NO. 056 SUMMER 2016
BUSINESS CLASS:
In constant evolution
BREXIT: WHAT COST FOR THE BUSINESS TRAVEL SECTOR? TRENDS: UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF LUXURY TRAVELLERS TRAVEL POLICIES: THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ASSISTANCE
THE BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER IN THE BENELUX
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CONTENT
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER IN THE BENELUX WWW.THECORPORATETRAVELLER.BE CIRCULATION 26.000
TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
DIFFUSION Belgium, France, Luxemburg and The Netherlands
004 The Journal
PUBLICATION FREQUENCY 4 issues per year
010 Understanding the needs of luxury travellers
PUBLISHED BY LEO bvba 1, rue des Ixellois, 4000 Liège, Belgium Tel: 0032 (0) 4 224 7871 Fax: 0032 (0) 4 226 9484 E-mail: jp@eventbox.be PUBLISHER Erik De Ridder – E-mail: edr@eventbox.be MANAGING EDITOR Jean Paul Talbot – E-mail: jp@ eventbox.be EDITORIAL TEAM Joanna Pays, Angela Antrobus, Jeroen Coteur, Jacques Legros ART DIRECTOR Bert Wagemans SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Corporate Traveller cost € 150 per year (excluding VAT). Costs of delivery to destinations outside of Benelux and France are in addition to this price. Student subscriptions cost € 90 per year (including VAT). A student card is necessary to obtain a student subscription. Subscription requests can be made in writing, mentioning your name, job, title, company name and delivery address. Subscriptions are for a period of one year, and are automatically renewed until revocation. Revocation of subscriptions must be made in writing two months prior to the end of the subscription period. ADVERTISING ERIK DE RIDDER Tel: 0032 486 13 13 13 E-mail: edr@eventbox.be TRAFFIC HILDE DE RIDDER E-mail: Traffic.leo@telenet.be DESIGN LEO BVBA PRINTING HENDRIX - Peer COPYRIGHT No extracts from this publication may be used, repeated or copied without express authorisation from the editor. Except The Corporate Traveller, LEO bvba also edits Experience Magazine, My Land Rover Travel Magazine and Kids Universe. ISSN 1387-2400
News from the travel industry
Amadeus has released a new report on luxury travel trends until 2025. Patricia Simillon, Senior Manager, Strategic Marketing & Planning, talks us through the most remarkable findings.
012 Business events at sea – A world of possibilities Cruise operators are tapping into a growing business market for everything from congresses and seminars, to team building events.
016 Over 50% of mass affluent British travellers see travel assistance as vital as terrorism increases
026 Warwick Hotels and Resorts enters a new era Warwick Hotels and Resorts marks its 35th year is entering a new era with a revisited name, logo and plans for continued growth. Jean-Marie Pebrel, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Europe explained more about the group’s new strategy.
AIR WAYS 028 Brussels Airlines racking up success stories in defiance of March 22 Brussels Airlines’ is determined to move forward positively since the dark hours of March 22. The team has been chalking up successes including a flourishing new route to Toronto, the well-received launch of a new cabin class, passenger numbers steadily returning and just announced flights to India.
New research from Collinson Group reveals the impact of a rise in global social unrest, terrorism and natural disasters among high income travellers, with more than half (54%) now viewing international travel assistance as vital or important.
017 Business Travel Show to launch Business Travel Summit Amsterdam, in October This October, a brand new two-day conference and exhibition, created specifically for travel buyers and managers from the Benelux and Nordic regions, will launch in Amsterdam.
018 Brexit – What cost for the business travel sector? The UK’s referendum decision to leave the European Union has many implications, not least for the corporate travel sector. A look at what could change for business travellers and the travel industry, on both sides of the channel…
HOTELS 023 Steigenberger Wiltcher’s and Lexus showcase luxury lifestyle in the heart of Brussels When it comes to the art of contemporary luxury, the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s and Lexus limousines are a perfect match. So has begun a partnership between these two iconic brands….
024 Tangla Hotel - The art of Oriental hospitality arrives in Belgium.
030 BUSINESS CLASS – IN CONSTANT EVOLUTION Airlines are introducing new business class products and services on their long haul flights at a more rapid pace than ever. Premium cabins on long haul flights represent an important percentage of revenues for carriers and the competition is constantly raising the bar in terms of standards and comfort.
DESTINATIONS 042 Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre Antwerp opening for business! With the much anticipated opening of the Flanders Meeting & Convention Centre, Antwerp now has everything the corporate traveller could need. The centre will open its doors for business this November.
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The Traveller Journal NEWS FROM THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY
Singapore Airlines to adopt next generation Amadeus Revenue Management technology
Amadeus has announced a deepening of its partnership with Singapore Airlines, with the airline signing up for the full suite of Amadeus Revenue Management solutions. This will provide the airline with the necessary platform to future-proof its revenue management capabilities, allowing the carrier to react more nimbly in the face of a rapidly evolving landscape. With this agreement, Singapore Airlines will adopt Amadeus Altéa Network Revenue Management, a next generation O&D based Revenue Management system designed with the future in mind, fully integrated with new merchandising practices such as dynamic pricing, fare families and ancillary sales. Drawing on data from multiple sources, it will provide faster, more accurate and intelligent
recommendations on the best price and packaging for airline offers. “A changing landscape requires a revolutionary approach” said Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airline IT, Amadeus IT Group. “Traditional revenue management is no longer adequate to support the complex needs of network carriers, and this is where ‘big data’ creates opportunities for more sophisticated practices. Amadeus is in a unique position to offer solutions that extract value from our extensive data, so that airlines can meet traveller purchasing habits across a variety of channels and devices.” Singapore Airlines will also adopt the Amadeus Dynamic Pricing and Amadeus Altéa Group Manager solutions.
SilkAir to fly to two new destinations SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will launch services to two new destinations at the end of October. With the commencement of the new flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang in Laos, the network of SilkAir and Singapore Airlines will span all countries in South East Asia. The flights will be operated three times a week, in a circular routing and will depart from Singapore for Vientiane, followed by Luang Prabang, before heading back to Singapore. The services will be operated with SilkAir’s Airbus A320 aircraft, with Business and Economy class cabins. Customers will be provided with a full service experience, including in-flight meals, in-flight entertainment on SilkAir Studio and baggage allowance of 40kg for Business and
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30kg Economy class. Through check-in will be available for passengers connecting to or from one of the 100 cities worldwide flown to by SilkAir or Singapore Airlines, via their hub in Singapore. “Southeast Asia has always been an important market for us and with the start of flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, we will offer travellers connectivity to every country in Southeast Asia” said SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr Leslie Thng. “We believe that this new service has great potential, as more travellers turn their interest to Southeast Asia and destinations such as Laos.”
Hotel bookings by mobile, with CWT To GoTM, growing by over 20% per month In the first year of the mobile hotel booking functionality on CWT To Go, Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) travel app, bookings have grown in excess of 20 per cent each month. CWT’s launch of mobile hotel booking has been heralded a major success by clients. The hotel booking functionality has been rolled out across 17 markets, enabling 600,000 registered users to book hotels through the app. Adoption of CWT To Go hotel booking has been strong, with clients recording 15 percent of all their hotel bookings being made by mobile devices. CWT To Go’s hotel booking is tailored to suit each company’s hotel travel program, displaying preferred suppliers and client rates. CWT clients also have access to more hotels than ever before: a total of 467,000 hotels around the world. “Our research and traveller knowledge told us 2015 was the year to introduce mobile hotel booking to CWT To Go and these successful results prove we made absolutely the right decision” said David Moran, executive vice president, CWT. “It’s a win-win. Travel managers love the fact their workforce can use mobile hotel booking, while supporting their negotiated hotel program and ensuring traveler tracking. Travellers love the flexibility of being able to book hotels on the move in a few taps.” CWT continues to build on this mobile success following a beta trial of flight booking in early 2016, with broader rollout later this year. Early traveller feedback indicates booking flights via CWT To Go will be as easy and efficient as the hotel booking feature.
The Traveller Journal | News from the travel industry
SkyTeam opens new lounge at Dubai International Airport SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has opened a new lounge at Dubai International Airport. Situated in the newly-built Concourse D, Terminal 1, the lounge has been designed to offer high-end hospitality and amenities for Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers of the ten SkyTeam member airlines serving the airport.
Flybe champions regional products with Café Flybe Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, now has a selection of over 100 on-board refreshments for passengers to enjoy. The re-designed on-board menu, renamed Café Flybe, champions regional products.
“Shared facilities like our new Dubai lounge are a tangible example of how SkyTeam airlines can offer a greatly enhanced airport experience to their customers through synergies,” said Perry Cantarutti, SkyTeam CEO and Managing Director. “Since we opened our first lounge in 2009 at London Heathrow, we have seen their value increase because they are popular with our customers while delivering benefits to our members’ businesses. Dubai is a rapidly emerging global aviation hub and the busiest airport in the world for international passengers, so this was a natural location for our latest lounge to meet the expectations of our premium passengers. We have plans to open more shared lounges across our network starting with Beijing later this year.”
SkyTeam’s Dubai lounge is set over 960 square meters and has seating for 180 customers. Open 24/7, it offers complimentary hot and cold snacks representing the cuisines of the member airlines in Dubai, throughout the day, as well as an elegant bar. Other features include showers, unlimited Wi-Fi, a business centre with printing facilities and a VIP room. Numerous electrical outlets are located throughout the lounge to recharge electronic devices. A separate TV room maintains a tranquil ambience and a dedicated children’s room keeps miniglobetrotters occupied. Customers can also choose from a wide selection of local and international newspapers and magazines. SkyTeam customers benefit from more than 630 members lounges throughout its global network. This is in addition to the SkyTeam-branded facilities now available in London Heathrow, Sydney, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Dubai. The alliance offers more than 176 weekly departures from Dubai International Airport, operated by 10 member airlines: Aeroflot, Air France, and China Eastern, China Southern, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, KLM, Middle East Airlines, Saudia and Tarom.
Café Flybe truly has something for everyone. Early morning business travellers can choose from a selection of fresh pastries and an expanded offering of hot drinks including ten different kinds of tea from Twining’s and coffee from Kenco. There are sandwiches freshly made every day with a new filling in the Sandwich of the Month to keep frequent fliers’ appetites from becoming bored. And for those looking for something a little different, the menu includes lots of additional choice from a Ploughman’s Lunch complete with traditional pork pie to authentic Spanish tapas. Complementing the new arrivals is a wide array of soft drinks, wines, premium spirits, snacks, cakes and confectionary. “Café Flybe not only provides more recognisable brands, more choice and better quality to our passengers travelling on our flights but we are thrilled to also put the spotlight on regional products in support of local economies” commented Amy Valcik, Flybe’s Chief Marketing Officer. “And we are not finished yet! Cafe Flybe is going to evolve to fully reflect what our passengers want – and we have some really exciting products up our sleeves to announce shortly.”
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The Traveller Journal | News from the travel industry
Etihad Airways announces its best financial results and 18.9% passenger increase in 2015 Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced its strongest annual financial results to date, with a net profit of US$ 103 million on total revenues of US$ 9.02 billion. “Our mandate is to build a sustainably profitable airline” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Executive Officer. “A fifth year of net profits, with our best annual financial performance to date, shows that we are delivering against that goal. Our profitability clearly demonstrates the success of our business strategy, based on organic growth boosted by our partnerships. As well as operating profitability, we are building enterprise value across the airline and its many additional business streams.” Etihad Airways carried a total of 17.6 million passengers in 2015, an increase of 18.9 % year-on-year.
Corinthia Hotels purchases Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels Corinthia Hotels has announced the acquisition of the Grand Hotel Astoria in Brussels. The hotel, which has been unoccupied for a decade, will be entirely renovated and reopened as the Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria. The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria will comprise 121 guest rooms and suites, as well as vast meetings, events and spa facilities. With its excellent location on Rue Royale, in the heart of the city, the property is set to become one of Brussels’ leading luxury hotels. The hotel was originally constructed in 1909, at the request of King Léopold II. In its heyday it was considered one of the world’s most beautiful luxury hotels and played host to guests such as Sir Winston Churchill and former US president Dwight Eisenhower.
historically valuable buildings and transforming them into luxury hotels” said Alfred Pisani, President of Corinthia. “The Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria will be no exception. Our objective is to make this hotel the best in Brussels. We have great confidence in Brussels and we are proud to have acquired this jewel in the heart of Europe.”
Corinthia is determined to restore the hotel to its former glory. “We have gained a strong reputation for restoring
Corinthia Hotels plan to announce more luxury hotel projects over the coming weeks.
Thalys upgraded wifi system CEO change at Carlson now free for all passengers Wagonlit Travel Kurt Ekert
Thalys has extended its free wifi service to all of its passengers in Comfort 1 and Comfort 2 classes.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has announced Kurt Ekert as its new President and CEO. Kurt replaces outgoing President and CEO Douglas Anderson. Under Douglas Anderson’s leadership, CWT became the industry leader in business travel and made significant advances in technology, including the acquisition of WorldMate. The company also developed an effective organization with strong talent. Douglas is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
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Kurt Ekert most recently served as Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer of Travelport. During his five plus years in that role, the business transformed its product offerings and value propositions in all key channels and delivered consistent growth, highlighted by a successful IPO. Kurt also previously spent nine years at Travelport in a number of other executive roles, including Chief Operating Officer of Europeanbased GTA. His experience prior to that includes six years at Continental Airlines.
SUMMER 2016 |
Icomera, a company specialising in wifi for public transport, has been selected to manage all of Thalys’ wifi network. Thanks to the new solution from Icomera, which uses 3G and 4G networks, Thalys can now respond to the growing needs of its travellers, by offering greater internet speed and capacity. Every passenger now has 40 MB of internet data capacity throughout their journey, with connection speeds of 512 kb/second – allowing them to work on their emails, or surf the internet and social networks. Passengers can use the new service through the ThalysNet portal, which opens automatically on their screens.
They can then use (or create if needed) their personal Thalys account details to connect. Previous traveller IDs used for the former Thalys wifi system will no longer be valid.
The Traveller Journal | News from the travel industry
New fare structure from bmi regional brings greater benefits and flexibility A fare for every appetite. Choose how you fly with bmi regional.
Introducing our new fare family. Clear, flexible fares to suit all tastes. For all benefits visit bmiregional.com/fares Book now at bmiregional.com
bmi regional is bringing a greater level of flexibility and choice for travellers with its newly launched ‘fare families’. The new structure enables customers to book flight packages they suit their individual needs whether that be flexibility, hold baggage allowance or enhanced services, such as fast track security and lounge access.
fares offer the highest level of flexibility, with passengers only paying the fare difference on flight changes and no cancellation fees. In addition they benefit from complimentary lounge access, fast track security and an enhanced food and beverage service, where available, as well as a fresh fruit basket and a hold baggage allowance of 2 bags of up to 20kg each.
The new fares run parallel with bmi regional’s recently launched four tier “Business Powered” corporate product structure, where corporate passengers can enjoy tailored travel to suit their individual needs. Customers booking through regular channels will now be able to enjoy an enhanced combination of product and flexibility through the new fare structures.
All bmi regional flights and fares offer passengers an exceptional all-inclusive product with unrivalled punctuality, a generous hold baggage allowance, complimentary drinks and snacks on board, allocated seating and speedy 30 minute check-in times.
The flexible fares are branded as Classic, Classic Plus and Executive. Classic is the ideal choice for travellers on a budget who are able to maintain their travel plans. Features include changes to flights for £50 fee plus fare difference, as well as one free piece of checked-in luggage of up to 20kg. The Classic Plus fares have been designed for travellers requiring more flexibility in terms of flight modifications or cancellations. Executive
“Our new fare structure further enhances our position as a flexible and bespoke airline for business, corporate and leisure travellers” said Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer at bmi regional. “We believe this new service innovation is the next logical step in further aligning our product offering to our customers’ needs and wants. Combined with our new Executive product, we are now in a position to offer customers with onward connections a seamless premium end-toend product.”
Alitalia unveils striking new ‘Spirit of Italy’ uniforms at catwalk show Alitalia unveiled its striking new staff uniform collection, designed by Ettore Bilotta, at a catwalk show held at the Nazionale Spazio Eventi in Rome. The show was attended by an audience of media representatives and specially invited guests from around the world.
The collection has been designed and tailor-made by a team of nearly 500 people in Italy, with fabrics made in Tuscany, men’s uniforms tailored in Puglia, leather accessories such as gloves in Naples and shoes in the Marche region. Created by Italian haute couturier Ettore Bilotta at his atelier in Milan, the new ‘Alitalia Collection’
takes inspiration from the glamorous golden days of Italian fashion in the 1950s and 1960s and Italy’s rich heritage, culture and national identity. It also celebrates the people of Alitalia, their professionalism, style and passion for the airline. “Being given the opportunity to design the new uniforms for this much loved Italian symbol was very exciting and gave me the opportunity to create a special collection which symbolises Italy and our pride in Alitalia as its ambassador to the world” said Ettore Bilotta. “Alitalia is one of the most recognised airline brands in the world and I had to deliver something truly special. Working closely with Alitalia on every aspect of the design process was crucial. This ensured the whole project was created, managed and completed in Italy by Italians, and showcased the arts the arts, culture, people, design and landscapes of this great country.” The new uniforms will be gradually introduced system-wide from early July and worn by Alitalia’s 5,700 cabin crew and ground crews, including check-in and lounge staff. New uniform designs are under way for the airline’s flight crew and operational staff.
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The Traveller Journal | News from the travel industry
Egencia gets bags on board. Expedia’s travel management company, Egencia, has partnered with Amadeus and airlines to offer ancilliary services to businesses. No business traveller wants to pay for a bag at the last minute at the airport, and no travel manager enjoys going to several websites to book different elements of their clients’ trips. Thanks to Amadeus Web Services, Egencia business travellers are now able to book extra baggage at the same time they book their flight. Egencia now offers merchandising content to its clients for more than 10 airlines, including Air France, its pilot airline partner. “At Egencia, we work hard at putting everything business travellers need in one place to help make their experience better. Letting travellers and our travel agents book extra baggage along with the rest of the trip does just that. This is good for our travellers, it’s good for our agents, and it’s good for our airline partners,” says Igor Marchal, Director of Supply Development at Egencia. The Egencia move to integrate merchandising comes one year after its parent company, Expedia, began offering Amadeus Airline Fare Families to its leisure travellers. “In 2015, we saw online travel agencies and airlines embrace merchandising in a big way, and
we think travel management companies will join in on the action in 2016. Seats and bags are just the beginning. New ways to book a flight, including rich content, are just around the corner,” says Pedro Espin, the Associate Director for Merchandising and Personalisation at Amadeus.
Located on the Kanselarijstraat, in the city centre, the new headquarters is now the workplace for over 200 employees from CWT Belux and colleagues from Business Travel, Meetings & Events, Leisure Travel and consolidator Airtip. The new office is an inspiring and dynamic workplace that encourages even closer cooperation between departments and employees. Employees, customers and partners of CWT were invited for the grand opening. In total, more than 120 guests were welcomed into the beautiful and festively decorated atrium. Vice President Benelux Olivier Chateau gave an opening speech and performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Exquisite appetizers and drinks were served and a quiz was held by the sponsors KLM, Air France, Alitalia and Delta. All guests participated
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Delta Air Lines will resume its BrusselsAtlanta services in March 2017. This will double Delta’s network from Belgium, complementing its daily year-round service between Brussels and New YorkJFK.
Amadeus observed a nearly 100% growth in the sale of airline ancillary services by travel agencies — especially online travel agencies — in 2015. Amadeus expects this growth to continue given the evolution of airline content, and the strong demand for merchandising technology from all players in the travel market. Egencia is a leading corporate travel company that provides content, technology, service and reporting to business travellers and their companies in 65 countries worldwide.
CWT celebrates opening of new Brussels headquarters The new CWT Headquarters at Colony Square in Brussels was officially opened on 1st June.
Delta to resume Brussels-Atlanta services in March 2017
enthusiastically in the quiz, with questions about the products of the sponsors, especially as it gave participants the opportunity to win air tickets to their destination of choice. Olivier Chateau
The Brussels-Atlanta service will be the only nonstop flight between the Belgian capital and Atlanta and will operate daily throughout the summer. From Delta’s two US hubs – Atlanta and New York-JFK – customers will have a combined choice of more than 200 same-day onward connections throughout the United States, including the popular cities of Los Angeles, Orlando and San Francisco. All flights from Belgium are operated in conjunction with joint venture partners Air France, KLM and Alitalia. “As Brussels Airport transitions all airlines back to the main check-in area, we are pleased to confirm we will reinstate our Atlanta service from next summer” said Dwight James, Delta’s Senior Vice President, trans-Atlantic. “It has been a difficult few months for the local community but we remain committed to Belgium and showing our support by operating two daily flights, which will benefit both the travelling public and also the local economy.” The route will be operated using a 225-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft. All flights from Brussels are equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing customers to stay connected at 30,000 feet, in addition to complimentary on-demand inflight entertainment in all cabins. Movies and TV shows can also be downloaded to tablets and laptops.
The Traveller Journal | News from the travel industry
KLM to fly to Dublin KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will expand its medium haul network with flights to Dublin on commencement of its new winter schedule. As from October 30, KLM will operate a twice-daily service between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Dublin.
London experiences boom in budget hotel growth as developments move east London’s budget hotel sector has experienced significant growth since the city hosted the 2012 Olympic Games, a new report reveals. More than half of the 18,000 hotel rooms that have opened in London since 2012 have been in the budget sector, while 33 per cent of the 7,000 rooms due for completion this year will be in the same sector. The report, entitled the ‘London Hotel Development Monitor’, shows that low cost hotels now make up 20% of the total room stock across the city. Traditionally investment in hotels in London has focused around central areas, however, the report by property consultant JLL and London & Partners (the Mayor of London’s promotional company), shows that high rents and values in the West End are leading to the expansion of traditional boundaries. New infrastructure improvements and a booming digital economy has created a “Knowledge Corridor” that stretches from Bloomsbury to Paddington, taking in Fitzrovia and North of Oxford Street. Hotel activity is increasing as these areas grow, with Premier Inn opening another hotel on Tottenham Court Road this year and US-based hotel operator Standard International opening its first hotel in 2018 in the former Camden Town Hall.
Shoreditch has also become a hotspot for hotel development due to building availability and lower costs compared to more central locations with new hotels including Z Hotels and Nobu Hotel Shoreditch opening up. During 2016, a further 800 rooms are expected to be added to the area. The report shows that London dominates investment across Europe’s hotel sector with the capital attracting 36 per cent of total investment. “The hotel industry is a vital part of London’s booming tourism economy, which is now worth 36 billion pounds and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, many of which are widely accessible” said Gordon Innes, Chief Executive of London & Partners said. “As more and more visitors come and explore our great city, it’s encouraging to see the hotel sector growing and bringing exciting new developments to visitors.” The GLA 2015 London plan seeks to achieve 40,000 net additional hotel rooms by 2036. New hotel development is being encouraged within the City of London, Westminster, the Eastern edge of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC), Southern parts of Camden, Islington, the ‘city fringe’ edges of Hackney and Tower Hamlets; and the Northern parts of Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth
Dublin will be the first destination in Ireland and the 78th European destination operated directly by KLM from Amsterdam. For transfer passengers, KLM offers various daily flights in cooperation with Aer Lingus between Amsterdam and Dublin. “Improvements in our results have been translated into growth in KLM’s network” said Pieter Elbers - KLM President & CEO. “Having introduced a record number of new destinations in the summer of 2016, the new destination of Dublin is further proof that KLM is continuing to invest in its network to offer customers an ever-broader range of destinations.” The daily flights to Dublin will be operated by an Embraer 190 with 100 seats. Flight KL935 from Amsterdam to Dublin will depart at 12:00 hours and arrive at 12:40 local time. Flight KL936 will depart 13:15 hours, arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 15:50 hours. The evening flight (KL939) will leave Amsterdam at 21:20 hours and arrive at 22:00 hours. The return flight (KL932) will depart the following morning at 05:55 hours, touching down in Amsterdam at 08:30 hours. Dublin, the capital of Ireland and a UNESCO City of Literature, is a city rich in cultural heritage, art, restaurants and pubs, while surrounded by beautiful nature in its close surroundings. It has also established itself as a popular European base for American technology firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter.
Delta invests in baggage efficiency Delta is deploying Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology, a first for US carriers, providing customers with improved real-time tracking. This move marks a historic shift for Delta and the 120 million bags it handles annually. RFID will replace barcode hand scanning. Instead, scanners use radio waves to capture date stored
on an RFID chip embedded in the luggage tag. With RFID, customers will see their bags on and off the aircraft during their journey, via push notifications to the Fly Delta mobile app beginning in the fourth quarter of 2016. Initial deployments of RFID show that bags are tracked at a 99.9% success rate. “With a $50 million investment in RFID at 344 stations around the globe, we aim to reliably deliver every bag on every flight” said Bill Lentsch, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Airport Customer Service and Cargo Operations. “This innovative application of technology gives us greater data and more precise information throughout the bag’s journey.”
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MANAGEMENT
Understanding the needs of
luxury travellers
Shaping the Futu re of Lu Future Traveller Trib xury Travel es 2030
Amadeus has released a new report on luxury travel trends until 2025. The global travel technology provider commissioned the report – named “Shaping the Future of Luxury Travel” to help the travel industry better target and service this fast-growing segment. This study was developed with data from Tourism Economics and with dozens of expert interviews with global luxury travel experts across specialist travel concierge agencies, airlines, hoteliers and intermediary suppliers through Connections, a global networking event organiser for luxury travel providers. Patricia Simillon, Head of Strategic marketing Airline IT, talks us through the most remarkable findings…
Why was it important for Amadeus to order this study?
P
ATRICIA SIMILLON: “LAST YEAR, WE STARTED TO DEFINE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE TRAVELLER. It is important because we are
bringing knowledge to the industry on who this traveller is, why he wants to consume, how he behaves throughout the trip cycle, and more importantly, how he wants to be addressed. That’s why we started the Traveller Tribes studies. In this new report, we are looking into the luxury tribes. These are very important, because we realize that this a high-margin business. This is where the growth is. This is where we believe airlines will shape the future of luxury, by understanding these travellers, and by knowing what to offer and when.”
Why do you think luxury travel is becoming more important?
Patricia Simillon: “First of all, it’s a regional growth. You wouldn’t see the growth everywhere. In 2016, Europe and North-America make up for 64% of total luxury travel market. Europe has seen a decrease recently, but at the same time Asia is booming, especially India. When looking at luxury travel, we can apply the theory of the Maslowpyramid. The more accustomed travellers are to luxury, the higher they will need to travel up the pyramid for their expectations to be met – and for their idea of luxury to be fulfilled. We can also apply this to an entire society. I would like to quote what Travel Futurologist Ian Yeoman said on this: ‘Middle class tourists from emerging markets want materialism. However, with the rise of middle classes in developing economies, luxury becomes less exclusive as more people are accessing it. As consumers become older, luxury becomes more about enrichment than materialism’. It’s something we see is happening at the moment in China, for example.” 10 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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½½ PATRICIA SIMILLON HEAD OF STRATEGIC MARKETING AIRLINE IT
In the report, six Luxury Traveller Tribes are defined. What can you tell us about these?
Patricia Simillon: “In our previous study, we defined the concept of Traveller Tribes. In this report, the Reward Hunters, Simplicity Searchers and Obligation Meeters from the previous report can be segmented in six Luxury Traveller Tribes.” “The Always Luxury tribe is the absolute top. We’re not talking First Class here, we’re talking about private jets. The Hollywood stars, the leaders in sports… They know exactly what they want, they have extremely high standards, and they need trusted travel guidance. You can’t afford to make mistakes here. The higher you go, the more discrete they want to be.” “The Special Occasions tribe suits for a large number of travellers. I myself, I am a ‘Special Occasion’. Every two years, my family and my best friends, we gather somewhere, and every time we want to make it special. This year, we rented a catamaran with a private skipper,… So this tribe wants authenticity, something off the road, it wants to spend its money on experiencing something special. This does not necessarily mean travelling in First Class. It’s a rather difficult group, not to understand, but to service.”
MANAGEMENT
Who are tomorrow’s luxury travellers? Taking the traveller tribes a step further, Reward Hunters, Simplicity Searchers and Obligation Meeters can be segmented into Luxury Traveller Tribes. These travellers are defined by their behaviours and intentions and also by their varying levels of affluence.
Always Luxury Money is no object for this tribe and luxury travel is an essential tool for making their life discreet, streamlined and comfortable. This group is typically made up of first class and private jet customers, who could outsource travel decision-making.
Cash-rich, Time-poor This tribe is restricted as to when they can travel. They require full ticket flexibility and will often outsource travel planning to third parties. Rare leisure time is therefore precious and private.
Special Occasion Luxury travel is considered a treat and this group therefore look for one-off experiences and luxury facilities. This tribe could include loyalty customers using points to upgrade their cabin class.
Bluxury
Strictly Opulent This tribe indulges in the best and most glamorous experiences, which involves sharing travel tips with social media peers. Being seen and heard is important to this group of luxury travellers.
Independent & Affluent
This group is made up of senior corporate travellers, who are looking to combine an obligatory business trip with a luxury leisure break tagged on.
With little or no ties, this group choose luxury travel to pamper themselves or try something new. Select destinations or unique experiences are preferred to fulfil their travel motivations.
amadeus.com/luxurytravel “The Bluxury tribe stands for the CEO or the company founder. They travel a lot for business, they make a lot of deals, and they often want to relax, at least on the weekends. They have special needs such as golfing, spa,… so they’re looking for a specific treat. Privacy is important to them. And also, they are on a tight schedule. So from a travel agency perspective, you have make sure you schedule their flights.” “The Cash-rich, Time-poor are the people who are always running. They have a lot of money. When they realize they don’t have time to spend all of this money, they pamper themselves on a big trip. But again, they want full flexibility of tickets and are restricted in terms of time. Leisure is so rare, that they often go for short trips. If you’re a travel agency, you’ll have to offer a package trip of two or three days. Because that’s what they’re going for.” “The Strictly Opulent are the people who want to be seen, who want to be known. To fulfil that kind of desire, it’s important to appeal to them personally. They would like to be among a crowd and be recognized. Mostly, they are nouveaux-riches, people who gained a lot of money recently.” “The Independent & Affluent tribe was a surprise for us. These are the people with no family ties, people above the age of 50, who have worked hard, and now they want a unique and authentic experience. They have the time and they have the money to go after this. It’s a very special tribe.”
What are the other most important findings of the study?
Patricia Simillon: “We often see luxury as First and Business Class. But we see that private jets are actually
booming as well. For example in the US, a lot of business people are bundling themselves together, with 8 or 12, to book a private jet flight. It makes sense from an economic point. It gives more flexibility and the price is not as high as you might expect.” “Another finding is that we see luxury is becoming more complex. It used to be the big brands. Now, it’s people who want to please themselves with something special. We see a growing preference for unique experiences over expensive material goods. It’s driven by wanting to be different and unique. The older you get, the more you are looking for enrichment, rather than materialism. And therefore, you’re looking for a unique experience. We see a lot of grandparents who do a trip with their grandchildren and family, rather than leaving them the money. Carpe diem.”
What do these results mean for Amadeus?
Patricia Simillon: “We are leading the industry from an IT-provider perspective, and we bring intelligence to the market. We work on solutions that can help our travel providers. We have just developed a solution that’s called Customer Experience Management, that gathers a precise profile on the traveller. We want to provide the right solutions to our customers. By getting insight on the traveller, we help our customer getting insights on their customer.” “The traveller is a very complex and broad concept. We don’t aim at knowing exactly every single habit you have while travelling. But by segmenting the market through tribes, we aim at having a group of behaviours that help our customers, the airline service providers, to understand you better and serve you better, especially during disruption.” | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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MANAGEMENT
Business events at sea a world of possibilities
Looking for your next big idea for a corporate event? Cruise operators are tapping into a growing business market for everything from congresses and seminars, to team building events. For organisers, the advantages and possibilities afforded are many. The Corporate Traveller magazine spoke with three of the leading cruise operators to discover what they have to offer for MICE. ¼¼ NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
MSC
sense of a private cruise. A private pool, terrace, panoramic lounge, restaurant and bar are exclusively for Yacht Club guests, along with a 24-hour butler and concierge service. “Above all, we bring the support of an experienced team of professionals” said an MSC spokesperson. “Our knowledge in marketing, branding, planning and logistics ensures every aspect of an event is a success, expressing brand values and supporting strategic objectives.”
Facilities
All ships feature spas, a gym, swimming pools and spectacular entertainment shows. Additional facilities onboard the Fantasia class include a bowling alley, a life-size F1 car simulator and a 4D cinema. Coming next to MSC will be the arrival of new super-cruisers for up to 5,500 guests and the latest Near Field Communication technologies, where guests can use smart wristbands to make payments and bookings, as well as access their cabin and safe.
¼¼ MSC MEETINGS MSC CRUISES HAS A FLEET OF 12 MODERN SHIPS RANGING FROM THE LIRICA CLASS, WHICH PROVIDE A MORE BOUTIQUE HOTEL EXPERIENCE, TO THE FANTASIA CATEGORY, WHICH CAN CARRY NEARLY 4,000 PASSENGERS. The four Fantasia
vessels offer extensive facilities, numerous suites and an exclusive ‘hotel within a hotel’ concept – The MSC Yacht Club. All MSC ships can be chartered in full or part, to travel to any of 160 ports.
Meeting rooms and spaces
Fantasia ships have large auditoriums for over 1,600 delegates. They can be combined with the ships’ theatres to give a conference room for nearly 2,200. A board room of 57 seats is also available, as are numerous lounges for presentations and breakout sessions. All ships are equipped with advanced audio-visual and lighting systems, while visuals and presentations can be streamed to specific lounges and public areas. Wi-Fi is available throughout. MSC’s Yacht Clubs are located at the front of Fantasia ships, with 71 cabins and suites. The Clubs can be fully hired, making them ideal for luxury corporate groups, to give a 12 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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“Many events on our ships are organised by companies or associations in the travel industry, as they are ‘in the know’ – but the trend is growing in other sectors too” says MSC. “Belgium and Dutch corporate clients often set sail from Zeebrugge or Amsterdam, to travel north, or leave from Marseille to go to the Mediterranean. In April we hosted a conference for a travel association with agencies from all over Europe. They chartered the whole ship and had theatre meetings, networking events and speed dating sessions.”
NORWEGIAN Norwegian’s 14 liners sail to destinations all over the world, from Alaska to Australia. The largest ship can accommodate over 4,200 passengers, while the next ship to join the fleet, Norwegian Joy, will include a two-level race track, hovercraft bumper cars and a park. With Norwegian, events can be organised for groups as small as 16 guests, rising to fully customised ship charters,
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES The Royal Caribbean Cruise company comprises six separate cruise lines, with vessels ranging from luxury yachts, to mega-cruise ships with a multitude of onboard venue, dining and entertainment options.
Royal Caribbean International – the world’s largest cruise ships ¼¼ NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE - ZIPLINE IN JUNGLES OF BELIZE
including ports of call, for almost unlimited possibilities. Norwegian has venues that accommodate large sessions, breakout rooms and hospitality suites of all sizes. On board, Group Services Coordinators follow up on all event details. Company branding is possible throughout the ship - from menus, to dedicated corporate TV channels. Many of Norwegian’s ships also offer an exclusive part-charter experience with ‘The Haven’. The Haven offers a select number of suites, all with large balconies. Guests have access to a private swimming pool, terrace, bar and restaurant, as well as extra services such as butler and concierge services.
Five star conference centres
“Our ships are floating five star conference centers complete with state of the art auditorium and meeting rooms, multiimage shows and theatrical special effects” said Norweigan’s Jürgen Stille, Director Business Development. “We have significantly enhanced the internet experience on board, quadrupling the bandwidth and introducing high speed WiFi.” After work, world-class entertainment on the newest ships include Broadway musicals and concerts. Team building events can use the bowling-alleys, bungee trampoline and sports courts, go rock climbing, attend wine tastings or network, taking advantage of up to 28 different dining options and up to 22 bars. Offshore events can include Beach Olympics and Scavenger Hunts on Norwegian’s own private islands. “Many of the services that resorts charge extra for are complimentary aboard our ships, including meeting rooms, coffee breaks, meals, afternoon snacks, AV equipment, entertainment and many daytime activities” adds Jürgen Stille. “And we have the richest mix of accommodation in the industry, from economical Inside Staterooms, to luxurious Garden Villas.”
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is the group’s flagship brand, with 25 ships sailing to nearly 270 destinations. It has the distinction of operating six of the world’s largest cruise ships. Harmony of the Seas, launched this year, offers no less than 2,747 staterooms. Harmony of the Seas’ biggest meetings facilities are a 1,394 seat auditorium and a large capacity theatre. All meetings and breakout rooms are equipped with advanced technologies, including VOOM internet access - the fastest at sea. Conference facilities are included in the overall package, as are a team of events experts. On the larger ships, whole ‘neighbourhood buyouts’ are possible, such as the Central Park area with its specialty restaurants, or the Boardwalk, with high-diving shows and a vintage carousel. “For a recent client, our Liberty of the Seas ship was used for an itinerary of two nights docked in Barcelona and sailing to one port of call” said Royal Caribbean’s Abby Penlington. “1,500 guest rooms were required, in single occupancy. The size of the ship meant that general sessions with several concurrent breakouts were possible. Due to the client’s conservative corporate culture, special entertainers were hired specifically, at no extra cost.” RCI has a history of introducing industry firsts, including sky-diving simulators, observation capsules that elevate to 300 feet above the water and two private destination islands. Other teambuilding events on board include bumper cars, ice skating and rock climbing.
Celebrity Cruises – Royal Caribbean’s premium cruise brand
Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean’s premium cruise brand. Its 12 ships range from super luxury 8 cabin yachts, to larger vessels of up to 1,500 staterooms, all with upscale dining experiences. Celebrity sails to destinations in all seven continents. »» ROYAL CARIBBEAN EVENTS PRODUCTIONS
¼¼ NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE - DINING | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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Celebrity Cruise ships also offer a choice of unique meeting and events spaces, with Xcelerate - cutting-edge, high-speed internet. “As Celebrity is an adult-focused cruise line with superior hospitality services, we are perfect for meetings and incentives” said Abby Penlington. “Our MICE programmes are designed to wow our guests and organisers can be sure Celebrity Cruises will roll out the red carpet for their incentive winners, with private parties and dining to make them feel like the ship’s VIPs.” “The small sizes of some of our ships mean greater possibilities for customising onshore team building expeditions. For example, we are the only major cruise line to have a 100 guest charter to go to the Galapagos Islands, with our Celebrity Xpedition ship.”
TOP TEN REASONS FOR ORGANISING A BUSINESS EVENT AT SEA MORE FOCUSED EVENTS
As delegates cannot stray far, self-contained, floating resorts maximise meeting attendance, participation and productivity.
»» MSC THE YACHT CLUB
CHARTER ALL OR PART OF A SHIP
Chartering all or part of a ship brings phenomenal networking opportunities, where delegates can discuss sensitive company information without fear of leakage. The possibilities to tailor make experiences in tune with client company objectives are endless.
UNFORGETTABLE TEAM BUILDING EXPERIENCES
Plenty of group activities are possible on board and operators are competing with each other to introduce unforgettable new adrenaline filled sensations – from rock climbing and watersports, through to life size F1 car simulators and parachuting experiences. Shore excursions give further opportunities for original team building activities to inspire and motivate. Try a team survival and treasure hunt experience on a real desert island - or a tailor-made tour of a local destination.
COST SAVINGS
Many services and amenities are included in cruise prices. With all-inclusive packages, overall cost savings of over 30% or more can be made in comparison to similar quality landbased programs.
SIMPLIFIED PLANNING AND LOGISTICS
Planning is simplified, as all accommodation, catering, entertainment and business needs are taken care of in one turnkey operation.
¼¼ ROYAL CARIBBEAN ROCK CLIMBING
EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ‘ROOF’
Meetings venues, entertainment venues, restaurants, networking venues, accommodation, team building activities, events and production professionals, entertainers….. are all together. The headache of transport logistics and costs between venues is removed from the equation.
FLEXIBILITY ON SIZE AND BUDGET
Whether onboard receptions for 20 people, or multi-day full or part charters for thousands, most needs can be catered for. From canapés and soft drinks, to gourmet dining with premium wines and spirits, most cruise operators propose a range of budgetary options.
MEETING ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Cruise ships offer unique meetings and events settings, many with inspiring sea views.
VARIETY OF DINING VENUES IN ONE LOCATION
Larger ships offer anything up to 30 restaurants and as many bars and lounges. With most corporate cruise experiences lasting 3 to 5 days, organisers can easily choose a different dining venue for every meal throughout their event.
ADDED ELEMENT OF SURPRISE AND ADVENTURE
Finally, with an onboard conference, delegates have the possibility to wake up in a different destination every day. Many Europeans have never been cruising and this creates opportunities to create networking groups based on shared new experiences. For more information visit www.ncl.eu, www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com, www.celebritycorporatekit.com and www.msccruises.co.uk | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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Over 50% of mass affluent British travellers see travel assistance as vital as terrorism increases New research from Collinson Group reveals the impact of a rise in global social unrest, terrorism and natural disasters among high income travellers, with more than half (54%) now viewing international travel assistance as vital or important. The findings come as an increasing number of travellers say they now expect terrorist activity and disruption across Europe and further afield.
O
VER A THIRD (36%) OF HIGH INCOME EARNERS IN THE UK WOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE TRAVELLING ANYWHERE IN THE FACE OF A PERCEIVED INCREASE IN GLOBAL INSTABILITY. Just a quarter (26%)
of mass affluent British travellers believe global travel risks are minimal, with the majority of those heading overseas increasingly concerned about their safety and security. The perceived increase in global travel risk is also directly impacting the frequency with which the mass affluent consumers take trips for business or leisure. Analysing international flight patterns, UK mass affluent travellers report taking 1.9 business trips and 2.9 leisure trips over the last year compared to 2.5 business trips and 3.5 leisure trips in 2014. Only 26% of mass affluent travellers say the perceived increase in risk has had no impact on the way they travel for business, suggesting that three quarters of this demographic have changed the way they navigate the globe. Given recent terrorist atrocities, the threat of the Zika virus and other health outbreaks, British business travellers need information to make informed decisions about international travel, the risks therein and appropriate insurance coverage that is fit for purpose. The fear factor could be due to the lack of information available to these travellers: just 29% of mass affluent British business travellers receive trip specific guidance from their company when travelling abroad. Only a fifth (21%) has access to a health and security advice hotline when travelling abroad on business. Indeed, when they are given travel guidance it is often generic content, 17% of employees only receive standardised information from their company when travelling. This is despite the fact more than half (54%) of mass affluent British travellers view international travel assistance as vital or important. Randall Gordon-Duff, Head of Product, Corporate Travel, Collinson Group, said: “All business travellers should seek to understand the risks they face, but they can only make informed decisions if they have access to the right information. Too often Britons believe travel insurance 16 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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alone is sufficient to protect their safety and security abroad and many polices do not offer security advice and response as part of standard coverage. Travellers need to understand not just what is covered from a fiscal point of view (exposure to Zika, violent crime or terrorist attacks) but also the capacity of the assistance element of the insurance to respond quickly and appropriately with the backing of medical and security experts to ensure nothing is left to chance” “Wealthier travellers are inevitably a more attractive target for criminal elements and it is important they inform themselves of the potential risks they are exposing themselves to prior to departure. Having access to 24/7 global assistance and advice and practical logistical support if required, is a minimal requirement to ensure travellers are protected. Even experienced travellers
will benefit from pre-trip advice, and assistance should things do go wrong.”
International comparisons:
The UK data is drawn from research among mass affluent travellers across 10 countries globally and reveals a divergence in attitude to travel risk and employer support for business travellers. For example, when it comes to access to a health or security hotline when travelling abroad for work, 50% of mass affluent business travellers from India have access to this service and 41% of Chinese business travellers – compared to 21% of those in the UK. Travellers from India and Brazil are also more likely to be given specific guidance and advice when travelling abroad for business. British travellers may be renowned for their resiliency, but they also need access to information to make informed decisions about travel risk.
SUPPORT AND TOOLS PROVIDED BY BUSINESSES
Domicile of respondent
I do not receive any guidance from work
I have access to a health/ security advice hotline
When travelling for work I receive trip specific guidance and advice
When travelling for work I receive
standardised
information
UK
16%
21%
29%
17%
US
22%
21%
25%
15%
India
14%
50%
55%
39%
France
20%
17%
28%
18%
Brazil
13%
23%
57%
32%
Singapore
15%
27%
38%
28%
China
14%
41%
37%
28%
UAE
15%
20%
21%
16%
Australia
21%
24%
23%
18%
Hong Kong
10%
20%
30%
22%
All countries net
15%
29%
36%
25%
Source: Collinson Group
MANAGEMENT
Business Travel Show to launch
Business Travel Summit Amsterdam, in October
This October, a brand new two-day conference and exhibition, created specifically for travel buyers and managers from the Benelux and Nordic regions, will launch in Amsterdam. The Business Travel Summit takes place on 5-6 October at the city’s NH Grand Krasnapolsky on Dam Square.
O
RGANISED BY THE TEAM BEHIND THE MARKET-LEADING BUSINESS TRAVEL SHOW LONDON, THE SUMMIT WILL BRING TOGETHER UP TO 200 TRAVEL BUYERS FOR A TWODAY PROGRAMME OF LEARNING, PEER TO PEER NETWORKING, SOCIAL EVENTS AND MEETINGS WITH HAND-PICKED SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS.
It is the largest event of its kind in – and for – the region and offers buyers 20 hours of educational content and quality sourcing opportunities. All of this content is free to eligible buyers who conduct three appointments per day they attend, with companies exhibiting at the event. Buyers can otherwise purchase a conference and networking pass for just €175 for one day, or €300 for both days. “We asked travel buyers and managers from Benelux and the Nordics what they wanted from a new event and the result is Business Travel Summit Amsterdam: two days, a comprehensive programme, a topic-specific conference and fulfilling the needs of the entire region” commented David Chapple,
Travel Group Director, Centaur Live. “What also makes this event such a special launch is the buyer/supplier ratio – we’re expecting 200 buyers and 150 suppliers – and this will be conducive to some really powerful networking.”
High calibre conference content designed by buyers for buyers
The Business Travel Summit conference programme, offering 20 hours of learning delivered by over 60 experts, is the largest conference in Europe outside of the Business Travel Show London. The content has been curated by experienced travel buyers from the Business Travel iQ advisory board and covers key areas including data and technology, managing suppliers, traveller well-being and thought leadership. Designed to challenge and inspire delegates through buyer-led case studies, topic-specific workshops and a CEO panel, the programme facilitates peer to peer information and knowledge sharing. Focusing on local and global issues, it will arm buyers with the skills they need to focus on, and plan for, the future, helping them do their job better, improve their knowledge, make informed decisions, benchmark current policy, see industry trends, improve competitive edge and stimulate their imagination.
Biggest networking opportunity for buyers
More than 350 travel buyers, senior industry leaders and start-up founders are expected to attend the first summit, contributing to it being the largest networking event for the
business travel industry across Benelux and the Nordics. More than six hours of valuable networking opportunities will include round table workshops and informal social events. In addition, the organisers are hosting a stunning evening reception at St Olof’s Chapel, the oldest chapel in Amsterdam dating back to 1440.
Flexible options for buyers
The Business Travel Summit also enables buyers to meet, source from and benchmark current partnerships against 40 leading suppliers. Exhibitor companies will include, among many others, EasyJet, Qatar Airways, Flybe, Amadeus Benelux, B-aparthotels, Deutsche Bahn, Booking.com, London City Airport and Choice Hotels Europe. “The Business Travel Summit in Amsterdam this October is an unmissable event for travel buyers and managers across Benelux and the Nordics who want access to a top class educational programme designed to help them futureproof their travel programmes, who want to network with 350 like-minded buyers and suppliers, and who want to source from some of the leading travel suppliers in the world,” added David Chapple. “I would seriously recommend that buyers add the date to their diary now and book their free space as soon as possible.” The Business Travel Summit takes place on 5-6 October in Amsterdam. Online registration is open at www.businesstravel-summit.com. Information about the buyer programme and special accommodation discounts is also available on the Business Travel Summit website. | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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MANAGEMENT
what cost for the business travel sector? The UK’s referendum decision to leave the European Union has many implications, not least for the corporate travel sector. A look at what could change for business travellers and the travel industry, on both sides of the channel‌
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What’s at stake for the travel sector
A
CCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY BY DELOITTE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS (ABTA), UK-BASED CORPORATE TRAVELLERS MADE SOME 4.6 MILLION BUSINESS TRIPS TO EU DESTINATIONS IN 2014, WITH OVER 23 BILLION EUROS IN TOTAL TRAVEL SPEND. Closer to
home, in the Brussels region, figures from the Observatoire du Tourisme de Bruxelles show that UK business tourism took the second highest share of hotel bookings in 2015, with 296,000 room nights. British visitors also represent the highest number of tourists to France, at around 12 million in 2015 for business and leisure combined. On the UK-side, European travellers are by far the most important for the business hospitality sector. The report from Deloitte and ABTA shows that Europeans made around 6 million business trips to the UK in 2014 – equal to 73% of all corporate travel to the UK. The Brexit referendum’s ‘Vote Leave’ campaigners have argued that business travel could increase, thanks to a more global outlook. In reality, much will hinge on whether the majority of international companies decide to keep their regional European headquarters in the UK – and this will be influenced by the outcome of the new business and trade agreements to be put into place over the next two to three years between the EU and the UK.
Business travel could even increase
Clearly hotels, airlines, agencies and other travel providers are wondering how all of this will affect their businesses. In general, companies in the business travel sector appear to be adopting a relatively ‘wait and see’ attitude, as they do not expect things to change quickly. The most visible effect so far has been the fall in the pound against the euro. However, the consensus of those questioned in the airline sector is that exchange rate is more likely to negatively affect the UK’s outbound leisure journeys than business travel between the EU and the UK. “Our traffic is continuing as expected and we have seen no changes to forward bookings” says Jochen Schnadt, bmi regional’s Chief Operating Officer. “As bmi regional is focused on the business travel market, we don’t particularly expect to see any downturn. In fact, arguably, we could even see more business travel development resulting from this, especially with companies preparing for the future. A lot depends on business sentiment and confident indexes, but the general feedback from our corporate clients is that they are not subscribing to hysteria, and neither are we at bmi regional. It’s too early to make a diagnosis and it’s probably going to be closer to Christmas before we get a clearer picture. We need to see how the economy develops over the next few months, as this will create certain pressure points.” Eurostar also has much at stake, particularly with substantial investments made in new e320 trains which are capable of running across diverse European signalling systems. This opens up many new potential European destinations for the rail carrier. Eurostar stated to the Corporate Traveller Magazine that
½½ BMI REGIONAL CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER JOCHEN SCHNADT they are sometime away from being able to judge the eventual impact of the Brexit on their business, but that they were still looking forward to introducing their new direct service from London to Amsterdam in 2017, on the e320 trains.
UK’s hotel and conference sector – staffing shortages a serious concern
For the hotel and conference sector, the weaker British pound has made inbound trips to the UK more attractive. Hotels are starting to see a positive impact, with groups such as Best Western reporting a strong rise in room bookings. What this means in terms of business travel nights however, is too early to say. The conference sector is another important business segment for the UK, currently the world’s third biggest country destination for association meetings, according to the ICCA. Following the referendum, VisitBritain has announced that it will give destination management companies a funding pool of 4.7 million euros to help promote and secure international business events. “Britain is open for business and we want to encourage as many people to visit and organise their events in the UK” says UK Tourism Minister, Tracey Crouch. “This new programme will help grow this multibillion pound industry even further, boosting our economy and bringing more people to our shores.” With bookings looking positive, for now, a potential headache for hotels is on how the Brexit could impact their staffing levels and costs. With low levels of unemployment in the UK and a shortage of skills available in the domestic labour market, workers from the EU represent a valuable pool of human resources. Currently, Article 45 of the Lisbon Treaty | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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MANAGEMENT
allows EU citizens to work in any of the member countries. The Brexit vote could mean that Article 45 ceases to apply to European workers in the UK, or to British workers in the EU. This aspect of maintaining ease of movement for employees is already a high priority on the new Prime Minister Theresa May’s agenda for negotiations.
Travel formalities and added costs for travellers
As a non-Schengen country, the UK already has passport controls in place for all visitors, so airport security should remain fairly unchanged. Nevertheless, the current rules that allow European citizens to travel to Britain with a national identity card, rather than a passport, are likely to be reviewed. As concerns changes to import duties, travellers and airport shopping facilities could eventually welcome the return of duty free prices. The downside for corporate travellers would be that it may become necessary to complete temporary import-export documents when travelling with commercial samples, or equipment for tradeshows, in order to avoid paying import duties. Cost impacts for travellers could include higher mobile phone roaming charges. The EU has introduced caps on the maximum rates mobile operators are allowed to charge customers travelling to different EU countries. The referendum vote could mean that these new rules become void, although the UK Government is likely to push for the regulations to remain. Healthcare insurance could also become more expensive for travellers. The European Health Insurance Card currently gives Europeans access to health care in countries throughout the union. The future of this will depend on 20 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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¾¾ SIMON MCNAMARA DIRECTOR GENERAL ERA
renegotiations and possibly bilateral arrangements with different countries. Limiting access to health care for UKEU travellers would likely result in higher travel insurance premiums.
Free market aviation – under threat?
The airline industry has other concerns, as the Brexit could threaten the European free market agreement for flights. Currently all EU-registered airlines, including UK-based carriers, have free rights to fly domestic routes within any EU country, as well as routes between EU countries. ERA, as the European trade association for over 300 airlines, airports, manufacturers and suppliers, is closely involved in lobbying on European-wide levels and on technical and non-technical policies affecting the aviation sector. “As the deregulated market was created through European Union law, the UK’s exit from the EU leaves very big questions for European and UK carriers about their rights to operate freely within the UK and the European market in the future” explains Simon McNamara, ERA’s Director General. “While ERA has been critical of some of the EU’s decisions when it comes to aviation, the benefits that the common market creates for airlines far outweigh its, sometimes, overly complex law making.” bmi regional, as a UK-based airline with a growing focus on routes outside the country, is one of the many carriers closely monitoring the post-referendum outcome on Open Skies. “Obviously, we are supporters of Open Skies and in our view the UK government will push for the country to be retained within it” says bmi regional’s Jochen Schnadt. “At least now we have clarity on those who will be responsible for leading this, with the appointment of the new Prime Minister and relevant cabinet ministers. Along with key areas that need to be clarified on potential restrictions on the movement of goods and labour, Open Skies should be a top priority. The reality is that two years sounds like a long time, but getting agreements between all the states that form part of the common aviation area, means it’s not that much. It will be interesting to see how this shapes out.”
“We made bmi regional’s stance clear just after the referendum” adds Jochen Schnadt. “That is, that our strategy has become more pan-European and we will not allow this strategy to be undermined by external factors. If our strategy is jeopardized then we will take any appropriate actions needed, including setting up a separate license, or an Aircraft Operating Certificate in Europe if necessary. Open Skies has to be retained and if we need to make changes to our set up, we will. We have no plans, however, to reduce our routes in and out of the UK.”
Lobbying for Open Skies
Moving forward, ERA is already lobbying the European Commission and the UK Government on three key areas that it sees as crucial to aviation. “Firstly, we need to protect the open and free traffic area between the EU and the UK” says ERA’s Simon McNamara. “Secondly, we need to retain the freedom between EU and UK carriers to lease aircraft to each other. And, finally, we need to ensure that the technical and safety rules outlined under European aviation law, by the European Aviation Safety Agency, are still applied to UK carriers and operators. These three points form ERA’s basic position. Technically, the EU could refuse points 1 or 2 and insist on returning to bilateral agreements, which would be a step backwards. However, both the UK and the EU benefit from the current agreements and it will cost airlines and the travelling public if these agreements come undone. While almost certainly politics will play a part in the final agreement, I think it’s in the interests of everyone in the industry and the travelling public to stay as close as possible to the status quo that we have now, when it comes to aviation.”
The next steps
The next step will be when the UK officially notifies the EU of its intention to leave, by invoking Article 50 of the European Union Treaty. This could be as early as by the end of 2016. It will then have 2 years to negotiate all of the exit terms. The more uncertainties that remain, the greater the economic and business impacts are likely to be. For this reason, many in the hospitality and air travel sectors are pushing for the agreement of new terms, as soon as possible, on the above mentioned areas that affect them. In terms of aviation agreements, one of the most likely options for the UK would be to become a member of the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA). This would provide the most straightforward avenue for continued access to the Single Aviation Market, which also includes some non-EU member countries such as Norway and Iceland. ECAA members can also be party to EU aviation agreements with the US, so this could offer a solution that benefits all sides. It would enable EU airlines to continuing flying freely within the UK and between the UK and EU, as well as for UK airlines across Europe.
½½ MAS_EU-PARLIAMENT
“The Government is preparing for a negotiation to exit the EU to ensure that the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom are protected and advanced, and ongoing access to EU aviation markets will be an important part of the negotiations” commented a government spokesperson from the Department of Culture Media and Sport. “In the meantime we are working closely with airlines as part of our planning process.” | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 | 21
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HOTELS
Steigenberger Wiltcher’s and Lexus showcase luxury lifestyle in the heart of Brussels
When it comes to the art of contemporary luxury, the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s and Lexus limousines are a perfect match. So has begun a partnership between these two iconic brands….
S
INCE APRIL, VISITORS TO THE STEIGENBERGER WILTCHER’S WILL HAVE NOTICED A SUPERB DARK BLUE LIMOUSINE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL. The model in question is no less than the
Lexus LS 600h L, the hybrid version of the luxury car maker’s top of the range sedan. The Lexus, which features both the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s and Lexus logos, is the hotel’s brand new limousine, for use by senior management and VIP guests. In return, Lexus benefits from the hotel’s entry plaza as a display area.
The first contacts between Lexus Belgium and the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s came through their mutual membership of Epiqurium, a networking environment for luxury brands. Bernd Zängle, the hotel’s General Manager at the time, had already been forming the idea of such a partnership. “When we proposed the concept to Lexus they were immediately enthusiastic, as we are totally in synergy with their brand” explained Florence Herion, Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Marketing Coordinator. “We both have luxury products that are not for ‘mass market’ but have rather more of an exclusive appeal. It’s important to have a beautiful car in front of the hotel for our image – and for our guests, it’s a privilege to be driven in such a limousine.” “Lexus stands for top quality luxury, with a focus on high level service” added Joris Peeters, Marketing Manager Lexus Belgium. “Our vision of this service quality and exceeding cus-
tomer expectations is shared by the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s. The hotel’s importance as a luxury destination, not only for the leisure sector but also the Belgian business market, is perfectly aligned with our own focus on growing our brand awareness.”
The Lexus LS 600 h L
The Lexus LS 600h L is the ultimate hybrid vehicle for connoisseurs of luxury. Every engineering detail has been devised to ensure the quietest and smoothest of travelling. Offering unrivalled comfort, the multiple seat adjustment configurations include a back massage function for rear passengers, as well as leg and foot rests. The award winning climate control system includes infra-red captors and patented nano technologies to optimize temperature and air humidity for each individual passenger.
The Steigenberger Wiltcher’s
The 5 star Steigenberger Wiltcher’s benefits from an exclusive location on the Avenue Louise, just a few steps away from the Grand Place and the European government district. Its 267 spacious rooms and suites were awarded the accolade of Best 5 star Hotel Room in Belgium for Corporate Travellers in 2014, for their design and comfort. In addition to its extensive range of meeting and events spaces, which include a spectacular ballroom, the hotel features some of the best wining and dining choices in Brussels. | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 | 23
HOTELS
The art of oriental hospitality arrives in Belgium
The Tangla Hotel Brussels Luxury hotel group Tangla has chosen Brussels for its first property outside of China. The flagship hotel brings a whole new style of hospitality to the European capital, with its blend of traditional and contemporary Asian design. It also marks the first 5 star property to open in Brussels for 20 years.
T
HE TANGLA BRUSSELS IS SITUATED IN THE WOLUWE SAINT-LAMBERT DISTRICT, MIDWAY BETWEEN BRUSSELS AIRPORT AND THE CITY CENTRE. The Chinese Embassy and a thriving business
district are close nearby. At the helm, is General Manager Ruprecht Schmitz, rich from his experience in managing prestigious hotels such as the Millenium Hotel in Abu Dhabi and the Orchard Hotel Singapore.
Design inspired by Chinese legend
Prior to its acquisition in 2013 by Tangla, part of the HNA group, the property was known as the Sodehotel, a former Sabena hotel. Following three years of renovation, construction works and enlargements, at a budget believed to be in the ‘tens of millions of euros’, the Tangla Brussels opened its doors in April. Tangla Brussels was designed by the award winning agency Hirsch Bedner Associates. The name Tangla is derived from an ancient Chinese legend of a mystical mountain paradise, Tangula. This
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theme is reflected throughout the hotel, with its lofty ceilings, hand-crafted details, noble materials and cloud-like chandeliers. Original works of art and sculptures feature images of mountains and clouds, while all design and construction was carried out in consultation with a Feng Shui Master from China, as is the tradition, to ensure flows of harmony and prosperity. The Tangla has 187 guest rooms and suites, starting with its ‘Fang’ standard rooms. All are equipped with a USB port, which gives direct access to a media hub and 40” Smart connected TV, as well as a Nespresso coffee machine, a mini bar, safe, marble bathroom and Trussadi amenities. The hotel’s suites have been inspired by the famous Summer Palace in Beijing, using artifacts and craftsmen sourced from across China. The Presidential Taofang, the largest suite, is the hotel’s showcase for sophisticated oriental lifestyle. Covering 190m2, it includes two luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, an office and a dining room which can be used for board meetings.
½½ TANG DYNASTY RESTAURANT
½½ PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Meetings, events and unique dining experiences
connected with the ancient art of tea drinking accent the decorations throughout. As well as teas, fine whiskeys from around the world can be sampled.
The Tangla’s events area has its own large pre-function lobby, with outside terrace and a total of six meeting spaces. The rooms include two executive boardrooms and the 360m2 Royal Meeting Room, which can be divided into three. In addition, the hotel’s Imperial Ballroom offers 440m2 of floor space, with a ceiling height of 6 metres. The ballroom has been designed to be fully flexible and accessible, meaning that it can be used for anything from vehicle product launches and fashion shows, to theatre-style events. Wifi is free and unlimited throughout the hotel. Tangla Hotel Brussels gives a choice of two restaurants and a lounge bar, all with very different concepts along the oriental theme. The Tang Dynasty is expected to make its reputation as Belgium’s first Cantonese gastronomic restaurant. No less than four head chefs have been especially recruited from China, each of whom specialises in a particular discipline of Chinese cuisine. Leading off from the restaurant are five private dining rooms, complete with relaxation areas and video screens, which can accommodate up to 20 diners. LeCinq, a contemporary all day dining restaurant, uses market fresh products for its new take on the classic buffet. Its international fusion cuisine ranges from Chinese Dim Sum and a Japanese Tepanyaki table, to specialties from the Mediterranean and Latin America. Deserts, patisseries, fine cheeses and digestives are presented on trolleys and served at the table. For those wishing to experience the atmosphere of a traditional tea house, the TLounge and bar’s design makes references to tea plantations and Chinese landscapes. Antiques
The hotel’s four boutiques include a tea emporium and another new concept, with ‘My little basket’, a fine goods store with fresh food produce. My little basket is a delicatessen where guests can buy food to go, or order it to be served in the privacy of their hotel room. A karaoke bar will complete the hotel’s wining and dining choices, as from later this year.
A flagship 5 star hotel for the HNA Group
Tangla Brussels expects to draw keen interest from the local market looking for new hotel and dining experiences. “Our aim is not just to attract international travellers, but the Belgian market” underlines Ruprecht Schmitz. “Firstly the corporate sector, thanks to our business events facilities and then the leisure market, by targeting Belgian staycation travellers looking for luxurious wellness facilities. A 1000m2 spa and wellness centre, with indoor swimming pool and fitness room, will be opened at the beginning of 2017. And as from this autumn, the hotel will be organising regular events, such as art exhibitions and workshops in Chinese culture and arts.” Tangla Hotels belongs to the HNA Group, a Fortune 500 company which employs over 180,000 people. Its HNA Tourism division incorporates airlines (including Hainan Airlines), over 450 hotels, airports, tour operators and car rental companies, among others. With Tangla hotels and Resorts, the company is committed to building a world-class hotel brand. “Tangla Brussels is our flagship, as it is the first outside of China” said Ruprecht Schmitz. “More properties are planned in Europe for the future.”
| THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 | 25
HOTELS
Warwick Hotels and Resorts enters a new era
Interview with Jean-Marie Pebrel, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Europe As upscale hotel brand Warwick Hotels and Resorts marks its 35th year, the group is entering a new era with a revisited name, logo and plans for continued growth. JeanMarie Pebrel, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Europe, has been with Warwick for over a decade. He explained more about the group’s new strategy.
TCT: Two-thirds of your growth strategy is focused on urban hotels. How are you targeting the corporate travel market?
J
EAN-MARIE PEBREL: THE CORE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IS REALLY FINDING THE BEST LOCATIONS THAT CORPORATE AND LEISURE TRAVELLERS ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR. All
of the sites for our city hotels have been especially chosen to appeal to the upscale sectors in both of these markets – for example in New York we are on 6th Avenue. Most of our hotels are also city landmarks – such as the Hotel Westminster in Paris. An added advantage of this, is that when we open in a ‘new’ country market, the property is already known, so it helps us to gain awareness and prestige for our brand. The group now counts over 50 hotels in 25 countries. The most recent have included openings in Chicago, Cuba and Dubai, with the next to be in Nassau Paradise Island, the Bahamas. Secondly, being what you could call human size hotels, it means we are able to get to know our guests better and anticipate their needs. That includes offering the types of services that upscale international travellers are looking for – such as early check in and late check out, 24 hour services and gastronomic restaurants.
½½ J-M PEBREL - CHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER EUROPE ¾¾ WARWICK CAYO SANTA MARIA - CUBA
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Importantly, all of our hotels have facilities for corporates, with wifi throughout and well-equipped meetings rooms, even in our resort hotels. In fact our biggest convention centre is in Vanatu, in the South Pacific.
»» WARWICK BRUSSELS »» WARWICK PARADISE ISLAND - BAHAMAS
TCT: Can you share any details about the new loyalty programme you plan to introduce?
Jean-Marie Pebrel: The new guest recognition programme will give immediate rewards to our loyal customers. Rather than them saving up points for extra nights, it will be more about giving added-value experiences. These could include things such as a room upgrade, or rewards outside the hotel, to enhance the guest’s stay. Each hotel will work in partnership with luxury brands and attractions from their own city, to give travellers the opportunity to discover more about the local environment and culture. And of course it helps us, as a hotel group, as it is an excellent co-branding activity. More details will be available soon and we expect to launch the programme in October.
TCT: The resort hotels are a fairly new departure for the Warwick brand. How are you marketing this to your existing clients?
Jean-Marie Pebrel: Our next hotel opening will in fact be another resort hotel, to open in the Bahamas in August. This will be our third resort in the Caribbean and our customers are starting to get to know us in this region. When we have new openings such as this, our loyal VIP clients are the first to benefit from special preinauguration deals. Above all, in our sales and marketing activities we take a personal approach, which is very important in the hospitality industry. We are also very close to our travel agency communities and our strong local sales structures help us to manage these important relationships.
TCT: Is Warwick changing in terms of market positioning?
Jean-Marie Pebrel: In terms of positioning we remain in the 4 and 5 star categories of hotel but we are expanding more in several regions. A big part of our strategy is to develop our mature markets in North America and Europe. In fact Europe is our number one focus for growth, as we still need to cover some key cities. In parallel, we have been moving onto new markets, particularly the leisure sector in the Caribbean and both the leisure and business markets in the Middle East, where we have opened 7 hotels in 4 years. For sure, we will continue to be very active in this region.
TCT: How will your new rebranding support your development?
Jean-Marie Pebrel: Changing our top line from Warwick International Hotels to Warwick Hotels & Resorts is important, as these four words explain more exactly where we are now to our customers. When the company began 35 years ago, we were little known, and we needed to bring the message to customers that we were developing internationally. Our customers know that well by now, so we felt that we could drop the word international. What we need to raise awareness about, is the fact that we have a growing number of luxury resort hotels and not just city hotels. The ‘crown’ image in our logo remains very important, as it symbolises high standards of service. By updating the crown image, we have been able to combine this brand perception of traditional service, with a notion of more contemporary style and design. Besides our new openings, we have invested €25 million in renovations over the last 3 years, so we wanted to reflect that. These two brand changes may seem subtle, but as you can see they are key to our new brand identity.
| THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 | 27
AIR WAYS
Brussels Airlines
racking up success stories in defiance of March 22 Brussels Airlines’ is determined to move forward positively since the dark hours of March 22. The team, more united than ever in its common goal, has been chalking up successes including a flourishing new route to Toronto, the well-received launch of a new cabin class, passenger numbers steadily returning and a justannounced route to India. Launch of Toronto route – 90% load factor
O
N APRIL 7, JUST OVER TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ATTACKS, BRUSSELS AIRLINES TOOK ITS FIRST FLIGHT TO CANADA, WITH THE START OF A FIVE TIMES PER WEEK SERVICE TO TORONTO. ADDING TO THE AIRLINE’S LINKS TO WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK, THE NEW ROUTE SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCES THE NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK - A KEY PILLAR OF ITS LONG HAUL STRATEGY. Close cooperation
with partner airlines Air Canada and United, means that Brussels Airlines’ customers can easily connect from Toronto to numerous onward destinations in Canada and the US.
“Toronto is going really well and it’s already our best North American route, with a seat load factor of around 90% this summer!” said Brussels Airlines’ spokesperson Kim Daenen. “The success is not only with point to point passengers, as around one third of our passengers from Toronto transfer onto our other destinations, such as Kigali, Entebbe, Moscow, Vilnius and Warsaw.” “It’s very important after what happened, that we don’t abandon the projects we were planning for the future” adds Kim.
Bringing India back to Belgium ¾¾ BRUSSELS AIRLINES AT TORONTO PEARSON AIRPORT
Just at the time of going to press, Brussels Airlines announced more good news, in the form of a route to be introduced to Mumbai, India as from March 2017. This will be the first destination for the Belgian airline on the Asian continent and will be welcomed by corporate travellers who have had no direct links to India since the withdrawal of Jet Airways earlier this year. The route will be operated with 5 weekly direct frequencies to Mumbai’s modern Chhatrapati Shivaji airport, on one of Brussels Airlines’ new Airbus A330 jets, offering passengers a choice of Business, Economy and Economy Privilege classes. Thanks to close collaboration with Brussels Airlines’ Star Alliance Partner, Air India, passengers will have a wide choice of onward connections throughout India.
New Economy Plus class
June saw the arrival of a new travelling class for Brussels Airlines, with Economy Plus in all long haul flights to Africa and North America.. Created for Economy Class passengers looking for affordable comfort enhancements, Economy Plus offers travellers extra leg room, double the seat recline, upgraded catering and services. Added luxuries include a glass of champagne, an amenity kit, a 28 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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hot towel, a linen pillow and a Neuhaus chocolate giftbox. The fare is simple and economical, with a flat fee supplement of €120 one-way (currently € 99 until further notice), on whatever the tariff the passenger is paying in economy class. For the launch of Economy Plus, 20,000 customers benefited from the upgrade for free during July and August. “Our Economy Plus has been really well received” said Kim Daenen. “This is all in the scope of our new product, services and fares strategy. We have been listening carefully to what our guests say and they have told us that they want this kind of best value and service combination. Our customer feedback is really important to us and we try to take the necessary actions wherever possible. For example, in economy class, we have just changed the position of head and back rests in all of our long haul aircraft, in response to passenger suggestions.”
Two more lounges
With Brussels Airlines’ flights all fully resumed, it has also opened two new lounges - one at Brussels Airport and the other in Kinshasa, its first lounge in a foreign country. Opened in June, ‘The Suite’ at Brussels Airport welcomes all Brussels Airlines’ passengers departing from Pier B, as well as customers of some other airlines, such as Star Alliance partners. The Suite can accommodate 160 visitors and, like its sister lounge ‘The Loft’, in Pier A, offers different areas for different travel needs. There is a working area for travellers who want to continue their work at the airport and a quiet zone for passengers who just want to relax in comfortable seats before their departure. The food area offers a wide selection of beverages, snacks and salads, while the reading area has a good selection of newspapers and magazines.
The second new lounge is The Suite at N’Djili airport, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Congo. It offers all the features of the lounges in Brussels and its opening highlights the importance of Kinshasa in the carrier’s network, as the Brussels-Kinshasa connection is one of its busiest routes. In total, Brussels Airlines serves 21 airports in Africa, making it a key market for the Belgian airline.
Passenger figures returning
Since returning to full flight services in April, Brussels Airlines has been registering a gradual return to passenger numbers – although not yet back to the pre-March 22 levels. The number of connecting passengers has seen the most growth, followed by outbound travel from Belgium. Inbound travel to Belgium has been the slowest to climb back. All in all, in the month of June, Brussels Airlines recorded a light passenger growth of 3.8%, compared to June 2015, although some of this was due to capacity increases. “We are doing everything in our power to promote our airline, our airport and our country” said Kim Daenen. “Seat load factors are up, so we are slowly moving in the right direction. The mood here is positive and everyone is close to the company, really contributing towards our strategy to keep the positive momentum. We have a packed programme ahead, including innovations with our new CIO, Simon Lamkin, who is working on several projects. And in addition to that, we are looking forward to arrivals of new aircraft. It is clear that we are continuing with our investments and our recent years of successful growth have helped us to bounce back. We are committed to moving ahead.” | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 | 29
AIR WAYS
Business class in constant evolution
Airlines are introducing new business class products and services on their long haul flights at a more rapid pace than ever. Premium cabins on long haul flights represent an important percentage of revenues for carriers and the competition is constantly raising the bar in terms of standards and comfort.
Comfort on board
O
VER THE PAST FEW YEARS, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS HAS CLEARLY SURPASSED THE FORMER COMFORT LEVELS PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED BY FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS. The ‘Triple F’ (fully flat, full aisle access, full
privacy) configuration of business class seats on long haul flights are becoming a standard in terms of client expectations - even though they are a relatively recent introduction for most airlines. The pod-style of the latest seats ensures even greater privacy, as does the 1-2-1 configuration of business cabins and now, more often, individual privacy screens. Air France has pitched its new business class seats as a ‘cocoon in the sky’ for passengers. The seat has an innovative curved design, with a wrap-around, padded headboard, which creates a feeling of being in a cosy room. The innovations are continuing and airlines hardly have time to complete a fully deployment, than they introduce a new, more luxurious design. As airlines deploy more widebody aircraft on long haul routes, business class seats are becoming larger - often giving passengers nearly 2 metres to stretch out in lie-flat mode. SWISS offers one of the longest, with all of its long haul business seats at just over 2 metres. Added comfort features include built in massage functions and controls to customize seat hardness.
Singapore Airlines has quite possibly the widest seats, in its new business class on A380 aircraft, with ‘sofa-style’ seats that measure up to 86 cm across. Besides fully lie flat, the seats have extra positions for added relaxation, with a ‘Lazy Z’ cradling angle, to ensure the weight of the passenger is centred and the ‘Sundeck’ position, for lounging.
Fine dining experience
The trend for on board catering in business class is moving towards creating a dining experience more aligned with the expectations premium passengers would have in a restaurant. More and more airlines are now bringing influences of haute cuisine into their onboard dining, consulting with renowned chefs to create their premium cabin menus. Brussels Airlines features meals inspired and prepared by some of Belgium’s most renowned Michelin-starred chefs, using local, regional produce. Air France also has a refined dining programme, with menus from Michelin-starred chefs such as Joël Robuchon. Major air carriers are also starting to innovate in the way meals are presented and served, to bring on-board catering up to the next level. In August, Lufthansa introduced a restaurant service for its business class passengers on 30 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
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long haul routes. After the flight attendants have welcomed passengers on board, by name, they take their orders and set the table with ceramic crockery. Meals are then served directly from the galley, with service plates, rather than trays and flight trolleys. No less than 4,500 Lufthansa flight attendants have attended special training courses and the concept has already received an extremely positive response from passengers. The new restaurant service is already available on many of Lufthansa’s A380 operated flights and will be extended onto more long haul aircraft in October. Some airlines have even hired professionals from the catering world to enhance their business class dining. Etihad has onboard food and beverage managers to advise passengers on their menu and wine choices and guests can also dine at any time they choose. Turkish Airlines even has on board ‘Flying Chefs’, who assist the cabin crew in the preparation and presentation of meals. The full service lunch and dinner menus on Turkish Airlines begin with a selection of hors d’oeuvres served from a cart, followed by soup, main course selections and an assortment of fruit, cheeses and deserts.
The return of the onboard bar
However spacious and comfortable the seats, some passengers appreciate the possibility to have a change of scene during a long flight. The extra space afforded by the A380 superjumbo has given rise to the return of something little seen on board since the 1970s – the lobby-bar for premium passengers. Etihad, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Korean Air
½½ SINGAPORE AIRLINES
»» LUFTHANSA NEW ONBOARD RESTAURANT SERVICE
and Qantas are among the handful of airlines who have used part of the upper deck on the A380 as spaces for passengers to relax and socialize with other travellers. Inspired by boutique hotels, Etihad has christened its serviced bar ‘The Lobby’. Located on the Upper Deck of the A380 between First and Business Class, The Lobby seats up to six guests and is fitted with seatbelts, power supply and connectivity ports.
Airways are offering business class only flights as charter services. Surprisingly, the latest airline do so, in March this year, is low cost carrier Ryanair. Ryanair’s new ‘Business class only’ is a charter service with a maximum range of up to 6 hours. Flown on a customized Boeing 737-200, it is laid out with 60 reclining (but non-lie flat) business seats.
Business Class only airlines
Ryanair’s low-fare business model is an indication of the growing customer demand for cost-accessible comfort improvements, as economy class has generally become a more basic product. Besides the introduction of intermediary ‘economy plus’ cabins on long haul flights, increasing competition in the business class sector, means that passengers are able to upgrade at less cost than in the past – particularly if they are flexible with their choice of airline.
Finally, although not quite yet a trend, business classonly flights are on the rise. British Airways operates a scheduled Club World London City service that flies to New York JFK with 32 lie flat business seats. The carrier also flies business class only between Paris Orly and New York JFK and Newark, with its OpenSkies Biz Bed service, configured with 24 fully reclining flat bed seats. Other airlines, such as Korean Air, Emirates and Qatar
More accessible prices
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FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
AIR FRANCE
In Business class customers enjoy exceptional cuisine, signed by Michelinstarred chefs, and served with prestigious French wines. Various aperitifs, delicious main dishes, collections of desserts, are offered making your flight a real culinary adventure.
Coordinates Address: Brussels-Zuid/midi railway station: AIR FRANCE KLM Air&Rail Terminal Tel/Fax: BE Tel: +32 (0)2 620 01 84 fax: +32 (0)70 222 480 Tel/Fax: LU Tel: +352 27 302 006 fax: +52 27 30 20 08 Email: through www.airfrance.be and www.airfrance.lu Customer Support
Type of aircraft(s) Intercontinental fleet: Boeing B777, Airbus A380, A340, A330.
Name business class Intercontinental flights: Business
Frequent flyer program
Business seats In the Business cabin, Air France has designed a real cocoon in the sky. The seat adapts to the shape of each individual, from seating position to a real 2-meter long bed with direct aisle access.
Inflight entertainment In the Business cabin, customers have a wide touch screen offering a high definition image and noise-reduction headphones. The 16-inch screen (41 cm) offers a unique onboard navigation experience similar to a tablet.
Flying Blue
Extras
Lounge access
The seat’s soft foam is designed to offer impeccable quality of sleep. The bed’s enveloping and padded headboard conveys an impression of being in a warm, contemporary room, a signature feature of Air France seats.
Yes – Diamond lounge at Brussels Airport, Thalys Lounge&More, Air France lounges at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and New York. Lounges of local partners and SkyTeam Exclusive lounges located at several airports all over the world.
Limo service to the airport Yes – Taxi service to Brussels-Zuid/Midi railway station to all customers holding a return ticket in Business Class (value of min 2500€ ttc) issued via a travel agency in Belgium.
Priority boarding Yes
Extra luggage 2 pieces of luggage of 32kg each.1 extra luggage for Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members.
Own description On board the Business Cabin customer will discover the best of French lifestyle and enjoy a special moment of well-being. The amenity kit offered to each customer is also an invitation to take home some of Air France.
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
ALITALIA – SOCIETÀ AEREA ITALIANA
Alitalia’s new long haul Business Class introduces a restaurant-style ‘Dine Anytime’ service, along with a more personalised and unobtrusive delivery style from the cabin crew. Italian meals will be served at a time requested by the guest and will be served course by course and delivered by hand, removing the need for an aisle trolley and providing a bespoke dining experience.
Coordinates Address: Avenue Louise 149 Box 30 1050 Brussels – Belgium (Administration) Tel/fax: Tel + 32 2 551 11 28 – Fax + 32 2 551 11 43 E-mail: marketing.bru@alitalia.it Website: www.alitalia.be
Type of aircraft(s) AIRBUS A330 / A321 / A320 / A319, EMBRAER E190 / E175, BOEING B777
Name business class Business Class
Frequent flyer program Millemiglia
Lounge access Yes, Casa Alitalia
Priority boarding Yes
Extra luggage Two bags – Up to 32kg each
Business seats Alitalia’s new long haul business cabin features 22 fully-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access. There is a privacy divider for the centre seats and each seat has universal power and USB sockets.
Inflight entertainment Our individual in-flight entertainment system offers a variety of on-demand audio and video features (audio channels , films , documentaries , sitcoms , video games, cartoons and TV series). USB ports provide a direct connection for watching videosstored on personal devices.
Own description In our renovated long haul Business Class you can appreciate an exclusive and luxurious travel experience thanks to full-flat seats covered in rich leathers by Poltrona Frau, enjoy the new bedtime turn-down service and relax embraced in the soft fabrics of the blankets and pillows produced by Frette. In addition, while we continue to offer an elegant Italian dining experience we have now added new restaurant-style ‘dine Anytime’ menus that allow you to choose when to enjoy your meal.
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
AUSTRIAN AIRLINES AG
Restaurant service with flying Chef on board, catering partner Do&Co Viennese coffee house service.
Coordinates Address: Austrian Head Office, Office Park2,A-1300 Vienna Website: www.austrian.com
Type of aircraft(s) A319/320/321/B737/B767/B777
Name business class Business Class
Frequent flyer program Miles and More
Lounge access Yes. Austrian Senator Lounges, Austrian business lounges, Austrian HON lounge
Limo service to the airport Yes. red|cab transfer service (additional service to be paid as part of Austrian red|services: www.red-cab.com)
Priority boarding Yes
Extra luggage 2X32kg, 158 cm per piece maximum, HON, SEN, Star gold+ 1 additional piece, +one golf equipment, except to/from the USA
Business seats Individual adjustable lie flat sleeper seat with massage function and personal video screen
Inflight entertainment 12 video and audio channels
Own description The fleet has been totally refurbished
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
Brussels Airlines
BUSINESS CLASS LONGHAUL • A lovely start: Enjoy your choice of aperitif, including Laurent Perrier champagne, with a selection of delicious finger food • Gastronomic: 4-course menu with a selection of starters and main courses, with highlights from Belgian cuisine • Savour the best: Enjoy fine wines and spirits from prestigious cellars • Sweet delights: Indulge in our world-famous Belgian chocolates, desserts and ice-cream
Coordinates b.house, Brussels Airport, Airport bld 26, General Aviation - Ringbaan, B-1831 Diegem brusselsairlines.com
Type of aircraft(s) Avro RJ100, Bombardier DH8-Q400, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A319, Airbus A320
Name business class Business Class in longhaul, Bizz&Class in shorthaul
Frequent flyer program Miles & More for flights on the entire network, LOOP for flights in Europe
ECONOMY CLASS LONGHAUL • Fine Dining: Delicious Belgian and international dishes with an African Touch on our flights to Africa • Fine wines and spirits: Discover our large selection, including a sparkling wine aperitif
Business seats
Free airport transfer to /from selected cities in The Netherlands, North of France, Luxembourg and North Rhine-Westphalia, with a minimum fare level of €1500.
LONG HAUL Enjoy the wonderful experience of luxury, great service and relaxation in our Business Class, available on all our Airbus A330 aircraft. Luxurious 1.97m-long full flat bed with integrated massage function. Revolutionary inflight entertainment system with one of the largest individual Business Class touchscreens (15.3” or 39cm). Premium food & beverage concept. Brussels Airlines also introduces a brand new Economy Class upgrade with added benefits like extra legroom, exclusive seating area at the front of the economy cabin for €120 per leg
Priority boarding
Inflight entertainment
Yes For Flex&Fast, Bizz&Class and Miles & More Status passengers.
BUSINESS CLASS • State-of-the-art: Extra-large touchscreen (15.3” - 39cm), remote control of screen also available in all seat positions • Stay connected: Use the USB power port to recharge your personal device, or connect your laptop to the power port • Personalised entertainment: Watch videos saved on your iPad or other devices on the Business class screen
Lounge access Sunrise Lounge in T-Zone, The Loft in Terminal A, The Suite in Terminal B
Limo service to the airport
Extra luggage Payment is dependent upon the size and weight of the extra luggage and the class of travel
ECONOMY CLASS • Innovative technology: One of the largest individual touchscreens (8.9”- 23cm) • Captivating entertainment: Over 100 hours of video-on-demand. Available in 6 languages • Useful features: USB port to connect and recharge your iPod or smartphone, complimentary headsets
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
ETIHAD AIRWAYS, THE NATIONAL AIRLINE OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Coordinates
Our Food & Beverage Managers, recruited from the finest restaurants globally, will guide you through our extensive menu options and recommend the perfect accompaniment for your meal from a boutique wine list.
Telephone: 02 200 88 80 Website: www.etihad.com
Business seats
Type of aircraft(s)
Etihad is the only global airline that guarantees a fully-flat bed with aisleaccess on every long-haul flight.
A380, B787, A340 family, A330 family, A320 family, B777 family. Ordered: A350
Inflight entertainment
Name business class Business Class
Frequent flyer program For individual travellers: Etihad Guest (www.etihadguest.com) For companies: Etihad BusinessConnect (www.etihadbusinessconnect.com)
Stay entertained with hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment with the latest blockbusters, timeless classics and interactive games along with noise-cancelling headsets. A range of connection ports at your fingertips help you stay connected.
Extras
Yes, Etihad Chauffeur
The Business Studios on our A380 and B787 are the embodiment of style, simplicity and functionality. The seat converts into a comfortable fully-flat bed of up to 80.5”. Relax on all ultra long-haul flights on special mattresses for bedtime comfort in complimentary loungewear. With a special pneumatic comfort system to adjust the firmness of the seat, in-seat massage and lighting, all at the touch of a button, guests can customise the perfect environment for every stage of the journey.
Priority boarding
Own description
Yes
Business Class with Etihad is not business as usual. We have created spaces where guests can work, rest and play. We call it ‘intelligent living in the sky’. The luxury, comfort and service we offer in business equates to that of first class on other airlines.
Lounge access Yes, exclusive Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi; Brussels Airlines lounge in Brussels.
Limo service to the airport
Extra luggage General policy for all Business Class guests: 2 bags up to 32kg each (checked luggage) and 2 bags up to 12kg in total (carry-on luggage). Etihad Guest Silver members receive 1 additional bag up to 23kg. Etihad Guest Gold and Platinum members receive 1 additional bag up to 32 kg.
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
FINNAIR
On our intercontinental flights, Business Class menus have been created in cooperation with top Finnish chefs and every meal is completed with award-winning wines. Passengers can also preorder one of our three ‘Meals designed for you’ options.
Coordinates Address: Tietotie 9A, 01053 Finnair, FINLAND Website: www.finnair.com
Type of aircraft(s) Long Haul: Airbus A330/A340/A350 equipped with flatbed Business Class seats Short Haul: Airbus A319/A320/A321, Embraer E170/E190, ATR72/42
Name business class Business Class
Frequent flyer program Finnair Plus
Lounge access
Business seats Our full-flat seats transform into a 200cm long horizontal bed, offering more room and privacy to work, dine and sleep while in the air. Business Class seats on Airbus A330/340 are equipped with 12” screens. On A350 passengers enjoy 16” multitouch screens. In-seat power and USB sockets are available on all long-haul aircrafts.
Inflight entertainment On our intercontinental flights we offer a wide selection of movies, TV series, music and games. Free on-board Wi-Fi is available for all Business Class passengers on the new Finnair Airbus A350 aircraft.
Yes. Finnair has three lounges at Helsinki airport, two of them are reserved for Business Class passengers and Finnair Plus and oneworld tier members. The third, Premium Lounge is reserved only for Finnair Plus Gold and Platinum as well as oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers.
Extras
Limo service to the airport
Finnair - the fast airline between Europe and Asia – connects Europe with 17 destinations in Asia via Helsinki airport. Our destinations in Asia are Bangkok, Beijing, Chongqing, Delhi, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Krabi, Nagoya, Osaka, Phuket, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Xi’an. Finnair is part of the oneworld alliance.
No
Priority boarding Yes
Extra luggage Checked-baggage allowance is three pieces in long-haul flights and two pieces in short-haul flights in addition to two pieces of carry-on baggage.
At Helsinki Airport all departure gates are under one roof in one terminal building ensuring smooth and easy transfer in 35 minutes.
Own description
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES
World Business Class meals are prepared by Michelin stared top chefs and served on tableware created by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. Customers can create their personalized dinner with choice of starters, main dishes and desserts.
Coordinates Address: Brussels-Zuid/midi railway station: AIR FRANCE KLM Air&Rail Terminal Tel/Fax: BE Tel: +32 (0)2 620 02 20 fax: +32 (0)2 717 20 00 Tel/Fax: LU Tel: +352 27 302 307 fax: +32 (0)2 717 20 00 Email: through www.klm.be and www.klm.lu Customer Support
Type of aircraft(s) Intercontinental fleet: Boeing B787 Dreamliner, B777, B747, Airbus A330.
Name business class
Business seats The full-flat seat is made for your comfort and reclines into a full bed making it one of the longest seats in the air. Equipped on all Boeing B787 Dreamliner, B747, B777-200, and currently installed on B777-300ER.
Inflight entertainment
Intercontinental flights: World Business Class. European flights: Europe Business Class
Enjoy personal entertainment on a 17-inch HD-quality touchscreen, interactive 3D Moving map and a ‘seat chat’ app that allows you to communicate with other passengers who are seated elsewhere in the cabin.
Frequent flyer program
Extras
Flying Blue
Designed by the Dutch leading designer, Hella Jongerus, the KLM World Business Class truly offers customers a feel-at-home sensation. Customers travelling on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner will enjoy direct aisle access and a Wi-Fi connectivity.
Lounge access Yes – Diamond lounge at Brussels Airport, Thalys Lounge&More, KLM Crown Lounges at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Toronto and Houston, lounges of local partners and SkyTeam Exclusive lounges located at several airports all over the world.
Limo service to the airport Yes – KLM offers free limo service to Brussels Airport and/or Amsterdam Airport Shiphol to all customers holding a return ticket in Business Class (value of min 2500€ ttc) issued via a travel agency in Belgium.
Priority boarding Yes
Extra luggage 2 pieces of luggage of 32kg each.1 extra luggage for Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum members.
Own description The KLM World Business Class provide supreme comfort and more personal space for customers. On top, the refreshingly personal service provided by the KLM crew results in a welcoming experience that delivers on KLM’s promise to provide a “Journey of Inspiration”.
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES
Address: Brussels Airport Website: www.LH.com
New restaurant service in Lufthansa Business Class The motto of our new Lufthansa Business Class Restaurant Service is “Exclusivity born of tradition. Excellence born of passion.” With this service initiative on intercontinental flights, you will enjoy even more individual and personal attention on board.
Type of aircraft(s)
Business seats
A308-800/A340-600/A340-300/A330-300/B747-800/B747-400
Miles & More
Feel at ease from the start Travel in Lufthansa Business Class and arrive rested at your destination. Relax before your departure in the Lufthansa Business Lounge and enjoy excellent service on board. The new Lufthansa Business Class seat transforms into an almost 2-metre-long, fully flat bed – ideal if you wish to relax during a long flight. The open-design of the cabin, the seat configuration and the colour scheme in subtle, natural shades all help to create a feeling of spaciousness.
Lounge access
Inflight entertainment
Yes, Business Class Lounge
Lufthansa in-flight entertainment guarantees you great entertainment on board – whether on the in-seat screen on long-haul flights or through the Lufthansa Entertainment app on your mobile device on selected medium-haul aircraft.
Coordinates
Name business class Lufthansa Business Class
Frequent flyer program
Limo service to the airport No
Priority boarding Yes, Priority Check-in and boarding
Extra luggage Senators/HON circle Members/ Star Gold Members: 3 bags up to 32kg each.
Extras Limitless communication on long-haul flights Have a quick chat with your Facebook friends, answer important emails or text your exact arrival time to your family. With Lufthansa FlyNet® your communication options on long-haul routes are simply limitless. With FlyNet® we offer you two different services: Internet access via WLAN or mobile telephony via GSM. So you can use whichever suits your personal purposes and your electronic equipment.
Own description Just being comfortable was yesterday – today you can look forward to more. The star of the new Lufthansa Business Class is the new seat, now available on all LH long-haul flights, which, among other things, provides you with a completely horizontal surface to sleep on, assuring that you arrive at your destination feeling even more rested. But it is not only the new seat that makes the difference and that assures you to enjoy an excellent travel experience in Lufthansa Business Class. Be it flexible check-in with Lufthansa’s eFly services, the preferential baggage service or relaxing with a drink and a snack in the Lufthansa Business Lounge before departure, our promise of providing you with a special service is already apparent in many details on the ground too.
FACTSHEET Official name of the Company
Catering
SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES
SWISS Taste of Switzerland is served on all long-haul flights departing from Switzerland. This award-winning gastronomic concept lets top Swiss chefs interpret the culinary variety of our country in their own unique ways. The results are seasonal dishes from Swiss regions that impress and delight.
Coordinates Address: Swiss international Air Lines, Customer Service, Postbox2013, 8032 ZĂźrich, Switzerland Website: SWISS.com
Business seats
SWISS Business
The Business Class seat on the A330/A340 automatically converts into a bed over two metres long. The built-in massage function provides additional relaxation. Lots of space, your own screen and additional storage space provide additional comfort. The A330 seat has in addition a connection for an iPod and a USB connection. Business Class on the Boeing 777-300ER has additional features for more privacy and space for storing your personal belongings plus a new, easy-tohandle table will make your flight even more comfortable.
Frequent flyer program
Inflight entertainment
Miles & More
SWISS Business Lounge in Zurich (Terminal A, D, E), SWISS Arrival Lounge in Zurich, SWISS Business Lounge in Geneva, And more around the world
SWISS has a wide range from over 140 films and just as many TV programmes. In additional, SWISS offers over 400 CDs and a variety of music channels and magazines. SWISS offers its customers aloft internet connections for the first time with its new Boeing 777-300ER.
Priority boarding
Own description
Traveller can go to the aircraft short before departure with limited waiting period.
SWISS is byword for traditional Swiss Values. True to its roots, the company is dedicated to providing the highest possible quality in all its products and services. SWISS Business is an experience from start to end. Being it the tranquil lounges, your personal space in the cabin, the exclusive on-board ambiance, the personalized care from our crew, our award winning culinary concepts or the two meter beds above the clouds, your flight will be nothing less than a relaxing journey.
Type of aircraft(s) Airbus: A340-300, A330-300, A321-111, A320-214, 319-112, Avro: Avro RJ100, Boeing: Boeing 777-300ER (Replacing A340), Bombardier: CSeries 100 and CSeries 130 (Replacing Avro RJ as from mid-2016)
Name business class
Lounge access
Extra luggage 2 x 8kg Hand Baggage, 2 x 32kg Checked baggage. One additional checked baggage for HON Circle members, Senators, Star Alliance Gold members
Amadeus for Corporations Connected business travel
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DESTINATIONS
Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp opening for business! With the much anticipated opening of the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center, Antwerp now has everything the corporate traveller could need, in addition to its excellent hotel facilities and direct transport links to several major European cities. The center will open its doors for business at the end of November this year.
The concept
A
GREEN OASIS IN THE HEART OF THE HISTORIC CITY, THE NEW CONGRESS CENTER IS LOCATED IN ANTWERP’S ZOO GARDENS. Its historic and ultra-modern build-
ings are joined by a high-ceilinged, light-flooded atrium of over 2,100m2, ideally designed for receptions, gala dinners and exhibitions.
The star of the complex is the new 1,850-seat Elisabeth Auditorium. Featuring state of the art technical and logistical supports, the auditorium can be used for everything from congresses to concerts. A further 20 to 30 rooms and halls offer a varied choice for meetings and events. Modern new spaces are complemented by unique, historic venues such as the Marble Room and the Winter Garden, with its iron and glass-domed ceilings.
A room with a zoo
Above all, the center opens up a truly original set of experiences for organisers, with its setting in Antwerp’s 19th century zoo and botanical gardens. Here, delegates can enjoy an early morning run, a gastronomic dinner, or network over cocktails in a beautiful green setting amidst exotic plants and animals from around the world. The center’s unique concept was developed by Ian Simpson Architects from Manchester, Bureau Bouwtechniek and Chicago-based Kirkegaard Associates, to create an inspiring and energy-efficient venue which makes extensive use of natural light and environmentally-friendly materials. “I consciously chose natural light and clarity above elegance as the leitmotiv for this project” commented Ian Simpson. “It stands as a symbol for the city of Antwerp and will inspire every visitor”. 42 | THE CORPORATE TRAVELLER.BE
SUMMER 2016 |
The project, promoted by the Antwerp Zoo Society, has been in planning for some years and is eagerly anticipated. The venue is already in high demand for international conferences and the centre already has several congress bookings lined up until 2019.
Antwerp for businesses and tourism
Just like its new center, Antwerp is a blend of the ancient and modern. Rich in culture and the arts, some of its beautiful historic buildings date back to the middle ages. Antwerp is, however, best known as a major business hub for diamonds, fashion, chemicals and petrochemicals, as well as being one of the world’s biggest sea ports. Transport links to the new center are fast and convenient. Antwerp’s international train station, just a two minute walk away, provides high speed rail links to Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Paris and Cologne, as well as links to Brussels Airport (with over 200 direct destinations) and Antwerp Airport, which serves London City Airport. Moreover, the city boasts an impressive hotel park of over 4,600 guest rooms. The arrival of the new Flanders Meetings & Convention Center Antwerp gives the city the missing piece of the puzzle needed to compete as a major MICE destination.
VISIT
BRUGES UNESCO World Heritage
Unforgettable Venue One of Bruges’ most eminent venues with flawless attention to detail and produces a framework that ensures success for your
Our
Board meetings
Incentives
Business Events
Private Diners
ce n e l l e c x E for e g n e l l a h C
Discover your next venue, situated in the heart of Bruges, rich in history & gastronomy
www.hotel-heritage.com Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage Tel : +32 50 444 444 Fax : +32 50 444 440 info@hotel-heritage.com - www.hotel-heritage.com