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)
FALKEN Kicks Off ‘Falken Says Fill Up!’ Campaign For Winter Season
- By TT News
- September 17, 2026
FALKEN has launched its ‘Falken says fill up!’ promotion for 2026, marking the start of its established seasonal campaign. Running from 15 September to 30 November, buyers of four winter or all-season tyres sized 16 inches or above, excluding HGV tyres, can receive a reward worth EUR 20. The initiative operates across 14 European markets, including Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, among others.
In Germany, participants may select either an Aral SuperCard or EnBW mobility+ charging credit. Beyond this immediate reward, FALKEN has partnered with ZEG to offer additional prizes. One BULLS Copperhead EVO AM 2 e-trail bike, valued at EUR 4,999 and three BULLS Machete RX 1 carbon gravel bikes, each worth EUR 1,999, will be given away.
The campaign highlights three tyres from FALKEN’s current range. The EUROALL SEASON AS220 suits drivers seeking year-round flexibility, offering reliable handling, efficiency and wet-road grip for regions with changeable weather. For winter, FALKEN recommends the EUROWINTER HS02 and HS02 PRO, both engineered for grip and stability on wet, cold and snowy roads. The HS02 delivers balanced winter performance, while the HS02 PRO targets drivers preferring precise, dynamic handling in cold conditions.
Retail partners also benefit from the promotion, which combines an instant reward, a high-value prize draw and a strong product assortment. These elements provide useful talking points for customer relations and stimulate purchasing at the outset of the winter tyre season.
Maxam Tire Unveils MS934 And MS936 TimberXtra Tyres For Forestry Equipment
- By TT News
- September 17, 2026
Maxam Tire has broadened its forestry tyre offerings with two new product lines. The MS934 targets forwarders and skidders, while the MS936 TimberXtra serves skidders and feller bunchers. Both are built for strong traction, flotation and durability across varied terrain and conditions.
The MS936 TimberXtra carries an aggressive LS2 tread for muddy ground, with reinforced construction and an optimised profile for stability and long service. Its lug and crown design extend wear life. Upcoming sizes include 35.5L32 30PR, 67/34.00X25 20PR and 67/34.00X26 20PR.
The MS934, an LS2 cut-to-length logging tyre, features an open centre tread made for over-the-tyre track systems. Nylon-wrapped beads prevent unwinding, while a wider lug shoulder and increased shoulder spacing deliver a more stable footprint.
Matt Fagan, Director of R&D, Maxam Tire, said, “Forestry operations can vary significantly by terrain and working conditions, which makes having the right tyre for the application critical. Each of the new MAXAM forestry tyres provide logging operations a unique solution for different terrains and applications. With additional skidder and CTL solutions, we are committed to deliver consistent performance and productivity for logging equipment, no matter the demand.”
Hankook Tire Blends Off-Road Adventure With Everyday Chaos In New Dynapro Film
- By TT News
- September 17, 2026
Hankook Tire has launched a new brand film titled ‘Rough Terrain’ for its Dynapro SUV tyre line, aimed at the US market. It marks the first Dynapro brand film released in US since 2024. The campaign moves beyond traditional off-road narratives to showcase a broad range of driving environments and everyday moments, both on and off the road.
The film humorously reimagines daily life’s unpredictable situations as ‘rough terrain’, highlighting Dynapro’s versatile performance. It opens with an SUV tackling muddy, rocky trails on Hankook’s Dynapro AT2 Xtreme tyres before shifting to a crowded big-box store parking lot, where a contested space, stray shopping carts and an anxious driver set the scene.
The spot then follows the SUV through family life’s chaotic moments, including an awkward father-daughter gossip session, a coffee spill and the baseball carpool. These scenarios offer a relatable take on rough terrain, emphasising the versatility required for life’s unpredictability while giving the traditional automotive adventure story a fresh twist.
Dynapro tyres are engineered for both off-road and everyday driving. Options include the mud-terrain Dynapro MT2, rugged-terrain Dynapro XT and all-terrain Dynapro AT2 Xtreme, plus the CUV performance Dynapro evo AS, CUV touring Dynapro HPX and highway terrain Dynapro HT2. The film is available on Hankook’s website, social media, YouTube, connected TV and OTT platforms.
Webfleet Launches Commercial Trip Monitor To Benchmark European City Fleet Conditions
- By TT News
- September 16, 2026
Webfleet, the fleet management arm of Bridgestone, used the IAA Transportation event to introduce its Commercial Trip Monitor, a free online benchmarking tool that assesses how easily vans and trucks move through 32 major European cities. Initial results suggest operating conditions are growing tougher in numerous urban centres.
The monitor refreshes monthly, drawing on anonymised, aggregated commercial vehicle data to track shifts in fleet operating conditions over time. Because it examines repeat business journeys rather than general traffic, it offers operators and city stakeholders a clearer picture of where urban operations are improving or deteriorating. Even minor changes in reach or idling can reduce productivity, raise fuel use and increase emissions.
Two core metrics underpin the platform. The 15-Minute Reach metric shows how far a typical van or truck travels in a fixed quarter-hour, with higher scores indicating greater distance covered. Idling Intensity measures the share of a journey spent stationary with the engine running, where a higher percentage signals more wasted time. Users can rank cities, compare performance and follow trends.
Early 2026 data revealed sharp contrasts. Zaragoza, Apeldoorn and Utrecht posted the strongest average 15-Minute Reach rankings, while Berlin, Paris and Kraków were the most difficult. Poland was the only country where every analysed city improved year-on-year while idling stayed stable or fell. Rome and Milan improved on reach, yet Milan recorded Europe’s highest Idling Intensity at 21 percent, against Paris’s 16 percent. Berlin finished last overall, with Munich, Leipzig and Hamburg covering 4.4 percent, 4.3 percent and 3.3 percent less ground respectively than in 2025. Users can also examine trip volumes, distance, CO₂ emissions, fuel consumption and local conditions.
Webfleet developed the methodology with mobility intelligence specialist Mobito, leveraging over 25 years of fleet experience and one of Europe’s largest connected vehicle ecosystems.
Jan-Maarten de Vries, President – Fleet Management Solutions, Bridgestone, said, “The Webfleet Commercial Trip Monitor provides a clearer picture of urban mobility through the lens of fleet operations. Commercial vehicles do not experience cities the way commuters and consumers do. They follow different routes, operate under different regulations, make multiple stops and load and unload. When conditions change due to congestion, roadworks, low-emission zones, regulation or major events, fleet businesses often feel the impact first. Even relatively small changes can affect productivity, operating costs, fuel use and emissions.”
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