GTMC UPDATE China flights are the future
TALKS to increase the number of direct flights between the UK and China have been welcomed by the Guild of Travel Management Companies, whose recent research highlighted a need for additional capacity between the two nations. Transport minister Patrick
McLoghlin has lined up talks with Chinese authorities early this year in the hope of reaching an improved bilateral air services agreement. The current deal limits the
countries’ airlines to 31 return services per week between six destinations in the UK and China. “The world of today is very
different to that of a decade ago and we need a new agreement that reflects that,” says McLoughlin. “Improved air links between the UK and China would be good for trade, tourism and forging new partner- ships, strengthening the links between our two countries.” The new deal will look to increase
both the number of flights and the destinations, benefiting tourism and business in both countries. GTMC chief executive Paul Wait
says the organisation’s Ten Routes to Growth report, published nearly a year ago, highlighted the urgent need to increase direct routes to China – among other destinations – especially to Shenzhen, Chengdu and Nanjing. “British business travellers are
already travelling to these growth economies but at present they are doing so via other hubs and
MOSCOW AND ZURICH ON TOP
ZURICH and Moscow are the two most expensive cities in Europe when it comes to hotel accommodation – costing on average £126.89 and £119.36 respectively per night – followed by London (£119.01) and Stockholm (£118.05). The HRS Hotel Price Radar calcu- lated average room rates for a 12-month period, with Paris, Oslo, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Brussels rounding out the top ten. Prague, Warsaw and Athens were the cheapest of those surveyed.
connecting routes,” says Wait. “We are delighted to hear that
there is parliamentary action on increasing the number of direct flights between China and the UK as these routes are vital for long- term economic growth.” Meanwhile, British Airways has
been working with corporate travel buyers to plan its strategy for the Chinese market. Speaking at November’s annual
CAPA World Aviation Summit and Corporate Innovation Forum, Willie Walsh, the chief executive of the International Airlines Group (IAG), which owns BA and Iberia, said the airline asked buyers to prioritise Chinese cities in order of import- ance to their businesses. British Airways currently flies non-stop to Beijing, Shanghai,
Chengdu and Hong Kong, but Walsh said opportunities for growth were limitless, subject to an extension of bilateral agreements between the UK and China, and the easing of visa restrictions. Walsh said BA did not yet have
any codeshare agreements in place with Chinese carriers, but revealed he had been approached by a number of airlines that wanted to collaborate. “The issue is slots at Heathrow,” he said. “We’d see more services if there were more slots. It’s bad for the UK economy.” Walsh said oneworld alliance partner Cathay Pacific already provided BA good access to the Chinese market, but revealed he would continue talking with carriers outside the alliance about bilateral agreements.
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS' BUSINESS BOOST
THE Travel Counsellors network of independent agents has reported growth of 19 per cent in its travel management division over the last 12 months. It says a total of 500 new
corporate accounts were opened in 2013, ranging from small start-up businesses to a number of global companies. Corporate travel now contributes 28 per cent of the company’s overall business and 40 per cent of its home-working agents now have at least one corporate travel account. “Our figures for 2013 highlight
that our approach to corporate travel is working, with a clear demand for a personal, tailor-made
service,” says Steve Byrne, managing director at Travel Counsellors. He continues, “Seventy per cent
of new business is referred to us by our current clientele which further validates that business travellers value our service and are moving away from online booking tools as they prefer more personal customer service." Byrne adds, “With corporate
Travel Counsellors on the ground in seven countries, our agents are able to offer a comprehensive client support service around the clock. We will continue to utilise our global presence and capitalise on further growth in our business travel division."
Paul Wait Chief Executive, Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC)
rail in the UK. Since then the GTMC survey 'The Voice of Business Rail Traveller' has been published, giving a fascinating insight into the growing importance of a need for increased rail capacity, providing shorter rail times and better services to enable greater connectivity and productivity. Travellers are increasingly
L
avoiding car journeys because of congestion, cost and lost work time. But Network Rail and the train operating companies need to step in to the future and resolve the issues that are current barriers to customer satisfaction. Of particular interest are the
results for those in the 18-29 age group category; they outperformed the average in buying first class travel and wanting more first class rail capacity. In total 56 per cent are in support of HS2 but this rises to 70 per cent of the 18-29 year-olds surveyed. While 74 per cent of the total wanted franchises to compete on the same route, 61 per cent were in favour of the East Coast mainline to remain in public ownership, suggesting that while people want competition they are agnostic as to who provided it. Connecting HS2 to Heathrow is important to 74 per cent, while 62 per cent believe HS2 should connect the North of England to mainland Europe. There is a wonderful opportunity
here for the travel management community and British businesses to make a concerted effort to evaluate the end-to-end journey from home to business destin- ations, using a mixed mode of rail and car, looking at how it is positively impacting productivity times, customer satisfaction, safety and affordability. The government needs to have the vision to invest in the country's rail infrastructure and Network Rail needs to step up to the challenge of what is possible. HS2 isn't just about speed, it's also a symbol of modernisation for the UK.
ast issue I wrote about whether there was a conversion from car fleet to
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 51
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