THE TECHNOLOGY


CWT offers new telepresence tool


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NBTA UPDATE


BERNARD HARROP, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY IN CHARGE OF NBTA’S PROJECT ICARUS


A happy traveller equals a happy company


CARLSON Wagonlit Travel is ramping up efforts to integrate telepresence technology with managed travel programmes as virtual meetings facilities continue to find favour with corporates. CWT Telepresence, the new facility from the TMC, is aimed at both companies with their own telepresence rooms and also those looking to utilise the company’s agreement with Tata Communi- cations, whose facilities include 22 public Cisco TelePresence Suites around the world. CWT says the new facility is


an end-to-end solution, assisting users with strategy definition, change management and decision support, booking and fulfilment, and reporting and optimisation. The tool features a map of Cisco


facilities, a CWT Telepresence Savings Calculator and an online booking form, all of which are accessed through CWT Portal, the company’s gateway to all its web- based travel services. Pauline Quéré, CWT's VP global customer product marketing, says telepresence can be a “compelling alternative” to business travel. “Telepresence is a state-of-the-art technology that can help companies cut travel costs without compro- mising their business objectives. Once you’ve negotiated with preferred air and hotel suppliers, telepresence, when used properly, can be a new lever for savings. “Meetings can be conducted


more often, bringing more people together quickly and easily for greater collaboration,” she adds.


HRS EXTENDS MOBILE OPTIONS


HOTEL booking agency HRS has launched a smartphone app in association with Microsoft and the new Windows Phone 7 operating system, following a successful launch of apps for the Google Android platform, iPhones, iPads and BlackBerrys. The app gives Windows Phone 7


users access to a database of more than 250,000 hotels worldwide – complete with comprehensive hotel information, photos and guest reviews – all of which can be booked through the app. The Windows 7 technology, and


the Metro design on which it is based, combine existing HRS.com features with a brand new design


and new navigation element, while booking and searching functions have been fine-tuned. All room rates visible via HRS’ online portal can now also be seen on the mobile device and, for the first time, all mobile and online bookings have been centralised and are presented in a personal- ised customer area – ‘My HRS’. Personal and company preferences can also be added, including filters for maximum price, minimum star-rating, hotel chain preference and specific hotel names. A reservation confirmation message is sent to the user's phone as soon as a booking has been completed.


THE last time I wrote this column for TBTM I was on my way to what turned out to be a highly successful NBTA Europe conference in Lisbon: my task there was to host an education session and launch an ICARUS white paper on the impact of stress on frequent travellers. This was the first pan-European conference since ITM joined forces with other European travel associations, so I wasn’t sure what reaction I would receive. I needn’t have worried, for the attendance was high and the response to both the session and the white paper were excellent. One of the most interesting (and encouraging) facts to emerge from the European audience was how many companies are considering the wellbeing of employees in their travel and meeting procurement decision process. The benefits of doing this were


born out by the findings of the ICARUS white paper which used academic research and field analysis to measure the impact of stress on work per- formance from over 200 frequent travellers. The results showed that companies which do not recognise aspects of traveller stress and wellbeing are exposed to the very real consequences of lower productivity, increased absenteeism, poor work-life balance and an increase in personal and corporate safety and security risks. Financially this could result in additional costs to a company of some nine per cent or more. So I think it’s fair to say: happy travellers equals happy companies.


Traveller wellbeing is a subject


that is fast rising up the corporate board agenda – I recommend you download the ICARUS report at www.nbtaeurope.org to find out more on this subject. On the wider subject of sustainability, I am delighted to announce we will be launching a new ICARUS Europe Sustainability Accreditation programme for suppliers in 2011. This follows on from the success of our buyer accreditation programme and is aimed at suppliers and intermediaries who serve the business travel and meetings industry. We want to recognise companies that can demonstrate leadership and delivery of best practice in the three key elements of sustainability, ie environment, social and economic impacts. The ICARUS accreditation logo


“Many


companies are now considering the wellbeing of employees in their travel and procurement decisions”


will enable travel buyers to easily identify those suppliers who have been recognised for their achievements and can best assist in delivering corporate supply chain sustainability objectives. Look out for more information in January.


PS – A response for the Government’s happiness index: “What would make me happy is to be home from work


early, spend more time with my children, not work weekends, take all my allocated holidays and go to work with a smile on my face.” Source: A stressed out frequent business traveller.


For more details about the NBTA, ITM and Project Icarus and their calendar of events, see www.nbtaeurope.org.uk or call 0207 719 8599.


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