Business Travelers Value Hotel Wi-Fi & Tech Amenities More Than Apps
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While hotel companies have continued to enhance their mobile apps, a GBTA study suggests that business travelers are more interested in streaming services and increased in-room power outlets.
The study surveyed 831 business travelers in the United States and Canada by an online questionnaire. The travelers were asked to rank the most important hotel technology:
- 34 percent ranked "more regular power and USB outlets"
- 34 percent ranked "streaming services on guest televisions"
- 32 percent ranked "in-room chargers for laptops and/or phones"
- 27 percent ranked Mobile or keyless entry
Even though travelers rank certain amenities above the mobile capabilities, they are still using the apps. According to the study, 61 percent of business travelers have downloaded a mobile app for at least one of the seven major hotel chains, while 25 percent have downloaded at least three. The most common uses of the apps are to check the status of a reservation and to manage reward points.
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| Advito Predicts Flat Global Airfares & Climbing Hotel Rates in 2017 |
Airfares
The ongoing low level of oil prices has allowed airlines to add or maintain capacity. This means rates should remain the same or drop in competitive regions next year. Advito expects global business class fares to rise 1 percent and economy fares to remain constant in 2017. Regional business class fares will vary widely and economy fares are predicted to remain constant or decrease, except in Europe.
Hotel Rates In 2017, North America will lead globally with increased hotel rates of 3% to 5%. The Southwest Pacific and Middle East are not far behind at 2% to 4%. This is due to a favorable split in supply versus demand that will drive the price increase.
Strength in hotel pricing translates to more challenging conditions for meetings in 2017. In North America, the demand for meeting space is constantly rising. Due to the increase in hotel renovations and construction, it has created a scarcity for meeting space. Similarly, the hotel supply in Europe isn't keeping up with demands. Buyers in Europe could face challenges finding meeting space and negotiating discounts. In Asia, prices are predicted to remain constant next year due to supply keeping pace with demand. Car Rental Rates Advito's forecast provided no solid predictions for the car rental sector. North America's prices are not predicted to increase, but "watch out for rental companies dreaming up new ways to inflate the final bill."
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| United States Carriers Earn the Most from Ancillary Revenues |
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From a global standpoint in 2015, airlines collected $40.5 billion in ancillary revenue, which accounts for 8.7 percent of their total sales.
To produce the report, 67 airlines that report ancillary revenue were sourced. That revenue includes fees for checked bags, amenities, special privileges, frequent-flyer program sales and commissions from sales of non-airline travel services.
Revenue from ancillaries provides a "safety net" for airlines in times of high competition and low fares. The potential for adding 10 percent or even 43 percent more revenue to the bottom line ensures ancillary revenue will continue to grow.
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Duty of Care - PeopleTrack Assist & Watchguard
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Last week, much of the Southeastern coast of the United States, the Bahamas, and Haiti were affected by Hurricane Matthew. Travel Incorporated's proprietary application, PeopleTrack Assist, helped identify travelers potentially impacted and allowed us opportunity to ensure appropriate accommodation.
PeopleTrack Assist is our proprietary application intended to run parallel to warning systems that various corporations employ to keep informed about political instabilities, airline strikes, inclement weather and other unforeseen anomalies that can and will have an impact to a traveler in one form or another. If you would like to learn more about PeopleTrack Assist or other traveler tracking applications we offer, please contact your account manager. |
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Marriott Officially Closes the Starwood Deal- Marriott International has closed a $13 billion deal to acquire Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Marriott now boasts: 30 brands, 5,700 properties, 1.1 million rooms, hotels in more than 110 countries, double the distribution in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and linked loyalty programs with "status matching" across Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest.
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Hilton Is Piloting More Restrictive Rates- Hilton is experimenting with rate types that makes canceling hotel rooms difficult. Newer rate tiers (Semi-Flex and Prepay Restricted) have started to appear for select properties. The Semi-Flex rates are refundable up to seven days before check-in but charge a cancellation fee thereafter. The Prepay Restricted rates are nonrefundable and unchangeable. With an average of 10% of business trips requiring a change or cancellation, restrictive rates such as these can often cost more than they save. Encouraging your travelers to book through Travel Incorporated ensures they are booking only rate types approved by your corporate policy.
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 | Delta Comfort+ Branded Fare in International Markets -Beginning on September 19th 2016, Delta Comfort+™ is now available as a fare type rather than an ancillary seat purchase in select international markets. Offering Delta Comfort + as a fare type, as opposed to an ancillary purchase, makes it easier to buy Delta Comfort+ and to shop Delta's menu of branded products. When offered as a fare, Delta customers have the ability to purchase Delta Comfort+ during their initial purchase, like Main Cabin or First Class. To see the select international markets and rules click here.
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Make sure you sign-up for New and Experienced
Travel Sessions for November 16th and November 17th.
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Register for your session now.
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