Per Diem Rates to Remain the Same
The U.S. government will not change the federal per diem rates for fiscal year 2013. They will remain the same as 2012 rates. The General Services Administration is responsible for setting federal government per diem rates for lodging, meals and other travel incidentals incurred by federal employees. The administration discussed lowering travel reimbursement rates as one of several options to meet a federal mandate requiring travel reduction costs of 30 percent compared to fiscal year 2010. According to a news release from the GSA, the rate freeze “will save an estimated $20 million in avoided costs in [fiscal year] 2013.” GSA’s acting administrator, Dan Tangherlini, says this will help agencies meet the federal spending reduction mandate. “GSA is undergoing a rigorous review process to find ways in which we can streamline agency operations and save money across the government,” said Tangherlini. “By keeping per diem rates at current levels, we are supporting federal agencies in controlling costs and ensures that taxpayer dollars are used wisely.”
Brett Sterenson, founder and president of Hotel Lobbyists, a conference-site selection firm in Washington, D.C., says he, along with the hotel and government meeting planner community, are relieved by the recent announcement. “This responsible decision shows much needed clear-headed thinking,” Sterenson says. “We can attribute this success to the proactive approaches of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the tireless efforts of the U.S. Travel Association and its comprehensive VoteTravel campaign, plus the hard work of individual meeting planners and industry suppliers who would not remain idle as the government deliberated over taking drastic measures.” Sterenson says everyone in the industry needs to remain diligent going forward. “We need to continue to tout the importance of meetings,” he advises. “We need to stop unethical behavior when we see it and to not let the actions of a few hurt one the nation’s most valuable industries.”
