Hotel companies like Marriott International and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) are increasingly shifting their focus to Chinese travelers due to a surge in China’s travel market, according to a recent article by Business Vancouver. This shift in focus has resulted in major expansions in China, with some international hotel chains even launching brands tailored to…
Mergers and acquisitions are all the rage this week! Reuters reports Alaska Air completed its acquisition of Virgin America in a $2.6 billion deal. According to Buying Business Travel, Lufthansa Group completed its acquisition of Brussels Airlines, purchasing the remaining 55 percent of shares for €2.6 million. Financial Times reports car rental company Europcar announced plans to acquire…
If you’ve ever had a terrible lodging experience, you know that the accommodations you choose can make or break your trip. Choosing the right place while on business travel is especially important, as there are certain amenities you can’t afford to miss out on, like free Wi-Fi. In recent years, companies have begun capitalizing on…
According to the Chicago Tribune, a new study suggests the TSA would save $34 million a year by making PreCheck free for frequent fliers. In addition to saving millions, the agency could create shorter lines and enhance security at many of the nation’s airports. Earlier this year, the GBTA Aviation Committee unveiled a new, revamped…
Are your employees trained to recognize and avoid threats while traveling? What perils will your business travelers face and what protective measures do you currently have in place? Top executives from iJet, International SOS, and New York Life Insurance Company addressed these questions and shared ways in which companies can safeguard their business travelers in…
A couple of months ago, Marriott International became the largest hotel chain in the world after closing on a $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. With 30 brands now under one umbrella, there has been much speculation over Marriott’s plan to manage them all. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Marriott began implementing a strategy…
Two weeks ago, the GBTA Foundation, in partnership with HRS, released a report identifying business traveller perspectives on company travel policies, compliance and valued amenities. Here’s a quick breakdown of highlights from the report:
With the recent introduction of voice-activated hotel rooms, robot butlers and biometric access control systems, it’s no secret hotel chains are investing heavily in technology to improve the guest experience. The question remains, which hotel technologies do business travelers currently use and which do they wish to see offered in the future? Earlier this year,…
Earlier this week, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced the grand opening of its first property outside of the U.S., a beachfront resort on Grand Cayman. Though we’d like to say we’re surprised by this development, Kimpton’s SVP of Sales Christine Lawson shared the news with us at GBTA Convention a couple months ago (skip to…
The Verge reports Airbnb is transforming from a short-term rental company into a full-scale travel agency. The company launched a new initiative called Airbnb Trips that enables travelers to experience new cities from a local’s perspective. According to The New York Times, the platform allows travelers to partake in activities ranging from stargazing outings to historical tours….
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