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	<title>TravHQ &#187; business travel</title>
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		<title>SMEs manage travel spend with same benefits as large corporations: Egencia report</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/news/smes-manage-travel-spend-with-same-benefits-as-large-corporations-egencia-report/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/news/smes-manage-travel-spend-with-same-benefits-as-large-corporations-egencia-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2018 03:30:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corporate travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[egencia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SME]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel management companies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel report]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel spends]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75181</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>In the past, dedicated teams for travel management were only for large groups. Today, even small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are dedicating resources to managing their travel and place importance on traveller satisfaction as a crucial lever for increasing compliance and enlarging return on investment in travel spend, Egencia findings show. SME buyers are...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/smes-manage-travel-spend-with-same-benefits-as-large-corporations-egencia-report/" title="ReadSMEs manage travel spend with same benefits as large corporations: Egencia report">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/smes-manage-travel-spend-with-same-benefits-as-large-corporations-egencia-report/">SMEs manage travel spend with same benefits as large corporations: Egencia report</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>In the past, dedicated teams for travel management were only for large groups. Today, even small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are dedicating resources to managing their travel and place importance on traveller satisfaction as a crucial lever for increasing compliance and enlarging return on investment in travel spend, <a href="https://www.egencia.com/public/uk/2018/05/24/egencia-findings-smes-now-manage-their-travel-spend-with-the-same-benefits-as-large-corporations/" target="_blank">Egencia findings</a> show. SME buyers are now more focused on adding value to the business by saving money, managing travel expenses and understanding travel patterns.</p>
<p>Egnecia is technology platform for travel management companies which simplifies the process of planning, booking and managing business travel.</p>
<blockquote><p>“They expect detailed reports, thorough cost analyses and well documented returns on what they spend on their travel activities. Previously, SMEs may not have had access to the same amount of data as larger corporations because it required implementation of expensive software. Today we provide easy-to-use comprehensive tools that let them look at the data and use it to make the necessary changes,&#8221; said Virginie Pouget, Head of Global Consulting, Egencia.</p></blockquote>
<p>In December 2017, Egencia asked a selection of its SME clients to share their focus areas for 2018. 85% said that &#8220;increased cost savings&#8221; were one of the three most important areas for the year ahead. Of those, 60% believed it is the most important. The other top two areas are both closely linked to efficiency, with &#8220;increased productivity for the traveller&#8221; at 50%, and &#8220;improved transparency on travel expenses&#8221; at 40%.</p>
<div id="attachment_75182" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/egencia-travel-expense-management-data-sharing-e1528616510243.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="size-full wp-image-75182" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/egencia-travel-expense-management-data-sharing-e1528616510243.jpg" alt="Image source: PYMNTS.com" width="600" height="400" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Image source: PYMNTS.com</p></div>
<p>Traditionally, buyers have focused on improving or expanding travel policy, improving risk management and refining hotel and airline agreements. In 2018, these factors have moved further down the list.</p>
<p>Today, travel purchasers and travel managers are often integrated into the finance or purchasing department, where their main task is to handle travel policy and traveller safety, support policy compliance and manage travel expenses.</p>
<p>“Even though they now report to finance or procurement, it’s important that we, as their travel advisors, understand that the quality of the travel experience is closely linked to controlling the costs. Travel administration is about understanding the human factor,&#8221; said Pouget.</p>
<p>Those who travel often have strong and legitimate opinions about which airline they want to fly with and which hotel they want to stay in. To many, this is crucial to how effective they believe they are when they work.</p>
<p>“The buyer needs to understand this and handle both the culture of the company and the staff. Otherwise, cost-saving initiatives could be met with resistance and potentially affect the bottom line negatively,” said Pouget.</p>
<p>At the same time, technology is developing fast in the travel industry. But it does not need to be a contradiction between cutting costs and improving the experience of the travellers. By using today’s technological solutions, travel managers can make sure that the experience benefits both the business and those who travel.</p>
<p>“Booking a business trip should be just as simple as it is to book your weekend getaway. Today’s best sites for business travel offer just that. And in addition, the company gets all the data the leisure travel sites will not give you. Needless to say, the process must be equally smooth when the traveller is on the go on her mobile phone,” said Pouget.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/smes-manage-travel-spend-with-same-benefits-as-large-corporations-egencia-report/">SMEs manage travel spend with same benefits as large corporations: Egencia report</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>How an increased focus on the MICE sector can pump up revenues for hoteliers</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-an-increased-focus-on-the-mice-sector-can-pump-up-revenues-for-hoteliers/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-an-increased-focus-on-the-mice-sector-can-pump-up-revenues-for-hoteliers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2018 02:50:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corporate events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hoteliers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[incentive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75171</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>The Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition industry, better known as MICE tourism, has rapidly become one of the fastest growing segments within the tourism industry. According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, &#8220;MICE Industry by Event Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023&#8221; , the global MICE industry was valued...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-an-increased-focus-on-the-mice-sector-can-pump-up-revenues-for-hoteliers/" title="ReadHow an increased focus on the MICE sector can pump up revenues for hoteliers">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-an-increased-focus-on-the-mice-sector-can-pump-up-revenues-for-hoteliers/">How an increased focus on the MICE sector can pump up revenues for hoteliers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>The Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition industry, better known as MICE tourism, has rapidly become one of the fastest growing segments within the tourism industry. According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, &#8220;<a href="https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/MICE-industry-market" target="_blank">MICE Industry by Event Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023</a>&#8221; , the global MICE industry was valued at $752 billion in 2016, and is projected to reach $1,245 billion in 2023, registering a CAGR of 7.5% from 2017 to 2023.</p>
<p>According to an <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/hospitality-sector-gains-on-rising-mice-events/articleshow/57424929.cms" target="_blank">Economic Times report</a>, industry experts and analysts attribute increasing MICE events, including investor summits, to an improved economic sentiment amidst growing competition among states to score better ratings in ease of doing business and attract investments. These have directly boosted average room occupancies and returns. For example, Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), India&#8217;s largest convention centre managed by AccorHotels, had hosted more than 800 events in 2016, averaging more than 2 parallel events daily, highest in a decade.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/audience-1677028_1280-e1528296998189.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-75172" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/audience-1677028_1280-e1528296998189.jpg" alt="audience-1677028_1280" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>This highly competitive sector is known for high-end events, generates significant revenues and has clients that are always on the look-out for a venue to serenade its guest list. Many big players in the hospitality industry, especially hoteliers, are stepping up their MICE game to make the most of this trend.</p>
<p>As a hotelier, how can you increase your MICE sector bookings?</p>
<p><strong>1. Focus on diversity</strong> &#8211; MICE events can be both big or small. Your hotel may be able to hold large dinners, exhibitions, conferences, and annual summits, but that doesn’t have to mean that you let go off other meetings and regular events that take place quarterly or even monthly. This way you can be assured of guaranteed room sales and revenue, and better manage your hotel’s finances.</p>
<p><strong>2. Plan your marketing strategy well in advance</strong> &#8211; The MICE market needs to be marketed effectively for it to be effective. Think through your customer experience from the beginning till the end. Pore over details regarding your brand image, your facilities and services, and even the commute to your venue. To be successful in attracting events, you must actively come up with a strategy that highlights all these features and targets the right audience through strong branding, social presence and state-of-the-art facilities.</p>
<p><strong>3. Customize your activities</strong> &#8211; There is a rising demand for alternative options for team building exercises and incentive programmes, such as horse-riding lessons or even cooking classes. For instance, the African wineland of <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/" target="_blank">Paarl has stepped up its game as an attractive MICE destination</a> by not only offering great spaces to host events, but also organizing activities like wine-tasting, to keep guests thoroughly engaged. By offering unique experiences for corporate events, your hotel can cater for clients in a way that other exhibition centres can’t compete with, thus building a strong case for differentiation.</p>
<p><strong>4. Create a seamless experience through technology</strong> &#8211; With technology playing such an important role in the online booking process, it is vital for your hotel to make it easy for clients to reserve rooms and make other arrangements. Make sure your hotel has a great booking engine that is seamlessly integrated to your website. Respond to any query as soon as possible. Optimize your website to provide the best details about the event destination and your hotel, including blogs and other insider tips, in order to help the event planners with their decision-making.</p>
<p>What are some of the other ways that you can think of?</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-an-increased-focus-on-the-mice-sector-can-pump-up-revenues-for-hoteliers/">How an increased focus on the MICE sector can pump up revenues for hoteliers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>Looking to manage corporate travel expenses? This startup has the answer.</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/industry/startup-feature/looking-to-manage-corporate-travel-expenses-this-startup-has-the-answer/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/industry/startup-feature/looking-to-manage-corporate-travel-expenses-this-startup-has-the-answer/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2018 02:52:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Startup Feature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[big data]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloud-based tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[corporate travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indian travel startups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insteract]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel startup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[travel tech]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75129</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Corporate travel has been taking its own sweet time to modernize. While consumer travel has evolved with a demanding customer base, business travel still seems to be stuck with legacy issues. More than 90% of the market is still being served offline via a complex maze of travel desks, travel management companies and corporate travel...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/startup-feature/looking-to-manage-corporate-travel-expenses-this-startup-has-the-answer/" title="ReadLooking to manage corporate travel expenses? This startup has the answer.">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/startup-feature/looking-to-manage-corporate-travel-expenses-this-startup-has-the-answer/">Looking to manage corporate travel expenses? This startup has the answer.</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>Corporate travel has been taking its own sweet time to modernize. While consumer travel has evolved with a demanding customer base, business travel still seems to be stuck with legacy issues. More than 90% of the market is still being served offline via a complex maze of travel desks, travel management companies and corporate travel managers. Multiple email exchanges between the travel desk, the human resources team, and an employee makes travel cumbersome.</p>
<p>Here steps in <a href="https://www.insteract.com/" target="_blank">Insteract Technologies</a>, a cloud-based platform, which offers a transparent and convenient way to buy business travel for SMEs. The Bengaluru-based company, founded in July 2015 by three friends &#8211; Anandkumar Chandran, Kiran Balimane, and Balaji Ramakrishnan &#8211; offers personalised, relevant, and cost-effective travel options to the business traveller by comparing and sourcing lowest relevant options from the market, as per a traveller’s preferences and business rule.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DKAd7XIV4AA7nGP-e1526887249503.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-75130" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DKAd7XIV4AA7nGP-e1526887249503.jpg" alt="DKAd7XIV4AA7nGP" width="600" height="536" /></a></p>
<p>The idea for the business came when the founders were working at Verchaska (Balaji Ramakrishnan’s first venture), which was building legacy software, on-premise solutions, for the global travel industry. They quit the company in 2015, and started Insteract. The three co-founders seeded the company with $250,000 and began to build a product that centralises a company’s travel data, and provides analytics, benchmarking, and guidance to influence employees to make better travel decisions that save money, and comply with their company’s travel policy. The product was launched in January 2016, and went live with 45 corporate customers. Since then, Insteract has acquired 400 clients.</p>
<p>Insteract aims to make travel planning smart and transparent for businesses. The company’s ‘intelligent travel agent’ Hellolosa provides the end user with a real-time cost range produced by data analytics that track fares through real-time benchmarking of market. All options are benchmarked with the lowest logical market fare so customers get a clear picture of what they are buying. Insteract shows the top seven logical options to choose from. It’s unique profiling algorithm evaluates each available option through numerous travel parameters that match with the behaviour of traveller with the company policy. Some of the options are exclusive to them and offer the best value.</p>
<p>Price cap and benchmarks are tagged to each trip request and can be viewed at any time by everyone involved in the workflow. The customer can configure workflows based on spend limits and job titles for teams of any size across the company across any locations.</p>
<p>At the core of Insteract lies the aim to improve the effectiveness of travel programmes. Insteract identifies insights into points of friction between a traveller and travel policy and gives recommendations to optimise travel cost. It provides an absolute and relative comparisons between the traveller behaviour and booking patterns so companies can assess where they stand in comparison to industry benchmarks.</p>
<p><strong>Our take &#8211;</strong></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/" target="_blank">party is just getting started</a> in this space. Business travel has immense potential to become automated, more than leisure travel, because it is a more frequent activity. Corporates are finally starting to look for tools that will virtualise their travel desk function. Here, products like the one by Insteract, can deliver and improve on travel services, thanks to AI and machine learning. It will be pretty exciting to see how the company takes this forward by partnering with different elements of the travel industry, and make a dent in the legacy software business as well.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/startup-feature/looking-to-manage-corporate-travel-expenses-this-startup-has-the-answer/">Looking to manage corporate travel expenses? This startup has the answer.</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Indian economy is leading the way in business travel: report</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2018 09:16:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Express]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aviation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business hotels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travellers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Global business travel report]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[indian economy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75105</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>India’s high-powered economy is once again set to lead the way when it comes to global business travel. According to the Global Business Travel Forecast 2018 published by American Express, the outlook for international business travel is generally optimistic. Demand for business travel started to rebound last year, and is expected to grow over the...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/" title="ReadThe Indian economy is leading the way in business travel: report">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/">The Indian economy is leading the way in business travel: report</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>India’s high-powered economy is once again set to lead the way when it comes to global business travel. According to the Global Business Travel Forecast 2018 published by American Express, the outlook for international business travel is generally optimistic. Demand for business travel started to rebound last year, and is expected to grow over the next 12 months.</p>
<p>Despite some missteps in 2017, the Indian economy is the fastest growing in Asia, with its GDP growth set to top 7.4% in 2018. However, the Indian airline industry is growing at an even faster clip as favorable government policies, growing affluence, increased trade, and an aging transportation infrastructure are driving demand. Demand growth in India has been particularly strong on domestic routes. As of October, India’s domestic RPKs were up 15.5% year-over-year, with signs that they were strengthening further. However, overcapacity remains an issue and the country’s LCCs, which represent over 65% of domestic capacity, continue to compete fiercely for business. Plans for expansion among India’s airlines have led to an order book exceeding 1,100 aircraft and the pace of growth is increasingly putting a strain on the country’s airports, with many of the busiest, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, at or near saturation. Unlike China, where growth is coming from the connection of new city pairs, India’s expansion is primarily the result of increased frequencies on popular routes, where excess capacity may make weaker operators targets for consolidation. Despite stronger than expected yields in 2017, domestic overcapacity should reduce profits and keep prices flat 2018. International demand is growing more slowly, but remains generally underserved.</p>
<div id="attachment_75106" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/business-traveller-guide-e1525675790908.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="size-full wp-image-75106" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/business-traveller-guide-e1525675790908.jpg" alt="Image source: Hotel 115 Christchurch" width="600" height="278" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Image source: Hotel 115 Christchurch</p></div>
<p>Economic growth in India is projected to strengthen, and trade openness has also increased, partly driven by a competitive service sector. <a href="https://www.travhq.com/news/india-accounted-for-3-7-of-global-digital-travel-sales-says-new-kpmg-ficci-report/" target="_blank">Demand has surged</a>, creating inventory shortfalls in some of India’s busiest cities, particularly among luxury and upscale properties favored by foreign business travellers.</p>
<p>Indian hotel metrics are predicted to experience a mid-range increase for 2018, but rate changes will likely vary widely by city and property tier. Hotel occupancy rates in India are expected to remain at approximately 65% for the year, but will be much higher in upmarket properties. High levels of duty of care are essential elements of business travel planning throughout the country, with major hoteliers such as Marriot, AccorHotels and Taj dedicating significant resources to ensure traveller safety. Another trend worth noting is that hotels currently being sourced are often outside metropolitan areas, with clients looking for hotels close to partner locations that are away from larger centers.</p>
<p>While India remains dominated by taxi and car service options, ride sharing is an increasingly important component of the ground transportation ecosystem, with Uber and India-based Ola battling fiercely for market share. While Ola has the largest footprint in India, Uber’s presence in the top 30 cities makes it a viable solution for business travellers who will likely not need the full coverage provided by Ola. Car rental companies also continue to see strong growth reflecting higher demand among the burgeoning (and carless) middle class. While there is some demand for rental vehicles from foreign travelers, the availability of cheap transportation options and demanding driving conditions make this the exception rather than the rule.</p>
<p>Read the full report, <a href="https://www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/the-atlas/global-business-travel-forecast-2018/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/the-indian-economy-is-leading-the-way-in-business-travel-report/">The Indian economy is leading the way in business travel: report</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>Cape Town springs up yet another MICE gem in its International Convention Centre</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/industry/spotlight/cape-town-springs-up-yet-another-mice-gem-in-its-international-convention-centre/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/industry/spotlight/cape-town-springs-up-yet-another-mice-gem-in-its-international-convention-centre/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Apr 2018 12:49:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cape Town]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CTICC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meetings africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south africa tourism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75055</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>The African continent has been home to a growing travel market, and the major disruptions in the region have not gone unnoticed. While a concentrated effort has been on promoting conventional travel and tourism, business trips and MICE events are stealing the stage. The African economy is on a rise as far the tourism and...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/spotlight/cape-town-springs-up-yet-another-mice-gem-in-its-international-convention-centre/" title="ReadCape Town springs up yet another MICE gem in its International Convention Centre">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/spotlight/cape-town-springs-up-yet-another-mice-gem-in-its-international-convention-centre/">Cape Town springs up yet another MICE gem in its International Convention Centre</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p>The African continent has been home to a growing travel market, and the major disruptions in the region have not gone unnoticed. While a concentrated effort has been on promoting conventional travel and tourism, business trips and <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/what-the-global-mice-industry-needs-to-learn-from-meetings-africa-2018-show/" target="_blank">MICE events</a> are stealing the stage.</p>
<p>The African economy is on a rise as far the tourism and travel industry goes, and its conference <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/" target="_blank">venues</a> are also flourishing, entering a new age of innovation, and representing a fresh image of the continent to travellers.</p>
<p>One such upcoming venue includes The Cape Town International Convention Centre(CTICC), which serves as the host to some of the city’s biggest events, conferences and exhibitions. It is an easily locatable landmark, barely a half hour drive from the international airport, and greeting travellers who are making their way to the spectacular V&amp;A Waterfront and the city centre.</p>
<p><iframe width="900" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LXfzqajv4Yw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>CTICC runs as a partnership between the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and Business Cape. The venue excels in presenting its innovative design and sharing of seminars that focus on idea origination and culture. Within its walls are contained quality 5-star accommodation facilities, attended to by knowledgeable and passionate staff. The large trade and show space can be divided into various banquet and conference venues with catering available.</p>
<p>The venue catered to 482 events in 2017 alone. Some notable occasions to have graced its floors include the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. CTICC has been previously awarded the Best Large Conference Venue by Business Traveller Africa, and is all set to host the World Ophthalmology Congress in 2020, with an expected attendance of more than 15,000 delegates.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CTICC-2-e1524294107610.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-75057" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CTICC-2-e1524294107610.jpg" alt="CTICC 2" width="600" height="281" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>With many options to fill up and refresh, including the the Marimba Restaurant and Cigar Bar, an African-themed restaurant with set menus or buffet options, the CTICC lives up to its name as the best exhibition space in Cape Town.</p>
<p>Learn more about the venue, <a href="https://www.cticc.co.za/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/spotlight/cape-town-springs-up-yet-another-mice-gem-in-its-international-convention-centre/">Cape Town springs up yet another MICE gem in its International Convention Centre</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>South Africa’s Babylonstoren is joining the ranks of the world’s best MICE venues</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Apr 2018 02:36:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[babylonstoren]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conferences]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meetings Africa 2018]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south africa tourism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=75017</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>The MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry is one of the major drivers within the tourism industry and has experienced tremendous growth in the past years, and Africa has gradually begun to join the ranks of the world’s MICE superpowers. From ultra-modern halls to scenic convention centers, and historical meeting spaces, you’ll find a...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/" title="ReadSouth Africa’s Babylonstoren is joining the ranks of the world’s best MICE venues">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/">South Africa’s Babylonstoren is joining the ranks of the world’s best MICE venues</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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<p>The MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry is one of the major drivers within the tourism industry and has experienced tremendous growth in the past years, and Africa has gradually begun to join the ranks of the world’s MICE superpowers.</p>
<p>From ultra-modern halls to scenic convention centers, and historical meeting spaces, you’ll find a venue as unique and amazing as your event in this continent. Babylonstoren is one such venue that boasts of world-class MICE facilities.</p>
<div id="attachment_75019" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2.-A-birdseye-view-of-the-farm-e1522996901869.jpeg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="size-full wp-image-75019" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2.-A-birdseye-view-of-the-farm-e1522996901869.jpeg" alt="A bird's-eye view of the farm" width="600" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A bird&#8217;s-eye view of the farm</p></div>
<p>A historic Cape Dutch farm that boasts of one of the best preserved farmyards in the Cape (South Africa), Babylonstoren is barely a 40-minute drive from Cape Town. The best part about the venue is that it caters to all aspects of your events and not just the meeting itself, much like its <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/" target="_blank">neighbouring wineland of Paarl</a>.</p>
<p>What makes Babylonstoren unique as a conference venue is the fact that you have everything you need in the same spot. From unique accommodation, to fine food and wine, a sense of well being and a place of inspiration, as the farm sits at the heart of the wine country with breathtaking backdrop of Simonsberg.</p>
<p>Babylonstoren provides two exclusive conference venues &#8211; the Wheat Barn and White Studio. The décor in both venues includes delft tables and chairs in the pre-drinks area, and carefully selected seasonal flowers, fruits, vegetables and blossoms from the garden. Both the venues have a PA sound system and microphones are made available for speeches, along with projector and screen, flip chart, small booklet with pencils.</p>
<div id="attachment_75020" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/7.-Kitchen-overlooking-garden-e1522996953112.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-1"><img class="size-full wp-image-75020" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/7.-Kitchen-overlooking-garden-e1522996953112.jpg" alt="A view of the kitchen, overlooking the gardens" width="600" height="428" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A view of the kitchen, overlooking the gardens</p></div>
<p>The conference venues are reserved for one function at a time, thus giving guests an exclusive use of the areas around the venues. At R12,500 per day during high seasons, and R10,000 per day during low season, the venue is definitely a steal. Additionally, lunch at Babylonstoren’s ‘Harvest Table’ is a feast that celebrates the fruit and vegetable garden, which includes fresh-farm produce like fresh garden lettuce and garden crudité, freshly baked wood-fired oven bread, marinated olives, a selection of cheeses with seasonal preserves and a variety of charcuterie and garden chutneys, costing R 650 per person.</p>
<div id="attachment_75018" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Lunch-at-Babel-e1522996775496.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-2"><img class="size-full wp-image-75018" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/5.-Lunch-at-Babel-e1522996775496.jpg" alt="Lunch at the venue" width="600" height="376" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Lunch at the venue</p></div>
<p>Watch the video to get a glimpse into the beauty of this historic town.</p>
<p><iframe width="900" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQZojlfYCdk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Earlier in February this year, the African continent was abuzz with 13th edition of <a href="https://www.meetingsafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">Meetings Africa</a> hosted in Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/what-the-global-mice-industry-needs-to-learn-from-meetings-africa-2018-show/" target="_blank">premier business event</a> in the region gave a fascinating overview of MICE business opportunities in South Africa and the continent, and included exhibitor from over 21 African countries drawing more than 3000+ business delegates. The event was not only professionally organized, but the facilities were also world class and gave the business-world a real insight on how the continent is gearing up to increase MICE trade.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/south-africas-babylonstoren-is-joining-the-ranks-of-the-worlds-best-mice-venues/">South Africa’s Babylonstoren is joining the ranks of the world’s best MICE venues</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>Amadeus announces strategic partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/press-release/amadeus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-flight-centre-travel-group/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/press-release/amadeus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-flight-centre-travel-group/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2018 03:50:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[amadeus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flight centre travel group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[retail travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategic partnership]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=74983</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Amadeus and Flight Centre Travel Group announced that Amadeus will be providing distribution technology for Flight Centre’s business across EMEA and Asia. As one of Flight Centre’s partners of choice, Amadeus will be working hand-in-hand with Flight Centre to transform its IT and operations through innovative solutions and support expansion in these regions. Flight Centre...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/press-release/amadeus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-flight-centre-travel-group/" title="ReadAmadeus announces strategic partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/press-release/amadeus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-flight-centre-travel-group/">Amadeus announces strategic partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://www.amadeus.com/web/amadeus/en_1A-corporate/Amadeus-Home/1319560218660-Page-AMAD_HomePpal" target="_blank">Amadeus</a> and <a href="http://www.fctgl.com/" target="_blank">Flight Centre Travel Group</a> announced that Amadeus will be providing distribution technology for Flight Centre’s business across EMEA and Asia. As one of Flight Centre’s partners of choice, Amadeus will be working hand-in-hand with Flight Centre to transform its IT and operations through innovative solutions and support expansion in these regions.</p>
<p>Flight Centre will also be a driver customer in the creation of Amadeus’ new NDC-enabled solution for business and retail travel agencies. The two companies will work together, with Flight Centre providing input into Amadeus’ design and build of an NDC-enabled solution. This will enable travel sellers worldwide to shop, order and pay for flights and related services, in addition to changing and cancelling bookings, using the NDC standard in Amadeus Selling Platform Connect.</p>
<div id="attachment_74984" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/flight-centre-NDC-e1522216830486.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="size-full wp-image-74984" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/flight-centre-NDC-e1522216830486.jpg" alt="Image source: Amadeus" width="600" height="339" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Image source: Amadeus</p></div>
<p>Amadeus has already started to collaborate with several airlines to define a solution that gives travel agents access to travel content using the NDC standard. The objective is to make NDC content easy to access and compare so travel providers and sellers can serve travellers simply, quickly and accurately.</p>
<blockquote><p>Graham Turner, Managing Director, Flight Centre Travel Group, said, “Our approach has always been to evolve with industry developments and the needs of our customers in order to aggregate and offer the widest, most relevant content possible. We are committed to ensuring Flight Centre stays ahead of the curve in terms of GDS technology and systems, particularly as new initiatives like NDC emerge. That’s why we are excited to have partnered with Amadeus in our Asia and EMEA businesses. We wanted a leading technology partner, not just a GDS supplier, who could work with us to drive our business forward with tech innovation for the benefit of our customers.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Rajiv Rajian, EVP of Business Travel, Amadeus, said, “We are proud to be delivering Flight Centre’s distribution and IT needs and we’re excited to have Flight Centre as a driver customer on our NDC journey. As we progress on our NDC-X program, we’re also evolving our entire travel platform to bring together all relevant content from any source (GDS, NDC, airline proprietary APIs, and aggregators) to be distributed via any channel or device. The first evolution of our platform is underway and will give travel sellers, like Flight Centre, access to more content, and will give airlines the flexibility to distribute their products and offers however they choose.”</p>
<p>Amadeus is committed to achieving the NDC level 3 certification as an aggregator this year, followed by delivering a first fully scalable solution to travel sellers worldwide in 2019. This will then continue to develop and evolve, adding more sophisticated use cases along the way.</p>
<p>Flight Centre’s travel agents will adopt a range of Amadeus solutions in the following markets: EMEA (United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, South Africa, Namibia, and UAE) and Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and India). In Australia and New Zealand, Amadeus will also provide technology solutions for some of Flight Centre’s online travel agency businesses. Amadeus is also a key IT partner to help Flight Centre grow its business in new markets and segments.</p>
<p>Read more about <a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/how-can-blockchain-can-transform-the-future-of-the-travel-industry-amadeus-has-a-potential-answer/" target="_blank">Amadeus&#8217; solution to blockchain transforming the travel industry</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/press-release/amadeus-announces-strategic-partnership-with-flight-centre-travel-group/">Amadeus announces strategic partnership with Flight Centre Travel Group</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>The African wineland of Paarl is now gaining fame as a world-class MICE destination</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2018 10:11:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spotlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[events industry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[incentive]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[meetings Africa 2018]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Paarl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[south africa tourism]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=74970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>For long, Africa’s tourism potential &#8211; the scenic landscapes, wildlife, beaches and wineries &#8211; have kept luring travellers to the continent. However, business tourism is now also on the rise, acting as a key contributor to the tourism industry’s growth. For instance, in recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognize Africa as...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/" title="ReadThe African wineland of Paarl is now gaining fame as a world-class MICE destination">Read more &#187;</a></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/">The African wineland of Paarl is now gaining fame as a world-class MICE destination</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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<p>For long, Africa’s tourism potential &#8211; the scenic landscapes, wildlife, beaches and wineries &#8211; have kept luring travellers to the continent. However, business tourism is now also on the rise, acting as a key contributor to the tourism industry’s growth. For instance, in recent years, the global meetings industry has begun to recognize Africa as a sought after destination; it currently accounts for R155 billion of the South African GDP, thereby leading to immense growth of the tourism economy in the African continent. By targeting business travel, the number of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, Africa is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that MICE events increase over the coming years.</p>
<p>South Africa’s third oldest town of <a href="http://www.paarlonline.com/" target="_blank">Paarl</a> has also joined the MICE bandwagon and is eyeing the market in a big way. Located an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the Drakenstein Municipality, Paarl is famed for its age-old wine farms, top performing schools, and a stretch of land where former President Nelson Mandela took his first steps of freedom after being incarcerated for 27 years. Drakenstein Municipality itself is the largest local municipality (outside the City of Cape Town) in South Africa’s Western Cape province, and has been rated the 18th top municipality in the country and adopted secondary city status in 2017.</p>
<div id="attachment_74973" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Aerial-e1522142026482.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="size-full wp-image-74973" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Aerial-e1522142026482.jpg" alt="An aerial view of Paarl" width="600" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">An aerial view of Paarl</p></div>
<p>A fast-growing, progressive region and investment destination, Drakenstein’s main economic sectors include finance, insurance, real estate and business services. Paarl has become internationally renowned for its award-winning wines and its unique terroir has proven to be ideal for creating world-class Chenin Blanc and Shiraz. Additionally, between 2016-2017, the municipality submitted R2.2 billion in building plans, setting the stage for major growth of the region.</p>
<p>However, Paarl is not just about the ambiance; it makes good business sense, too. The easy flight access to the airport at Cape Town allows the region to position itself as an attractive MICE destination for international conference and incentive organisers. Moreover, it has ample facilities like convention centers, good transportation, along with good accommodation in the form of luxury stays, with great sightseeing, entertainment and hospitality.</p>
<div id="attachment_74972" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Conferencing-e1522141795395.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-1"><img class="size-full wp-image-74972" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Conferencing-e1522141795395.jpg" alt="A heritage conference venue at Paarl" width="600" height="600" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A heritage conference venue at Paarl</p></div>
<p>From the Diamant Estate in the heart of the Cape Winelands, to the Domain Brahms with its spectacular surroundings and friendly personnel, from the luxurious Freedom Hill that caters specifically to events, to the Historium Conference Centre located right in the heart of Paarl; the city has no dearth of historic, hospitable accommodations that not only cater to leisure travellers, but have also stepped up their game as formidable MICE destinations. (<a href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/what-the-global-mice-industry-needs-to-learn-from-meetings-africa-2018-show/" target="_blank">Also read</a>: What the global MICE industry needs to learn from the <a href="https://www.meetingsafrica.co.za/" target="_blank">Meetings Africa 2018</a> show)</p>
<div id="attachment_74974" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Accommodation6-e1522142167941.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-2"><img class="size-full wp-image-74974" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Paarl_Accommodation6-e1522142167941.jpg" alt="Paarl's hospitable accommodations have stepped up their game as formidable MICE destinations" width="600" height="1014" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Paarl&#8217;s hospitable accommodations have stepped up their game as formidable MICE destinations</p></div>
<p>For instance, the Diamant Estate can host up to 100 guests for events, amidst a dramatic background of the Paarl mountains, while also providing organizers with projectors, boards, and refreshments required for any meeting. On the other hand, a venue like Nantes Estate can host close to 200 people in an exquisite historical setting, at affordable full-day rates of R460 for each delegate. Paarl has more than 20 such event venues that cater to every need of event organizers and business travellers, including leisure activities to keep them thoroughly engaged.</p>
<p>The meetings industry is now evolving around developing events that integrate business needs and entertainment, and engage delegates in new ways. From pushing innovation to acting as brand marketing platforms, business meetings and events are moving away from being simply networking hubs to becoming more experiential centres. Paarl’s unique appeal and its booming infrastructure are coming together to fulfil all these needs and develop as a comprehensive MICE destination.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/opinions/the-african-wineland-of-paarl-is-now-gaining-fame-as-a-world-class-mice-destination/">The African wineland of Paarl is now gaining fame as a world-class MICE destination</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>Africa is the new MICE choice: Kwakye Donkor, Chairman at Africa Tourism Partners</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/industry/interviews/africa-is-the-new-mice-choice-kwakye-donkor-chairman-at-africa-tourism-partners/</link>
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		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2017 05:49:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Debarati Dasgupta]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Interviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[africa tourism partners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grant Thornton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.travhq.com/?p=74576</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Africa’s scenery, wildlife, beaches and wine have kept luring travellers to the continent for a long time now, acting as the key contributor to the tourism industry’s growth. However, business tourism is now also on the rise, with its new-found recognition as an important, untapped segment. By targeting business travel, the number of meetings, incentives,...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/interviews/africa-is-the-new-mice-choice-kwakye-donkor-chairman-at-africa-tourism-partners/" title="ReadAfrica is the new MICE choice: Kwakye Donkor, Chairman at Africa Tourism Partners">Read more &#187;</a></p>
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<p>Africa’s scenery, wildlife, beaches and wine have kept luring travellers to the continent for a long time now, acting as the key contributor to the tourism industry’s growth. However, business tourism is now also on the rise, with its new-found recognition as an important, untapped segment.</p>
<p>By targeting business travel, the number of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, Africa is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that MICE events increase over the coming years. Recently, <a href="http://africatourismpartners.com/" target="_blank">Africa Tourism Partners</a> (ATP) and Grant Thornton announced that they will host the first ever <a href="https://www.travhq.com/press-release/africa-tourism-partners-atp-with-grant-thornton-to-host-the-first-ever-africa-mice-masterclass-in-johannesburg-south-africa/" target="_blank">Africa Masterclass in MICE</a> in Johannesburg, from February 20-23, 2018. Themed ‘Growing destination tourist arrivals through business and events tourism leadership development’, it is a professional development programme that aims to enhance the skills of professionals and public officials in the African MICE sector.It will also focus on how tourist destinations in Africa can optimize the value of business and events tourism.</p>
<p>TravHQ spoke to <strong>Kwakye Donkor, chairman at ATP</strong>, about what he envisions for the MICE sector.<br />
<strong>Business tourism has now become a key agenda in Africa. How did the transformation take place &#8211; from a leisure hotspot to a business travel hub?</strong><br />
Africa has always been a business tourism hub. There is, however, more hype and global awareness about business tourism now than ever. The primary reason being that both the Public and Private sector in Africa have committed to work in unison to position their tourist destinations on the continent as such, thereby increasing their investments in business tourism development. These are in the form of building more business hotels, conference centers, establishment of more convention and visitors bureau and more commitment in business tourism marketing.</p>
<p><strong>How do you see this MICE masterclass helping the African tourism industry overall?</strong><br />
This is the first of its kind and Africa Tourism Partners and its lead Partner, Grant Thornton see it as a professional development programme for both experienced and inexperienced professionals in the industry. It also aims to sharpen skills in the industry and create a peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing opportunity. Ultimately, we wish to use this novel initiative to close the industry skills gap in order for destinations in Africa to grow their tourists arrivals through business tourism.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/johannesburg-436018_1280.jpg" data-rel="lightbox-0"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-74581" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/johannesburg-436018_1280-1024x768.jpg" alt="johannesburg-436018_1280" width="900" height="675" /></a></p>
<p><strong>What are the key destinations in Africa that could potentially become/already are MICE leaders?</strong><br />
Almost all African destinations have the opportunity to become MICE destinations . This is because each destination is unique in its own way for meetings, incentive travel, conferences and conventions.</p>
<p><strong>What are your main target markets globally?</strong><br />
We are inviting all African and Middle East Destinations officials /representatives, marketing directors, sales directors, CEOs of tourism authorities and CVBs, as well as all stakeholders in public and private sector to participate in the Masterclass. We also take this opportunity to invite all interested parties across the globe to attend and learn more about Africa’s MICE /business tourism sector.</p>
<p><strong>The government has also taken up a number of initiatives to expand the MICE horizon in the country. Any particular initiative that you think worked the best so far?</strong><br />
Yes, this is true, African governments are doing their best to grow the industry as a key sector for African tourism economies and there are different approaches. Given that each destination is unique, destinations will adopt and implement initiatives that suit them best. This is a good approach as it gives way to diversity and uniqueness.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone wp-image-74579" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kwakye-Donkor-MED-855x1024-855x1024.jpg" alt="Kwakye-Donkor-MED-855x1024" width="500" height="599" /></p>
<p><strong>What are the challenges that you foresee in growing Africa as an important MICE destination?</strong><br />
The biggest challenge is the cost of air travel to most MICE destinations in Africa. This is, however, being resolved as a result of the emergence of low cost carriers.</p>
<p><strong>How do you expect the segment to grow in the next 5 years?</strong><br />
I cannot put figures to this, however, we are very positive that this segment will continue to grow given the commitment by industry stakeholders to create more awareness about their offering, which are on par with the rest of world.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com/industry/interviews/africa-is-the-new-mice-choice-kwakye-donkor-chairman-at-africa-tourism-partners/">Africa is the new MICE choice: Kwakye Donkor, Chairman at Africa Tourism Partners</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.travhq.com">TravHQ</a>.</p>
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		<title>Concur announces launch of operations in South Korea</title>
		<link>https://www.travhq.com/news/concur-announces-launch-of-operations-in-south-korea/</link>
		<comments>https://www.travhq.com/news/concur-announces-launch-of-operations-in-south-korea/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:30:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Aekansh Malhotra]]></dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Press Release]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Concur]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[<p>Leading business travel and expense management company Concur announced its expansion into South Korea. Concur will join SAP&#8217;s Seoul office offering Expense solutions to large conglomerates, enterprise businesses and multi-national companies with operations in South Korea. &#8220;South Korea is an important part of Concur&#8217;s global growth strategy,&#8221; said Won Joon Hyoung, President, SAP Korea. &#8220;We...  <a class="excerpt-read-more" href="https://www.travhq.com/news/concur-announces-launch-of-operations-in-south-korea/" title="ReadConcur announces launch of operations in South Korea">Read more &#187;</a></p>
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<p>Leading business travel and expense management company Concur announced its expansion into South Korea. Concur will join SAP&#8217;s Seoul office offering Expense solutions to large conglomerates, enterprise businesses and multi-national companies with operations in South Korea.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;South Korea is an important part of Concur&#8217;s global growth strategy,&#8221; said Won Joon Hyoung, President, SAP Korea. &#8220;We currently have strong business interest and momentum in South Korea, despite not having a local office. The outdated expense and travel management solutions widely deployed in the market today are not capable of providing data and insights that help businesses make more informed decisions. By investing in Concur&#8217;s operations in South Korea, our goal is to lead the domestic market in travel and expense management.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-73661" src="https://www.travhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/concur-logo-1024x570.png" alt="concur logo" width="900" height="501" /></p>
<p>Barry Long has been appointed as Vice President of Global Sales, Asia Pacific for Concur, and Jaesung Kim is Head of Sales for Concur Korea. Concur will be building out additional sales, solution consulting, marketing, service delivery and business development teams in the coming months.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter of 2016, among its current customer base in Korea, Concur saw more than 125 percent year-over-year growth in expense transactions, and more than 113 percent growth in reimbursed expense spend. According to the Global Business Travel Association&#8217;s <a href="http://www.businesstravelnews.com/uploadedFiles/White_Papers/AsiaPacBusTravelBoomWP_BTN_KoreanAir2016.pdf" target="_blank">BTI Outlook</a>, total South Korean business travel spend was $32.6 billion in 2015. The BTI Outlook projects spend volume will grow at a rate of 4.4 percent per year through 2020, outpacing the 2.6 to 2.8 percent economic growth.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;The opportunity in South Korea is significant,&#8221; said Nick Evered, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Concur Asia Pacific. &#8220;We&#8217;ve had strong growth to date in South Korea, and through our partnership with SAP, we look forward to continuing to expand our offerings to large conglomerates, enterprise businesses and multi-national companies operating in South Korea.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>South Korea currently ranks among the top 10 countries for business travel spend, according to the Global Business Travel Association. With today&#8217;s launch in South Korea, Concur is now operating in all 10 of the top global markets for business travel.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;As the global leader in financial management, we are pleased to see Concur launch in South Korea. We look forward to working closely with Concur to roll out a world class travel and expense management solution to our employees,&#8221; said JaeSung Park, Financial Controller, AIA Korea.</p></blockquote>
<p>SAP, which acquired Concur in 2014, will help fuel Concur&#8217;s go-to-market strategy in South Korea. Concur offers a fully connected travel, expense and invoice platform ecosystem that integrates its products, suppliers and partners. This open platform connects spend data to deliver insights that help customers and partners run their businesses more efficiently.</p>
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