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TRAVELWATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority
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American Focuses Overseas With Longer Trips
Bloomberg--American Airlines, close to completing its merger with USAIR, is boosting capacity by 2.7% percent this quarter as it adds flights in overseas markets including South Korea and South America. "We've been growing capacity in some growth markets, South Korea, Mexico, Central America and South America, so we're seeing a bit of that effect in the third quarter in particular," CEO Tom Horton said. American reaffirmed today that the merger with US Airways will close this quarter, in conjunction with AMR's exit from bankruptcy protection. Horton will become chairman of the combined company, while US Airways CEO Doug Parker retains that role. AMR today also reported second-quarter profit of $357 million, excluding $137 million of reorganization costs and other expenses. Airlines have avoided adding capacity in recent years to maintain pricing power and keep planes full.
Airlines battle for NYC business travelers
The consolidating airline industry is flying high, with airlines upgrading their aircraft and pumping billions into local airports as they scramble to attract the lucrative business-travel market. The competition for corporate customers is benefiting tourists and executives alike, as fares have remained flat during the past year and travelers to and from New York's airports have more direct flights to choose from than before.
New York is at the center of the unfolding growth story as people pass through the city's three major airports in near-record numbers. "The industry has evolved to three global carriers," said Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Richard Anderson, referring to his carrier and United and American airlines. "We are just getting back to the pre-2000 capacity levels."
As a leaner industry looks toward the future, it is focusing squarely on business travelers. New York has become the main battlefield for these premium passengers as the airlines race to equip their aircraft with the latest amenities and upgrade their terminals with celebrity-chef-driven restaurants and exclusive airport lounges. Consolidation in the airline industry may be depleting travel options in some smaller markets, but it has created more choices for travelers passing through New York's major airports as the carriers focus on beefing up their hubs.
LAX Makeover
Los Angeles' renovated and redesigned Tom Bradley International Terminal is set to open after a $2 billion makeover. Along with the wave-like rooftops, vast open space and eventually some 18 aircraft gates--half of which will accommodate the mighty Airbus A380--the new TBIT also brings a substantial upgrade to the lounges used by airlines and their alliance partners.
The first of the new LAX super-lounges to open will be home to all Star Alliance members, with the operation managed by Air New Zealand. The lounge will be open to all travelers flying on Star Alliance airlines in business class or holding Star Alliance Gold status, although there's a separate first class lounge for the very well-heeled.
HOTELNEWS Hotel guest satisfaction on the rise
Following two years of declines, hotel guest satisfaction has increased significantly, reaching its highest levels in the past seven years, according to the J.D. Power 2013 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. The study measures overall guest satisfaction across eight hotel segments and tracks seven key factors: reservation; check-in/check-out; guest room; food and beverage; hotel services; hotel facilities; and cost and fees. The following hotel brands rank highest in guest satisfaction in their respective segments:
- Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton (for a fourth consecutive year)
- Upper Upscale: Kimpton Hotels
- Upscale: Hyatt Place
- Midscale Full Service: Holiday Inn (for a third consecutive year)
- Midscale: Drury Hotels (for an eighth consecutive year)
- Economy/Budget: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham
- Upper Extended Stay: Homewood Suites
- Extended Stay: TownePlace Suites
Occupancy in the Middle East And Africa Up
The Middle East And Africa reported a 5.9% increase in occupancy to 61.8%, and a 4% increase in average daily rate to US$141.21. Among the region's key markets for June 2013 include (year-over-year comparisons): Doha, Qatar: Occupancy up 26.7% to 63.2% with average room rate up 23.5% to US$119.52 and Cairo, Egypt: Occupancy up 21.5% to 51.5% with average room rate up 23.3% to US$52.56
Exclusive perks at Four Seasons Singapore
Housed in a modern 20-storey building along the tree-lined Orchard Boulevard, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore (spa pictured above) is a luxury five-star hotel minutes from shopping, family attractions and the financial district. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Protravel clients receive a guaranteed one category room upgrade at time of booking and 20% savings on round-trip airport transfers for all new reservations through August 31, 2013. Always receive room upgrades at time of arrival (subject to availability and excluding signature suites), daily full American breakfast for 2 per bedroom (served through in-room dining or the hotel restaurant, including buffets), a US$100 Food and beverage credit and complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings. These exclusive amenities and more available at all Four Seasons hotels booked through Protravel.
Langham London royal baby cocktail
Before the Royal Baby even made his debut outside the hospital, The Langham London had unveiled their celebratory cocktail for the boy at their Artesian Bar. Called "The Royal Toast", the drink is a champagne cocktail created by International Bartender of The Year Alex Kratena that combines Tapatio tequila, cedar wood syrup, lemon juice and Peychaud's bitters with Ruinart blanc de blancs. The drink is then served in a coupe wrapped in a scented blue crepe paper. It costs £16.50 and will be served only until August 22nd.
SLH Sees Rise in single female travelers
The number of females travelling alone is on the rise according to figures from Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), which has seen interesting trends in sole occupancy across the breadth of its diverse portfolio. Between 2011 and 2012, SLH saw growth in single-occupancy travel across the board in terms of both revenue and number of room nights.
SLH hotels across the globe have not only noticed a rise in the number of female guests travelling alone or in all-female groups, but also reported that they are staying for a longer period of time than ever before. According to a recent survey on female travelers in the UK and US, women represent the most important and fastest growing segment of both the leisure and business travel markets.
Making female guests feel both comfortable and secure are two of the most important considerations when creating the personal luxury experience. Women-only floors, for example, have been introduced at Naumi Hotel in Singapore, Dukes London, and The Chesterfield Palm Beach. The Capital Hotel has created a list of local restaurants and bars that are particularly recommended for solo female travelers, as well as also offering a female private guide to accompany women guests to shops and museums on their first trip to London. For those who start to feel lonely, L Hotel Seminyak Bali has introduced 'in room guppy love', where a fish bowl placed in the hotel room to keeps guests company.
Corporate Travel on the Rise
New York Times--Business travelers in the United States will spend about $273.3 billion on the road in 2013, a 4.3% increase over last year and a reflection of stronger growth in domestic travel as the national economy stabilizes, according to the Global Business Travel Association.
Of that estimated $273.3 billion, about $117.1 billion will be spent on group travel--meetings and conventions, conferences, incentive trips and the like. And $33.1 billion will be spent in the United States on international travel.
Another report is coming out from Concur, the travel expense management company, which examined individual travel expense accounts totaling $50 billion at 18,000 corporate clients last year. Among the findings: travelers at small and midsize (fewer than 100 employees) companies on average spent significantly more in every expense category - hotels, airfares, dining and entertainment - than those at large corporations. Concur suggests that this probably reflects more aggressive regional business activity by smaller companies aiming for growth.
In international travel, the 10 most-visited cities for business travelers based in the United States (ranked by overnight hotel stays) were London, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, Toronto, Hong Kong, Paris, Mexico City and São Paulo, Brazil. The 10 most-visited cities in the United States were New York; Las Vegas; Chicago; San Francisco; Houston; Orlando, Fla.; Atlanta; San Diego; Charlotte, N.C.; and Dallas. Las Vegas and Orlando are top destinations for major conventions.
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Global Cooking schools
Need a break from business meetings? Take a cooking class! Master French classics, rustic Italian, Moroccan tagines or perfect dumplings--right from the source. Ask your Protravel agent about international culinary adventures in Bordeaux, Provence, Tuscany, Mérida (Mexico), New Orleans, Lima, Marrakesh, Beijing, Hanoi, New York, Chaing Mai, Napa Valley or India.
Top International Golf Courses
Your Protravel agent can get you there for tee time:
- Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
- Castle Course at St. Andrews Links, Scotland
- Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, British Columbia, Canada
- Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club, Count Kerry, Ireland
- Dundonald Links, Ayrshire, Scotland
- The Green Monkey at Sand Lane, Barbados, West Indies
- Cruden Bay Golf Club, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Champion Course at Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus, Scotland
- Doonberg Golf Club, County Claire, Ireland
- Barnbougle Dunes, Tasmania Australia
- The Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada
- The Palmer Ryder Cup Course at The K Club, Kildare, Ireland
- Corales Golf Club, Puntacana Resort & Club, Dominican Republic
- La Cana Golf Course, Dominican Republic (pictured below)
- King's Course at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland
- European Club, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow, Ireland
- Golf de Morfontaine, France
- Muirfield Links, Scotland
- Banyan Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand
- The Bay Course at Costa Navarino, Greece
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