Business Travel Tips

Thai Airways plans to add flights on several European, US, and Asian routes. The company will increase non-stop flights from Bangkok to Los Angeles from four today to six in June 2007.

In Europe, it plans to expand service to London, Paris, and Frankfurt; a direct flight to Johannesburg is planned later this year.

In the effort to battle the competition from low-cost carriers, the company also plans to increase service to to China, India, and Japan. New flights will be added to Madras, Bangalore, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Nagoya and Fukuoka.

- More competitive pricing but also fuel surcharge

Thai Airways vice president Vasing Kittikul, said the company would strengthen its international routes through competitive pricing and closer partnership with business alliances.
About the soaring fuel costs, he added:
“We are considering increasing the fuel surcharge on both international and domestic flights. The adjustment might begin in mid-May or early June,” (Source)

We have already spoken about how the lodging industry is improving its offering to meet the needs of long-term business travelers, by also providing services to pets traveling with them.

Marriott ExecuStay provides dog walkers, veterinarians, and dog beds to guests who bring pets for a business trip.

Now, this trend is involving more hotel chains, which launched special pets’ programs.
The Newsweek in Travel: And a Bed for My Dog, lists a few of such programs.

- At the W, Westin and Sheraton hotels, dogs get luxurious beds, complete with duvets.

- Starwood’s Love That Dog program gives each pet a plush robe, food and water bowls and temporary ID tags (starwoodhotels.com).

- With the Loews Loves Pets program ($25 service charge per pet; loewshotels.com), pets are greeted upon arrival with a complimentary bag of treats and a toy, as well as information for their owners about local pet services and shops. The vet-sanctioned room-service menu includes grilled lamb, chicken, liver, salmon and rice.
Owners can borrow leashes and collars and even rent videos for their pets. The VIP (Very Important Pet) service includes pet-walking and sitting services as well.

After the launch of Marriott Rewards programme, more innovations are planned by Marriott International for the Indian market, Dave Townshend, Senior Vice President of Marriott International, said in an interview with expresshospitality.com.

Dave Townshend, explains the Marriott Rewards programme:

“Marriott Rewards helps guests get to their dream destination 30 per cent faster than other hotel programmes. Members can earn points towards free hotel stays, airline miles, etc every time they stay at any one of Marriott’s hotels”

About the Marriott beds, he adds:

“Our research shows that the bed is the heart of a hotel room. The recently introduced luxurious bedding is the new brand standard making Marriott’s bedding the cleanest and the freshest of any major hotel chain”.

About the the technology innovations:

“The guestrooms will incorporate state-of-the-art technology and entertainment elements that include a 32″ flat-panel LCD television with 30 watt speaker systems and greater channel selection.”

IATA, the International Air Transport Association, has announced having obtained approval from China for the implementation of IATA-1, the new international air traffic route that allows around 30-minute reduction in flight times between China and Europe.

At least 110 flights a week are being scheduled on the new route, which is open to commercial traffic since April 13, 2006.
Officially known as Y-1, this route is testament to the strategic role assumed by IATA in relation to cooperation with the Chinese government.

Andy McGraw, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Business Travel, says that Europe is narrowing the gap with the U.S.A. in terms of online booking and expense management.

Based on the European Travel Management Technology Survey recently carried out by American Express Business Travel, he says that 58 percent of air booking from companies headquartered in Europe expected to be made online in 2006.

Among the findings from the study:
- The average number of air tickets booked online has increased by 70% from 2004.
- 42% of respondent companies have introduced online booking systems since 2004; another 25% plan to buy online travel management systems within the next year.
- 48% of respondents committed to directing business travelers to the approved travel agency websites in 2006.
- The number of European expense reports filed online has increased by 20% from 2004.
- Online air bookings and travel expense reports will account for the majority of respondent company booking and expense reports.

McGraw adds American Express Business Travel has received a very positive feedback on the e-solution for negotiating corporate meeting venues launched earlier this year.

Then, he refers to a study conducted by the independent Online Travel Benchmarking Group, a division of travel advisory firm Harrell Associates, which found that American Express Business Travel is the Best-in-Class for the lowest airfares available online when compared to the public fares of the main online corporate travel booking tools in France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

And for USA, The Online Travel Benchmarking Group has found that American Express Business Travel offers the lowest business travel rates available online when compared to the public fares of three U.S. online agencies — Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. (Source)