Business class can fly for companies

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Bill Radke: The travel industry is fighting back after some criticism that corporate travel in this economy is bad business if you’re receiving bailout money. The industry has launched a nationwide ad campaign heralding the value of corporate travel. From Washington, Ronni Radbill reports.

Ronni Radbill: So, what’s frivolous business travel and what isn’t when it comes to the taxpayer’s dime?

Henry Harteveldt: If you are on government assistance you probably have to tone down your spending a little bit.

Henry Harteveldt is a travel analyst with Forrester Research.

Harteveldt: There are some bank executives who are going to have to understand that there’s not only life outside the corporate jet, but there’s this place that more than 80 percent of us fly, and it’s called coach.

But as Hartevelt puts it… business travel is not the enemy. And gathering at conventions builds networks and so builds business. U.S. Travel Association launched its media blitz to prevent millions of dollars in convention cancellations.

Alan Feldman is with Las Vegas hotel holding company MGM Mirage:

Alan Feldman: There are tens-of-thousands of jobs tied to this. I don’t think we can forget for a second the importance that it has on the nation’s economy.

Business travel is expected to take a hit this year — down $3.4 billion from a year ago.

In Washington, I’m Ronni Radbill for Marketplace.