GBTA Foundation announces Star Alliance as Gold Partner for “Gift of Knowledge” initiative: Delivering business travel education in China

The GBTA Foundation – the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association – announced that Star Alliance has joined the “Gift of Knowledge” as a Gold Partner. Through the initiative, GBTA will be utilizing funds raised to create and deliver an innovative and comprehensive program to further develop the travel management profession in China.

With the growth of the business travel industry in China, the number of qualified business travel professionals has struggled to keep up with the rise in demand. There is a clear and urgent need for holistic education and training of business travel professionals in China.

“As China continues its push to become the single largest business travel market in the world, this effort will provide localized travel management education to travel professionals in China, from entry level to executive level education, as well as training workshops and GTP certification,” said Daphne Bryant, GBTA Foundation Executive Director. “The GBTA Foundation is incredibly pleased Star Alliance has joined as a partner to help fund this important initiative.”

“At Star Alliance we have long seen the business travel potential of China. Our presence in the greater Chinese market includes Air China, EVA Air and Shenzhen Airlines along with 16 further international member airlines. For Star Alliance, partnering with the GBTA Foundation was a logical choice. Combining the experience of GBTA and Star Alliance in providing appropriate education for travel professionals will ensure a high standard of corporate travel management in China. This will ultimately benefit the corporate travel providers, buyers and travelers, as well as the airlines,” said Olav Glorvigen, Director Sales & Market Development, Star Alliance.

Through collaborative partnerships with leading educational institutions and visionary leadership from its members, GBTA has changed the landscape of business travel management across the globe and plans to bring this same industry-leading education to China.

GBTA is partnering with Fudan University, one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the country, to assist in the construction, delivery and integration of educational curriculum, providing a clear path for future leaders in the business travel industry. A steering committee will ensure all content is delivered with a local perspective that caters to the unique audience of business travel professionals in China. Star Alliance joins United and other companies soon to be announced as industry leaders stepping up to support the “Gift of Knowledge” initiative.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia