, according to a VDR statement. NBTA and the Institute of Travel & Meetings
announced the new NBTA Europe group on Wednesday. "The newly founded NBTA Europe will withdraw from the Paragon Partnership, a global alliance of business travel associations, and aims to portray itself independently as the European voice of the industry," according to the VDR statement, in which it also said Paragon's "influence is not to be underestimated. As a founder member of this association, the VDR will therefore continue to support Paragon and will refrain from joining NBTA Europe. We are closely monitoring the development of the new association and are maintaining a dialogue with the NBTA. However, we do not see eye to eye on the purposes and approach of the new NBTA Europe. We prefer to continue cooperating on a bilateral basis as appropriate and will therefore communicate regarding international topics. At the same time, we are considering a German-speaking alliance with Switzerland and the Austrian business travel association ABTA. The VDR intends to continue presenting international political topics in collaboration with Paragon. The VDR does not see any added value for the association and its members in founder membership of the new NBTA Europe. We want to remain independent and neutral, free of commercial interests."