Business Travel Tips

SMC Networks announced today the release of a networking toolkit serving both as a wireless access point and as a VoIP telephony gateway.

The toolkit, SMCWTVG Wireless Travel Voice Gateway, integrates the functions of a wireless gateway and a Voice over IP analog telephone adapter in one compact device.

SMC product manager Brian Nickell, explains:

“It (SMCWTVG Wireless Travel Voice Gateway) facilitates wireless Internet access, sharing that access with colleagues or multiple wireless devices; and it frees up calling options by allowing travelers to hook up their analog phones to make and receive calls via the traditional phone company while maintaining access to VoIP service for economical long-distance calling.” ( source )

This portable device, easy to carry and to use, combining wireless access flexibility and VoIP access features, seems to be particulary suitable for any business travelers.

SMCWTVG Wireless Travel Voice Gateway will be available beginning April 1, 2006; the retail price suggested from SMC is $129.99.

According to the annual Barclaycard Business Travel Survey, business travelers will travel further distances for longer periods of time.

The business travel industry will see the increase of long distance travel and the decline of shorter journeys.
Below a few figures excerpted from the Barclaycard study.

- Distance travelled per week will increase to approximately 700 miles per person, compared to 609 miles currently.

- Business traveler will on average spend an extra night away from home each month, up from 4.1 nights in 2005/6 to 5.2 nights in 2015.

- Air travel: the number of flights taken per business traveler will increase by 12% from 7.6 flights per year in 2005/6 to 8.5 flights in 2015.

- Rail travel: business travelers regularly using trains are predicted to decrease from 34% in 2005/6 to 25% in 2015.

- Among the services predicted to increase are:
Preference for electronic check in procedures 2005 - 23% 2015 - 90%
Preference for online booking 2005 - 37% 2015 - 70%
Business class air travel 2005 - 25% 2015 - 33%
Premium class rail travel 2005 - 22% 2015 - 25%

The tenth annual Barclaycard Business Travel Survey questioned 2,500 respondents (CEOs, company directors, managers and executives), about all aspects of business travel from airlines and hotels to online bookings.
It was conducted in October 2005, among a UK sample of Barclaycard Business’ 565,000 commercial card holders. ( source )

According to data released by ITE MICE Hong Kong, in 2005, Chinese citizens made 31.03 million trips abroad, of which 4.44 million or 14.3% were for business purpose.

There are evidences that more Chinese are traveling abroad to attend conventions, exhibitions and meetings.

Some figures related to business travels Chinese citizen made to Europe

In 2004, the region of East, South East and Central Asia was the largest source of exhibitors and visitors from outside Europe to German trade fairs, and accounted respectively for 25.6% and 8.3%.

Based on attendance by corporate buyers to business travel seminar in their previous expo grew by over 50%, ITE MICE Hong Kong forecasts that the region will likely continue its strong growth in business and MICE travel.

ITE MICE 2006, which focuses on business, MICE and deluxe travels, will be held from June 15 to 17 at Hall 2B of Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC)

(Source)

Hotel chain Marriott International Inc. has opened its first Courtyard by Marriott property in Chennai, India.

The 238-room hotel is located near the Chennai Trade Centre with nearby attractions in the form of Fort St George and Marina Beach. Room rates range between $150 to $225 / night, plus tax.

More Marriott Hotels are expected to open in India: the Hyderabad Marriott Hotel (2006) and the JW Marriott Hotel Bangalore (2007).

There are currently five Marriott hotels in India: the JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai; the New Delhi Marriott Hotel; Goa Marriott Hotel; the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Center; and the Lakeside Chalet Marriott Executive Apartments.
( source )

Choice Hotels International Inc., one of the nation’s most successful hotel franchisers, is set to launch an upscale brand called Cambria Suites.

That puts Choice in competition with the likes of Marriott International Inc., Hilton Hotels Corp, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. .

Cambria Suites rooms will be 25 % larger than many of its competitors, with separate sleep and living/work areas, each with a flat-screen TV and free wireless Internet. The lobby will have club lounge seating.

Analysts said the brand is specifically focused on the traveler who wants the comforts of home, despite strict budgets at the office.

“Companies are traveling more, but they are being much more cognizant of costs, this fits in perfect. It’s still better than a mid-scale Comfort Inn, but it’s not that luxurious where it costs too much.” said Samir Jain, a hotel analyst with Jefferies & Co. ( source )

David Katz, a hotel industry analyst with CIBC World Markets said that Choice’s move into the upscale segment of the hotel industry is a good idea because that would be a fertile market.