ATP TRAVELLERS NEWS - RIO DE JANEIRO THE CARNIVAL CITY - ISSUE 20 AUTUMN 08 £3.00
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ATP TRAVELLERS NEWS ISSUE 20 AUTUMN 08 £3.00
RIO DE JANEIRO
THE CARNIVAL CITY
PERFECT PARTNERS SPRINGTIME IN PARIS TIME SAVERS?
WIN FLIGHTS TO MUNICH WITH LUFTHANSA
WIN A STAY IN 5 STAR LUXURY AT LONDON’S FINEST ADDRESS
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22 - DESTINATION FACTFILE
ISSUE 20 FEATURES
AUTUMN 08 14 - STICKING TOGETHER Guest Journalist
Bob Papworth takes a look at airline
consolidation in Europe
CONTENTS 26 - ATP E&E, SPRINGTIME IN PARIS
28 - ATP E&E, THE RACE IS ON
32 - PERFECT PARTNERS Travellers News
finds out how the unique partnership
between a national airline and a top
Australian wine producer was formed.
34 - TRAVELLERS TALES
39 - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Gareth
Hunt gives us a personal view on his first
visit to Cuba.
28 - THE RACE IS ON
39 - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
REGULARS
05 - CEO’S WELCOME
07 - AROUND THE WORLD WITH ATP We
visit the latest European addition to ATP’s
global network.
08 - WORLD OF TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
10 - TRAVEL NEWS
13 - FLIGHT CHECK We investigate the
new Blue 1 service by flying from Heathrow
to Helsinki.
17 - HOTEL CHECK
19 - WORLD OF TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Gary Hance puts online check in to the test
20 - ATP NEWS Contact Us www.atpi.com Sales 0870 225 1079
22 - DESTINATION FACTFILE UK Operations Centres Worldwide operations centres
30 - MEET THE TEAM We meet the entire LONDON & SOUTH (REGISTERED OFFICE) THE NETHERLANDS ATP, Beechavenue 101, 1119 RB
team at our Manchester office. Rivercastle House, 10 Leake Street, London SE1 7NN Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 20 11 475
Tel: 0870 990 6900 Fax: 0870 990 6901 GERMANY ATP, Ottostraße 1, 80333 Munich, Germany
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MIDLANDS Lower Court, Hardwick Business Park, Belgium Tel: +32 3 218 10 40
Noral Way, Southam Road, Banbury, Oxon OX16 2AF FRANCE ATP, 9, Avenue Alexandre Maistrasse,
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SCOTLAND Bridge House, 58 Bridge Street, Aberdeen NORWAY ATP, Stadion Parken, Blokk B,
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NORTH South Court, Sharston Road, Manchester Tel: + 47 51 81 78 80 Fax: + 47 51 81 78 99
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Tel: + 1 866 992 2874 Fax: + 1 281 920 9180
Editorial Beverley Allen & Jeremy King editor@atpi.com Design Naked Marketing info@nakedmarketing.co.uk
Comments and recommendations contained within this magazine are based on the author’s opinions. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this magazine is correct, neither ATP nor the contributors make any representations in respect of the content of this magazine and they cannot accept
any responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any consequences resulting therefrom.
ATP Travellers News is now printed on recycled paper
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WELCOME
ATP’S VALUE FOCUS
WILL DRIVE SUCCESS
It has been the stated objective of ATP to need to manage their travel costs even more to deliver our objectives on a daily basis. Gary
provide companies with a broad range of carefully than before. Hance combines a trip to South Africa with
travel services in strategic locations You will see from the press release that the some interesting insight into the latest thoughts
internationally. Over recent years we have growth ATP has achieved in recent years is on corporate travel policies. On a lighter note we
achieved some of these objectives, now exceptional, that said we have maintained and have refocused our efforts in leisure travel this
servicing clients from our own offices in 9 improved our industry leading service levels at year and the rebranded ATP Select team have
countries and with our partner network, the same time. In fact ATP has grown much an excellent review of Cuba, both the article and
GlobalStar, in a further 50 plus. faster than its competition whilst achieving the island itself, are well worth a visit.
Providing business travel services as well as much lower rates of customer churn.
organising conferences, incentives and events Graham Ramsey, Chief Executive
across Europe, ATP has become one of the Service and savings
fastest growing companies in the travel sector. Service is vital but so is the ability to make
Our focus is always to provide an excellent all savings for our clients. We have a demonstrable
round service and to effectively manage the cost record in achieving both of these key objectives;
of travel for our clients. we will continue to increase investment in
This progress enabled us to complete a training our people and in the development of
secondary management buyout in July, despite our proprietary technology.
the banking crisis. Barclays Private Equity Early next year we will launch the latest
has invested in the company along with version of our award winning Ticket Window®
management and shares our ambition to online technology. This will not only offer our
further expand ATP both organically as well as clients an enhanced online booking tool but it is
through acquisition. The press release, which also the same tool used by ATP employees to
was published extensively at the time, appears provide the best fares and travel rates available.
at the bottom of this page. More news of this exciting development will
appear in the next edition of Travellers News
Uncertain economic times
In these uncertain economic times even the On a lighter note
so called experts cannot forecast what I hope you enjoy this edition of Travellers
businesses will have to face or for how long. News. I would like to draw your attention to
What we can be certain about is that people will Adam Knights’ thoughts on ‘real account
continue to travel and companies of all sizes will management’ as he investigates what it takes
PRESS RELEASE - BARCLAYS BACKS ATP
This summer, ATP celebrated major investment from Barclays Private
Equity when the leading mid-market private equity firm took a majority
stake in the ATP International Group buy-out through a Secondary
MBO of the business from Lloyds Development Capital (LDC). LDC
backed the original management buyout in December 2006.
The investment is great news for ATP. “We have seen significant organic
growth and achieved no.34 in the Sunday Times Top 100 fastest growing
companies backed by private equity in 2007”, says ATP’s Group Chief
Executive Officer, Graham Ramsey. “I am very pleased that Barclays Private
Equity has made this investment because it will enable ATP to grow
organically and to pursue an acquisition strategy.”
Commenting on the deal John Walker, Director of Barclays Private Equity
in Manchester said: “ATP International Group is a fast growing, dynamic
and exciting business which is a leader in its field. The global business
travel market is large at €400 billion per annum and growing with long
term growth estimated at 4 per cent per annum. ATP has a wide and
diverse range of clients with a very low churn rate demonstrating the skill
and experience of the management team. Our investment will also enable
ATP to continue its international expansion.”
04 & 05
Advertisement For more information please contact your ATP consultant.
ATP GERMANY
AROUND THE WORLD WITH ATP
VICTORY GATE, MUNICH
ATP International’s expansion across the management company that has offices and
globe continued this summer with the representation across the globe. With the
opening of a new office in Germany. biggest economy in Europe, Germany is a
Located in Munich, one of the fastest major area of trading and a huge area of
developing industrial areas of Germany, ATP growth for business travel. Munich is the
Germany GmbH boasts a prime position perfect location and as the city is the
within walking distance of Munich’s central economic centre of southern Germany our
station and close to the famous Karlsplatz new office is ideally positioned to help
(Stachus), the famous square that represents existing and new clients alike.”
the entrance to the historic city centre. International connections to the city are first
Heading up the team in Germany is class and with Munich International Airport,
Managing Director Otto Schweisgut. A highly one of the fastest growing in Europe just 35km
respected travel industry professional in north of the centre, it is an ideal base for a
Germany, Otto sits on the board of DRV, the rapidly expanding international travel
German trade association for the travel management company like ATP.
industry. He is also head of the travel agency Otto Schweisgut is looking forward to the
ISARIA Travel, a long time partner of ATP future. “In today’s global economy it is clear
through the GlobalStar network of travel that the success of any business, not just
management companies. travel, will rely on moving beyond our
The business travel division is led by national borders. I am pleased to be part of
Christine de Haan who, together with a team a business that recognises this and is
of 11 travel professionals, manage a range of working hard to create the right international IN THIS ISSUE
clients including international commercial
law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP and bakery
environment to support its clients.”
OF TRAVELLERS
suppliers BakeMark Deutschland GmbH.
“We are delighted to have opened our
NEWS WE VISIT THE
new German office, particularly so soon after
the opening of our new Dubai office,” says
LATEST EUROPEAN
Graham Ramsey, ATP’s Group Chief ADDITION TO ATP’S
Executive. “We are very conscious that our
clients are increasingly requiring a travel Otto Schweisgut Christine de Haan INTERNATIONAL
NETWORK
06 & 07
A KEY AREA OF STRENGTH IS OUR COST SAVINGS, ACHIEVED THROUGH REAL ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
WHY REAL ACCOUNT
MANAGEMENT MAKES
THE DIFFERENCE
ATP Sales Director Adam Knights uses an age A niche is not enough
old question to examine the value model ATP In the legal sector we have continued to make
offers relative to the rest of the marketplace. excellent progress in an area dominated by niche
In a difficult financial climate the ATP philosophy players. These players deliver excellent service but
of service and savings has enabled us to win at a considerable price. Yes, service levels are
several new clients as well as successfully essential but what they hadn’t banked on was
re-signing a number of existing ones. It is the that law firms, like any other sector, don’t want to
latter case that often gives me the most pleasure, spend more money than they have to. This is of
as it demonstrates that we actually deliver on the course even truer today than it was 18 months
promises made in the heat of the bid process. ago when we began our journey.
Nevertheless the one question I am always While we had to change a few things such as
asked remains “what is the real value you add to developing our VIP concierge service and a
the travel booking process?” In the light of our dedicated account manager, we found that it was
successes, and with a brief nod to our failures, I possible to offer the same high levels of service at
hope to provide the definitive answer – well for a lower fee. Although service remains the key
this year at least! driver in this area, it wasn’t long before our
We have continued to expand our oil & gas competitors started reducing their prices.
portfolio with new customers and re-signing long I was also pleased to discover that many of
term clients. I really believe this is based on a these clients were open to cost savings just like
significant investment in relevant technology, in our customers in less high profile sectors. The
particular our ‘Emergency Tracking System’ which critical part of these cost savings was that they
is far more cost effective and practical than the had to be like for like. Indeed if it was
third party tools on the market. We have also demonstrated that a ‘deal’ was to be had with no
successfully demonstrated how a ‘Dashboard’ of impact on them they were more than happy to
travel tools, accessed through one single log on, investigate and take savings. There were a
can add value to a travel programme. With the number of perceptions that needed correcting;
vast amount of travel management technology firstly a deal on key routes and full fares on
available it is only right that our job is to bring all everything else is seldom a complete solution,
aspects together under one portal that is then fully secondly not all agents have the same fares and
customised to your business and even your finally not all agents can negotiate the same route
individual users. deal. The established players clearly had an
interest in perpetuating these myths.
Real account management
Another key area of strength is cost Even the bad news is good (sometimes)
savings. This is achieved through real account Unfortunately one of our financial service
management. Real account management is not customers was sold this myth and a historical
a separate billable line item in the bid process, relationship with one of our competitors in a
real account management is at the heart of what business they acquired saw us lose this valuable
we do. At ATP the process involves benchmarking; client. Not long after implementation the client
taking the average ticket prices paid on your top realised that the other agent didn’t have the full
ten or fifteen routes. Once we have established range of discounted fares that they were used to
these benchmarks and agreed they are fair and and was disturbed that they were now paying
correct they serve as a bespoke measurement for more for their travel. We are pleased to say that at
success. We know this process works, more time of going to press we have just secured this
importantly it gives confidence and legitimacy to valuable client back.
our performance. You know that you will be able Sometimes you need to take a step back
to accurately determine the success of your before you can see the whole picture.
decision to appoint ATP.
I continue to be surprised at the markets Adam Knights Sales Director
resistance to these ‘true’ benchmarks. In a recent
global tender we were asked to revert to
‘published fare’ benchmarks as one of the other
TMC’s was unable (or was it unwilling, I forget?)
to adopt our true benchmarks. That was one of
the first times in my career I have actually been
asked to lower the bar – most travel managers
tend to go the other way!
08
18 & 19
09
TRAVEL NEWS
GALLERIES CLUB LOUNGE
WATCH SWISS
SWISS has upped the frequency from eight to
nine flights on its daily service between London
City Airport and Zurich from the end of October.
The new service will cover the gap in the airline’s
morning schedule and will operate every day
except Sunday. This service departs Zurich at
0845hrs arriving at London City at 0930hrs.
From the UK the flight departs London City at
1000hrs arriving Zurich at 1240hrs.
An additional Saturday and Sunday SWISS
service will be added to the Manchester Geneva
route between 14 December 2008 and 18 April
2009. Meanwhile BA also offers five flights every
weekday on the City Airport to Zurich route, and
there are 11 flights on weekdays from Heathrow.
EMIRATES ENTERTAINS
Emirates in flight entertainment topped the
LOUNGING AROUND IN T5 poll in the recent World Airline Entertainment
Association’s (WAEA) Avion Awards held in the
USA. The airline celebrated receiving the top
BA has opened a Galleries Club lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 Satellite B (T5B). award in the passenger voted category of Best
Passengers flying in First, Club World or Club Europe cabins or Gold or Silver members of the in-flight Entertainment in the World – Large
British Airways Executive Club will be able to enjoy the Galleries Club facilities which include Airlines. It also scooped Best in Region for Middle
The Silver Island bar, the Wine Gallery and Elemis Travel Spa. East and Africa.
In Terminal 5A southern Galleries Lounge pavilion passengers travelling in First will continue to The airline’s ‘ice’ Digital Widescreen system
be able to enjoy the Concorde Room and Gold Executive Club members will continue to use the launched last year allows passengers to
Galleries First lounge. personalise their in flight experience by creating
The airline has issued a reminder to all passengers flying from T5B to allow sufficient time to their own music playlists as well as being able to
make their way to the boarding gate. BA recommends that this should be a minimum of 30 access over 1,200 channels of entertainment
minutes before departure, to reach the boarding gate no later than 20 minutes before departure. including a range of movies, games, TV and audio.
The satellite is reached by use of a lift or escalators to the transit station then a two minute transit For the fourth consecutive year, Emirates also
ride. Take the lifts rather than the escalators, they are much quicker. received the much-coveted Skytrax award for Best
In addition to the opening of the lounge, BA has created a dedicated Check-in zone with 16 In-flight Entertainment.
Check-in Kiosks and 16 Fast Bag Drop desks for customers flying in Club World, Club Europe and
Silver members of the Executive Club travelling through Terminal 5. ATP customers are advised to
use the links from our ‘Intelligent Itinerary’ which provides quick links to the online check in systems
of around 16 airlines, including BA. As well as checking in, travellers can check their seat
BACK TO OSLO
assignment and complete pre-travel information formalities such as passport number, country of Eastern Airways has resurrected the Aberdeen
residence and so on. Oslo service which ceased with the demise of
Fast Track lanes for ticket presentation and security in the Flight Connections area have also City Star Airlines early in 2008.
been introduced to help make transferring through Terminal 5 even easier and quicker. Fast Track Starting from 12 January, Eastern will operate
is available for customers travelling in First, Club World and Club Europe, as well as Gold and initially one weekday flight in each direction using
Silver Executive Club members. Meantime the security system of three trays arriving their comfortable Saab 2000 turboprop aircraft.
simultaneously for three passengers to load their hand baggage then being whisked away on The 50 seater will do the journey in 1 hour 45
the conveyor continues to prove challenging. minutes, cutting at least an hour off the connecting
service flight times.
VIRGIN CONNECTS
bmi DOUBLES MOSCOW SERVICE As well as offering a superlative service in the
bmi is doubling the number of services between Heathrow and Moscow Domodedovo air, Virgin Atlantic has a network of agreements
from the end of October. The additional service builds on the success of current daily flights with carriers who operate from its long haul
to the Russian capital which bmi launched two years ago. gateways to other destinations.
The new service sees a widening of the commercial agreement between bmi and Russian Usually these are at attractive fares allowing
Federation carrier Transaero, which will also increase its daily services between Moscow and travellers to experience the award winning Virgin
London, offering travellers a total of four flights a day in each direction - more frequency on the service from London, including their fabulous
route than any other airline partnership. lounge at Heathrow, and then make a connection
The deal allows bmi to offer onward connections in the Russian Federation on the services of on another quality airline to the final destination.
Transaero from Moscow Domodedovo, whilst Transaero is able to offer connecting flights at Examples of the Virgin connections include South
Heathrow onto the bmi flight network. African Airways from Johannesburg to other
The bmi service is operated on a two-class Airbus A320, which offers a business seat with a African destinations, and various carriers from
50 inch pitch and a complimentary food and bar service throughout. Transaero operate a Boeing Hong Kong and Shanghai to Far East destinations.
737 service, and BA fly three times daily with Boeing 767’s. Russian carrier Aeroflot still serve
Moscow’s other airport, Sheremetyevo twice a day using Airbus aircraft in a business
class/economy configuration.JOIN THE
PRIVATE JET SET
For total flexibility, reliability and versatility
private jet charters are increasingly
becoming the answer for time pressed
travellers. International Air Charter is working
with ATP to provide a service for clients who
are looking to choose when, where and how
they travel to their exact specification.
Private jet charters allow you to plan your
own timetable and choose your own UK
departing airport where you can arrive just 30
minutes before your chosen departure time.
You can even create your own menu or leave
it to their expert chefs. Aircraft available include
the Boeing Business Jet, Gulfstream and the
Citation Excel which is ideal for short hops. For
conference, incentive, or even regular crew
change work, other aircraft are available.
Based in the UK, International Air Charter
has offices across the world including New
York, Nice, Frankfurt, Milan and Dubai. For
more information on private jet charters
contact ATP. Avoiding that security line and two
hour check in time really does have a value!
STEP BACK IN
TIME WITH THE
LANGHAM BOSTON
Guests at The Langham, Boston can take a
step back in time and find out more about the
origins of the hotel, originally the Federal Reserve
Bank of Boston, with a unique set of historical
photographs recently put on display.
The hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the
World, now boasts 15 historical photographs which
show the history of the Federal Reserve Bank
including its construction back in 1920. The
transformation from working reserve bank to
elegant hotel has seen the most intriguing aspects KINGFISHER LAUNCHES
of the structure retained for guests to enjoy.
HEATHROW SERVICE
THE LANGHAM
Kingfisher Airlines has launched its first International flight schedule with a daily service
between its home base in Bangalore, India and Heathrow Terminal 4. The new service will
enable passengers to connect with the Kingfisher domestic route network to over 65 Indian
cities. Previously British Airways was the only airline operating direct from London to Bangalore.
The service operates on an A330-200 configured in two cabins – Kingfisher First (business) and
Kingfisher Class (economy). Onboard service for Kingfisher First passengers includes a bar and
lounge area, fully-flat beds in a 2-2-2 arrangement, an in-seat massage facility, a chef and a jacket-
ironing option. The 187 Kingfisher Class passengers enjoy a 34” seat pitch with in-seat chargers, USB
connectors, mood lighting, and a web-chat and email facility in a 2-4-2 cabin. In-flight entertainment
features AVOD touch screen controls (17-inch screen in Kingfisher First and 10.6 in Kingfisher Class)
with a total of 357 hours of programming across 36 channels. So there’s no excuse for being bored.
Kingfisher started its first operations in May 2005 and is India’s only 5 Star airline rated by Skytrax.
Operating a brand new fleet of aircraft it was the first Indian airline to order the Airbus A380. Delivery
is due to start in 2010. If you think the Kingfisher branding is familiar, it could be because you’ve
imbibed their lager in your local Indian restaurant, or spotted their branding on the Force India
Formula 1 team.
10 & 11Advertisement
BLUE 1
FLIGHT CHECK
THE SKIES
THE LIMIT
IN THE LAST ISSUE OF TRAVELLERS NEWS WE only without the crowds. Like Ikea there are lots
ANNOUNCED BLUE 1, FINLAND’S SECOND HELSINKI
of ‘isn’t that obvious’ moments which distinguish
LARGEST CARRIER AND MEMBER OF THE SAS Scandinavian design from the rest of the world.
GROUP, HAD STARTED A DIRECT SERVICE TO
I wasn’t sure if the sign reading “more
HELSINKI FROM HEATHROW. IN THIS FLIGHT
CHECK WE INVESTIGATE THE SERVICE FROM comfortable seating” that pointed upstairs
THE CARRIER WHO HAS AMBITIONS TO BE actually meant additional seating that was
THE LARGEST AND BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE IN equally comfortable, or just seating that was
NORTHERN EUROPE. more comfortable than that on the ground floor
- unsurprisingly the answer was both; lots more
As you might expect Blue 1 offers a strong armchairs compared with the functional stools
route network within Finland and and work areas below. As ever, the difference
Scandinavia, as well as easy integration with between experiences rests in the detail and my
other Star Alliance partners and in particular ‘ah ha’ moment came with the mass of plugs In flight service
their parent airline SAS. for recharging laptops, phones and A hot meal is served at the front and snacks
Blackberries. bought from the trolley if you are seated nearer
Simple design the back. All the old favourites are featured - I
As a traveller your first experience of this is the Newest fleets in Europe am convinced there is a Pringles salesman
SAS online check in facility which as someone The flight itself was good. The plane was not somewhere who has cornered the global
who is eternally running late, I found to be one the quietest as, despite Blue 1 having one of the market in onboard crisp sales - but look out for
of the best on the market. Three screens - enter newest fleets in Europe, I got one of the older the odd hint of traditional Finnish fare. No
your reference number, pick your seat, print your aircraft - the ashtrays in the seats are always a reindeer burgers, at least not yet, but the salted
boarding pass and you’re done. The process dead giveaway. I also rather regretted my liquorice looked interesting, although not quite
was helped, not just by my new ultra fast PC but smugness at securing a seat in row one when I interesting enough to try!
also by the stylishly simple design of the SAS spent most of the flight enjoying my fellow Arrival in Helsinki is as smooth as any I have
web site. No wasted time waiting for images, passengers almost constant use of the adjacent experienced elsewhere, helped by the fact that
banner ads and amusing little flash animations washrooms. All of this was more than all of the locals appeared to have gone home.
to refresh after each mouse click. I had my compensated for by excellent cabin crew who This remained the case throughout my stay and
boarding pass in my hand before you could say made the best of what is always a challenging it wasn’t until I arrived back in London when I
“that was quick!” flight duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes. Not realized that, in fact, Helsinki seems to have the
This sophisticated simplicity is continued with quite short enough to be over before you get same size population as Heathrow Terminal 3
the SAS lounge at Heathrow. It may not have the bored but not quite long enough to justify the on a busy day!
pure elegance of BA or the fun of Virgin Atlantic more comfortable features of long haul travel.
- in fact it looks a little like an Ikea restaurant,
12 & 13STICKING TOGETHER
IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES FOR THE AVIATION INDUSTRY FREELANCE JOURNALIST
BOB PAPWORTH TAKES A LOOK AT AIRLINE CONSOLIDATION IN EUROPE.
In mid-September this year, after a political Lufthansa’s more recent acquisition of a stake in models, so-called legacy airlines cannot
battle that has lasted almost 15 years, the Brussels Airlines (the rump of former Belgian flag- realistically compete with smaller, lower-cost
European Commission finally gave the nod to carrier Sabena), but adversity may become an competitors for the short-haul, discretionary travel
Greece’s latest privatisation proposals for increasingly important consideration over the sector; low-cost carriers – so far at least – have
Olympic Airlines. next 12 months. signally failed to establish a commercially-viable
As a condition of their approval, the 27 According to the Geneva-based International long-haul operation.
Commissioners are insisting that Costas Air Transport Association (IATA), Europe’s airlines
Karamanlis’ centre-right government “retrieves” between them managed to make a profit of Value-focused
some €850 million – roughly £672 million – in US$2.1 billion in 2007; this year, they will be lucky It is relatively easy to envisage a civil aviation
illegal state aid paid to shore up the failing to make US$300 million. If fuel prices fall further, structure consisting of a handful of full-service
national carrier. or at least remain steady, 2009 may turn out airlines or airline groups concentrating almost
Greek transport minister Costas Hatzidakis better – but only marginally so. exclusively on long-haul premium traffic, while a
intends to have offloaded the airline by April Troubled carriers, like Olympic Airlines and host of value-focused short- and medium-haul
2009, which allows little time for haggling, and Italy’s Alitalia, may well end up on the state-aid operators provide point-to-point intra-regional
no snap purchaser is going stump up that kind life support system just to survive. The European services and, coincidentally, feed their long-haul
of money – on top of the purchase price – just to Commissioners may not like it – overt state counterparts.
appease a bunch of bureaucrats in faraway support for a failing airline is deemed to be anti- The highly-seasonal and cost-conscious
Brussels. competitive, and is consequently illegal – but it is holiday makers heading for their annual dose of
And it is extremely unlikely that the frustrated relatively easy to circumvent those rules. Mediterranean sunshine would be served by no-
Commissioners will press their case, and not just frills, low-fare airlines with no interest in, and of
because they must by now be bored rigid with a Stronger partner no use to, the business travel market.
quarrel that has been dragging on since 1994. There are also plenty of other airlines, in not- After all, that is effectively what is happening
particularly-bad shape, who could be vulnerable across much of southeast Asia. Singapore
Global economic turmoil to, or benefit from, closer links with a stronger Airlines and Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and
There is another, more fundamental reason partner. Lufthansa has expressed interest in both Cathay Pacific, are essentially long-haul carriers,
for turning a blind eye. The potentially-crippling Austrian Airlines and SAS Scandinavian; Virgin is fed by high-frequency regional flights offered by
price of jet fuel, slowing demand for travel, and known to favour closer ties with bmi; Finnair has the likes of JetStar and Tiger, while Air Asia and
the global economic turmoil has finally spurred nailed its corporate colours to the BA/Iberia mast. an ever-growing plethora of no-frills copycats
Europe’s civil aviation industry into a long- Predators are prowling, too. Ryanair has ferry holiday makers to and from the beaches.
overdue process of consolidation. renewed its unwelcome interest in Aer Lingus; Back here in Europe, situations such as
Any interference from the Commission that and both Ryanair and arch-rival easyJet have Olympic and Alitalia are the exception rather than
might obstruct or slow that process – lengthy sufficient “spare” aircraft to allow them to cherry- the rule – for the time being – and the emerging
investigations into the nature and sources of pick routes left vacant by any credit crunch value-focused airlines like Flybe, Germanwings,
carriers’ cash, for example – will in all probability casualties. Turkish Airlines and even Aeroflot have or Norwegian Air Shuttle are still something of a
lead to airline failures, with the concomitant loss been flexing their financial muscles. novelty.
of both jobs and consumer choice. None of this consolidation is necessarily a bad However, it does look as though market forces
Of course, consolidation can also lead to loss of thing. are driving the industry to re-structure itself along
jobs and consumer choice, but to nothing like the Flybe’s takeover of BA Connect has proved a lines which, ultimately, will be more business-
same extent. The commissioners need to make resounding success, bringing an expanded route friendly.
the best of a bad job, not to start moralising about network, economies of scale and, after a The European Commission, and regulators in
those who perpetrated the bad job in the first comparatively short period of assimilation, general, need to adopt a pragmatic approach
place. bottom line dividends. while the metamorphosis takes place. Rules may
Air France’s symbiotic relationship with KLM Elsewhere in the UK, bmi’s absorption of be bent along the way, but the end – a financially-
Royal Dutch Airlines has worked well, as has B.MED, the airline formerly known as British sound civil aviation industry – surely justifies the
Lufthansa Group’s effective takeover of SWISS Mediterranean, has given the airline a mid-haul means.
International (itself the remnants of earlier tie-up network of potentially lucrative destinations in
between Swissair and Crossair), and there is no Central Asia.
real reason to suppose that British Airways’ ever- They, and others like them across Europe,
closer links with Spain’s Iberia will be any different. provide a strong clue to the future potential shape
Those “alliances” may have been forged out of of the region’s air transport industry.
opportunism rather than adversity, as has By the very nature of their size and businessBob Papworth is an award-winning
freelance journalist specialising in
business and corporate travel. In addition to
providing editorial and media services
to a range of travel-related companies
and organisations, he is editor of Mintel
International’s Travel Industry Monitor and
executive editor at Buying Business Travel.
14 & 15Advertisement
INTERCONTINENTAL DE LA VILLE, ROME
HOTEL CHECK
ROAMING IN
ROME
JEREMY KING REVIEWS THE
INTERCONTINENTAL DE LA VILLE
IN ROME, A CENTRALLY LOCATED
HOTEL THAT ALLOWS GUESTS
TO WORK WITHOUT LOSING THE
OPPORTUNITY OF ENJOYING THE
CITY CENTRE AFTER HOURS.
Despite our focus on air travel and its costs, Space to sit Getting down to business
both financially and environmentally, it’s the hotel One of the biggest attributes of this hotel is the Naturally there are all of the business facilities
where you end up spending most of your time. In abundance of places to sit and chat, work on a you would expect. I didn’t get the chance to check
some cases, the wrong choice of hotel can mean laptop or just enjoy a coffee. For a start almost every out the WiFi but I am assured that it is all there along
wasting time shuttling back and forth in taxis. room has a balcony or a full terrace. My room with 24 hour business support. The meeting
As my stay in Rome was brief I decided to actually managed a terrace that was larger than facilities are also excellent, but to treat this like a
remain close to all of the sights and find a the room itself. For those not lucky enough to get normal hotel is to miss a very important trick.
hotel with character in an excellent location the city view there is a beautiful courtyard to be The hotel has a total of 23 suites of which two are
that didn’t break the bank – the answer – the admired or even visited for breakfast. described as penthouses. If you want real results
Intercontinental de la Ville. As well as the courtyard there is an excellent from a meeting, and I admit this probably isn’t for
Located right at the top of the Spanish Steps you restaurant and a beautiful piano bar with your average business trip, then the 8th floor suite
could hardly ask for a better location, ideally placed chandeliers worth more than a decent flat in is for you. A stunning living room complete with a
for shopping, restaurants and bars. London (well probably two flats in London at the baby grand piano once played by Leonard
If you are tired of efficient box like hotels where minute). Beautiful as these spaces are they are for Bernstein, opens up onto a private terrace big
all the rooms are the same efficient shape with amateurs in the sitting stakes – for those of us enough to hold a small board meeting. A city wide
the same mass-produced-yet-remaining-elegant hoping to turn professional there is only one place. vista of 3,000 years of history is bound to either
décor then the De La Ville is for you. That has to be the Terrace Bar on the 7th floor, open impress or intimidate as required.
Checking with our in-house experts, I was every evening for cocktails and the most exquisite Better still, use it as a venue for VIP drinks and
advised that the rooms would be small and view of Rome. In fact the Terrace Bar is so popular canapés with the CEO as part of your annual sales
they weren’t wrong! However small is the norm it’s generally full of non residents so get there early meeting. Put your top performers in one of the 9
for Rome and unless you are planning a twin – or stay late, happy in the knowledge you are only suites or 12 junior suites, all with terraces of their
room sharing with a work colleague it really isn’t a short stagger back to your room. own and you will create the perfect incentive for
a problem. your ‘Champions’ – one that they will be talking
about for years to come.
18
16 & 19
17Advertisement
TIME SAVERS?
Gary Hance puts online check in to the
test and compares his experiences with a
‘revolutionary’ new travel policy concept.
I’m travelling to South Africa today. I’m flying Next I choose the correct option for printing my options which suit them and save the company
from Aberdeen to Johannesburg via Heathrow. boarding card and a blank boarding card appears money. Google apparently continues to negotiate
As it’s only a two day business trip I’ve packed on the screen. Hmmm. Back button and try again. deals with suppliers, although how those deals
everything I need into a pull along trolley, Nothing. OK, choose another print option, this time appear on the web is not defined and they
segregated my toiletries into a resealable plastic I’ll try to email the boarding card to myself. This continue to have a relationship with a leading TMC.
bag (three for £1 at Bristol Airport, free apparently works fine and I open the resulting email and its What they don’t have is any tracking mechanism.
everywhere else) and I’m going to check in online the attachment and print the boarding card. Most companies are taking as a minimum
to save time at the airport. Online check-in process – done! And it took requirement, in the current security conscious
about as long as one of Gordon Ramsay’s recipes. environment, that they can find ALL their travelling
Time is of the essence Also, if I have to check-in baggage, I would still have employees from one easy to use online report.
Well, first I need to connect to the airline web site, to stand in a line at the airport at the baggage drop,
fine, waited for the minute or so for the system to how can this be saving me time? Detailed MI?
find my booking. Then I am asked to enter passport What they also lose is the ability to produce
and other advance passenger information details No Travel Policy? detailed management information. Bookings
before proceeding. If I was checking in at the Whilst relaxing in the lounge I read about Google made on different web sites will normally have that
airport, a machine reader would take a swipe of and their new travel policy. Basically there isn’t one. web site or fulfilment company appearing on the
my passport and note its issue and expiry date, its Staff are encouraged to search the web – using credit card statement, not the details of the journey
country of issue and my country of citizenship Google of course – to determine the best way to fly taken. And of course, like my check in experience,
automatically but online it took me a couple more and the best price to pay. Now of course they’re a there is no easy way to measure the employee
minutes to enter that data. Then the system asked hip, American company where employee benefits time and effort taken to secure that deal. I’m sure
me to reconfirm my passport number as a security include an onsite doctor, free food, a massage that these ‘Googlers’ are not employed to book
check. programme and lots of other trendy stuff. If travel and even with the profits that Google makes,
you don’t believe me check out this link hours of time searching for a airline deal a couple
Seat Selection (www.google.com/support/jobs) so it is no great of pounds cheaper than the travel agent is offering,
Another minute, up popped the next surprise that they break with convention elsewhere may not make too much sense.
screen, seat selection. I ignored (rather than in their working day. As I continued my travels things didn’t go quite
investigating why) the message that said my So, expanding on the travel policy that doesn’t according to plan. By the time my colleague got
Aberdeen London seat number had changed, but exist, here’s the logic. ‘Googlers’ (as you probably online and booked his seat, the one near to me
needed to check the seat map for the Jo’burg flight guessed, employees are called) grew up with had gone and because I’d already printed my
to ensure that I was seated near my colleague. I computers. They’re young, intelligent and want to boarding card, I couldn’t change! Back to the
wasn’t, and as there was no seat available near be in control of their own destiny, particularly when check-in desk after all?
him, I called him and asked him to check in too, but it comes to working with the web. They’re best
to change his seat for the preferred one near me. placed – so the logic goes – to find the travel Gary Hance UK Chief Operations Officer
18 & 19ATP NEWS
L-R Scott Wylie, Hayley Martin, Jeremy King, Michael Lindsay
ATP AT CHARITY
POLO DAY
Continuing our support of the Guild of
Travel Management Companies (GTMC), ATP
was delighted to sponsor the inaugural
GTMC Polo Challenge Family Fun Day at
Ascot Park Polo Club. As well as being an
opportunity for a few hardy souls to make
fools of themselves on horses, and for
considerably more people to sit in the
sunshine and watch them; the day was also
about raising money for the Rainbow Trust
Children's Charity. The charity provides
practical and emotional support to families
who have a child with a life threatening or
terminal illness.
The concept was simple, 12 teams in a
special polo arena with highly trained ponies
and slightly trained players - a brief training
session before the competition helped them
master the art of what is essentially golf on
horseback. The ATP team managed a
creditable 6th place, despite finishing last in
their group. A win in their elimination round
took them to the 5th / 6th place play offs and
one of the most evenly matched games of the
afternoon as the Virgin Atlantic team’s early
lead was gradually eroded by constant
pressure from ATP.
Over 500 people turned out to enjoy
the fun and games raising in excess
of £5,000 for Rainbow Trust Children's charity.
For more information about the charity visit
www.rainbowtrust.org.uk
Advertisement
Time to relax...
ATP Select - A new exclusive concierge travel service
It is our pleasure to introduce to you an exclusive concierge travel service available to a special For more information call
circle of individuals who already travel with us. Individuals who like ATP’s courteous attitude
will appreciate the difference we can make to your family holiday, a golfing trip, romantic
0870 990 6022 or visit
interlude or cultural tour. www.atpi.com/select
Our team has over 150 years travel experience so unusual demands, off-beat bespoke
journeys and refreshing suggestions for the seasoned traveller are all in a days work.
SelectATP PARTNERS UK
WEST AFRICAN ACTION
GROUP (UKWAAG)
ATP has recently signed a partnership deal with the UK West African
Action Group (UKWAAG). The group is an industry-led organisation run
under the auspices of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
UK WAAG was established over 10 years ago and since its inception has
heightened awareness of opportunities in West Africa’s growing oil and
gas sector, promoted the UK’s expertise and capabilities and assisted its
members in entering these difficult markets.
With over 80 corporate members, UK WAAG is the largest organisation of
its kind specialising in oil & gas trade with West Africa. It is widely regarded
as the leading support mechanism in the UK for companies entering West
African oil and gas markets and acts as the clearing house for a stream of
company referrals from other agencies both in the private and public
sectors.
“The oil & gas sector is a major part of ATP’s international client portfolio
so a partnership was a natural extension of our activities,” says CEO Graham
Ramsey. “We have been providing the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce
with a visa service for some time and we are now expanding that to include
managing the travel for all of the UKWAAG trade missions.”
Upcoming trade missions include:
• Angola: 10th – 18th November
• Equatorial Guinea: 1st – 5th December
Further missions are planned for Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.
For further information please contact Ashleigh Rennie
at the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce on 01224 343928 or
Ashleigh.Rennie@agcc.co.uk
2ND INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY CONFERENCE
IN ABERDEEN
As part of ATP’s partnership with the Aberdeen and Grampian trying to sell? Very reassuring, I think.
Chamber of Commerce (see above) we were pleased to attend the 2nd Other speakers included Grampian Police, the only police force outside
International Security Conference. The event, sponsored by another ATP the London Met who have a specialist unit for kidnap related crises, and the
partner the AKE Group, focused on the rising risks to travellers from the Foreign Office. Finally Professor Antony Feinstein of the University of Toronto
energy industry who, by the nature of their business, are flying to remote who provided an interesting psychological insight into the minds of war
and often more dangerous parts of the world. correspondents as an example of people working in the most extreme
The conference covered many different angles but the highlight was environments.
undoubtedly the presentation by Sparrows Offshore, an Aberdeen based The afternoon sessions were helpful seminars on subjects as diverse as
crane supplier and ATP client, which had three engineers kidnapped from a travel safety, mitigating legal risks and coping with the psychological
secure compound in Nigeria two years ago. Nigerian kidnaps have been upheaval both to the victim and equally importantly for family, friends and
on the increase over the last three years; in fact as Richard Scurrell of Special colleagues back home.
Contingency Risks informed us, Nigeria has leapt to number three in the The day proved both interesting and useful as an example of how even
world kidnap leagues – pushing the much famed Columbia into fifth position. the most serious of risks can be successfully mitigated.
The analysis went into considerably more depth, revealing that over 80% of ATP’s ‘Intelligent Itinerary’ includes FCO advice on individual
these were in the Niger Delta region of the country and victims were mainly destinations and a direct link to the AKE Global Intake website for detailed
locals rather than international travellers. Most reassuring was the news that risk analysis. For more information on the services that AKE can provide
almost none of the kidnap victims were killed or harmed as, in the words of please contact the ATP sales department on 0870 225 1079.
AKE Managing Director John Chase, why would you damage a car you were
20 & 21DESTINATION FACTFILE RIO THE CARNIVAL CITY Pictures courtesy of Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau
RIO DE JANEIRO CITY, BRAZIL
EVERY YEAR THOUSANDS OF VISITORS DESCEND ON THE CITY FOR THE
WORLD FAMOUS CARNIVAL IN RIO. THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN
BRAZIL, RIO IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL HUBS
OF SOUTH AMERICA. IT SITS AT THE HEART OF THE SOUTH EASTERN
REGION WHERE 60% OF THE BRAZILIAN GDP IS SITUATED
A diverse city, its unique location and natural Conference Choice
resources offers the visitor an unusual mix of For conferences Rio offers an unrivalled choice.
sights and sounds with its beautiful beaches, The International Conference and Congress
mountains and forests including the Tijula Association (ICAA) puts the city first choice in the
National Park, the largest urban forest in the America’s rating throughout the last eight years for
world. Portuguese is the official national international meetings and conventions. It is home
language with Rio home to the largest to the largest conference centre in Latin America,
Portuguese population outside of Lisbon. Rio Centro in the Barra da Tijuca area of the city.
The discovery of oil in the Campos Basin, which With five interconnected pavilions the Rio Centro
is responsible for most of the oil production in has hosted a number of international events
Brazil, made Rio a natural choice for a number of including the 17th World Oil Congress. Choice of
oil and gas companies to base their Brazilian accommodation is vast with over 250 hotels.
offices. It ranks second in the country in industrial
production and is a major financial and service Climate
centre. Rio is a tropical city so make sure you pack
Divided into zones, the city’s historic Centro, appropriately for the time of year. Summer runs
the business district and financial centre, from December to March with temperatures
marks the boundary between the industrial Zona ranging from a comfortable 77o to a scorching
Norte (North Zone) and the Zona Sur (South Zone) 108o. Winter runs from June to August with
with its famous beaches such as the two temperatures dropping to 68o during the day and
immortalised in song – Copacabana and to a cool 60o at night.
Ipanema. The West Zone (Zona Oeste) is home of
the Barra da Tijuca district currently undergoing a Places to see
major re-development programme. Don’t miss a visit to Christ the Redeemer
standing over 2,000 feet above sea level watching
Getting There over the city from the top of the Corcovado
International flights operate to Rio International Mountain. It was recently voted number 3 in a new
Airport, Galeão - Antônio Carlos Jobim poll of the seven modern wonders of the world.
International Airport on the Ilha de Governada with The breathtakingly beautiful Sugar Loaf mountain
convenient access to the major hotels in Rio’s South is also worth a visit, with the trip by cable car
Zone. Located just 20km north of the city you can broken into two separate journeys.
buy prepaid taxi vouchers from the State Tourism If you are lucky enough to be in Rio when it’s
Authority desk in the airport terminal. Alternatively, carnival time join in any way you can (see ‘Top Tips’
Airport Shuttle buses run every hour stopping at all for some great ideas). As the cultural capital of
the major hotels. Brazil, visitors are in for a treat with Rio offering a
choice of more than 50 museums celebrating the
Getting Around city’s 500 year history. And if music and dance are
Yellow metered cabs are plentiful and can be your passion you can learn the samba or find out
hailed in the street. Licensed taxis can be booked more about the origins of the Bossa Nova in the
in advance through your hotel or at the airport. The South Zone along the seafront.
subway is relatively small but safe to use or there
is a choice of buses including air conditioned buses For more information visit www.braziltour.com
known locally as frescão that can be hailed like or www.rioconventionbureau.com.br
taxis and connect through to the airport.
CHRIST THE REDEEMER SUGAR LOAF CABLE CAR
22 & 23RIO DE JANEIRO CITY, BRAZIL
TOP TIPS
DOWNTOWN RIO
WHEN PEOPLE
THINK OF RIO THEY
THINK OF CARNIVAL!
Truly one of the greatest spectacles in Porcao has two locations; the one in
CARNIVAL TIME the world, for many carioca’s (locals from Rio) Botafogo offers amazing views of Botafogo Bay,
this event is the most highly anticipated of Sugarloaf and Urca. The Porcao in Ipanema has
the year. no views and is usually packed with a mix of
In Rio everything stops for most of a week and tourists and locals.
everyone lets their hair down and parties. Carnival Marius is located at the end of Copacabana
typically lasts from sometime during Thursday and and is renowned for their meat. The sister Marius
continues through to Ash Wednesday of the restaurant in Leme is well known for their seafood.
following week. The days are filled with various
themed street parades which are so numerous Entertaining
you can pass almost the whole time in one If you are drinking wine we recommend
parade or another. Also during this time the choosing a good Chilean or Portuguese wine as
amazing samba school competitions take place it can be excellent value. French and American
in the specially built sambadrome. This is a truly can be very expensive. The same goes for
spectacular event and one of a kind. The premium spirits. If you order a caipirinha (the
MARACANÃ STADIUM competition takes place over three nights national drink of Brazil) you might like to try one
(Saturday, Sunday and Monday). Tickets go on based on Vodka rather than the local firewater,
sale in January, however only a small portion of your head will certainly thank you in the morning.
the tickets are sold to the public and most are sold
directly to corporate sponsors and tourist Shopping
agencies, so the best way to purchase your tickets Not one of the famous shopping capitals of the
is through a local tourist agency or a tour guide. world but certainly the best place to purchase
For those of you who can samba and beach wear of all kinds. We suggest Garota de
salsa, it is possible to purchase a samba school Ipanema, which is a trendy emporium for those
costume and participate in the actual Carnival who wish to be beach beautiful. The famous ‘fios-
parade. The most famous samba schools are: dentais’ (g-string) and all other types of bikinis can
www.mangueira.com.br be found there. Also, flip-flops, ‘kangas’, t-shirts
www.granderio.org.br and nearly everything else you could need for
www.beija-flor.com.br your summer vacation.
www.gresunidosdevilaisabel.com.br
Corcovado
DESTINATION Nightlife Corcovado Mountain and its famous statue,
Rio is a fabulous city with an amazing nightlife, Christ The Redeemer, towers over the area and is
TRAVEL ADVICE with theatres, clubs, restaurants and live music. If Rio’s most memorable monument. The statue is
Passport & Visa - Brazil you want to get to know carioca culture, reached by a cog railway. Leaving Cosme Velho
immersing yourself in samba or bossa nova is station every hour, on the hour and half past,
Tourist and Business visits essential. Several clubs, known as Casas de tickets cost R$ 36 for adults and R$ 18 for children.
For a stay of up to 90 days: United Samba, (‘houses of Samba’) offer live music. Here Try to sit on the right hand side of the train for the
Kingdom and most European nationals do you can hear some of Rio’s best musicians, best views. Not to be missed during any stay in Rio.
not require a visa. Passport must be valid accompanied with a few ‘caipirinha’ of course.
at least for the duration of stay in Brazil. Friday night, just after work is considered Football
"Happy Hour". It's not happy hour as we know it Brazil is home to some of the worlds most
Working in Brazil: Allow 10 working days with cheap drinks, but more a "Happy Hour" famous soccer stars Pele, Rivaldo, Rivelino,
to process the visa. Work visas are because the weekend has started. Many people Romario, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Djalma Santos,
required by all nationals: stop for drinks with work colleagues and friends Nilton Santos, Socrates, Zico and the list goes on...
• Authorisation from the Ministry of so many of the bars are crowded. If you like a pub Rio is home to the Maracanã Football Stadium
Labour and Employment in Brazil atmosphere visit Shenanigans. It offers a good which is the biggest in the world. Tours can be
• A police disclosure record is required choice of beer and great steaks. reserved through your hotel or tour guide.
from your local Police Region. Rio offers a wide choice of dining venues; the Matches are often on Wednesdays and Sundays,
• 2 visa applications are required to be most famous are the Churrascarias (steak but can happen on other days as well, so it’s well
completed in blue ink houses) where a choice of meat is brought to your worth checking prior to booking. If no match is
• 2 passport size photos table with a selection of side dishes. The waiters available, you can always enjoy watching the
• 1 passport happily slice off your cuts of meat and continue to budding stars of tomorrow practice their skills with
do so until you surrender. Our favourites are: beach soccer.
For further information check out our Pampa Grill downtown is great and by late
website: www.atpi.com/visas evening turns into a dance venue.You can also read
