Jan-Christoph Oetjen Receives Global Business Travel Association Navigator Award for Advocacy in European Business Travel

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has honored MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen (Renew Europe, Germany), Vice-President of the European Parliament, with the distinguished “GBTA Navigator Award.” This award is bestowed upon lawmakers who actively support the business travel sector. Since its inception in 2016, it marks the first occasion that the accolade has been awarded to an individual from Europe.

“GBTA is pleased to honour MEP Oetjen with its Navigator Award,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “Mr. Oetjen has demonstrated outstanding support for the business travel community in its recovery since the pandemic. His contributions to key debates have helped shape a regulatory framework which puts travellers and the planet first.”

Ms. Neufang added: “Travel is a force for good, an opportunity to learn, communicate, share, experience and innovate. Business travel drives improvements across the global travel industry, as corporate travel buyers are increasingly tasked with delivering safe, efficient, and sustainable travel options. Business travel also brings people and teams together and fosters economic growth. The GBTA Navigator Award recognises those elected officials who have proven to be strong champions of the industry.”

MEP Oetjen has earned recognition for his dedication to the business travel community, particularly through his leadership in significant discussions, which include:

• Enhancing sustainable business travel by advancing the decarbonization of the aviation sector, enabling travelers to choose the most eco-friendly options, and improving the transparency and accuracy of emissions data.
• Overhauling the travel distribution network to capitalize on the benefits of integrated business travel solutions.

As the current European Parliament term concludes and Europe gears up for the upcoming elections of a new Parliament and Commission, the GBTA remains committed to working with EU policymakers. The association recently unveiled a report detailing the key priorities for the business travel industry for the upcoming EU legislative period from 2024 to 2029, titled “Shaping the Future of Europe Via Business Travel.” With the upcoming legislative term, GBTA stresses the importance of these priorities in maintaining the sector’s role in enhancing the competitiveness and ecological advancement of the region.

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