Lobbying for Business Travelers in D.C. Takes on New Challenges These Days

There’s no silver bullet for fixing the fallout from the pandemic, a leading corporate travel lobbyist has warned. Having ensured the “four pillars of travel” — namely airlines, agencies, hotels and ground transportation firms — were represented during the creation of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act, Shane Downey is focusing on virus testing and corporate travel liability. It’s a challenge, not least because the heart of the U.S. government remains off-limits. Lobbying isn't what it used to be. “It’s odd. In normal terms, you’d be up there in Washington doing things,” Downey, vice president, government and community relations at the Global Business Travel Association, told Skift. “Now we’re all doing it from our spare bedroom, via calls, text messages and email, and just trying to push it forward. It’s hard for legislators and elected officials to get to know each other, break down those preconceived notions we have about each other, and the different par