p24 Biz Travel jan30 27/1/09 17:27 Page 24
Business travel
Martin Ferguson
020 7921 8011
maferguson@ttgbusiness.com
Keep up with the latest business travel news at ttgbusiness.com
EasyJet banks on
business bookings
EASYJET is hoping
greater-than-
expected demand
from business
travellers will
boost its first-half
performance this
year to above
expectations.
Chief executive
Andy Harrison (pictured) admitted future trading
remained “uncertain”, with just 10% of summer
capacity booked. GTMC chairman Maurice Veronique says now is a “prudent time to examine our structure”
But the airline said it would be profitable this
financial year, which ends on September 31, after
reporting first-quarter sales of £550 million.
The no-frills airline carried 10.1 million
GTMC shake-up as
customers in that period, up 10% on the same
period the previous year.
chief steps down
ITM conference
Martin Ferguson.
Veronique said consultants Tenon Group had a
THE GUILD of Travel Management Companies has simple brief: “They must get us fit for the future.
hired a consultancy to review its structure. Its focus will be on creating a guild that meets the
in virtual world
Chairman Maurice Veronique said a “natural changing face of business and society in the future.
opportunity” to examine the depth, shape and “We intend to use 2009 to undergo a radical
direction of the guild had arrived as chief and sweeping re-evaluation and the most
THE INSTITUTE of Travel Management is to set executive Philip Carlisle retires later this year. thorough review in the organisation’s 40-year
up a virtual office where Second Life avatars can The study is likely to focus on areas including history.”
discover more about the organisation and the the group’s executive structure and relationships Speaking at the group’s annual general meeting,
Icarus project – its environmental toolkit. with other travel associations and bodies. Veronique added that 2008 saw record growth.
The not-for-profit group also plans to host its Veronique said: “The achievements of our Wexas Travel, The Co-operative Travel Manage-
inaugural Second Life conference in the third 2008 strategy, coupled with the shape of the ment and Business Travel Direct joined, while von
quarter of the year. marketplace after the economic downturn, make Essen Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, The RF Collection,
Chief executive Paul Tilstone said the initiative it prudent to examine our structure. We must be Hilton Hotels and Marriott Hotels signed up as
was a fun way to explore serious issues and a real ready for the next 10 years and fit for purpose.” partner or associate members.
alternative in the meetings and events market.
“The virtual platform lends itself well to open
and ground-breaking discussion as delegates can
participate with anonymity,” he said.
New seats for SIA
Tilstone, whose pseudonym in Second Life is
Cormac Tigerpaw, said he was impressed by the SINGAPORE Airlines has unveiled a new
results from a virtual conference held recently by business-class product. It will be available on the
a major consultancy. airline’s regional and medium-haul routes for UK
He said delegates interacted differently as they business travellers flying onward from Singapore.
were masked by their virtual persona and were not The seats are in a forward-facing 2-2-2
afraid to ask questions and make points. configuration and have a lie-flat 60-inch pitch. media player, an iPod dock and a 110V power
“We will look at the difference Second Life can All the seats have two USB ports and an socket. The new cabin will feature on recently
make to the carbon produced at meetings or events.” audio-video input for plugging in a portable delivered Airbus A330-300s.
24 30.01.2009
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