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Contact UsExecutive Edge Tel: +613 9519 7777 |
Corporate Newsletter: Issue #15 Welcome to Edge Intelligence for July/August 2009Letter from the Editor Everyone is focused on saving money at the moment. Keep in mind, the key during these challenging economic times is to find the right price point for the product's true value. This resonates particularly critical for the corporate traveler. For example, the value of a business class ticket on Emirates with its astonishing innovations such as a full service bar for networking (see Industry News), fully flat 2-metre beds, digital widescreen entertainment and spa is worth the expense. Another option for corporate travelers with a great value deal is being able to purchase exit row seats on Qantas international flights as of this month (see Edge Intelligence). In Business Hotel News, the Four Seasons, Radisson Plaza and Sheraton on the Park in Sydney are all currently offering enticing deals for extensive value. Even the MICE industry (see Events and Conferences) is rethinking the way they do business and offering superb value with newly launched package deals at both Novotel and Mercure properties Australia wide. Whatever your personal price point for value, your Edge Consultant will endeavour to maintain a partnership with you which drives down overall travel spend by improving travel policies and finding value. As always, we are pleased to have you all as clients and we thank you for your loyalty. Kimberly Rosbe |
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INDUSTRY NEWS
BUSINESS HOTEL NEWS
EDGE INTELLIGENCE
EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
INDUSTRY NEWSObama promotes funding for foreign travel to US The CEOs of the travel industry urged Obama and key congressional leaders in the US to encourage business travel again and accordingly pass the Travel Promotion Act. The TPA would create a pool of funding and public/private partnership to promote foreign travel to the US. Although the conversation was just a start, Obama's attention to the matter will undoubtedly prove productive for stimulating a return to business-related travel. Best Bar Networking on Emirates' Flights Looking for a reason to justify flying business class? Emirates has devised a clever, Australian version of networking - a bar in the air. The Emirates A380 now operates a stylish full bar with appetizers in its business class cabin. 18 passengers can sit comfortably and talk business, even strapping themselves in during turbulence. So now you can work while you fly - have a drink, make contacts, and pontificate about, or even land, that next business deal. The bar isn't the A380s only astonishing innovation. On the Dubai to Auckland route, the plane also offers flat business beds, digital widescreen entertainment, French champagne and best of all, a spa and showers in first class. Yes you heard correctly - a SPA. No longer will you feel and look exhausted when you step off a long haul flight with dark sunglasses and rumpled clothes. Now you can refresh with a hot shower at 43,000 feet while experiencing the signature products from Emirates' premium spa brand. Enjoy! Thai Airways Receives Number One Ranking for Service As well as moving up from second place to first for both first and business classes, Thai Airways moved into second spot from fifth for its economy ranking. Qatar Confirms New Flights to Melbourne and Sydney BUSINESS HOTEL NEWSFeatured Business Hotel: Four Seasons Sydney The Four Seasons Sydney has just completed a $16 million makeover revamping its 531 rooms and suites for a shiny new contemporary atmosphere. The rooms have all received new fabrics and wall coverings and have been designed with subtle browns and creams which contrast with the blue harbour views just outside its windows. Furnishings are an eclectic mix of contemporary and classic furnishings, dark wood and glass. All rooms have also been outfitted for 40-inch flat screen televisions as well as iPod/MP3 connectivity, DVD/CD players and wireless internet access. According to the General Manager Stephen Lewis, the overall effect is much more luxurious, brighter and more contemporary while maintaining a residential ambience. Located in the famed Rocks District of Sydney, the hotel overlooks the Sydney Harbour and is within 10 minutes easy access to the central business district and all restaurants and shopping of the city. 199 George Street, Radisson Plaza Hotel Sydney offers free internet Now even more popular with business travelers, the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Sydney is offering free internet to its guests with wireless connectivity available in all guest rooms as well as public areas. To add to this technological convenience, the hotel has also introduced iPod and MP3 docking stations for all the guest rooms. Wendy Hill, the Marketing Manager for Radisson, says her goal is to create personal touches that enhance guests' stay by making everyone feel as comfortable as home. In attempts to capture the proceeds from the universal Australian tax stimulus package, currently the hotel is offering a decadent package (priced at $900 of course) which includes two nights in a studio spa suite, a bottle of Domaine Chandon, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a three-course dinner in Bistro Fax restaurant, daily hot buffet breakfast and a $100 credit to spend in the hotel and late checkout of 2pm. Deal good through September 28th, subject to terms and conditions and availability. The Radisson Plaza is a 4 star boutique hotel located in the heart of Sydney - best known for its heritage-listed building with a sandstone facade dating back to the 1800s. Sheraton on the Park Sydney Weekend Package Deal Sheraton on the Park Sydney is currently offering a 'Weekend Surprise Package' starting at $285 per room per night including buffet breakfast for two, self-parking, access to the health club and late checkout until 4pm on Sunday. Offer valid through December 30, 2009. Subject to availability. EDGE INTELLIGENCENew Pre-Purchase of Exit Row Seating for Qantas Now Available At last the coveted 'exit row' can now be solidified before a long haul flight overseas - with a small fee, that is. Leave it to Qantas to create another industry first. On June 16th, Qantas announced that exit row seats can be reserved with pre-purchase for those passengers traveling in the economy cabin for international flights. So relax and stretch your legs reveling in the those extra precious inches that do make all the difference in your comfort level on overseas trips. So how will this work? All international economy class passengers traveling on flights operated by Qantas (not code share or partner flights) will be able to purchase exit row seats between a week and 24 hours before the flight's scheduled departure. If the exit rows haven't been pre-booked prior to the day of travel, then those seats can also be purchased at airport check-in on the day of departure. Passengers traveling on award bookings are also eligible for exit rows by using award points or a cash option. The cost/points will be as follows: SHORT HAUL LONG HAUL Exclusive Avis Offer for AAdvantage Members Take advantage of car rental deals using your AAdvantage membership from American Airlines. Through the end of the year, you can earn 1,750 American Airlines AAdvantage miles and save up to 25% on Avis car rentals at participating airport locations in the US and Canada. Simply enter coupon #MUAA903 in your reservation and include your AAdvantage number to receive 1,500 bonus miles on your weekly rental of 5 days or more. This is in addition to the 250 base miles you'll earn automatically. Then use Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) #K817100 and you can save up to 25%! Call 1-800-831-8000 or go online to www.avis.com EVENTS AND CONFERENCESRebound expected for MICE market Meetings and conferences will continue to play a major role in the success of businesses, experts say, once the economy begins to rebound. A recent survey by Hilton Hotels found that 77 percent believe that offsite meetings were a necessity not a luxury while 94 percent believed that meetings could build stronger business relationships. Furthermore, 84 percent of those surveyed believe that face to face meetings and conferences are significantly more inspiring than digital communication created to replace MICE. Finally, 61 percent stated that they would rather work for an organisation that regularly invested in offsite meetings. So given the economic turndown, the MICE market, as a result, has begun to change shape. Since research illustrates the importance of meetings and conferences to the success of the corporate world, businesses are rethinking the way meetings are hosted, not eliminating them. Increasingly, there is a trend towards smaller, more regular meetings in short haul destinations as opposed to massive events and conferences overseas. And hotels and properties across Australia are responding with package deals accordingly. Novotel launches new meetings and incentives program Novotel Australia has created a new nationwide launch of a MICE program designed to meet the requirements of today's conference and events industry in this tough economy. The concept has been aptly dubbed 'Meet@Novotel.' Although the concept is simple, the program was designed to encompass every aspect of a meeting, event, conference or incentive scenario. The aim is clear - deliver a professional, reliable and consistent network of services across all 20 Novotel hotels and resorts in the region. Accor's National Director of Sales Kerrie Hannaford has stated that meet@novotel will provide a first-class meeting experience across the brand. Lodge a request directly with the hotel at www.novotel.com.au and receive a response within two hours of receipt of enquiry. Mercure launches buy two conferences get one free deal Mercure Hotels has just released the details of its new 'Pay for 2 Get 1 Free' conferencing deal. With 17 properties across Australia, the location options are extensive. To be eligible, a minimum of 20 rooms must be booked per night and a minimum of 40 day delegates in attendance. The package rate includes catering, room hire, equipment and stationery. Residential conferences must be booked and fully paid for before September 30th to receive the two for one deal. See www.mercure.com for more details. Rules and regulations apply. |
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