HOW DID WE FORGET ABOUT GATWICK?

There has been pretty much one topic on everyone’s lips in the industry this week and that is the argument for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Why? Because the UK government is due to unveil a consultation document on its new airports strategy in the next few weeks. Note: the consultation document isn’t about Heathrow and its third runway. In fact, expansion at Heathrow isn’t even included as one of the options on the table. And yet, it would appear, all roads (or should that be runways) keep leading back to Heathrow.

There’s no doubting that Heathrow is a problem that needs fixing. It’s currently operating at a perilous 99 per cent capacity. Some have suggested introducing mixed mode flying (ie using its two runways for inbound and outbound flights) to increase this capacity by 15 per cent and another 10 million passengers per year.

But, in my opinion, Heathrow is a bit of red herring in this whole debate. We need to stop talking about it and get back to the real issue: how is aviation going to grow over the next 20, 30 years and how are we going to build an infrastructure fit for purpose to continue supporting the growth of UK Plc?

In the short term, the answer is not Heathrow. Or Marsden. Or Boris Island. Let’s open our eyes and look to other airports in the South East, airports with capacity: Luton, Stansted, Gatwick.

Gatwick, for one, is currently operating at around 80 per cent capacity on its single runway. It’s projected to grow to 40 million passengers by 2020 with that one runway (it’s currently at just under 34 million). It’s connected to London for business better than any other airport, with train links to Victoria, London Bridge, City Link and Kings Cross. And it’s currently investing around £20 million per month into new passenger facilities as part of a six year £1.2 billion programme due for completion around 2014/2015. This investment and infrastructure make Gatwick a great option for business travellers.

But I’m not here to champion Gatwick over Heathrow, or Stansted over Boris Island. I’m here to champion common sense and to say let’s park Heathrow for now and start thinking long term for the good of this industry. 

Posted by David Chapple - talk to him on Twitter @btshowlondon or david@businesstravelshow.com 

LONDON'S CALLING

As the Olympics heaves into sight we’re beginning to see how the main sponsors have chosen to connect their brand to the Olympic theme.

As a Tier-One sponsor, BA’s campaign, which landed on the 19^thJune, is a perfectly executed piece of work from BBH with the cheeky line of ‘Don’t Fly,’ extolling the nation to stay home and cheer on Team GB.

I’ve seen some negative comments about the advert, suggesting that it’s crazy for the airline to encourage potential customers to stay away, but surely that’s missing the point of this creative idea. Beyond the TV advert a social campaign enables viewers to enter their postcode and then see their street go past through the cabin window. It’s clever, relevant and all to the soundtrack of The Clash’s iconic track, London’s Calling, genuine feel-good advert that captures both the spirit of the Olympics and the fun of travel.

Over the next few weeks I’m sure there’s going to be plenty to tut about with regards to the Olympics, but campaigns like this remind us that this is, in part, a celebration of this great city and that despite its faults, something we should all be proud of.


David Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show - he’d love to hear what you think about this topic - contact him on Twitter @btshowlondon

THERE'S HOSTED, AND THEN THERE'S HOSTED

I was interested in the opinions recently expressed in the June edition of C&IT in the Big Debate article: Can trade shows deliver ROI in the current climate? The majority of views, albeit for different reasons, were in favour of trade shows, but the real argument centred on the difference between shows that offer a hosted programme and those that don’t.

It’s just a simple fact that a trade show that initiates and maintains a creative and ambitious hosted programme will always deliver more ROI for both visitors and exhibitors than those that don’t. The question I’d add to the debate however is what is a genuine hosted programme?

We've learnt at the Business Travel Show that you can only really drive ROI for visitors if the hosted programme is a year round commitment with a highly focused business networking and education programme. There also needs to be meaningful ways for both groups to interact and meet over the two days of the show. Having a deeper understanding of the market helps too, BTS 2013 will be our 19th year, enabling us to quickly identify the trends and unique requirements of this complex market.

So embrace successful events, they genuinely do offer a strong return,  but in these challenging times it’s not unreasonable to look harder at the criteria that you use to determine what is and isn't a successful event.

David Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show - he’d love to hear what you think about this topic - contact him on Twitter @btshowlondon

IS UK PLC TRAVELLING ITS WAY OUT OF RECESSION?

I read good news yesterday. Very good news. The UK appears to be travelling its way out of the double dip recession.

I've always believed that when the going gets tough, businesses should not cut back, but continue to invest in business development to shore up their futures. And, in my opinion, there's no better way to secure new business and maintain strong relationships with existing clients than through face to face meetings. 

According to ABTN, a study carried out by GBTA predicts a 0.7% rise in business travel spending by UK-based businesses this year compared to declines within the rest of Europe. But what's really interesting is where they are travelling from and to.

Delve into the monthly BAA Traffic and Business Commentary for May and you'll see that traffic through Heathrow was down 0.6% last month, while traffic through Glasgow rose by 10%, Aberdeen 16% and Edinburgh 2.2. Why? Well the ‘from’ could very well be linked to my blog on Monday about business travellers using regional airports to connect to long haul flights at European hubs outside of the UK to avoid paying APD.

And if you look at the ‘to’, you’ll find that flights to the North Atlantic rose by 1.6% yet flights to Europe dropped 9%, which implies that we may be avoiding the Eurozone during its ongoing crisis, but we are still flying to see our friends in North America in the hope of doing business with companies and countries that we already know and feel safe with. 

David Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show - he’d love to hear what you think about this topic - contact him on Twitter @btshowlondon   

Business Travelers Welcome

If you are traveling on business you may not realize it, but you are a hot commodity right now, it's true. unfortunately, customer reward has been hiding ever felt the global economic crisis. These days, hotels, car rental, airline, and hotel industries that pay attention to a slight increase in business travel, and it is a very good thing for their shareholders equity and quarterly profits. Indeed, traveling business people are often given a quote for the extra nights, extra day car rental, and even a free add-on services by companies that want to retain them as loyal customers. type of discount strategy worked. fortunately, the business travel market will come back, and the sign can be read loud and clear; Business Travelers Welcome! You see, as a business trying to grow out of recession, they must re-establish commercial contacts, and send the sales, marketing, and proposal teams to meet and greet clients. This is a win-win for all industries, particularly hospitality concerned that they really need to go back and spend on everything travel related. Of course, these days there are a lot of competition for the business trip. No hotels, extended stay hotel and timeshare rental condos and even serving the business community, a welcome sign that flashes in neon light, they want your business, and they will do anything to use it. they aim to please.

TRAVELLERS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY (LITERALLY) TO AVOID APD

Thanks to a recent report from Sainsbury's Finance claiming that families are planning to avoid or reduce APD by taking more staycations and long-haul flights from other European countries, APD is back in the news again.

Not that it’s been out of the news much (try Google-ing it). Since it was introduced in 1994 to combat the lack of VAT on fuel, APD has been the subject of many an angry rant from leisure and business travel journalists, who fight back with renewed vigour each time an additional price hike is announced.

And who can blame them? What started out as an extra £10 per passenger per long-haul economy flight from the UK peaks at an incredible £125 come 2016. The Government defends APD tooth and nail, claiming it’s a valid eco-tax. But they would, wouldn’t they? It accounts for £2.6bn in additional revenue to the treasury.

My question is whether APD is about to back fire on the Government as savvy business travellers get wise and fly short haul out of the UK using Charles de Gaulle, Schiphol or Frankfurt as their long haul hubs. This would certainly reduce the APD coffers in the short term and damage the UK economy in the long term.

If APD really is a green tax as the Government claims, maybe they need to look at ways to incentivise airlines to be more environmentally friendly rather than penalising the passengers who – just possibly – think they’re already paying enough taxes as it is.

Posted by David Chapple - talk to him on Twitter @btshowlondon

Beneficial aspects for Travel Agents

Technology is changing the one constant in our lives, it continues to grow and prosper like no other on earth. the internet has become so important in our personal lives and businesses have to update and keep up with changes. with internet marketing can be a travel agent and how it can benefit you.

Internet marketing is quite simply defined as the marketing of products and services via the internet. it can also be referred to as online marketing or e-marketing. choose to use internet marketing to the travel agent is really a decision that each company needs to make. This is one of the most powerful medium of advertising and reaches the largest audience.

Travel agency is an institution that has acted as an intermediary between airlines and consumers. sometimes a wholesale travel company may be involved in a relationship. Internet has brought along a large set of challenges, opportunities and benefits for the travel industry. one of the most serious threat faced by travel professionals from the internet is an opportunity for airlines to target consumers directly to sell their services.

To counteract the threat of reduced business due to the Internet, travel agents need to use internet marketing to its full potential to target customers and business opportunities. in your business can join the crowd, trying to stand out or fold up the tents and slipped away.

Benefits of Internet marketing for travel agencies include:
Modern technology has made it possible for people to access information with a few simple clicks of the mouse. this has been done away with the need to physically search for information and travel agents need to realize that a strong presence on the internet to put them in front of customers like nothing else.

Accessibility of information continues to increase every day as more people get connected to the internet. This is one of the best ways to reach a large target audience. In terms of cost, internet marketing for travel agencies is a very inexpensive way to advertise to millions of people, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Shopping market expectations continue to evolve, providing easier access to consumers for products and information.

Travel professionals can use their websites for lead generation, if any visitor to this site will be asked to leave their contact details before exiting the site, will lead the list grows every day.

Another distinct benefit of internet marketing is the fact that it allows travel agencies to directly monitor and evaluate the results of the campaign. you do not have to wait for your results to decide whether your advertising strategy is working or not, more information, you can implement changes without delay. Internet marketing for the travel agent is really the best way to reach out and attract the attention of consumers. at a basic level of need that the site is well designed and attractive full of useful information.

Improve Journey Through Business Marketing Platform

Business has become a popular source of revenue for a long time. Different people choose different types of business in accordance with their capabilities. among the industries with the growth of various travel and tourism has become a destination.

Many people who take this business because if they can kick start their business with the right then it will never look back. but whatever business you choose you must remember one thing.

It is very important to promote and market your business the right way to bring your business to the top. you must ensure that the more people learn about your business. you need to reach your customers around the world.

There are certain companies that can help you market your services and products. marketing can be both online and offline, online marketing has become more popular nowadays because of the widespread use of internet.

You must choose the best marketing travel company that can help you to reach your customers in the best way possible. unless you attract your customers,
with the help of your marketing companies to promote and market your business through a variety of magazines both online and offline.

In addition, they also publish web articles and other resources online. enterprise companies can also help you create the technology necessary for a good travel website, they can offer a wide range of marketing options.

You can create a social media marketing for business trips or even mobile marketing for tourism and travel, they can help you make online marketing base for your business trip. Social media marketing is one of the best ways to reach your target customers today.

Facebook, smart phones are some tools that can be widely used for this purpose. you can stay connected even when you're moving, you just need to create your own page where you can give details of your travel and tourism business.

You need to issue travel products and services that you want to sell. you have to publish on hotel rooms, rates, facilities and packages that you offer and activities. reservations can also be done easily with the help of this new technology.

UNBUNDLING DEMYSTIFIED

Unbundling was a dirty word that first reared its head in the travel market a few years ago and the public’s disdain toward suppliers offering unbundled prices peaked when Ryanair suggested it was planning to ‘charge a pound to spend a penny’. It’s since become part and parcel of how we buy travel and, when the game is played well, travellers and travel managers can use unbundling to their advantage, paying for only what they need and saving money as a result. 

In the trade, unbundling is more commonly referred to as ancillary fees. And though we may be more used to their existence, controlling, navigating and tracking them can still be a mystifying experience for many travel managers. According to recent research by the GBTA just 21 percent (21%) of travel managers are tracking ancillary fees while those fees account for over eight per cent of total travel spend.

Believing that ancillary fees have a significant impact on travel budgets and policies and, with better insight into how these fees work, travel managers can make more informed choices, the GBTA has now released the ‘2012 Ancillary Fee Handbook, Who Charges What, When & Where’.

The study categorizes virtually all the ancillary fees that business travellers can incur through airline, hotel and car rental travel. It also provides a rating system that evaluates each fee on three essential characteristics:

1. How common it is for a business traveller to incur the fee?
2. How transparent it is to travellers and planners?
3. How easy it is for travel managers to track the fee once it has been incurred?

You can download it here: http://hub.gbta.org/resources2/view/profile/id/21535. Travel managers across the globe can now breathe a collected sigh of relief. 

Posted by Daniela Reck - daniela.reck@centaur.co.uk