GBTA Michael W. McCormick applauding U.S. Global Entry Expansion

Nearly 100 Business Travelers Interviewed at GBTA Convention 2013 for Global Entry Program

Alexandria, VA, 2013-08-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Global Business Travel Association Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Michael W. McCormick issued the following statement today applauding expanding eligibility for participation in Global Entry as U.S. Customs and Border Protection published a Federal Register notice that serves to officially begin implementation of the process.

“Secure, quick and easy international business travel will grow due to the official expansion of Global Entry eligibility to qualified citizens of the Republic of Korea, Germany, Qatar and the United Kingdom. Preapproved, low-risk business travelers from these global economies can ease through Customs clearance at 34 U.S. airports and 10 preclearance locations, serving 98 percent of arriving international travelers. That is good news for the global economy as well as America’s competitiveness, as face-to-face meetings are the key to business success.

“GBTA forecasts global spending on business travel to reach $1.12 trillion in 2013, a 5.4% increase from 2012, and expects continued growth in the following years. Travel is indispensable to trade, commerce and business expansion in a global economy and if government authorities continue to take steps to ease travel burdens while ensuring security, business travel will significantly increase.

“In addition, we want to thank officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection field office in San Diego for conducting nearly 100 Global Entry interviews of preapproved attendees at the 2013 GBTA Annual Convention in San Diego. Their extra effort will allow even more frequent business travelers to benefit from expedited Customs clearance and easier travel.”