What one change would you most like to see to make the industry more attractive to young professionals?

To compete with industries such as finance or law, where defined career structures are deeply embedded, I’d like to see the sector offer clearer career paths and entry points. Right now, a lot of people stumble into business travel by chance rather than choosing it deliberately.

This should go hand in hand with a stronger education to industry pipeline, built through close collaboration between Travel Management Companies, universities and colleges. An increase in opportunities such as graduate schemes, internships and apprenticeships would provide greater entry points for new talent.

Linked to this, the sector has significant potential to influence academic programmes beyond traditional travel and tourism courses, integrating business travel insights into college courses and university degrees in other areas of study like business management, sustainability and technology. By embedding itself more deeply in the education system, the industry can position business travel as a dynamic, purpose driven career choice for the next generation.

The BTA and Generation BTA are already helping to promote these pathways and show that business travel can be a rewarding, long-term career.

What is the biggest challenge in attracting young people to business travel?

The biggest challenge right now is awareness, or really, the lack of it. When students think about a career in travel, they usually picture cabin crew or leisure travel agents. Most have never heard of Travel Management Companies or considered business travel as a career. Many haven’t travelled for work themselves, so they don’t realise how varied and dynamic the sector is. As an industry, and through initiatives led by the BTA and Generation BTA, we need to be far more present within education and early careers environments to show them what the business travel sector actually looks like and the kind of careers they can build within it.

What misconceptions do young people have about the industry?

Many think it’s just booking flights and hotels, or that it’s purely a service role. In reality, business travel is far broader, covering strategy, supplier management, sustainability, project management, and more. Another misconception is that the industry isn’t innovative when in fact, with AI, automation and digital tools, it’s evolving fast.

So, I think the big opportunity is to reframe the industry, to show that it is not just about moving people from A to B, but about connecting businesses, cultures and ideas in a more sustainable and intelligent way, on a global scale. Once young people see that, they start to realise just how exciting and future focused this sector really is.

What are the key benefits of a career in business travel?

If you want a career that’s dynamic, meaningful, and full of opportunities, business travel has it all.

You get to work with clients, partners, and colleagues from all over the world, helping organisations connect and grow. It gives you a sense of connection and purpose, both within your own organisation and through the role you play in helping other organisations bring people together to collaborate, innovate and grow.

Second, there’s huge variety in roles – from Operations and Sales to Finance, Marketing, HR, and Technology – and the skills you learn are transferable across industries.

Third, it is an industry of rapid change moving at a fast pace. The focus on digital transformation, AI and sustainable travel means you are part of shaping what the future of global business looks like. For someone early in their career, that is incredibly exciting, because you are not just joining an established sector, you are helping reinvent it.

And finally, it is a collaborative, community driven space. People who work in ‘travel for work’ tend to be passionate and supportive. It is the kind of environment where you can build strong networks and long-term relationships.

How can we better showcase the variety of roles and career paths?

We need visibility and storytelling. Many young people still think the sector is just about booking travel. We need to show the full ecosystem – from finance and HR to events, technology, and supplier management.

We also need to work more closely as an industry with universities, colleges and professional programmes to promote business travel as a career option across a much broader range of disciplines, not just travel and tourism. That means physically getting in front of students on a larger scale, through guest lectures, webinars and career fairs.

This is an area the BTA and Generation BTA are actively trying to address and accelerate, because without it there is limited awareness of what the sector offers the next generation.

As the new Chair, what is your vision for the Generation BTA Board over the next term?

As Chair, my vision is to continue driving the Board forward and growing its impact, not only for the next generation but also for our industry partners and members. I want to ensure the Board remains active, visible, and empowered, delivering meaningful contributions while providing opportunities for every member to develop professionally.

Our key priorities are to raise the Board’s profile across both industry and the education sector, strengthening our presence and influence in each. We’ll be driving deeper engagement through two focused pillars – Education, Community & Events, and Social Media & Content. By streamlining how we work and collaborating more closely across the Board, we’re set to maximise impact, deliver real results, whilst retaining a fun and dynamic environment for every Board member.

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