TRAVELFind out how your company policy could work harder

STAYDiscover a home from home in our round-up of cosy retreats

CONNECTHow meetings and events are evolving in the digital age

A CAPITA TRAVEL AND EVENTS PUBLICATIONISSUE 10

THE NEW NEWCASTLEWhy the northeast has never been a better place to do business

001_CAPITA_COVER.indd 1 03/07/2015 14:58

Free Wi-Fi | Convenient Locations | Free Global Loyalty Programme

Business trips shouldn’t be bland and characterless. At Best Western you can stay in a medieval castle, a hotel that

makes its own chocolates or even a hotel with its own vineyard.

With 4,000 personality packed hotels in over 100 countries Best Western is the world’s largest hotel family. With consistently high

quality standards our hotels make the perfect base for business stays.

For more information contact Capita Travel and EventsPhotography (clockwise from main image): BEST WESTERN PREMIER Queen Hotel, Chester BEST WESTERN Leigh Park Country House Hotel & Vineyard, BathBEST WESTERN PLUS Maldron Hotel, CardiffBEST WESTERN Mornington Hotel, London

capita.indd 1 18/03/2015 16:24Best Western_Captia_Issue10_15.indd 1 09/06/2015 09:47002_CAPITA_Issue10_15.indd 2 02/07/2015 12:09

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 3

ISSUE 10

I N T H I SI S S U E

ContentsCO

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5 WELCOMEJames Parkhouse returns to the helm as chief executive officer of Capita Travel and Events

p65

p18

Minutes

8 10 THINGS TO TAKE ON BOARDLow-cost rail services, six key ‘traveller tribes’ and luxury at Heathrow – we round up key industry stories

9 SERVICE UPDATEFrom new accolades to green initiatives: the latest from Capita Travel and Events

11 10 TOPSmart ways to make the most of your time on the move

12 A TO B Key facts and stats about London’s new Night Tube

13 YOU KNOW YOU’RE ON A…Discover the USPs of a journey with Virgin Trains, from great destinations to fabulous first class

15 TALKING POINTIs sharing caring? We ask the experts how the sharing economy will affect business travel

16 ZEITGEISTGeneration tech: how the travel industry is responding to the needs of millennials

17 HAVE YOU TRIED…Business travel needn’t mean a traditional hotel – try these digs with a difference

18 AROUND THE WORLD Growth is up in Madrid, the Spanish capital, and there are plenty of reasons to book a visit

22 THAT FIGURESYour infographic guide to the latest UK rail booking figures and trends

Features

24 DESTINATION: NEWCASTLEHow the city on the Tyne went from industrial powerhouse

to sustainable business hub

30 BRIEFINGFrom super-smart apps to advanced

videoconferencing: the meetings and events sector is evolving fast

39 EIGHT OF THE BEST: COSY RETREATSBooking ahead for winter? You’re sure of a warm welcome at these inviting hotels

42 THE GUIDEEssential advice for stays in Southampton

44 ROOM IN A VIEWA peek inside a business class room at the Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport

48 AMBA HOTEL CHARING CROSSCheck into the ‘newest old hotel’ in London

52 CASE NOTESCould your company travel policy work harder? Find out how we’re working with Direct Line Group to keep travellers happy

Insider’s guide

57 TRICK OF THE TRADEGamification made easy

58 TRAVEL CLINICDelegate issues, staying well – your issues sorted by our experts

59 EXPERT EYEBusiness travel strategy specialist Betty Low explains airline revenue management

60 INSIDE OUTA guide to some of the latest hotels and venues across the globe

62 IN THE EVENT Event manager Nicole Unsworth plans the perfect festive party

65 TAKE FIVEEven seasoned travellers will be amazed by these unique runways

66 DAY IN THE LIFEOn the road with TBR Global chauffeur David Molesworth

003_CAPITA_CONTENTSv2.indd 3 03/07/2015 15:01

E X P E R I E N C EM E E T I N G S

E X P E R I E N C ES U C C E S S

ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS IN MORE THAN 24 ICONIC HOTELS ACROSS UK AND IRELAND! EXPERIENCE MEETINGS IS RADISSON BLU’S CONCEPT FOR MEETINGS

AND EVENTS THAT HARMONISES THE MEETING ESSENTIALS: BREAKOUT ROOMS, FOOD AND CONNECTIVITY WITH SERVICE, SATISFACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY.

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HOTELS DESIGNED TO SAY YES!‘For more information, contact Capita Travel and Events’

167854 LONPH NB Ad EXME Capita travel Magazine UK (215x275).indd 1 08/06/15 13:58004_CAPITA_Issue10_15.indd 4 02/07/2015 12:14

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 5

I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back in the driving seat of such a great business as Capita Travel and Events. Having returned to the role of chief

executive officer in May, some of you may already know me. I’ve received many messages of support from both our employees and customers, and the warm response has confirmed for me that coming back to lead the business was the right decision.

The five years of leading Capita Travel and Events from 2008 to 2013 were the most professionally and personally fulfilling of my career – heading up a fantastic team in the creation of a unique business. We set out to shake up the travel and events market, and by

bringing together leading industry players Capita Business Travel, BSI, Expotel and Venues Event

Management, we did just that. Each additional business brought us people with pride in, and passion for, their area of expertise, resulting in our ability to create Capita Travel and Events.

We carved out a place as a specialist provider of

WelcomeFIT FOR THE FUTURE

For Capita Travel and Events:Head of marketing Neal PooleSenior marketing executive Suzi JohnsonMarketing executive Toni ByrneFor Think:Group editor Claire SargentStaff writer James PulfordSenior sub-editor Camilla Cary-ElwesArt editor Clair WilliamsAccount director Rachel WalderManaging director Polly Arnold

Capita Travel and EventsMeridian Court, 18 Stanier WayWyvern Business Park, Derby DE21 6BFt: 0871 521 9800Calls will cost 13 pence per minute, plus your telephone company’s access charge

e: travelandevents@capita.co.uk @CapTravelEventswww.capitatravelandevents.co.uk

Destination © 2015ISSN 2052-4536 Published on behalf of Capita Travel and Events by Think Capital House25 Chapel StreetLondon NW1 5DHt: 020 3771 7200e: destination@thinkpublishing.co.uk

Printed by Taylor Bloxham, Leicester

travel and events to our growing number of customers, and we won your respect, and that of our industry, for building something that you needed.

As we head towards 2016, we continue to focus on the objectives for our business, for our people and for you, our customers. Our proposition has been built on delivering specialist skills and expertise to customers across all our areas of work, and through people who know and understand the value of specialised services. We’re making sure that this remains at the heart of what we do, and Destination will be just one of the ways we will keep you updated – so thank you for reading.

Planning a winter event or

conference and looking for somewhere cosy to connect? Look no

further than our round-up of the most inviting getaways –

see page 39

Capita Travel and Events does not necessarily agree with, nor guarantee the accuracy of, statements made by contributors or advertisers, or accept responsibility for any opinions they may express in this publication.

James Parkhouse, chief executive o�cer, Capita Travel and Events

005_CAPITA_WELCOMEv2.indd 5 03/07/2015 15:02

The new Premium Economy Class: for those who want more

More space.More service.More than comfortable.

We know it’s the little things in life that mean the most, which is why we’ve packed the new Premium Economy Class full of extras, including wider seats and additional legroom for up to 50% more space, double the baggage allowance and a free welcome drink when you board the plane. So all that remains is for you to sit back, relax and en oy your flight e en more.

For more information, contact Capita Travel and Events

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006_CAPITA_Issue10_15.indd 6 02/07/2015 12:16

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 7

This issue:INDUSTRY INSIGHTSMAXIMISE YOUR TIME

THE NIGHT TUBEVIRGIN TRAINS

MARRIOTT MEETINGSTHE SHARING ECONOMY

REACHING MILLENNIALSDIFFERENT DIGS

COLOURFUL MADRIDGLOBAL GLEANINGS

MinutesYour round-up of news, views, trends, tips and must-know insights from across the travel, accommodation, meetings and events industry

Don’t miss our essential guide to Madrid for business travellers on page 18

I N B R I E FG

ETTY

007_CAPITA_MINUTES OPENER.indd 7 03/07/2015 15:23

THINGS TO TAKE ON BOARD

x2

FirstGroup is hoping to launch a fast, low-cost rail service between London and Edinburgh to compete with the

budget airlines already serving the two cities. The proposed single-class trains would run five times a day from London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, and could be in operation from 2018 if FirstGroup’s application is successful. Two-thirds of trips between the capitals are currently made by plane. In a similar attempt to lure business travellers, Virgin Trains East Coast has reduced fares by 10% on its London-Leeds and London-Edinburgh services, and will introduce faster trains from 2018.

Gatwick Airport will double its rail capacity

over the next five years. From spring 2016, new Thameslink trains will serve the station on the Brighton to Bedford line, while from 2018 the airport will be directly connected to both Peterborough and Cambridge, thanks to a £6.5bn upgrade programme. The Gatwick Express is also due to roll out brand new carriages, built by Bombardier, from early 2016. Gatwick has promised to start a £20m fund to support new domestic flight routes, if it were to get the go-ahead to build a new runway.

8 I S S U E 1 0 | D E S T I N A T I O N

According to research by travel tech firm Amadeus, there are six key ‘traveller tribes’. Its Future Traveller Tribes 2030 report

identified ‘social capital seekers’, who share their travels online; ‘cultural purists’, who immerse themselves in local life; ‘ethical travellers’, who choose responsibly; ‘simplicity searchers’, who outsource for an easy life; ‘obligation meeters’, who need to be in a certain place at a certain time; and ‘reward hunters’, who seek self-indulgence. Amadeus stresses the need for a more sophisticated approach to retailing to these ‘tribes’.

The value of the UK events sector in 2014,

according to this year’s UK Conference and Meeting Survey. The research found there were around 1.28 million business events last year in the UK, the combined value of which had increased by £2bn from 2013. It also found the average event duration to be 1.6 days, although 64% of events lasted one day or less. The average daily delegate rate for business events was £46 including VAT. A similar level of growth is expected in 2015, with events such as the Rugby World Cup, the Barclays ATP World Tour and the World Travel Market strengthening the sector.

South West Trains will invest £50m in service

improvements by February 2017. Smart ticketing and an improved online booking system are among the improvements to be made on the Stagecoach-owned franchise, as well as a new website and mobile app. There will also be extra train services in the evenings and at weekends, as part of the new investment deal authorised by the Department for Transport. Stagecoach is currently trying to extend the current South West Trains franchise, due to end in 2017, until April 2019.

India will enjoy a business travel boom over the coming decades, according to a new report. The Global Business

Travel Association (GBTA) predicts total business travel spend in the subcontinent will shoot up by 9.8% this year and by a further 10.9% in 2016. “India is poised for economic harmony, as the region is strongly growing in the short-term and is also in an excellent position for the long-term,” said GBTA’s Michael W McCormick.

NEWS DIGESTOur round-up of top industry stories from the past few months

008-009_CAPITA_NEWS DIGESTv2.indd 8 03/07/2015 15:14

I N B R I E F

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 9

SERVICE UPDATE

Heathrow Airport is opening an independent luxury lounge and spa at Terminal 5 this summer. The new facility, a joint

venture between Collinson Group and Swissport, will be available to every passenger, regardless of ticket class. The airport has also unveiled plans to increase penalty charges for noisy, polluting aircraft, in a bid to encourage airlines to fl y cleaner, quieter planes. Meanwhile, with the Airports Commission backing a new runway at Heathrow rather than Gatwick, a recent report from the London First business lobby group suggested that the capital’s businesses also favour Heathrow expansion.

Growth for premium airline tickets remains fl at, according to fi gures released by the International Air

Transport Association (IATA). The demand for premium fl ights within Europe slowed to a growth of 0.4%, while global premium air travel grew by just 2.3% in February 2015, compared with 4.1% growth for the same month in 2014. Economy tra� c, on the other hand, grew by 4.8% during the same period.

The total area of meeting space in the brand new

Hilton Barra Rio de Janeiro is 1,300m2. The hotel is the group’s fi rst in the Brazilian city. Facilities include 10 meeting rooms, 298 bedrooms, a restaurant and a rooftop swimming pool. The hotel is just 30 minutes from Galeão International Airport and fi ve minutes from the Olympic Park, set to host next year’s Games.

In other hotel news, Marriott International has opened a new property in Anji province, east of Shanghai, the group’s 11th hotel in China, while Accorhotels has unveiled plans to open a Mercure property in Derby and an Ibis Styles hotel in Leeds. Elsewhere, Center Parcs has announced it will open its fi rst holiday village in Ireland in 2019.

Virgin Trains’ East Coast Main Line carried

4.3 million customers during its fi rst 100 days of operation. Meanwhile, Virgin Trains revealed the new livery for its East Coast Main Line trains on a service departing from Edinburgh Waverley this summer. The red and white branding was unveiled on an Intercity 125, on the route Virgin started running in March. The company expects to have repainted all of its fl eet of 14 Intercity 125 trains and 31 Intercity 225 trains by November this year.

Rising starCapita Travel and Events’ event director Alex Beaken was named among the rising stars on Conference & Incentive Travel (C&IT) magazine’s annual ‘A List’. Now in its seventh year, the list brings together the top 35 UK event agency professionals aged 35 and under.

Alex’s inclusion is a ringing endorsement of his work and testament to the wider team’s commitment to delivering results forits brands.

Treasured successFinance professionals travelled to London from across the globe in June for the annual Adam Smith Awards, a global benchmark for achievement in corporate treasury. Capita Travel and Events was awarded Best Card Solution for a 2014 project to implement a system enhancing effi ciency and quality control. Joy Knapp, Capita Travel and Events’ head of fi nance operations, said: “I’m delighted our team is recognised for completing this while maintaining the high level of service that our customers expect.”

Championing sustainabilityCapita Travel and Events’ director of partnerships, Leigh Cowlishaw, has taken on a new role chairing the Hotel Booking Agency Association’s (HBAA) new Technology, Innovation and Sustainability (TIS) committee. It was launched at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, to champion sustainability among the association’s agency and venue members. It replaces the Technology, Innovation and Environment Committee.

Outstanding effortsTwo members of Capita Travel and Events’ team (pictured below) were among the fi nalists at The People Awards, the yearly business travel awards ceremony in partnership with The Business Travel Magazine. Nickie Grimston made it to the fi nal in the Reservations Consultant of the Year category, while Chris Piggin was shortlisted for Account Manager of the Year. The ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel recognised outstanding individuals and teams across all aspects of the business travel sector.

The latest news from Capita Travel and Events

008-009_CAPITA_NEWS DIGESTv2.indd 9 08/07/2015 12:21

Stay switched on. Join On Business.On Business is the loyalty programme for smart

business travellers. Members can choose to collect

and redeem On Business points across British Airways,

American Airlines and Iberia, or enjoy discounts on

selected flights, as well as member-only offers. Plus,

join free today to enjoy a welcome bonus of triple

points on the first six eligible flights within the first

12 months of membership.

For more information contact Capita Travel and Events.

010_CAPITA_Issue10_15.indd 10 02/07/2015 12:16

Find out more

Need help managing your travel plans? Contact the experts at Capita Travel and Events

WAYS TO MAXIMISE YOUR TIME ON THE MOVE

10 TOP

Long journeys and hanging around at airports and stations can be frustrating for business travellers, but waiting time needn’t be wasted time, says James Pulford

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 11

I N B R I E F

1 Hone your concentration skills. Airports, train stations and hotel

lobbies aren’t always the most conducive environments to work – but learning to focus is key if you want to be productive. Start by tackling low-level tasks in small chunks of time and you’ll build up your ability to concentrate on the go.

2 Tick some boxes. While you’re waiting at the airport or train station,

put together a checklist of what you want to achieve on your trip. Define your objectives and set yourself manageable steps to achieve them. So-called dead time is a chance to tackle admin such as to-do lists or schedules.

3 Read up on your destination. Whether you’re en route to Rio or

Reading, it’s worth learning a bit about where you’re going, even if it’s just working out where your hotel is or sussing out places to entertain colleagues or customers. Our knowledgeable travel team at Capita Travel and Events can o�er advice. You can also opt to add maps to your booking confirmations, to give you a head start on getting around.

4 Catch up on the non-essentials. If you can’t get on with your day job

on the move, take the opportunity to swot

up on all the industry news and trends you’ve been meaning to read. Streamline your reading matter with apps such as Flipboard or feedly, which bring you a personalised feed of news and content.

5 Pamper yourself. Why not invest some time in your wellbeing in

order to start your trip feeling relaxed, refreshed and confident? Spas, salons and grooming lounges are popping up in airports around the world, o�ering everything from massages to mud baths and oxygen therapy to aromatherapy. Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh are among the UK airports now o�ering spa and massage therapies.

6 …or get in training. More and more airports are acquiring their

own gyms and fitness centres, so arrive early to make full use of the facilities. Dubai International Airport, for example, boasts treadmills, exercise bikes, weights and even a sauna, and is open 24 hours. You’ll be smashing through sets and reps in no time.

7 Prep your tech. Download any apps you might need, such as currency

converters or language translators. Check in advance if there’s Wi-Fi on the train or plane, and if not, fire o� any last messages before

you go. And take your IT team’s contact details, in case you need them on the move.

8 Make contacts. Certain airlines now o�er business travellers the unique

experience of networking at 39,000 feet. KLM’s Meet & Seat service, for instance, means travellers flying from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can check out the LinkedIn and Facebook profiles of other passengers, and see where they’re sitting.

9 Touch base with your team. If you’ve made a schedule for your trip, pass

it on to your team so they know when to contact you – and when not to. A few spare minutes can be the ideal time to check in with your colleagues by phone or email and make sure everything’s going smoothly.

10 Relax and take it easy. Laptops, tablets and mobile devices have

made it so easy to work on the go, it can be hard to switch o�. However, there’s much to be said for unplugging yourself and taking some time out.

GET

TY IM

AGES

011_CAPITA_TOP10v3.indd 11 03/07/2015 15:21

DATES

THE NIGHT TUBE A TO B

With London’s population set to soar to 10 million by 2030, its Underground services will start running 24 hours a day at weekends from September to meet demand.

e e a e some ey facts and fi g es ehind the so called ight T e

© T

T

12 I S S U E 1 0 E T T

DATES FOR YOUR DIARYT avel sho s fashion ins i ation s o ting fi t es the e’s lenty coming ove the ne t fe months If you’re planning to attend one of these events, now’s the time to book your travel and accommodation

CALENDAR

Service update

m e of stations that ill initially e se ved y the ight T e 144

6 TRAINS PER HOUR

n the ent al ilee iccadilly

and Victoria lines

Estimated number of trips that will be made between 00.30am and 6am

180,000

20 MINUTES ve age time the ight T e ill save

travellers per journey (or up to an hour on certain routes)

The iccadilly line ill n all the ay to eath o giving t avelle s ith a ight efo e

7am an easy way of getting to the airport

560,000 m e of eo le

who currently use the T e afte m on

idays and at days

12 SEPTEMBER 2015

T ains ill n th o gh the night on idays and at days f om

o eve y £1 spent on the

ight T e the economic

enefi ts ill be £2.70

EVERY 10 MINUTES OR LESS ve age frequency of

ight T e t ains

The oost it ill give to London’s economy over 30 years

£360m

The inc ease in night bus use since 2000

170% By 2017 it could be rolled out to the London

ve g o nd and by 2021 to the oc lands

ight ail ay

January 2016

8-10 January Telegraph Travel Show, ExCel, London

21-24 January Destinations, EventCity, Manchester

11-12 November The 50+ Travel Show, SECC, Glasgow

15-22 November Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, The O2

December 2015

4-8 DecemberClothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham

15-21 December The London International Horse Show, Olympia

November 2015

2-5 November World Travel Market, ExCel, London

5-8 November The Luxury Travel Fair, Olympia, London

8 TRAINS PER HOUR

n the o the n line

012-013_CAPITA_ATOBv2.indd 12 03/07/2015 15:26

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 13

VIRGIN TRAINS JOURNEY MARRIOTT MEETINGSTHE BIG TICKET

A new partnership between Marriott Hotels and First Great Western is making it easier than ever to organise meetings and events. Get ready to go west…

YOU KNOW YOU’RE ON A

ALA

MY

I N B R I E F

What is it?First Great Western has teamed up with Marriott

otels to o e an allinclusive rail travel and hotel package for meetings and confe ences of delegates. Just one booking covers First Great Western rail travel to your chosen Marriott venue from London or Reading, plus meeting space, overnight accommodation and meals.

Sounds handy. How does it work? It’s simple – you’ll get a return train ticket from either London Paddington or Reading to your choice of locations served by First Great Western and Marriott

otels a di he sto Bristol, Swansea or Swindon.

What happens next? Once you arrive at your chosen hotel venue, lunch will be served, preparing the group for the afternoon

meeting session. At the end of the day your group will enjoy dinner in the hotel and comfy Marriott beds to sleep in. In the morning you’ll have breakfast and anothe half day meeting session, followed by lunch. Once the work is done, your delegates can travel back to London or Reading in style.

What does it cost? The all incl sive ac age of services outlined above comes at a ate of e person in standard class t avel o e e son in fi st class

How do I fi nd out more?Contact Capita Travel and Events for more information.

When… You’re en route to one of the UK’s greatest destinations. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London are among the cities served.

When… First class is truly exceptional. As well as a range of tasty meals served at your table, you’ll have plenty of personal space, a reclining seat and complimentary Wi-Fi. There’s also at least one quiet coach per train.

When… You can choose from the latest ticket options. E-tickets allow passengers to print out at home, while mobile tickets – accessible via the Virgin Trains app – mean you’ll never have to queue at the ticket desk again. Naturally, however, paper tickets are also available.

When… Travelling by train can be easier – if not faster – than travelling by plane. You might only be in the air for less than an hour when fl ying from London to Manchester, but when you factor in waiting and transfer times, it can make more sense to go by rail and arrive right in the city centre.

When… You can travel from Birmingham or Manchester to Europe in one easy booking. Since Virgin Trains teamed up with Eurostar it has o� ered fares from Birmingham to Brussels or Paris, and Manchester to Paris. Bon voyage!

For advice on organising your travel, meetings and events around busy dates, or to arrange a trip to any of these events, contact Capita Travel and Events

DON’TFORGET

Great for: Getting out of the capital and booking travel and meeting space in the west of England and South Wales in one handy, cost-e� ective package.

Hidden bonus: Inclusive means inclusive. This not only applies to the accommodation and meals, but your meeting room will include all the essential kit you’ll need, plus unlimited light refreshments.

Tip: Want to stay on longer? No worries. Your basic package can easily be extended for business or leisure purposes.

IN A NUTSHELL...

23-24 January The Adventure Travel Show, Olympia, London

29-31 January The France Show 2016, Olympia, London

February 2016

4-7 February Destinations, Olympia, London

24-25 February The Business Travel Show, Olympia, London

March 2016

10-13 March Crufts, NEC, Birmingham

15-18 March Cheltenham Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse

April 2016

7-9 April The Grand National, Aintree

16 April – 2 May Betfred Snooker World Championship, The Crucible Theatre, She� eld

012-013_CAPITA_ATOBv2.indd 13 03/07/2015 15:26

I N B R I E F

C A P I T A T R A V E L A N D E V E N T S 15

The best way to describe the e� ect of the sharing economy on business travel is to say it’s a new disrupter in the digital world. For the millennial generation, apps that let people share

and sell skills or resources online have become essential. The rapid rise of a site like Airbnb shows how the sharing economy has really caught the interest of younger travellers.

But it’s not without problems. Security, for instance, is a major concern. Staying in someone’s house or spare room clearly isn’t as safe as staying in a hotel – and businesses will be put off if they’re concerned about the security of their employees. Sites such as Airbnb have also experienced problems with laws in diff erent jurisdictions around the world. That’s a major issue they will have to overcome in order to meet the needs of business travellers.

There isn’t a huge appetite in the corporate world to stay in someone else’s spare room, and this kind of accommodation can lack the facilities o� ered by hotels. If it’s just a normal block of fl ats, there won’t be a restaurant, gym or bar on site, for example – and that’s a signifi cant downside for many business travellers at the end of a working day.

Costing can also be a challenge. When you book a hotel, the price of a room for the night is clear, but with a peer-to-peer network it isn’t always obvious how much you’re spending. There can be extra costs such as cleaning or booking fees. Time-conscious business travellers want to book with one price that has no hidden extras.

We’d be interested in integrating our accommodation services with those of the sharing economy in the future, but it will have to become smarter and safer fi rst. Our primary concern is the wellbeing of our corporate customers – we need to know that hotels meet minimum requirements.

Sam Welch is director of consulting services – accommodation and meetings

WE RAISE A GLASS TO THOSE CHAMPIONING SUSTAINABILITY

IS SHARING CARING?TALKING POINT

From renting out rooms to running taxi services, there’s a DIY app or site for everything these days – and the so-called sharing economy is big business. But how will peer-to-peer providers such as Airbnb and Uber impact the business travel industry?

THE ACCOMMODATION INSIDER

There are clear limits to the impact the sharing economy can have on transportation. It’s very much focused on the ‘front-of-station’ zone – it works for taxis and limos, but you’re

not going to have the average business traveller chartering a plane, train or boat from their smartphone. For a commodity like a car, ride-sharing or car-sharing services can be relatively straightforward, but the same doesn’t apply to all modes of transport.

The di� culty of regulating peer-to-peer networks makes it hard to incorporate the sharing economy into a corporate travel policy. So although certain companies have started allowing their employees to use services such as Uber, this is still far from commonplace.

If you live in a city, the services o� ered by the sharing economy can have huge benefi ts. For instance, you can fi nd a taxi to come and meet you at any time of the night, wherever you are. But it’s a diff erent story away from the big cities, in areas with far fewer providers. A cab-fi nding service like ours, which allows you to prebook a taxi to coincide with your rail arrival time, off ers peace of mind, hassle-free booking – and clear costs upfront.

Once companies can relay the data and usage information from peer-to-peer services back to their travel teams, it will be revolutionary. Business will be able to modify their travel policy based on the behaviours of business travellers – but we have to overcome the issues to do with security and legality fi rst.

I’m interested to see how we can use the sharing economy within the corporate world in the future. Most companies using peer-

to-peer networks can’t guarantee the same level of safety as our current partners – but that might not always be the case. If it

was better regulated, it would be a totally diff erent story.

Chris Truss is director of consulting services – air, rail and ground transportation

THE TRANSPORTATION EXPERT

GREEN GIANTS

• Hotel Indigo has ambitious plans for a new development in Dubai that will be 100% powered by solar energy. Due to open in 2017, the so-called Sustainable City will include a grass amphitheatre, organic farms and a waste water recycling facility.

• SilverDoor is working hard to minimise its environmental impact. As well as running a paperless reservation system, the serviced apartment expert recycles printer and photocopier cartridges, and encourages sta� to car share wherever possible.

• Regus is going the extra mile in its commitment to environmental care by replacing lighting with low-energy lamps and fi ttings, and ensuring machinery such as boilers and air-conditioning units are operating e­ ciently across its properties.

Did you know?

Water may cover 71% of the planet, but only 1% of this is actually drinkable. Radisson

Blu recently partnered with international charity Just a

Drop to improve access to clean water in some of the world’s

poorest communities. The scheme aims to provide safe drinking water for life to

12,000 children each year.

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