The business of travel
Travelodge fits the bill for customers
It seems fitness is the big new trend in hotels, with Travelodge announcing it will be partnering with The Gym Group to find 10 co-located sites in London and the southeast. A trial of four sites in Waterloo, Guildford, Wembley and Plymouth has been a success and there are synergies in their growth models. Both companies are operating in the budget sector, where there is considerable room for growth.
Meanwhile, there's no excuse for not exercising on the road when you stay in a Westin Hotel. In conjunction with New Balance, you can now borrow gear and shoes at a number of Westin Hotels for a small charge. It will also help cut down on weight, particularly when travelling light. See westinnewbalance.com.
SAS plots course for survival
SAS Scandinavian Airlines is facing into an urgent restructure to secure its future. A plan will have to be put in place very quickly to secure collective agreements on annual savings of about €370 million. SAS’s banks and main shareholders, the governments of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, will make credit available when they deliver the new collective agreements.
Easing the way for UAE entry
Doing business in the United Arab Emirates, which includes Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has just become easier with the decision of the UAE government to issue multiple entry visas for business people. The decree issued by the deputy prime minister means that the visas can be issued by the Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs and UAE consular offices abroad. Visas are valid for six months and for stays of up to 30 days. The new visa will be available to property owners and cruise ship passengers too.
Air France strikes a chord with new music app
Air France believes that travel should be a sensory experience and will make you prick up your ears with their new Music in the Sky app. Air France Music is known for its exclusive content and now you can take it anywhere with you on your smart phone or iPad. Expect to find world music from artists such as François The Atlas Mountains, Eugene McGuinness, Villagers and Tomorrow's World. There will also be an opportunity to win concert and airline tickets throughout the year. See music.air france.com/en
Airlines rack up level of comfort
Anyone who travels business class within the United States knows that it is only really a name for slightly bigger seats and maybe some food – and it is always packed. Things are going to improve next year, with Delta, United and American Airlines all announcing plans to improve coast-to- coast, transcontinental routes with fully lie-flat seats in business/first class. The new cabins will be mainly on the busy routes of New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.