ALEXANDRIA, VA.—The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) announced the acquisition of Project ICARUS from the United Kingdom’s Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM). This acquisition will allow for the creation of a global sustainability program.
“In Europe last year, we entered into a groundbreaking relationship with ITM to build GBTA Europe,” said GBTA executive director and COO, Michael W. McCormick. “So as an organization, we were looking to develop a global sustainability program. “We didn’t have to look very far. I would like to congratulate ITM on their tremendous achievement in bringing Project ICARUS to this point and I know, together with ITM, GBTA will continue to uphold the values, principles and objectives as we develop Project ICARUS globally.”
Project ICARUS was established six years ago by ITM with a goal to encourage the travel buyer and supplier community to take action to address sustainability issues within their own companies. In the European Union, Project ICARUS is now the definitive source of information, education and support for sustainability issues in business travel and meetings. Its four key components include: encouraging reductions in carbon emissions; developing an understanding of the wider sustainability issues; providing educational programs and events specializing in sustainability; and recognizing companies that have adopted these best practices.
“GBTA has always been at the forefront of addressing emerging business travel issues over the years and we understand that the emergence of sustainable development over the past decade has been extraordinary,” said Bernard Harrop, head of sustainability, Project ICARUS. “Sustainability has moved from being a niche subject to an issue of strategic importance for corporations and governments alike.”
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