My business travel view, "International Business Travelers Continue to Meet" explores this in more depth.
After more than a year of major declines in international business travel, we are now seeing signs of an upswing. In 2009, the number of business travelers headed overseas declined by about 1 million trips. But some interesting trends also began to emerge, according to data from the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism Industries: an increase in travel to Asia, the Middle East and South America.
Carina Bauer, chief executive officer for IMEX Group, East Sussex, U.K., and Padraic Gilligan, vice president of destination management at MCI Group, Dublin, Ireland, share their insights about where business travelers are likely to head in the future.
While middle class Americans may not have experienced direct tax increases yet, they are certainly paying more government fees to travel.
Managed by the Department of State, passports are required for individuals who wish to travel to nearly any destination outside the U.S. And, effective July 13, 2010, U.S. passbook book fees are increasing as follows:
- $135 for first time adult passport applications
- $105 for first time minor passport applications
- $110 for adult passport renewal applications
My business travel view, "What Business Travelers Should Expect at Green Hotels and Sustainable Conferences" explores this in more depth.
People are beginning to consider what sustainable choices they may want to consider or expect when traveling for business and attending conferences, and that’s a good thing.
Many business travelers have already changed some of their habits while traveling on the road – perhaps bringing their own amenities, reducing shower time and/or closing draperies when leaving the room to conserve energy.
Subtle changes can make a big impact, and sustainability advocates in the business travel industry are making progress.
Whether it’s for business travel or a personal leisure trip, most people know that the best deals for air fare and hotels are frequently found through an online travel booking agent. We all know this. In fact, roughly 15 to 20% of airline revenues are now booked through online travel booking, according to TravelWeekly.com.
So what helps make one online travel booking system more appealing than another?
Despite economic conditions and past political criticisms, Las Vegas remains one of the biggest draws for business travel and leisure visitors in the U.S. In 2009, Las Vegas welcomed more than 36 million visitors. While many visit Las Vegas for vacations, business travel, conventions and corporate meetings account for about 20% of all visitors to Las Vegas.
We've identified 10 hotels where business travelers stay when in Las Vegas:
The volatility experienced during the last two years may be setting the stage for permanently changing the way corporate travel will be managed. And as it relates to the needs of small and mid-sized businesses, perhaps small travel agencies that are part of larger networks may be in the best position to help navigate it.
While online booking systems are useful and relevant to saving money, when unpredictable situations impact travel plans these same travelers are usually kept waiting on hold with overwhelmed customer call centers like the thousands of people who find themselves trapped in the lobby of the airport during a blizzard at the peak of Christmas travel.
Large corporate travel departments will begin to express greater demands on the corporate travel companies that serve their needs. And small business executives, associations and nonprofits will turn to travel agencies that are backed by national and international networks.
Travel Destinations
What happens in Vegas? Well, for many of the nearly 40 million who travel to Las Vegas each year, it’s four days and three nights of luxury resorts and casinos, nearly every type of entertainment... (more)
Featured Hotel
The Arrabelle at Vail Square reflects the grand European alpine resorts which are so popular to international visitors. However, this business travel hotel provides a one of a kind influence to... (more)
Industry Events 2010
| August 31 - | CIBTM |
| September 2 | Beijing, China |
| September 8 - | HSMAI's Affordable Meetings |
| September 9 | Washington, DC, USA |
| October 3 - | ACTE Global |
| October 5 | Berlin, Germany |
| November 8 - | WTM |
| November 11 | London, United Kingdom |
| November 30 - | EIBTM |
| December 2 | Barcelona, Spain |
| December 6 - | International Luxury Travel Market |
| December 9 | Cannes, France |
| December 7 - | Luxury Travel Expo (LTE) |
| December 9 | Las Vegas , NV, USA |
2011
| January 9 - | PCMA |
| January 12 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| February 20 - | GMIC 2011 Annual Conference |
| February 23 | Portland, OR, USA |
| March 1 - | International Confex |
| March 3 | London, United Kingdom |
| March 28 - | GIBTM |
| March 30 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| June 21 - | AIBTM |
| June 23 | Baltimore , MD, USA |
| July 7 - | Meeting Place Berlin |
| July 11 | Berlin, Germany |
| July 23 - | MPI WEC |
| July 26 | Orlando, FL, USA |
| October 11 - | IMEX America |
| October 13 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| October 13 - | IMEX |
| October 15 | Las Vegas, USA |

