In recognition of the Winter Olympics, we salute the athletes of the Vancouver games for their tributes and triumphs representing the worldwide community. In this age of global business mindedness, the Olympics is a poignant reminder that we are all connected. In honour of the games, this month’s featured business hotel is the Fairmont’s four properties in Vancouver.
In corporate travel news, demand is returning with airlines and hotels following suit in more ways than one. In light of this trend, Executive Edge will continue to negotiate the best hotel and airfare rates on your behalf. We anticipate a productive year ahead for all our clients and we thank you for trusting us with your travel solutions.
Industry News
Qantas to introduce ‘Next Generation’ check in procedures
Qantas will initiate another industry first this year with the introduction of ‘Next Generation’ check in procedures, according to Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce. All Qantas frequent flyer cards will be embedded with an intelligence chip which passengers simply need to swipe on a reader then either drop off luggage or head immediately to their departure gate. It’s going to be that simple. Airport check in time will be cut in half, experts estimate. Essentially the new chip will transform Qantas cards into instant personal boarding passes linked to permanent bag tags. Joyce boasts, “Our new world leading technology will revolutionize the airport experience for customers around Australia.” This service will be available for all Qantas Club Members as well as all Qantas Frequent Flyers from Silver through Platinum. Bronze Frequent Flyers and non-frequent
flyers will not be eligible for this service. The first stage of the Next Generation check in airport initiative will commence in Perth in mid-2010 then roll across Australia reaching Sydney and Melbourne airports by the end of the year.
Emirates offers double business rewards through March
Emirates has always been a proponent of small to medium businesses. In fact, their loyalty program called Emirates Business Rewards is actually specifically tailor-made for small to medium enterprises (SME). In an effort to show the company’s continuing support for SMEs, Emirates will offer its customers double reward miles through March. Therefore one dollar equates to four Business Reward miles in place of the usual two. Since the launch of Emirates Business Rewards program, over 8000 members now belong within 57 countries. The double miles promotion is valid for all travel completed by March 31, 2010. To join Business Rewards for free visit www.emirates.com
Demand recovering, business airfare costs on rise again
Corporate travel industry veterans are in agreement, travel costs are predicted to rise over the next 12 months. General consensus reveals that the global economy
is recovering. Companies are returning to profit and the demand for international travel in business has begun to rise. As a result, travel costs will likely increase this year - gradually but steadily. Businesses must recognize, however, that fares have been so low during the downturn that airlines would have to make a adjustment soon in order to continue flying. Helen Logas, CEO of Travelcorp, illuminated a basic truism about the travel industry saying, “That’s what happens in this industry, all of a sudden companies decide the crisis is over and it goes back to normal.” Airline fare increases are expected not only with Qantas but across the board. It will, however, take a long time for fares to return to their pre-crisis levels and demand will be the major determining factor.
US flights show best on-time performance in years
If you have flown to the States in recent years, it seems there are always perpetual delays, reschedules and postponements. However, the latest released report from the US Transportation Department’s Air Travel Consumer Division revealed that 19 major US carriers actually recorded their best on-time performance rates in the 2009 calendar year since 2003. The report claimed that these 19 carriers had a 79.5 percent on-time rate broken down by route. The report also showed which airlines and routes were the most reliable and those to avoid which were likely to have delays and even lost baggage. By booking flights on the carriers and routes recommended by the Air Travel Consumer Report, you can actually statistically improve your chances of arriving on time to your destination. The top two carrier spots went to Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest while the big five airlines (United,
Delta, American, Continental and US Airways) ranged from 6th place to 12th place, United and Delta respectively. The report also showed that American Airlines had the most tarmac delays with 10 flights in December alone sitting on the tarmac for more than 3 hours.
2009 best year in overall aviation safety
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 2009’s accident rate recorded the second lowest in aviation history. So even despite a few major accidents and higher fatalities, the year past has been deemed one of the best in
terms of safety performance. Specifically, the 2009 accident rate was 0.71% which translates to one incident one accident for every 1.4 million flights. In total there were 90 accidents in all aircraft types compared to 109 in 2008. 18 of these accidents were fatal incidents, compared to 23 in 2008. What is even more notable is that even in a decade when airlines lost an average of US $5 billion per year, the safety record has improved each year. IATA Director Giovanni Bisignani still keeps his eye on the target though saying, “Every fatality is a human tragedy that reminds us of the ultimate goal of zero accidents and zero fatalities.”
Business Hotel News
Featured Business Hotel: Fairmont Vancouver
The best business hotels in Vancouver all strive to ensure guests are offered the convenience of stress-free work environments when on the road and the Fairmont properties in Vancouver are no exception. In fact, the Fairmont offers four of the city’s finest properties for business traveller executive retreats, conferences and meetings - The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront, The Fairmont Vancouver Airport and newest addition, Fairmont Pacific Rim.
The Fairmonts in Vancouver all offer a toll-free service for meetings planners called ‘Global Events & Meeting Solutions.’ To contact their group planners either call +1-506-877-3162 or email at globaleventsandmeetingssolutions@frhi.com
The new Fairmont Pacific Rim offers 15,000 square feet of meeting space in decadent waterfront surroundings including three ballrooms accommodating up to 400 people, 2 boardrooms, 3 meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art multimedia theatre. Conveniently, adjacent to this Fairmont is the newly expanded wing of the Vancouver Convention Centre. And the piece de la resistance is the Chairman’s Suite, a unique outdoor venue deck perfect for hosting elegant dinner events.
www.fairmont.com
Mandarin Oriental launches mobile website
One of the most technology savvy hotel brands in the world has just trumped the competition once again with the recent launch of their interactive mobile website. The mobile site is compatible with touch screen iPhone, Droid, Blackberry and Nokia phones and offers a user-friendly format for guests to easily navigate booking rooms, browsing maps, or make dining and spa reservations while on the go. The site also allows to switch back and forth between their mobile desktop and the Oriental site with a ‘read later’ option key.
Moscow, Abu Dhabi and New York claim world’s highest hotel rates
A recent survey conducted by Hogg Robinson Group, an international corporate travel services company, found that although average room rates dropped in most worldwide cities last year, three cities topped the most expensive list - Moscow, Abu Dhabi and New York. Moscow’s average cost of a hotel room was US $420 dollars, followed by the United Arab Emirates with average room rates of $350, and New York’s average of $320. Still most hotels have cut their rates and continue to offer discounts to business travellers.
Edge Intelligence
Benefits of American Express Platinum Card for travellers
For avid high-end travellers, the benefits and savings from the American Express Platinum credit card far outweigh the annual fee. Research shows that AmEx Platinum, more than any other card, receives the most positive feedback from its customers. The foremost savings for clients are derived from airfares - two for one business or first class international airfares on 21 airlines can save literally tens of thousands per year. Other benefits include extras on more than 600 luxury hotels including room upgrades, free breakfasts and late checkout; membership in Avis, Hertz and National car rental programs; automatic car rental insurance; access to Continental and Delta airport club lounges; and $300 in shipboard credit or a two category upgrade on select cruise lines. Then of course there is the added convenience and benefit of their 24-hour travel agent and concierge service which
arranges travel, tickets to sold-out shows, and reservations for hard-to-get restaurants. The annual fee is $450; however, for a certain type of traveller, the savings and benefits of the card certainly will pay for itself.
www.americanexpress.com
Corporate carpooling trend
The latest trend amongst business travellers concerned with doing their part to save the environment? Carpooling. A company called Liftshare in London has recently partnered with London airports to create a car-sharing scheme for passengers and staff. Transportation services are also offered to small and large businesses. The goal is threefold: social networking, promote saving money, and most importantly, reduce carbon emissions and help the environment. Liftshare enables passengers to share the cost of petrol and mandates that drivers do not make a profit from their passengers. To date, Lifeshare is 34,000 members strong. Liftshare is not the first social enterprising website as it joins similar ridesharing networks in New York and San Francisco.
Events and Conferences
Decline in MICE visitors to Australia spurs BECA to ask for $20 million in federal funding
MICE visitors to Australia have declined at such an alarming rate in recent years that the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has asked the Federal government for an immediate injection of $20 million to stop the disconcerting decline as soon as possible. ABS figures clearly demonstrate that MICE events in Australia fell by 23% from 2008 to 2009. BECA chairman has also asked for a tax incentive that will motivate Australian companies to hold conferences and business events on Australian soil instead of overseas. BECA’s $20 million dollar bid submitted to Canberra in a pre-budget request breaks down to $10 million for a Business Events Bid Fund, $5 million for an International Delegate Boosting Fund and $5 million for a Branding and Marketing Fund.
Crown launches new convention centre
In February Crown Entertainment Complex launched its new multi-million dollar convention centre. The centre is located adjacent to Crown Towers, Crown Promenade, and linked to the new Crown Metropol. The centre will draw major local and international conferences with 16 meeting rooms and a conference hall with a capacity of 800 delegates. According to Crown CEO David Courtney, 30 conferences and 100 meetings have already been booked since the centre officially launched last month. Some unique features of the centre include a pillar-less conference hall with theatre seating, some form of natural lighting in all meeting rooms, and “naked conferencing” which means tables absent of tablecloths creating less laundry and leaving smaller environmental footprints.
