The African Business Travel Association (ABTA) announced its Namibia Launch, planned for 6 July 2011, taking place at Windhoek’s Protea Hotel Furstenhof. This event, prompted by the recent spate of media reports focussing on fraudulent practices and over-charging in the Namibian Business Travel Industry, will investigate various topics relating to the importance of effective travel management in the region and the significance of transparency in building trust-worthy partnerships.
Through ‘Education, Innovation and Collaboration’, ABTA will provide a platform for African Business Travel professionals to work together towards elevating the standard of the Business Travel Industry across the Continent. The Namibia launch event and education sessions will be attended by the region’s leading Corporate Travel Bookers, Buyers and Procurement professionals, as well as Industry Suppliers, Travel Agents and Travel Management Companies.
“As Africa becomes an increasingly popular destination for many international corporations, there is a need for us to raise the bar in the way we manage, buy and supply business travel. Although the actions of a few unethical agents and individuals in the Namibian region should not tarnish the reputation of an entire industry, many companies have started to question just how much control they really have over their business travel spend and whether it remains wise to put full control and trust of their travel portfolio into the hands of their Travel Agents and Suppliers. It is vital to the success of the local Business Travel industry that global corporations see the potential for transparent and trust-worthy relationships when making decisions about expanding their operations into this region” said ABTA Founder Monique Swart.