HOTELS
Digital editor Tom Newcombe compiles the latest news from
buyingbusinesstravel.com
TMCs
Accorhotels acquires Onefinestay in £117m deal
TMCs LEFT IN THE DARK OVER
US AIRLINE FARE CHANGES SOME OF THE LARGEST TMCs have hit out at US airlines for implementing changes to domestic fares without notice. American Express GBT, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Egencia have all told BBT there was a “complete lack of transparency” when the changes in US fare structures were announced and agents now have to spend more time with clients to secure the best deal. In late March American, Delta and United simultaneously stopped multi-city tickets using the lowest available fare on each segment. Instead, the new changes combine the highest fares available on each segment and return a round-trip single price that is higher than if a consumer purchased separate one-way fares. CWT spokesperson Michaela Baltasar said the changes
on fare rules have had a negative effect on business. “We’ve noticed the cost for multi-destination trips has increased significantly, and our travel counsellors are spending more time with clients to help them secure the best option for their needs,” she told BBT. Egencia’s director of client services Nathan Brooks said there was no prior consultation between airline and industry. “One of the main issues was a complete lack of transparency, as sales teams from each airline struggled to get answers from their corresponding revenue management teams,” he said. Amex VP of global supplier relations Jennifer Charlton agreed, saying the challenge with an individual ticket approach is that travellers who cancel or change one of the legs may incur multiple change fees. “There may also be more confusion in rebooking the independent one-ways in the case of a change,” she said.
6 BBT MAY/JUNE 2016
ACCORHOTELS HAS ACQUIRED high-end serviced rental firm Onefinestay in a deal worth £117 million. The hotel group has committed a further £50 million to help the company grow globally. London-based Onefinestay is an online, short-stay letting service for upmarket homes, dubbed by some as a ‘luxury Airbnb’. It offers cleaning, maintenance and a 24/7 concierge service. The
RESEARCH Survey forecasts rise in spend
ALMOST HALF OF UK TRAVEL MANAGERS will spend more on travel over the next 12 months than they did last year, a study from corporate card provider Airplus has found. In a survey of 847 buyers, 44 per cent said their business
travel spend will increase, with 39 per cent staying the same, with just 16 per cent forecasting a decrease. The study also showed that digital payments are on the rise with almost half of global buyers saying they will have a “major” affect on business travel in 2016. Airplus analysed the trends and found that more are
increasingly IT-driven. Data security, big data and social media will all be important factors this year.
This marks a major inflection point and truly demonstrates the global nature of today’s economy
GBTA boss Michael McCormick in April, when China surpassed the US as the world’s no 1 business travel spender
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
company manages 2,600 properties under an exclusive contract, with locations in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles and Rome. Last year it announced US$40 million of new funding from a range of top investors, with global operator Hyatt reportedly among them. Accor said it will “accelerate” growth in “key urban markets” and has plans to have properties in 40 new cities in the next five years.
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