 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact UsExecutive Edge Tel: +613 9519 7777 |
Corporate Newsletter: Issue #12 Welcome to Edge Intelligence for January 2009Letter from the Editor Happy New Year from our team to yours. We want to start 2009 with a huge thank you to our loyal clients for your support in helping to nominate Executive Edge for the prestigious recognition as one of the Top 20 travel professionals in Australia according to Luxury Travel Magazine's 2009 Gold List for the second year in a row. This year Executive Edge Travel & Events has been highlighted as the 'Best Travel Professionals' coming in at number 14. Only two other Victorian travel agencies made the list, so we our very grateful for this honour. As we send out a congrats to our team at Edge, we also congratulate our Director Sally Bird - on November 8th she had her first baby, Toby William David Bird. In these times of global economic uncertainty, there are deals abound in the travel industry as airlines renegotiate rates and hotels and car rental companies offer reduced stays and special offers. Just ask your Edge consultant to find the right bargain for your corporate travel needs. As always, we are pleased to have you all as valued clients and we thank you for your loyal business and wish you a safe and productive year of travel ahead. Kimberly Rosbe |
|||||
INDUSTRY NEWS
BUSINESS HOTEL NEWS
EDGE INTELLIGENCE
EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
INDUSTRY NEWSCritical absence of travelers insurance amongst Australians The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reports that each year 20,000 cases involving death, injury or hospitalisation of Australians abroad occurs. This includes over 700 hospitalisations, 600 deaths and 100 evacuations of Australians to another location for medical purposes. When these victims are not covered by travel insurance, they become personally liable for the financial burden of medical and associated costs which can run into the tens of thousands. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Executive Edge Travel & Events urge our clients to take out travelers insurance each time you travel overseas. The minimal costs far outweigh the potential liability risks if the unexpected happens. The peace of mind alone is worth the cost. See your Executive Edge consultant for further details on travelers insurance and the range of comprehensive and affordable options for you and your family. Virgin Blue aims high for year ahead Virgin Blue retains the number two position in the top power companies in the travel industry behind giant Qantas. From its humble beginnings in 2000, Sir Richard Branson capitalised on the collapse of Ansett filling the gap and becoming Australia's second domestic carrier. Initially their cut-price model made air travel more affordable than ever before on domestic routes. Acquisitions, expansions and the launch of Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue and V Australia will bolster the company's dominance further not only with the lucrative business sector but also on an increasing number of international routes. Next year V Australia will be launched with intentions to revolutionise the trans-Pacific route and make it more affordable for people to fly from Australia to the US with its boutique, three class airline with excellent customer service. Chief Executive Brett Godfrey says Virgin is pursuing a new kind of traveler with the launch of its premium economy class. This new offering of class is attracting business travelers from companies wanting a contemporary travel option but who can't justify the expense of a business class seat as well as the mid-level leisure traveler. If predictions are accurate, Virgin will be the airline to watch in 2009. Avis and Budget car rentals join Choice Rewards Program providing new discounts for members To become a Choice Privileges member it's free. Members will also earn 10 points per every US dollar spent at the hotels. Choice Privileges also includes express check-out, extended check-out, the chance to redeem points for free nights at over 5,500 properties in Europe, the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Members can also redeem points at luxury partner hotels such as Preferred Hotels and Resorts and through the airline partners of American, Qantas and Delta. Taj Public Service Welfare Trust established in wake of terrorist attack in Mumbai In future years, the trust will specifically aid in providing relief to victims of sudden acts of violence, natural disasters and other tragic events that inflict damage to life and property. Intended beneficiaries of the trust as well as individuals or companies wishing to donate are asked to send their requests or donations to the following address: The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust, Mandlik House, 2nd Floor, Mandlik Road, Colaba, Mumbai 400 001. For further questions simply call 011 91-22-66395515. BUSINESS HOTEL NEWSFeatured business hotel: The Oberoi New Delhi Walking distance from Pragati Maidan and near Lodi Gardens, the hotel is conveniently located. The service is said to be the best in town and its Banyan Tree spa, glamourous restaurants and bars are also top-notch. Address: Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi, 110003 Indiawww.oberoidelhi.com Radisson launches 'New Year's Resolution' special offer The Radisson in Sydney is a 5-star hotel with a boutique style. Located in a heritage-listed building in the heart of Sydney's Central Business District, The Radisson Plaza is accessible to many Sydney attractions including the Rocks, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, the Botanic Gardens and a short walk from the Pitt Street shopping mall. EDGE INTELLIGENCEEarn 5000 Qantas frequent flyer points with stay at new Intercontinental Not only can you earn 3 frequent flier points for every dollar spent at the newly opened Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto, but for a limited time Qantas members can receive 5000 extra points with a stay at any Intercontinental in Australia and New Zealand. Until January 30th, 2009 you will earn 5000 points with an Intercontinental booking of two or more consecutive nights made on qantas.com/hotels. For terms and conditions visit www.qantas.com/intercontinental In this time of need, charity counts: Support UNICEF In these tumultuous economic times, charities are the first to suffer. However, the smallest donation still makes a difference at UNICEF, the official charity of the oneworld alliance. With UNICEF's Change for Good program, just 80 cents vaccinates a child against measles. Since its inception, flight attendant volunteers have collected over $2.5 million from American Airlines passengers alone for UNICEF's programs. So at the end of your next long-haul international flight, don't forget to give your change to UNICEF to help support this worthy cause. The following airlines are members of the one-world alliance which support UNICEF - American, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malev and Royal Jordanian. EVENTS AND CONFERENCESMICE welcomes tourists back to Thailand after Bangkok airport protest Thailand's official MICE body, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, has welcomed delegates back into the country after the political protests and barricading of Bangkok's main airports last month. The peak body is encouraging planners not to cancel their planned conventions and events in Thailand as the situation is under control. TCEB has even announced that the 14th ASEAN Summit is still on track to be held in Bangkok before the end of February. The TCEB reports that all MICE spaces are operating as per usual and that the facilities, the subway, buses, etc are also operating normally and they look forward to welcoming delegates to the upcoming events next month. Global Association of the Exhibition Industry holds 4th UFI Open Seminar in KL in Feb UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, will hold the 4th UFI Seminar in Kuala Lupur February 12-13, 2009. The theme of this year's seminar is 'Ten Steps to Better Exhibitions - Practical tips on how to run an exhibition in a time of crisis.' The UFI Seminar boasts an impressive list of guest speakers and presenters including Nat Wong, President of Agility Fairs & Events Logistics in Singapore. This year, The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will host the seminar. The UFI seminar is open to all UFI members and non-members to participate and runs from 1:30 - 5:45pm on the 12th and 9 - 1pm on the 13th followed by a lunch at the convention centre. |
||||||