INDUSTRY PARTNER UPDATES
Accor would like to invite you to our Explore Accor event at the Pullman London St. Pancras on Tuesday 4th October from 5pm Attendees will be able to network with our hotel representatives and members of the corporate distribution and business development teams, as well as receiving updates on Accor and CSR topics You will have the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, including 2 return flights and weekend accommodation to an Accor European destination of your choice!
Should you wish to join us for this fantastic evening of information, drinks and canapés, please email kate blythe@accor com Please do pass on this invite to any colleagues who would also benefit from this event. We very much look forward to seeing you there
Air Transat turns 35
Did you know that Air Transat buckled up for its very first flight headed to Acapulco, Mexico in 1987? The World’s Best Leisure Airline has come a long way since then, flying from the UK to Canada, with connections to the US
To mark the occasion, Air Transat has launched its 35th Anniversary seat sale* by offering 5,000 return seats for under £350pp from all UK departure points to Canada. Additionally, Air Transat is inviting you to join its celebrations by offering trade partners a chance to win one of five pairs of return economy flights to Canada* because what better place to mark the occasion than where it all began! Enter here
And that’s not all This winter, for the first time ever, Air Transat will offer direct services from London Gatwick to Montréal three times a week, as well as direct daily services to Toronto. Moreover, Air Transat will also offer up to twice weekly services to Toronto from Glasgow and Manchester
With Air Transat, travellers can always expect a warm, friendly experience every step of the way Unparalleled comfort, ergonomic Italian leather seats, complimentary meal and personalised entertainment await passengers in Economy Class Club Class passengers enjoy the benefits of an exclusive cabin with spacious and comfortable seats; priority services at the airport; an exclusively designed menu and personalised VIP service
Ready to celebrate? Start spreading the news to your customers and booking their flights to Canada for autumn and beyond!
Discover more
*T&Cs apply see airtransat co uk for full details
Opportunities for improving travel procurement to meet sustainability objectives. Corporations are moving forward with plans to increase their focus on environmentally responsible business travel. WBR Insights surveyed 100 business travel leaders to understand how they are improving their travel procurement to meet sustainability objectives in 2022 and beyond. The results are featured in this report, sponsored by Cytric by Amadeus
Download it now and discover:
The top reasons why corporations are working on sustainable travel initiatives. The hurdles they are facing to make their business travel programs ‘ go greener ’ .
How travel and procurement leaders think technology can help them
Find out more about our solutions for your business: contact James Keyte, james.keyte@amadeus.com
Admirals Club®, Terminal 3
Location: Departure level, beyond Passport Control in lounge area H
Hours Daily: 5:30 a m 7 p m Amenities
Service may vary based on local guidelines
Complimentary food and
Full service bar
Complimentary Wi Fi Showers
Conference rooms: not available
Click here to view more details
Arrivals Lounge
London Heathrow (LHR)
Our exclusive arriving in London
You flew on American to
Flying in Flagship® First, Flagship® Business Plus or
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ANA Establishes Climate Transition Strategies to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
ANA announced its transition strategies to accelerate decarbonization and reduce carbon emission from aircraft operations to net zero by 2050 The Key Approaches of the Transition Strategies are:
1 2 3
4.
Flight Operations and Infrastructure Improvements, Technology Developments
SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels) and other potential cleaner energy sources
Emission Trading Schemes
Negative Emissions Technologies
To help achieve its CO2 emission reduction goals, ANA Group plans to replace 10 percent or more of its fuel consumption with SAF by 2030 By 2050, almost all of ANA's fuel consumption will be from low carbon sources For CO2 emissions that cannot be reduced by the above measures, ANA Group will study the use of NETs including DAC, which are being developed globally, and aim to achieve net zero (carbon neutrality) by FY2050
In addition, ANA Group has partnered with major aircraft manufacturers to jointly conduct research projects on cutting edge technology to advance the airline's sustainability efforts. With Airbus, ANA has entered into agreement on a joint research project for the development of hydrogen aircraft and infrastructure While hydrogen and/or electricity powered aircraft are not included in our transition strategy at this time, the partnership will help ANA Group to diversify its range of options to achieve the Group's environmental goals by obtaining timely information on advanced technologies and the global ecosystem. With Boeing, ANA will work together on the development and utilisation of sustainable technologies in Japan, including electric, hybrid, hydrogen and other novel propulsion systems.
Avis Back to Better Update featuring Avis QuickPass
Wednesday 5th October at 12 12:30pm
Avis would like to invite you to join Paul Clark for an update on how Avis are getting back to better, and to introduce Avis QuickPass, our new online check in feature
Avis QuickPass accelerates the pick up process, improves speed of service and gives the customer an even better overall car rental experience By providing details in advance, the customer’s time at the counter is reduced
The Rental Agreement is pre prepared, the vehicle assigned and keys ready for collection before the customer’s arrival
The session will also provide a refresher on existing products such as Avis Preferred, the Avis App and a reminder of what your rates include for your customers
There will also be the opportunity for a car rental Q&A
To register for this online Webinar event, click here
Look forward to seeing you there!
CMAC Group acquires Suntransfers, expanding global footprint
Press Release September 2022
CMAC Group the managed ground transport specialists has acquired Barcelona headquartered Suntransfers further delivering CMAC’s growth strategy, bolstering its supply chain and providing immediate coverage to its existing clients across 23,000 destinations
Suntransfers was founded in 2008 and is one of Europe's largest airport transfer companies, offering global travel solutions across more than 750 airports and travel gateways worldwide Employing over 30 industry specialists, the firm manages around 400,000 bookings per annum and is on track to exceed its pre pandemic revenues by FYE 2022
The strategic move provides both CMAC and Suntransfers with diversification of services and added resilience, delivering a combined turnover of £120m+ and a total headcount of over 270 people based across eight offices
Suntransfers’ team will continue to deliver a best in class customer service This acquisition supports CMAC Groups’ plans to pursue further expansion across Europe and beyond over the next two years
Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group, said: "We're excited to announce this acquisition and join forces with Suntransfers The acquisition will facilitate powerful new developments for both businesses, and, together, we will continue building a stronger presence internationally whilst providing a wider range of market leading services focused on client service excellence "
Nathan Timmins, Managing Director of Suntransfers, said: "We're immensely proud of our history and achievements Joining forces with CMAC Group means that we can accelerate our growth whilst offering more specialised services We have much in common with CMAC, particularly our passion for our customers and continued innovation we are very excited about our new future together ”
The acquisition follows a period of continued growth for CMAC Group, with the business reporting a 45% increase in revenue and 7% headcount growth in 2021, in a year which saw the firm transport more than two million travellers for the first time
The deal was advised by Seneca Corporate Finance (corporate finance) and ILV Silver (legal tax and due diligence) Funding for the transaction was provided by Barclays
Gordon Lane, Managing Director of Seneca Corporate Finance said “We are delighted to have advised CMAC Group on another international acquisition CMAC Group have led the way in the UK in the transport and accommodation market with their investment in tech enabled, and people based customer focused solutions The acquisition of Suntransfers helps cement their growing international presence and capability ”
Greg Doran Northern Head of TMT at Barclays said “Barclays are delighted to continue to support CMAC Group with acquisition funding for the purchase of Suntransfers
“CMAC has a truly unique service proposition in the provision of managed transport and accommodation solutions with a strong and growing platform in Europe and beyond This acquisition will further strengthen CMAC’s European presence and provide a platform for the company to enter more markets and continue the impressive growth they have delivered in recent years
“The strength of the senior management team coupled with their proprietary technology platform are clear strengths in their industry and I look forward to a long and successful partnership, helping to bring their future growth plans to fruition”
To find out more about CMAC Group, please visit www cmacgroup com
We are recruiting, please click here to see the available vacancies
easyJet’s New FLEXI trial for London Gatwick passengers
Between 1 September and 30 November 2022, The Gateway Lounge will be available for up to 3 hours to customers travelling on a FLEXI ticket (W class) through Gatwick’s North Terminal
The Gateway Lounge provided by easyJet and No1 Lounges is a perfect place to start or end your trip in style; featuring a new buffet menu including self service drinks, WiFi and plenty of space to unwind Passengers simply need to show their easyJet FLEXI boarding pass to gain access to the lounge in Gatwick’s North Terminal
For those travelling on other ticket types, The Gateway Lounge can be pre booked via our website: https://parking.easyjet.com/easyjet lounges.html
We’re running more return trains to the Netherlands from 5 September
This is the highest number of return trains on this route since its launch
The fourth train has started to run from Monday 05 September
From the Netherlands, it departs Amsterdam Centraal at 07:47, Rotterdam Centraal at 08:28 and arriving at St Pancras International at 11:00
From London, it departs at 06:16, arriving at Rotterdam Centraal at 10:32 and arriving at Amsterdam Centraal at 11:14
We hope your customers will be as pleased about this news as we are
The Eurostar Indirect Sales team”
Appointment of Gwendoline Cazenave as CEO of Eurostar Group
Gwendoline Cazenave has been appointed as CEO of Eurostar Group, taking over from Jacques Damas on October 1st as CEO of Eurostar, Thalys, and CEO of the holding company Eurostar Group which was created on May 1st
With 20 years ’ experience in rail transport, Gwendoline will bring considerable expertise, energy and vision to make Eurostar Group and European high speed rail a success for customers and colleagues
As partner at management consultancy Oliver Wyman for the last two years, Gwendoline has worked on the European transport and services markets, with a particular focus on strategy and transformation in the rail sector Prior to this, she was an executive at SNCF holding a range of high level posts including Director of TGV Atlantique, the high speed route operating in the south west of France, Director of Finance, Strategy and Legal Affairs at SNCF Voyages and a variety of strategic and operational roles within SNCF’s regional transport arm, TER
Gwendoline has also held a number of important non executive roles, with a focus and interest in gender equality and environmental initiatives, and these are two areas she will continue to drive forward within Eurostar Group She is committed to building on the existing culture of customer service excellence shared by Eurostar and Thalys
Jacques joined Eurostar in September 2020 with the two clear aims of getting Eurostar through the Covid crisis and launching the merger process between Eurostar and Thalys These aims have been achieved, and Gwendoline’s appointment completes the new chapter we opened with the creation of Eurostar Group We are confident that she will succeed in developing a business which will meet the growing demand for sustainable mobility The ambition is to transport 30 million passengers per year within 10 years under a single brand, Eurostar, with excellence in customer service at its heart
The Eurostar Indirect Sales team
At First Travel Solutions, we ’ re focused on providing services that have sustainability at their core
The vital role of public transport has never been clearer in helping to address the challenges of climate change
In April 2021, our parent company, FirstGroup became the first bus and rail operator in the UK to formally commit to setting an ambitious, science based target aligned with limiting global warming to 1 5°C and to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier
Being a division of FirstGroup, we ’ re at the heart of the drive to make travel more sustainable With a recent article suggesting that business travel will become ‘ more purposeful’, you may find that you are having to justify the carbon cost of any travel that is involved with your meeting or event
How can we help?
There’s much talk about running sustainable meetings and events and properly managing transport for your meeting or event is an easy win FTS can help organise all your travel needs; removing more cars off the road and switching people to coaches to get instant carbon savings.
You might be thinking a diesel coach?! But with advances in super efficient engines, diesel is a lot better than it used to be.
Next time you ’ re wondering how you can make your next meeting or event more sustainable and greener just give us a call we’d love to help!
Call us on 0345 528 0270 or drop us an email at travel.solutions@firstbus.co.uk
(Graphic courtesy of Confederation of Passenger Transport)
HotelREZ has over 2,500 independent properties worldwide in 100+ countries We are proud to present to you Prem Group in the following locations: Manchester, Reading, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow & Bristol
PREMIER SUITES and PREMIER SUITES PLUS offer a wonderful alternative to traditional hotel accommodation Guests can maintain the independence they enjoy at home in the spacious surroundings of their own living quarters Suites come with fully fitted kitchen, living room, bedroom(s) and en suite bathrooms
In addition, and also part of Prem Group, is the Leopold Hotel Sheffield, a 4 star boutique hotel situated on Leopold Square offering a luxurious place to meet and sleep with 90 uniquely furnished rooms
All are bookable on the HotelREZ Chain Code HO and are just perfect for your corporate business and staycation/ leisure business
Premier Suites Birmingham
Premier Suites Liverpool
·Premier Suites Reading
Premier Suites Manchester
Premier Suites Newcastle
Premier Suites Bristol Redcliffe
Premier Suites Plus Bristol Cabot Circus
Premier Suites Plus Glasgow Bath Street
Premier Suites Plus Glasgow George Square
Leopold Hotel Sheffield
Read more https://www premgroup com/
JetBlue started transatlantic flights a little over a year ago with the first flight from New York John F. Kennedy Airport to London Heathrow. Not long after, London Gatwick was added. This meant that JetBlue was operating two daily JetBlue flights between London and New York With the entrance of JetBlue on the transatlantic route, JetBlue introduced a new era of customer focused, low fare travel for leisure and business travellers Fast forward to a year later Boston! Daily flights operate from London Gatwick and as of 21 September also from London Heathrow.
Just like on the flights to New York, customers get to enjoy spacious seats, live television and on demand entertainment on every seatback, free fast and reliable wi fi, complimentary snacks and drinks and great customer service on the flights to Boston
The flights to and from London are operated on the Long Range A321 aircraft These narrow body aircrafts are fuel efficient. Both cabins, Mint and Core, feature custom LED mood lighting, spacious overhead bins, and all seats are equipped with charging outlets for AC, USB A and USB C power In Mint, customers even have a wireless charging pad! Dining onboard is also a treat! For Mint, JetBlue has partnered with Delicious Hospitality Group (DHG), rotating a seasonal selection of small plates to customers In Core, customers get to select their main meal and their choice of a light bite pre arrival upon boarding from the touchscreen in front of them.
Click here to view details of jetBlue's Agent World
Travel tech: what’s next for TMCs?
There is little doubt about the ongoing recovery of corporate travel, but many voices in the industry predict it may never return to its original shape. All players in the travel industry need to think differently, embrace change and innovate with new solutions and strategies that will drive the industry forward. Technology plays a crucial role here.
In the latest BTA podcast episode ‘Investing in the future of corporate travel,’ hear insights from one of the largest global travel technology companies, Sabre. Explore the latest technology solutions that can allow TMCs to unlock operational efficiency, accelerate revenue growth and differentiate with smarter offers.
Host Andrew Clarke is joined by Sabre’s Sarah Sheppard (Sr. Director of Global Product Management) and Robbie Thomas (Sr Director of Strategic Planning and Product Management) to discuss their view on how Sabre is serving the traditional needs of TMCs whilst also looking ahead at what is needed most for the future of business travel retailing.
Highlights include:
the latest trends impacting travel technology progress on NDC implications of the new world of offers and orders on the business travel community what can TMCs expect from Sabre’s long term deal with Google
Excited to hear more? Don’t miss this latest podcast online from Friday 23rd September at https://www thebta org uk/podcasts
Situ the serviced apartment and extended stay accommodation agency has launched their ‘Be More Starfish’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme based on the starfish parable that says, ‘ everyone can make a difference’ Very timely as the company has recently achieved silver status from universal sustainability ratings provider EcoVadis
Thousands of companies partner with EcoVadis to collaborate on sustainability, using a common platform, universal scorecard and benchmarks, Companies are reviewed across several areas that are key to meeting sustainable targets, including the environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement impacts. Situ’s report from EcoVadis says that the company performed well across all areas, but in particular, regarding its environmental practices highlighting its commitment to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the way that Situ educates and trains all its staff on environmental practices.
Situ’s Managing Director, Phil Stapleton, says, “We have been working hard for several years to put in place changes across our business that are right for the environment, our people, suppliers, clients, and partners. We want to be a genuinely good business and one that is good to do business with Achieving silver status from such a trusted global assessor as EcoVadis shows that we are moving in the right direction There is always more to be done and that’s why we have launched our ‘Be More Starfish” programme which has at its heart the premise that everyone needs to do their bit, and small changes can add up to bigger changes ”
At Virgin Atlantic, we reimagine the world and lead the way with fresh ideas. We pride ourselves on rolling up our sleeves and taking on the big things, while never forgetting the importance of the small details.
Our new A330neo is no different We’ve put our heart and soul into designing a plane for the future, for everyone.
From wingtip to tailfin, we ’ ve used inspiration and innovation to make this aircraft brilliant on every level It’s slender 64 metre wingspan is nearly 4 metres longer than our A330 300 This helps make it one of the most efficient aircraft in the sky, with an 11% improvement in fuel efficiency versus aircraft it is replacing. It also means it is able to fly further and faster.
We’ve incorporated more ways for customers to stay connected than ever before, with Bluetooth enabled entertainment systems, our fastest ever Wi Fi, a greater number of USB connections and wireless charging in Premium and Upper Class, not to mention the comfortable seats, stylishly designed with our customers at the forefront of our mind.
Our A330neo is a game changer Virgin Atlantic style
See the world differently and find out more here
