That Coronavirus pandemic had an ongoing, and possibly permanent, impact on business travel that is likely to drag employment and economic growth in some communities for years.

Aside from the blows against airlines, hotels, travel agencies and rental car companies, the decline in business travel spreads through entire ecosystems of related commerce, including airport shops, downtown bars and restaurants, construction companies building convention stages, entertainers, taxi drivers and aircraft parts manufacturers.

According to the US Travel Association, domestic and international business travelers in the US directly spent $ 334.2 billion in 2019, supporting 2.5 million jobs. However, if one takes into account the consequences, she estimates economic output and jobs supported by business travel to be around twice as high as before the pandemic.

“When there is a big convention or event, the whole city is involved,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, director of public affairs and politics for the association. “The florist who delivers the flowers, the dry cleaners who prepare the bedclothes, the café who serves travelers. Entire downtown areas have been revitalized with the meetings and events business, and they really struggled over the last year. “

When global restrictions were introduced last spring to control the spread of Covid-19, corporations and street warriors were forced to had to adapt, Conduct sales calls and attend board meetings via video conferencing instead of on-site visits, and prepare for virtual training and networking instead of seminars in conference centers.