Corporate Travel Destinations

In an effort to regain lost market share, some major airlines are implementing special discount airfare programs for corporate and incentive travel. Delta, in particular, is back on track with its previously shelved Delta Meeting Network, which offers benefits such as discounts on published fares, special fares for air travel for more than 10 meeting attendees and one free ticket for every 40 purchased.

Other major airlines are offering similar programs, providing corporate meeting planners and incentive travel planners with new, cost-saving options for air transportation. Companies can contract with Delta, or other airlines, for a particular meeting or event, or for multiple meetings, making this program cost-effective, simple and convenient for meeting and event planners and travel managers.

Another recent change to the air travel industry that is of interest to corporate travel planners is the expansion of Wi-Fi availability among major carriers. AirTran now offers Wi-Fi fleetwide, with Southwest working towards a fleetwide expansion and several other major carrriers, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin America and US Airways implementing pilot programs or beginning to expand availability to multiple routes.

This is excellent news for travel planners that will now have increased options for pleasing clients who need Internet access to complete work or prepare for meetings during their flights.

Staying closer to home was the trend in this year's Incentive Travel Buyer's Handbook survey.  Although, domestic destinations such as Florida, California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada are still popular, many planners are going the urban route with incentives to Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City, or regional destinations like North Carolina, Kentucky or Michigan.

The recession has hurt the travel industry, creating a buyer's market for many destinations.  Planners with a budget are being enticed with lower than average rates, "stimulus" packages, and individual attention that was often lacking in good times.

Global destinations did not fare as well as in previous years in the survey.  However, there are incentives to travel internationally, too, such as a stronger dollar, special group travel promotions, and the prospect of smaller crowds in popular cities such as Rome, Paris and London.  

The bottom line for incentive travel planners is to do your homework, and look for the bargains in destinations that will thrill your attendees.

The swine flu, more correctly called H1N1, has hit the travel industry hard. There doesn’t appear to be any destination that hasn’t reported some cases of H1N1. Predictions of a widespread resurgence of the flu inspired many economically wealthy countries to donate 10% of their stockpile of H1N1 to poorer countries. People in these countries will suffer the most in the event of another outbreak of this strain of influenza.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) now encourages tourists to resume their travel plans, taking a few common sense precautions. Include a basic medical kit in your luggage and get the normal seasonal flu shot as well the H1N1 vaccine if you are in a high-risk group. Increase your travel insurance if you’re going overseas. Check the policy over carefully, making sure that you have coverage against pandemic diseases.

Your best defense is common sense. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially during flu season and don’t overuse bacterial disinfectants. They are useless against viruses.

Travel plans can change dramatically if H1N1 rears its ugly head. Last year cruise lines were not obligated to grant refunds when itineraries changed and most airlines have no written refund guarantees in the event of another outbreak.