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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BFGoodrich Tires has been designated the official tyre partner for the ChampCar Endurance Racing Series, establishing a new platform to demonstrate its engineering capabilities in grassroots motorsport. Central to this collaboration is the g-Force Rival+ tyre, which has been specifically developed for endurance racing and placed on the series' approved whitelist. The tyre is engineered to deliver consistent performance, durability and reliable wet-weather handling, addressing the core demands of amateur racing competitors.

Participants in the ChampCar series will gain access to a rebate programme and special opportunities at select events, including access to the BFGoodrich Performance Driving Guide, co-authored by brand ambassador Ross Bentley. The partnership aims to provide tangible support that enhances the racing experience for all series entrants.

The g-Force Rival+ tyre, launched in fall 2025, features a new rubber formulation for consistent lap times and a reinforced internal structure that minimises sidewall flex for instantaneous steering feedback. The tyre is currently available in 14 sizes.

Reviving a storied tradition, BFGoodrich has reintroduced its ‘Team T/A’ programme, fielding an endurance squad of employees and guest drivers competing exclusively in the ChampCar series. The team debuted at Daytona in April, finishing 16th out of 100 entries despite mechanical setbacks. Future races are scheduled at Sebring, Virginia International Raceway and Circuit of the Americas.

The original Team T/A programme was renowned from the 1970s through the 1990s for supporting grassroots racers. While the brand's recent acclaim has been tied to off-road racing, this initiative signals a return to pavement motorsports. Additional partnerships announced in June 2026 with the National Auto Sport Association, the Motorsport Safety Foundation and SCCA's Track Night in America underscore this sustained resurgence in the ultra-high performance arena.

Mike Chisek, President and CEO, ChampCar, said, “I’m excited to welcome BFGoodrich as a Series Partner of the ChampCar Endurance Series. It’s great to see the grassroots support BFGoodrich has for road racing, and their new g-Force Rival+ tyre is proving to be a great choice for our endurance road racing teams.”

T J Dennis, BFGoodrich Ultra-High Performance (UHP) Brand Manager, said, “Cementing this relationship with ChampCar is the latest step in bringing BFGoodrich’s ultra-high performance efforts back to the forefront. This partnership is mutually beneficial for each brand, and we’re eager to help ChampCar racers reach another level of performance.”

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ARLANXEO has announced that the German Federal Patent Court has nullified the German component of European patent EP 3 800 714. The contested intellectual property, held by Zeon Corporation, pertains to synthetic rubber compounds utilised as cathode binders within rechargeable battery systems, a sector critically linked to electric vehicles and energy storage solutions.

The revocation stems from an ongoing legal confrontation regarding battery binder technology. Zeon initiated infringement lawsuits in 2024 against ARLANXEO’s German and Dutch operations at the Munich Regional Court. In response, ARLANXEO contested the patent's legal standing, prompting a validity review by the Federal Patent Court.

Following a preliminary July 2025 ruling that cast substantial uncertainty on the patent’s enforceability, the Munich court suspended the infringement case. With the formal revocation in Germany, the foundational grounds for the local infringement allegations have been effectively eliminated.

John Gerrese, General Counsel, ARLANXEO, said, “We welcome the Court’s decision, which confirms our position on the invalidity of the patent. The ruling underscores the importance of robust patent standards. It also highlights the critical role of nullity proceedings in ensuring that only valid and enforceable patents are upheld.”

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Tegeta Green Planet, in collaboration with Shine Energy, recently conducted an environmental awareness session for students in grades one through three at Pirveli School-Gymnasium. The initiative employed an interactive and age-appropriate methodology to introduce young learners to fundamental ecological concepts.

The curriculum covered the detrimental effects of littering, the necessity of specialised disposal for waste tyres, used oil and batteries and the broader importance of resource conservation. Students were also taught practical, daily actions that contribute to environmental preservation and were shown how individual responsibility can collectively forge a cleaner future. The educational experience was reinforced through a participatory game that allowed children to engage with environmental topics via practical examples.

Upon concluding the programme, each student received a certificate and a symbolic gift. This activity aligns with the organisations' ongoing commitment to fostering environmental stewardship among youth, a priority that sees them regularly visiting schools to deliver engaging educational content. Such initiatives are designed to cultivate a sense of ecological responsibility from an early age, encouraging children to integrate nature conservation into their daily routines.

Established in 2022, Tegeta Green Planet operates as one of Georgia’s first authorised Extended Producer Responsibility organisations. The company offers membership to any business or individual entrepreneur subject to the nation’s EPR legislation, irrespective of their operational scale.

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Pirelli P Zero has made a prominent return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, reinforcing its status as a leading choice for premium manufacturers. The 2026 edition features numerous high-performance vehicles equipped with tyres from the revitalised P Zero family. This widespread adoption underscores the range’s appeal, supported by over 300 homologations secured for the latest products across diverse vehicle types that prioritise performance, safety and driving enjoyment. The complete renewal of the P Zero line, initiated in 2023, is now showcased as original equipment on many contemporary models.

The festival highlights several bespoke applications, starting with the Ferrari Luce. For this model, Pirelli engineered a custom P Zero E tyre, merging high performance with over 55 percent bio-based and recycled materials in a record-setting 24-inch format. The semi-slick P Zero Trofeo RS appears on the Bentley Supersports, Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and BMW M2, while the Pagani Utopia Roadster adopts this tyre alongside the Cyber Tyre system, enabling direct communication with vehicle electronics.

The luxury electric segment is represented by the Rolls-Royce Spectre and Jaguar Type 01, both utilising P Zero Elect tyres with diameters reaching 23 inches. The P Zero Trofeo RS is also fitted to the Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear megacar and its LEGO Technic replica, the latter achieving a record of 111 kilometres per hour on the Goodwood Hillclimb.

All P Zero tyres share a technological foundation rooted in motorsport, serving as Pirelli’s primary testing ground. The company’s participation in over 350 racing events annually, including Formula 1, facilitates the transfer of innovations like virtual development processes to road tyre production. This continuous cycle ensures the P Zero range remains at the forefront of tyre technology for both track and street applications.

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