Press Release
For Immediate Release
14 December 2007
Association of Corporate Travel Executives Leads Groundbreaking Education Forum in Qatar
Doha, Qatar --
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) recently partnered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to bring vital travel management education to the Qatar region.
After a recent announcement by the CAA that the entire region will move to zero commissions on 1 January 2008, more than 260 travel buyers, agents and suppliers gathered at the ACTE/CAA Partnership Event to gain an understanding of how to survive in a commission-free environment.
“I am delighted that ACTE was chosen by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority to provide the educational programming for this event, and that we were able to be involved in such an important developmental phase in this region,” Richard Crum, ACTE President, said.
The event was hosted at the Sharq Village & Spa in Doha on 2 December 2007, and featured two panel discussions catering separately to travel buyers and travel suppliers. Corporate buyers learned the importance of transparency when managing travel and the value of being the only income stream for their travel agent partners. Travel agents learned that the ability to charge fees would assist them in not only boosting revenue and taking control over their costs, but would also empower them to operate more effectively in a competitive environment.
Presentations included those from Corrado Simontacchi, Manager: Corporate Purchasing, EMEA & Asia Pacific for Huntsman, as well as a presentation from American Express Kanoo Travel who shared their experience since moving from commissions to service fees and, lastly, a session from Amadeus on using technology to help facilitate the process.
“This was a very good initiative and educational for all concerned,” commented Mohammad Safdar Qaiser, Senior Administration Officer, Gulf Drilling International. “This will help TMCs and corporate buyers to re-asses the services required, as well as budget and plan future travel requirements.”
“It was interesting to see so many delegates moving from a feeling of unease and resistance when arriving at the event, to leaving with an air of excitement about the future and their level of empowerment to offer truly professional services and be reimbursed accordingly,” Monique Swart, Regional Director for ACTE Middle East & Africa, noted.
ACTE and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority are currently discussing future initiatives in the region, including a series of workshops aimed at providing education on the next phase in this transitional period – calculating, negotiating and implementing service fees.
Commented Mr. Saleh Haroon, Director of Air Transport and Airport Affairs for the Qatar CAA on the Civil Aviation Authority’s partnership with ACTE, “I was delighted with the number of delegates who attended the event and the level of education that they were able to receive. I believe that our partnership with ACTE will help to advance the travel industry in Qatar.”
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is a not-for-profit association established to provide executive-level global education and peer-to-peer networking opportunities. Membership spans all of business travel, from corporate buyers to agencies to suppliers, and accords all sectors equal membership. ACTE members drive change in the industry by identifying the issues, predicting the trends, encouraging open discussion, building consensus, finding solutions, and sharing best practices. Comprised of corporate travel managers, purchasing agents, CFO's, travel management company representatives, suppliers of business travel products and services, consultants, and journalists, ACTE members are part of a growing, global network of travel professionals benefiting from a world of knowledge.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Flynn
CEO
Brighter Group
The Pod, London's Vertical Gateway
Bridges Wharf, Battersea
London SW11 3BE England
T: 020 7326 9880
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