YOUR COMMENTS


NDC NOT WELL MANAGED... In the current phase of direct connects and NDC, where the shopping experience has not changed, the winners are the airlines and TMCs as they increase their profit through less cost to the GDS (“Let’s see the elephant”, According to Amon, BBT July/ August 2018). The losers are, to a degree, the GDSs, as they earn less at the end for the same content provided. The future will be different, and I’m a fan


of NDC and the potential, but the interim period is not well managed. All the “money streams” between airlines,


TMCs and GDS cause these issues. Can’t we find a transparent way of seeing where the money is flowing? Otherwise we are no better than the hedge-banking sector, where nothing is really transparent. Benjamin Park, Parexel (via email)


… AND WHAT’S IN IT FOR BUYERS? This is a good and balanced take on NDC (“Let’s see the elephant”, According to Amon, BBT July/August 2018). The “juggernaut and handbrake” statement is quite alarming, and is proving to be true. Amon’s argument that there is little


evidence of benefits to the buyer is also worrying, and is just adding complexity (and cost) to the corporate travel marketplace… where we as TMCs are trying to simplify it for them! In fact, this is validated by ITM’s Scott


Davies later in the magazine around the subject of complexity. Where will it end? Matthew Selby, BCD Travel (via BBT website)


NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH One consideration that was not relevant a few years ago is the increased use of shared economy accommodation (“Research reveals cost of failure to carry out hotel security checks”, buyingbusiness travel.com, 17 July 2018.) Beyond the obvious lack of


standardisation of security in the dwelling itself, the issue of neighbourhood safety is magnified. One can reasonably expect that a major hotel chain property will be located in a relatively safe neighbourhood,


buyingbusinesstravel.com BBTWEETS


@SIGNALHQ The prize for best use of a whiteboard to avert a crisis following an IT failure goes to @Gatwick_Airport. Well done for keeping people moving through the airport.


@PHILBLOOMERS Someone should do some research that explores when Brits think it’s okay to start boozing at airports. You know, time it around the start of the summer holidays. Maybe look at how much is spent pre-loading before the flight. (Campaign launched to promote “responsible flying”, 27 July 2018)


@EMILYRUTHCOHEN Hotels: Yes, we want comfy mattresses and free wifi, but we would also like a room that is not freezing when we walk in, is without a noisy air conditioning system and doesn’t have an emergency light that you can’t shut off right above the bed! #businesstravel #grumpytraveler


2018 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 143


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but when selecting a room on shared economy sites, there’s extra work to be done when researching the neighbourhood. This isn’t easy – in most


towns and cities, safe or unsafe may be the difference of only two blocks. Michael Woodrum, Anjin Secure Car (via BBT website)


LET’S BALANCE AIRPORT USAGE Please see the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) report regarding the 600 tonnes of CO2 being dispersed over the city of London each day (“Heathrow faces third runway legal battle”, buyingbusinesstravel. com, 30 July 2018.) I recommend that the increase in air


traffic is balanced with other UK airports, such as Luton and Stansted. That will accomplish the objectives of handling additional traffic and air freight, and reduce the CO2 emissions drastically. Winston Thomas (via BBT website)


Follow us on Twitter: @BBT_online, @matt_parsons & @mbdyson


@CHRISPOUNEY Funny moment when passengers openly cheering a further 20 min delay on flight to Amsterdam taking us above 3 hr #eu261 threshold. The law of unintended consequences. #biztravel


@CAPTRAVELEVENTS Congratulations @BBT_Online @markfrary @Robgill_ biz and @dc_churchill – finalists in the inaugural Press Gazette Specialist Media Awards!


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