reach. The company viewed the event as an effective forum for monitoring emerging market trends and demonstrating its position in recycling and sustainability, alongside its focus on innovation, workforce development and circular economy principles.
A memorable moment came when a high school shop teacher and students, attending through a special educator programme, toured the booth to learn about tyre recycling and industry operations. Liberty team members provided industry insights, outlined career pathways and acknowledged educators' contribution to developing future skilled trades professionals, supplying tyre inflation gauges for classroom use.
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