Corporate Travel

Melbourne’s Grand Mercure goes back in time for a modern make-over

Lush carpets in bold colours, sheer patterned curtains, luxe designer wallpaper…it’s all part of the 90-year-old Grand Mercure Melbourne’ multi-million dollar make-over, inspired by the site’s historical significance in the fashion world.

An Accor Vacation Club Apartments property, the Grand Mercure at 321 Flinders Lane was built in 1921 on the site where the internationally renowned Jaeger Fashion

Corporate travellers wooed by carriers

With fierce competition among carriers, BCD Travel says corporate travellers are increasingly being ‘wooed’ with a large array of freebies designed to make their flight more comfortable and enjoyable.

Freebies offered to first class business travellers aboard Qantas include pyjamas, slippers and the Qantas First Amenity Kit which includes Payot skincare products, toiletries, an eye mask

Big spending corporate travellers from Hong Kong

Leisure and business travellers from Hong Kong spend more money here than any other visitor, according to a survey by Mastercard.

In this year alone, Mastercard predicts 318,000 holidaymakers and corporate travellers from Hong Kong will spend more than $US3.22 billion in Sydney alone.

The second biggest spenders are leisure and corporate travellers from Singapore (462,000 visitors

Avoid Melbourne business travel on Nov 18/19 (Australian Business and IT Expo on November )

November 18, 2011 to November 19, 2011

Unless you’re attending the Australian Business and IT Expo on November 18 and 19, BCD Travel’s Melbourne business travel office advises against corporate travel around these dates.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Southbank.

Major conventions often result

BCD Travel’s top 5 business customs in Singapore

Each month BCD Travel offers its top five tips for corporate travellers doing business in a particular country. This month we look at Singapore.

Singaporeans are very polite and will never say ‘no’ outright. In fact, they may use ‘yes’ to mean ‘I’m not sure’ or even ‘no’. You need to read between the lines. Before answering a question,

Event Invitation: The Advito 2012 Industry Forecast in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney What’s in store for 2012?

2011 has been a year of healthy recovery for corporate travel. Booking numbers have returned to close to 2008 levels as companies display renewed interest and enthusiasm for travel, especially to and from developing markets driving global growth.

But recently, headlines have grown ominous: volatile stock markets, concerns about government debt in the US and Europe, worry over a double-dip

HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE A CORPORATE TRAVEL WINNER DURING THE 2012 OLYMPICS

The race already has begun among travel buyers to find reasonable hotel rates around the time of next summer’s Olympics in London. BCD Travel offers 10 tips to help corporate travel managers take the gold in the heated competition for accommodation.

The Olympic Games may be the greatest show on earth, but for travel managers

New US regulations a win for corporate travellers

New regulations in the US mean corporate travellers will receive more compensation when bumped from over-sold flights.

There are few situations more frustrating for business travellers than being bumped from an over-sold flight. Now, carriers must compensate passengers to the tune of up to US$650 (previously US$400) if the airline can deliver them to their destination

Cleanliness over security

Leisure and corporate travellers are more concerned about cleanliness than security when staying at hotels.

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies surveyed 1000 people in June, with 43% of respondents saying cleanliness was the most important consideration when choosing a hotel. Price was most important for 23%, location was next at 19% and security followed at 11%.

Top US adventure destinations for MICE

With the Australian dollar still so strong, the US remains one of the most affordable overseas destinations for clients wishing to book an international meeting, incentive, conference or event.

BCD Travel Australia reports an increase in corporate travel clients booking meetings and incentives in the US in 2011. Companies looking for destinations with a strong recreational component might