Sabre’s GetThere gets better

SINGAPORE, 3 April 2017: Sabre’s GetThere travel management solution moves to the next level with the launch of a fast, design-led mobile experience to provide business travellers a simple way to book and manage in-policy travel while on the go.

Based on research sessions to evaluate what travellers and travel managers needed from an online booking tool, the newly redesigned GetThere empowers travellers to make smarter in-policy booking decisions.

The new consumer-grade and streamlined user experience gives them more self-service options and delivers an optimal search, shop and book experience whether on mobile or desktop. Read more

CX posts first loss in eight years

HONG KONG, 16 March 2017: Hong Kong’s troubled flagship airline Cathay Pacific on Wednesday posted its first annual loss since the height of the financial crisis as it was hit by “intense competition” and a drop in demand from business travellers.

The firm is struggling despite an expansion of international air travel in the region as lower-cost carriers, particularly from mainland China, eat into its market share.

Companies like China Eastern and China Southern Airlines are offering direct services to Europe and the United States from the mainland, while budget carriers like Spring Airlines offer regional routes, undermining Cathay’s once critical Hong Kong hub. Read more

Ctrip launches business travel app

BEIJING, 2 March 2017: China’s business travel spend reached USD290 billion in 2016, second only to the US according to a report, based on 2016 market data from Ctrip Corporate Travel and Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel organisation.

The report’s findings were highlighted at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Corporate Travel Summit, hosted by Ctrip Corporate Travel, in Beijing last week.

“As the market grows, the need for upgrading the industry is also increasing. In addition to the basic demand for cost savings through business travel management, enterprise customers currently hope to improve management efficiency through an effective and integrated business travel management system,” said Ctrip Corporate Travel CEO Fang Jiqin in his presentation at the summit. Read more

Tips to make business travel better

SINGAPORE, 24 February 2017: Sabre Corporation and Egencia, the business travel company of Expedia, released, Thursday, analysis and recommendations on ways companies can support their road warrior employees while travelling.

The joint whitepaper titled, “The Year of the Business Traveller: Four keys to use data to support road warriors in 2017”.

Based on analysis of Sabre’s global air, hotel and ancillary booking data, companies have the opportunity to increase traveller satisfaction in several areas, especially for road warriors. Read more

ATPI expands footprint to New Zealand

MUMBAI, 17 June 2016: Leading global travel management and events business, the ATPI Group, announced, Thursday, its acquisition of New Zealand-based Business World Travel.

The addition of Business World Travel to the ATPI Group’s portfolio further increases the footprint of the growing business across Australasia.

Business World Travel, based in Auckland, raises the ATPI Group’s wholly owned offices to 34 in 18 countries around the world. Read more

Egencia opens Singapore office

SINGAPORE, 20 April 2016: Egencia, the business travel company of the Expedia Group, announced Monday it has opened an office in Singapore a major hub for business travel in ASEAN.

Egencia president, Rob Greyber, who visited Singapore for the launch said: “At Egencia, we’re focused on growth in the Asia Pacific region… As part of that growth, we officially open our Singapore office.”

Egencia Singapore launches with over 30 clients, including Takeda, a leading pharmaceutical company. Read more

Myanmar extends e-Visa to business

YANGON, 15 July 2015: The e-Visa system for visitors to Myanmar is now open to business travellers, effective 1 July.

Myanmar Times quoted Department of Immigration and National Registration deputy director, U Aung Thiha, saying the e-Visa for business applicants will be run concurrently with an existing business visa-on-arrival programme.

“The scheme will support the development of Myanmar’s economy by encouraging more businesspeople to visit the country.”

Read more