Business Travel Executive, August 2018

INDUSTRY NEWS 6Business Travel Executive AUGUST 2018 Parliament Green Lights Heathrow Expansion The British parliament has approved plans to expand Heathrow Airport a project whose centerpiece is a third runway Under the proposal passenger capacity at Heathrow could jump from nearly 80 million passengers per year to 110 million by 2030 The proposed new airstrip would cross over Londons congested M25 motorway and could result in the demolition of some 750 homes in nearby villages However the project still faces significant hurdles The airport Europes busiest and the second busiest in the world by international passenger traffic operates close to capacity but critics say that the plan is environmentally unsound Some opponents have tried to make the case for developing some of Heathrows rival airports Without expansion government officials say Londons airports will reach capacity by 2034 AccorHotels Takes a Stake in SBE AccorHotels has signed a letter of intent to purchase a 50 percent interest in SBE Entertainment Group which operates such hotel brands as SLS Delano and Mondrian as well as restaurants Founded in 2002 SBE develops manages and operates global properties and brands SBE will continue to be led by its founders and current management team and will retain its New York headquarters Through the investment which totals 319 million SBE plans to accelerate its international growth into new locations outside the US including priority growth markets in the Middle East and Latin America By the end of the year SBE will operate 25 hotels BTE SPONSORS Airports Make Business Travelers Less Nervous Than Train Stations Ovation Acquires Chartwell in UK Ovation Travel Group an independently owned US based TMC has acquired Chartwell Travel Limited in the UK a TMC which specializes in entertainment film television and news production clients Chartwells London office represents Global business travelers feel more nervous at train or subway stations than at airports according to research commissioned by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Business travelers are most worried about subways and train stations 50 percent walking 42 percent and using ridesharing services and buses 39 percent and are less concerned about airports 34 percent and airplanes 31 percent The research suggests travel managers should focus their safety and security programs on what travelers worry about most according to Christophe Renard vice president of CWT Solutions Group the consultancy arm of the company He says small things like providing clear instructions on getting out of the airport informing travelers of trustworthy suppliers and offering basic tips to address dangerous situations can all make a big difference in traveler confidence Ovations first wholly owned location outside the US Ovations UK operations will be headed up by Tina Rose who has spent nearly 12 years with Protravel International Chartwell will serve as Ovations home base for luxury leisure and corporate independent travel advisors in the United Kingdom