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Business travel
Martin Ferguson
020 7921 8011
maferguson@ttgbusiness.com
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Survey finds ‘cost
heroes’ feel valued
Martin Ferguson.
Some 53% said travel-related cutbacks had
Matthew Roberts (right), Hilton’s head of business sales, GLOBAL corporate travel has dipped since saved their companies more than $50,000.
with GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle October but travel managers feel safe in NBTA president Kevin Maguire said he was
their jobs, according to a report by the National not surprised by the value placed on travel
Hilton signs
Business Travel Association. managers, given the policy changes and savings
The US-based group surveyed 119 of its companies are seeing.
corporate travel manager members, who work “It’s the companies that eliminate and reduce
up with GTMC
both in North America and Europe. travel staff that will risk losing more money in
Nearly 85% of respondents the long run,” he said.
admitted their companies “In a time when corpora-
THE HILTON Hotel Corporation has become had cut travel spend in the Cutting costs: the NBTA’s tions are suffering because
the latest big-name supplier to sign up with the last six months, and more
top five initiatives
of an economy that’s down,
Guild of Travel Management Companies as an than 60% said they ex- travelling smarter becomes
associate member. pected the trend to continue ■ Cutting overall travel and a top priority.”
GTMC chief executive Philip Carlisle said the throughout 2009. entertainment budgets Maguire said the report
organisation had received a surge of interest Despite the cuts, 63% said ■ Encouraging or insisting on less showed that during a reces-
from hotel companies in recent months. they felt secure in their air travel sion, an efficient travel
“The corporate travel market is the most current positions, while ■ Sending fewer employees to management programme
lucrative for hotel companies, and GTMC more than half of respon- conventions, conferences and can save a company money
members are a very receptive market,” he said. dents believed employers trade shows and keep travellers on the
The GTMC’s three hotel partner members are value the position of a travel ■ Emphasising advance purchase road, helping bolster its
Jumeirah, Choice Hotels and Fairmont. manager more than ever. of air tickets revenue.
Other associates include Leading Hotels and However, almost 20% ■ Strengthening travel policy “Travel managers are
Marriott, which rejoined in October. admitted headcount in their mandates and enforcement coming to the rescue when
Earlier this month Brazilian carrier Tam departments had been cut in of policy corporate cost heroes are
Airlines became an associate member. recent months. needed most,” he said.
HRG gains new
ITM heralds wave
“We see ourselves as a broad church, encom-
passing all sectors of the travel and meetings
African partner
of new members
industry. We may not see a dramatic increase in
numbers but we recognise that ITM is an
attractive proposition for non-affiliated people
HRG has bolstered its African operation with the THE INSTITUTE of Travel and Meetings is prepar- and companies.”
appointment a new partner company in Cotonou, ing for a flurry of new membership enquiries on He said the name change was supported by
commercial capital of sub-Saharan country Benin. the back of its name change last month. the vast majority of ITM’s members.
O-Voyages, part of the Olizair Group, The former Institute of Travel Management Tilstone acknowledged a small number of
specialises in airline representation and consult- expects suppliers and agents in the meetings suppliers may not be entirely happy, but said the
ing in west and central Africa. and events sector to come forward to join up. organisation had a duty to reflect and lead what
David Radcliffe, HRG’s chief executive, said: Visit Denmark is the most high-profile organ- was happening in the corporate travel sector.
“Africa is growing in importance to our isation to join since the Liverpool conference. “There may be some who don’t think it [the
multinational clients and to have a presence Paul Tilstone, ITM’s chief change] bodes well, but they
in Benin enhances our well-established and executive, said more would understand our long-term
excellent reputation on the continent.” follow, adding: “There are vision and our obligation to
O-Voyages is also HRG’s established partner in limited options available in the reflect changes in the industry
Ivory Coast. M&E sector. and lead those changes.”
28 01.05.2009
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