Tag: Business travel

Posted on

Destination cost comparison – which are the most expensive cities?

The cost-of-living report from ECA International has, again, put Hong Kong in first place of the most expensive cities in the world for a business trip. Since we last looked at this, five of the top ten most expensive cities are now in Asia. Geneva still tops the list of most expensive European destinations, followed by London and Zurich. The difference in costs will have a huge impact on your event budget and also attendee spend whilst there.

The twenty most costly location for business travellers, as well as to live and work are as follows:

Location 2021 ranking 2020 ranking
Hong Kong 1 1
Tokyo, Japan 2 3
Geneva, Switzerland 3 4
New York, USA 4 2
London, UK 5 6
Zurich, Switzerland 6 7
Tel Aviv, Israel 7 5
Seoul, South Korea 8 9
Shanghai, China 9 10
Guangzhou, China 10 13
Yokohama, Japan 11 11
Shenzhen, China 12 15
Singapore 13 12
Copenhagen, Denmark 14 19
San Francisco, USA 15 8
Beijing, China 16 18
Bern, Switzerland 17 17
Jerusalem, Israel 18 14
Oslo, Norway 19 33
Brazzaville, Congo 20 28

The research found that destinations which had high levels of tourism and international travellers before Covid-19 have fallen in the rankings, due to travel restrictions.

Currency fluctuations have also had a part to play, with weaker currencies causing those destinations to fall in the rankings. European locations have mostly gone up, due to the strength of the Pound and the Euro, but US locations dropped. Chinese cities remain some of the most pricey in the world.

ECA International’s cost of living rankings combine their Cost of Living research and Accommodation research in 208 cities in 121 countries and regions. Many criteria are compared, including daily essentials, food, leisure services, restaurant meals, alcohol, public transport as well as general living costs.

What about UK Destinations?

Looking at the UK, London has the highest cost-of-living and is, therefore, the most expensive city for business travellers. The cost for transport, food, drink and accommodation is higher in London than other UK cities. This table shows how much lower the costs are outside London:

Ranking City Cost % lower than London
  1. London  
  2. Edinburgh 14%
  3. Manchester 15%
  4. Bristol 16%
  5. Birmingham 20%
  6. Glasgow 19%
  7. Belfast 24%
  8. Newcastle 25%
  9. Liverpool 25%
  10. Cardiff 26%

If you would like us to find a venue for your next conference, meeting or event in the UK or abroad, please call 01780 484051 or email enquiries@edgevenues.com.

Posted on

Who is meeting and how are they doing it?

Corporates planning face to face meetings in 2021 should think about small events and local venues, according to the latest report from the PCMA. Event attendees are saying that they are not likely to attend a regional or global meeting or conference unless they’ve received a Covid-19 vaccine or there is very significant herd immunity. However, they are much more likely to attend small, local events that have clear health and safety guidelines.

What is the future for the large city-wide congress or association meeting?

Pre covid-19 there were already issues around flying and sustainability and with hybrid events does everyone need to be in the same place at the same time?

Where can we consider booking events when the conditions are right?

Travel bubbles are gradually opening, for example there are no quarantine restrictions between Australia and New Zealand, but there are from other countries. Singapore and Hong Kong are working on a similar arrangement.

Singapore held Travel Revive, 25 – 26 November 2020, at Sands Expo & Convention Centre to bring delegates and businesses together to exchange ideas, bridge knowledge gaps, and reimagine how the future of travel will look like. There were conference sessions, an exhibition and one-on-one buyer-seller appointments, with virtual conference sessions for global audience to connect with the regional travel businesses.

The German Convention Bureau recently held BOCOM, Experience Borderless Communication, to explore the characteristics, benefits and limitations of the different elements of virtual, hybrid and live audiences. The main stage was in Berlin, with an audience of 50 people as well as hubs with live sessions in Amsterdam, Vienna and Essen and a live stream for remote attendees. The event incorporated workshops, remote speakers and virtual meetings.

Unsurprisingly, the event found that networking was more important for those attending in person, but also:

  • Half day duration is better for remote participants, any longer and their attention span is poor
  • The event delivered increased reach, by offering different locations and virtual
  • Improved ecological sustainability (less travel, less paper etc)
  • More flexibility for participants and organizers
  • The event had a longer lasting effect
  • Smarter use of the content, during and after the event
  • The offer of different attendance pricing models
  • Time saving for attendees (particularly travel)The ability to trace participants behaviour

To attract events in the future a destination will need to market itself in a different way install confidence with event organisers and consider the following:

  • Introduction of safety protocols
  • Ensure the protocols are widely adopted and checked
  • Communicate the compliance through campaigns
  • Develop a culture of compliance in the destination (eg co-operation with mask wearing)

There will be more focus on the city as a destination, what it can provide or add to a meeting in terms of health and safety.

Earlier this year, The WHO has published a document, Key planning recommendations for mass gatherings in the context of COVID-19 for governments, health authorities and national or international organizers to contain risks of transmission associated with large events.

For more information and guidelines, it’s advisable check the WHO website, as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth travel advice.

The UK has established travel corridors and visiting these countries you do not need to self-isolate on your return, but you must have spent the last 14 days in one of these places, or in the UK. A passenger locator form needs to be completed before entering the UK. These are some of the current countries on the travel corridor and possible destinations for events.

  • Australia
  • The Azores
  • Bahrain
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • Cambodia
  • The Canary Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • The Channel Islands
  • Chile
  • Cuba
  • Finland
  • Gibraltar
  • Greek islands: Corfu, Crete, Kos, Rhodes, Zakynthos
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • The Isle of Man
  • Israel and Jerusalem
  • Japan
  • Madeira
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Qatar
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Thailand
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Vietnam

On 15 December a new scheme will be introduced, Test to Release, which allows you to pay for a private COVID-19 test. The earliest you can take the test is 5 days after you left a destination that’s not on the travel corridor list. If the result is negative, you can stop self-isolating.

For more information check https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors#countries-territories-and-regions-on-the-travel-corridor-list

Information correct on 7 December 2020

Posted on

Radisson Riyadh Airport set to open in late 2020

The Radisson Riyadh Airport is the newest addition to the Radisson Hotel Group portfolio. It brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation/ under development.

Riyadh is the largest city and capital of Saudi Arabia. King Khalid International Airport is about 35 kilometres to the north of Riyadh city and home to Radisson’s newest hotel.

As the economic capital of Saudi Arabia, the number of passengers through King Khalid International Airport exceeded 26m in 2019.

Located within close proximity, the hotel will be conveniently accessible from the airport. The city centre can be reached via Riyadh’s new metro system, making it an ideal location for business travellers.

Elie Younes, chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the eight key focus countries in EMEA.

“We align our plans along those of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which aims to significantly increase the contribution of tourism to the country’s economy.

“We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to opening the hotel later this year and to an exciting and rewarding journey.”

Opening late 2020, the hotel will complement Radisson Hotel Group’s array of city and leisure hotels across Riyadh.

The hotel will consist of 471 keys across various room types including serviced apartments and villas. Enabling them to cater to guests that require larger units or long stay units.

The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant and two speciality restaurants.

Guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and various leisure facilities. Including separated ladies and men fitness studio, indoor pool and a spa.

Check back for updates on opening later this year.

Posted on

British Airways to launch summer Newquay flights

British Airways has announced it will launch flights between Heathrow and Newquay for summer 2020 starting 2 July.

The news comes after Flybe said it would move its service between London and Cornwall Airport Newquay from Heathrow to Gatwick at the end of April. This means BA’s will be the only direct flights from Heathrow for the summer.

The service will operate on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 7 September.

On Monday and Friday, flights will depart Heathrow at 1805 and return at 2015. Thursday will see a 0700 departure and 0910 return. Saturday at 0640 with a 0955 return and Sunday at 1920 with a 2125 return.

Neil Chernoff, BA’s director of network and alliances, commented: “We know that customers enjoy exploring the UK as much as they do going further afield and Newquay has so much to offer, especially in the summer months.”

Richard Thomasson, interim airport director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, added: “We are delighted British Airways will be flying to Cornwall this summer and to be able to continue to offer this vital link between Cornwall and Heathrow. With such a major global carrier we will be able to offer our passengers one-stop access to the world, while worldwide investors and tourists will benefit from an easier connection to our stunning country.”

Posted on

Global warming top travel risk for 2020

The impact of climate change and the potential final year of the Trump administration will be the two most important sources of travel risk in the year ahead, according to travel risk intelligence company Riskline.

The company’s analysts compiled a list of the top 10 travel risks to watch out for in 2020, and climate change topped the board for its potential to cause abnormal weather patterns and natural disasters such as hurricanes, heat waves and floods.

Scientists predict an 80% chance of an El Niño weather pattern occurring in 2020, bringing disastrous heavy rainfall and long droughts to countries around the Pacific Ocean and paving the way for mosquito-borne diseases.

Political, social and economic unrest caused by the US 2020 elections, Brexit and the US-China trade war could also cause travel disruption, according to Riskline’s experts.

Other major travel threats include Islamic terrorism, far-right terrorism, and the outbreak of infectious diseases amid on-going migration and a highly mobile world population.

Riskline also pointed to major sporting events like the Summer Olympics in Japan, the UEFA Euro, the Copa América in Argentina and Colombia and the three cycling Grand Tours as likely to pose risks to travellers in 2020 due to overcrowding, terrorism or potential labour strikes.

Internet blackouts could also cause problems to travellers, as well as civil protests and water shortages in regions such as India and Pakistan, and in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.

Riskline’s Director of Operations, Adam Schrader, says: “All of the predicted risks we’ve shared are equally important, but two of them in particular will underpin the most dangerous security threats in 2020: the ongoing effects of climate change and the potential final year of the Trump administration.

“In the case of the former, it will be the mostly unseen, long-term effects that are the greater danger, as droughts or floods destroy land and livelihoods and become the catalysts for new violent conflicts and forced migration.

“Meanwhile the prospect that 2020 could be the final year of the Trump presidency bodes ill for international peace. Both allies and antagonists of the United States may feel that the level of impunity they have enjoyed in foreign affairs since 2016 may be coming to an end.”

Posted on

Brexit not deterring business travellers in the UK

Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK’s largest independent travel agent and travel management company (TMC) consortium, revealed the findings of its 2018 Hotels Market Report which shows that the UK regional capitals are performing strongly with overall room nights booked growing by 8% across the top 250 UK cities.

London continues to be business travellers’ favourite capital for work trips with 663,000 room nights booked in 2018, an increase of 5% when compared to 2017. But Edinburgh experienced the highest level of growth in 2018 with room nights booked increasing by 16%, Belfast was up 13% and Cardiff up 5%.

The 2018 Hotels Market Report analyses data from corporate hotel bookings made between January and December 2018 by Advantage’s TMC members, who represent around 40% of the UK business travel sector, highlighting business travel trends and booking behaviour.

The report also shows significant growth for cities in the Midlands and North East, with Derby seeing the highest growth with 31% more booked room nights compared to 2017, while York, Nottingham and Gateshead also saw double-digit percentage increases.

Top Ten UK Cities – Booked Room Night Percentage Increase (year-on-year), January – December 2018

Derby – 31%
York – 22%
Plymouth – 21%
Inverness – 20%
Nottingham – 18%
Edinburgh – 16%
Reading – 15%
Belfast – 13%
Norwich – 11%
Gateshead – 10%
Global Results

The business world continues to travel widely, with the 2018 Hotels Report recording that hotel demand remains strong in many international cities with New York, Auckland, Wellington, Houston, Paris and Sydney topping the Advantage Top Cities list. In total, worldwide volume grew by over 393,000 room nights, a total increase of 8.74% compared to 2017, indicating that SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) corporate accounts continue to perform strongly.

The total number of bookings made by Advantage business travel members in 2018 saw similar growth – up 8.76% – while the average length of stay remained constant, at 1.87 nights. Increased demand and higher occupancy globally meant hotel rates have increased by US$2 to an average daily rate (ADR) of US$169.41.

The report also looks at trends on bookings and ADR for cities and locations around the world, with New York once again topping the list as the highest volume worldwide city outside the UK, with 90,799 room nights booked at an average rate of US$395.97 per night. Increases were also seen in Bangalore (up 54%), Kuala Lumpur (up 36%) and Boston (up 27%).

Neil Armorgie, Global Product Director at Advantage, commented: “It is clear that the corporate hotel sector continues to grow, with another significant increase in bookings year-on-year, made by independent TMCs. Despite continued uncertainty in both the global and UK economies including Brexit, hotel room night demand is at record levels in many destinations, providing a welcome boost for our members.”

“Although not all destinations in Britain saw an increase in room nights booked, ADR remained strong. It is also positive to see particularly good performance in both major cities and regions such as the East Midlands and North East.”

The report is representative of hotel bookings made across most of the major international and independent hotel groups including: Accor, Apex Hotels, Choice Hotels, Citadines, Clayton Hotels, Design Hotels, The Doyle Collection, Edwardian Hotels, glh Hotels, Hallmark Hotels, Hilton, HotelREZ, Hyatt, House of Daniel Thwaites, IHG, Jurys Inn & Leonardo Hotels, Loews Hotels, Macdonald Hotels, Maldron Hotels, Melia Hotels International, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, The Montcalm Hotels, NH Hotels, O’Callaghan Collection, Omni, Park Plaza, Pegasus, QHotels, Quest, Rotana, Radisson Hotel Group, Sabre Hospitality, Small Luxury Hotels, TravelClick, Travelodge, Village Hotels Club, WorldHotels Collection and Wyndham Hotel Group.