Business Travel News - December 15, 2008 - (Page 1)

DECEMBER 15, 2008 INSIDE Lower Fuel Cost, Capacity Boost Airlines . . . . 3 ITMCs Step Up International Expansion . . . . 4 Hotel Chains Doubt Int’l E-Folio Demand . . 16 HRG, Amex Execs Assess Tech Investment . 20 Hotel Vet Rudnitsky Becomes Dolce CEO . . 21 3 6 14 AMADEUS TAPS TECH INSURES JONES AS CEO T&E SAVINGS QANTAS EYES U.S. ACCESS BTNonline.com Veteran commercial UnitedHealth’s Sales and distribuhead David Jones Tamara Gordon led tion head Rob takes top spot. online adoption. Gurney, one-on-one. ONE-ON-ONE SABRE’S MARTIN COWLEY Sabre Employs EMEA Growth Strategies NYC To Test SW Effect LAGUARDIA SLOTS COULD OPEN UP BUYER OPPORTUNITY BY JAY BOEHMER Martin Cowley, Sabre senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, spoke with BTN editor-in-chief David Meyer at October’s Association of Corporate Travel Executives global conference in Rome about Sabre’s prospects for growth in Europe. Cowley took on his current role about one year ago, after a career that includes nearly 20 years at Cathay Pacific. BTN: What is your outlook on market BY MICHAEL B. BAKER Convention hotels’ revenue and rates are faring worse than those of the conditions in Europe? Martin Cowley: In September, it overall hotel industry, according to recently published data from Smith seemed that all around the world, with Travel Research, and reduced group booking demand in 2009 will bring the exception of places like the Middle further declines. This will mean better pricing for buyers, although conEast, it got very tough all of a sudden. vention hoteliers are likely to take an even more hard-line approach on BTN: We were hearing even in May such terms as cancellation clauses and food and beverage minimums. Southwest Airlines’ plan to make its New York City debut through the purchase of 14 slots at LaGuardia Airport has spurred corporate travel buyers’ hopes that the carrier’s presence will lower fares in the biggest U.S. business market. Demand Drop Hits Convention Hotels Hard Southwest intends to purchase the slots at LaGuardia, which can accommodate seven daily roundtrips, through a $7.5 million acquisition of former codeshare partner ATA Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy and discontinued flights in April (BTNonline, April 3). The bankruptcy court in Indiana overseeing ATA’s proceeding this month approved the carrier’s sale to Southwest, though a Southwest spokesperson said, “Nothing is final until early March when the court is expected to approve ATA’s overall plan of reorganization.” Given the timeframe, Southwest is keeping mum on “timing or type of Continued on page 24 Continued on page 10 Continued on page 8 SECOND OF A TWO-PART SERIES ON MULTINATIONAL ONLINE BOOKING Postmaster: Newspaper Handling/Periodicals Postaage Buyer’s Choice: Best In Region Vs. One Tool BY AMON COHEN No Reset For 2009 Travel Budgets BY SETH HARRIS Global travel buyers face a dilemma: Either satisfy local demand by choosing the best booking tool in each region or insist on im- plementing a single tool to reap all the benefits of consolidation. Even as tools popular in Europe struggle to grow marketshare in the United States, European travel managers are showing continuing, if not increased, resistance to U.S. booking tools (BTNonline, Nov. 24). Continued on page 25 All signs are pointing to a corporate travel budget hangover that will last well into 2009. Unlike in previous years, many companies won’t reverse year-end cutbacks and recharge travel budgets, because they don’t expect business to pick up in the first quarter. The measures companies have taken in recent months to cut Continued on page 25 You think big. You’ll pay small. Saves you money Call 1-800-331-3550 or visit Thrifty.com/business today. ©2008 Thrifty Rent-A-Car System, Inc. Thrifty.com is a trademark of Thrifty, Inc. All rights reserved. Thrifty features quality products from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and other ﬁne cars. http://www.BTNonline.com http://www.Thrifty.com/business http://www.Thrifty.com/business http://www.Thrifty.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Business Travel News - December 15, 2008

Business Travel News - December 15, 2008
Contents
Inside Track
Profiles In Travel Mgmt
Forum
Aviation
Lodging
Ground Transportation
Travel Management
Meetings Today
Washington Wire

Business Travel News - December 15, 2008