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NBTA Senate Testimony Addresses Concerns on Travel Security Initiatives

Alexandria, VA | National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Executive Director and COO Bill Connors yesterday urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on European Affairs to support business travel and travelers in the implementation of new security regulations. Connors testified on the importance of ensuring that the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPSII) contains accurate data, protects passenger privacy,...

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Alexandria, VA | National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Executive Director and COO Bill Connors yesterday urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on European Affairs to support business travel and travelers in the implementation of new security regulations. Connors testified on the importance of ensuring that the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPSII) contains accurate data, protects passenger privacy, allows for corrections of erroneous data, and enables passengers to appeal decisions.

Connors requested that the current October 2004 deadline set for countries participating in Visa Waiver Program to provide

biometric information in passports be extended, noting the importance of international travel to economic recovery in the United States. He also recommended that the US VISIT program be backed with necessary staffing levels at U.S. entry points. “NBTA joins with others in requesting the October 26, 2004 biometric passport deadline for Visa Waiver Countries be extended immediately,” Connors said. “Anything that slows the healthy exchange of commerce between the US and our trading partners may jeopardize our current economic recovery.”

The subcommittee, chaired by Senator George Allen (R-VA), heard testimony from several travel and security representatives on transportation and tourism issues between the United States and the European Union.

Connors concluded his testimony by recommending the formation of a permanent, national advisory board that would enable the travel industry to consistently and effectively provide input on important political and economic issues related to travel.

The National Business Travel Association is the source for critical information on the business travel industry. For more than 35 years, NBTA has dedicated itself to the professional development of its members through advocacy, education and training, and networking opportunities. NBTA represents over 2,400 corporate travel managers and travel service providers, who collectively manage and direct more than $170 billion of expenditures within the business travel industry.

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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals...