marine travel Given the complexities involved in marine travel, ATPI puts all staff through a rigorous, multi-month training process. “The scope of knowledge required by a travel specialist goes well beyond simply issuing an air ticket. You need a knowledge of the area, an understanding of various contracts that relate to marine or offshore carriage regulations, crewing policies, and even baggage restrictions. We also make sure that each one of our team are experts in getting the most out of our proprietary global systems to the benefit of the client.” By proprietary global systems, Kawaler was referring to ATPI’s sophisticated management reporting tools. The systems provide information like the location of crew, their itineraries and associated costs and allows the ATPI travel specialist to recommend more efficient and, often, more costeffective routes. But, as with most administrative decisions, cost usually becomes the driving factor for decisions. This is where the benefit of a global marine travel provider is most evident. With direct contracts with major airlines and regional carriers as well as being part of the larger ATPI Group (the umbrella travel management company for all ATPI brands), ATP Instone has access to over seven million fares with 110 different airlines. “We are one of the few companies with a genuinely worldwide airfare database that also displays availability,” notes Kawaler. “This buying power is key to being able to provide the lowest fares as well as flexibility for ticketing time limits, refunds and changes.” Kawaler goes on to explain that ATPI clients have access to a flexibility that can’t be found using conventional travel services. Airline penalties can be avoided in cases where the booking is last minute or requires an unexpected change. Seats initially retrieved can be placed back into the inventory pool to be resold, allowing carriers to realize the optimum revenue for a flight. “Fares are priced one-way, mitigating any advanced, minimum or maximum rules and city pairs can be mixed and matched by any carrier to suit a specific timetable without incurring any added
costs. Changes may be frequent and unexpected where interruption in travel to a vessel or rig is required. Marine and offshore specialty fares, seat inventory and rules differ from regular travel agencies and, in addition, some international carriers will allow extra baggage for marine travellers.” Also, if assistance en-route is required, ATPI marine travel specialists are in constant contact with a dedicated “airline” marine team — professionals provided by international air carriers as part of the contract with ATPI. In order to access marine travel benefits a company must meet certain criteria. Eligible companies would include vessel owners and their crew; supply and service providers; and shipyard and ship repair companies to name just a few. To find out if a company is eligible, Kawaler suggests they contact her at ATPI to review a quick checklist. ATP Instone recently celebrated over 90 years in servicing niche markets.
They have achieved global ISO 9001:2008 accreditation and are re co g n i z e d as one of the world’s leading travel maagement compa n ies. R e pre s e nt ing Canada Louise Kawaler and the West Coast, Louise Kawaler has been ATPI’s Director for Canada since 2005. She introduced the niche market of marine travel to Canada and has been instrumental in educating local marine businesses on ways to improve their travel budgets. To find out more about how your company can access marine travel benefits, contact Louise at: Louise.Kawaler@atpi.com. BCSN
May 2013 BC Shipping News 47