36-Country Travel Ban Expansion Alarms Corporate Travel

The possibility of an expansion of U.S. travel bans has sent corporations and travel management companies scurrying for answers.

The prospect of a Trump administration travel ban on 36 additional countries has raised alarm bells across the corporate travel sector.

Companies are scrambling to prepare for what could be the most sweeping set of travel restrictions in recent U.S. history.

While no final list has been confirmed, leaked drafts suggest many of these countries are in Africa and the Caribbean, regions that are vital hubs for oil, tech, health, and development work.

The proposed expansion risks rupturing economic ties between the U.S. and many African and Caribbean nations. In addition to energy and tech, these regions support a growing ecosystem of development consulting, university exchange programs, and diaspora business travel.

For example, Nigeria is a major oil supplier, and has a growing tech/startup scene with U.S. venture capital involvement. A ban would affect travel for oil execs and tech founders. Companie