Onwards and upwards for U.S travel

Americans will take 144 million business trips by the end of this year, four percent more than in 2003, the Travel Industry Association of America annual survey says.
As new venues open in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, experts in corporate leadership, worldwide development and international law agree that opportunities are rife for U.S. companies to generate business, goodwill and optimism.
"Business travel in Asia has really come back, with so much going on in China that cuts costs," said Jack O'Neill, executive vice president and chief operating officer in the United States for Carlson Wagonlit Travel. "Major airlines see their expansion lying overseas. There is a battle for more Beijing service."
Experienced travelers continue to strive to be more efficient "by embracing new security processing such as pupil scan, using self-check kiosks, and printing boarding passes online the night before a trip," he said.
Passports for change
Developments in Iraq and changes in U.S. policy lifting trade sanctions in Libya will bring "business travel that hasn't been happening in the past," said Curt Dombek, international trade expert and partner at Bryan Cave LLP in Los Angeles. Though Syria sanctions have been tightened, he said Libya offers opportunities in oil and gas as well as technology, telecoms and computers.
"A range of business equipment is needed for an economy that is now expected to develop more significantly," said Dombek.
Libya is still subject to anti-terrorism controls, however, and therefore not in the same general category as other developing countries, he cautioned.
"There's a fair amount of unease, a shift in attitudes in the Arab world post the Iraq invasion," said Dombek, who represented the Kuwait government after the Gulf War and advises clients on international regulatory issues, including export controls, customs and corruption.
"It remains to be seen how welcome U.S. companies will be," he said. "Kuwait is receptive, but the environment has changed. Trends and economic sanctions are impossible to predict."
Meanwhile, social responsibility and ethical leadership can help build bridges.
"Much of the outside world perceives the United States with a combination of hostility, resignation and curiosity," said Lelei LeLaulu, president and CEO of Washington-based Counterpart International "It is a great opportunity to reach out a hand in friendship.
"There has been a tendency to just grow and not look too closely at host communities," he said. "The business sector might consider taking an extra step or two toward their local stakeholders."
LeLaulu suggests that U.S. airlines follow the lead of Air Jamaica, which holds town hall meetings in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston.
"Discussions cover immigration, financial freedom and real estate. The result? Community support, a strong customer base and brand loyalty."