10 things to take on board OUR ROUND-UP OF TOP INDUSTRY STORIES FROM THE PAST FEW MONTHS
1
London Stansted Airport has received planning permission for a £130m redevelopment. The sum will be used for a 34,000m2 arrivals building that will improve the passenger experience with larger immigration and baggage-claim areas and more shops. The existing terminal will become a departures building. The work starts this summer with an increase in the number of check-in desks and more seating.
2
More business travellers are using Eurostar to travel to Europe this year. The number of customers travelling to work on the train service has increased by 4% since 2016. Business Premier tickets include a speedy 10-minute check-in and a three-course meal.
3
Somerset House is to hire out its largest blank canvas events venue this autumn and winter. The unfurnished space runs the length of the South Wing across two floors and can accommodate 800 people standing. The prestigious area has never been available for such a length of time before.
4
Travelodge is now more popular for business travel than for leisure. The budget hotel brand recently revealed that more than 50% of its business comes from corporate customers. Historically, the figure was 45%. Travelodge says the growth is down to its popular city-centre locations and increasing focus on cost.
Above: Somerset House is hiring out its South Wing for the first time. Below: London City Airport’s Business Lounge opens
5
A double-decker train design could become a reality in Britain. A 250mph, two-floor bullet train called AeroLiner3000 is one of the finalists in the Tomorrow’s Train Design Today competition, run by the Rail Safety and Standards Board with the Department for Transport. If funding is granted, the designer says it could be operational by 2020, and carry 1,400 people.
6
Blackpool is to get a new conference and exhibition centre. Built as part of the Winter Gardens complex, it will be able to host 7,000 people across two floors and could be completed by spring 2019. It would also include a hotel for visiting delegates, reaffirming the city’s place on the conference map.
7
The Business Lounge at London City Airport is now open. Based at the Private Jet Centre, the comfortable space is accessible for all passengers and includes refreshments, a meeting room and shower facilities.
ISSUE 16 DESTINATION CAPITA TRAVEL AND EVENTS
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06/06/2017 14:17