Business Travel News: August 2024

Industry

Does the events industry have a green hushing problem?

As climate concerns rise, many MICE organisations have embraced environmental initiatives. However, this spotlight on sustainability also raises concerns about greenwashing—where businesses make false or misleading claims about their commitment to sustainability. Read more.

Asia Pacific leads as global business travel industry spending expected to hit record $1.48 trillion in 2024

The forecast by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a business travel and meetings trade organisation, for 2024 predicts global business travel spending will reach US$1.48 trillion by the end of the year, an increase on 2019 spending which was a previous record at $1.43 trillion.

“We are witnessing the expected rebound in the sector, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of businesses and the value of business travel worldwide,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA. “With projected spending expected to continue to increase through 2028, the future of business travel looks promising. Read more.

Middle East tensions have airlines on high alert

Soaring tensions in the Middle East are forcing airlines to redirect flight paths away from Iranian and Lebanese airspace, resulting in longer flight times. Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Eva Air and China Airlines are among carriers avoiding Iranian air space. Flights operated by several airlines were seen to be heading to the north of Iran over central Asian countries such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, Flightradar24 plane tracking shows. Read more

Philippines takes MICE ‘to heart’ with bold new strategy at MICECON

The recently concluded Philippine MICE Conference (MICECON) 2024 served as a powerful demonstration of the Philippines’ ambitious vision and readiness for a new era of MICE growth. Featuring the theme “M.I.C.E. XD: XPERIENCE DIVERSIFIED”, MICECON2024 was held from 10-12 July at the SMX Convention Center Clarkin Clark. The three-day event was a combined effort of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), and various partners from the private and public sectors, offering 836 total delegates a truly multifaceted conference experience. Read more

 

Airlines/ Airports

Cathay Pacific confirms new A330 business class

Cathay Pacific will follow the debut of its new Boeing 777 first class, business class and premium economy seats across 2024-2025 with a tip-to-tail upgrade to its Airbus A330 jets starting in 2026, with the regional workhorses crowned by a new lie-flat business class. Read more.

Singapore Airlines closes Sydney lounges ahead of upgrade

Singapore Airlines will close its popular Sydney SilverKris Lounge from Saturday August 10 to give the space a modern a make-over. Both the business class and first class wings will be shuttered “until the end of the month”, an SQ spokesperson tells Executive Traveller. Read more

 

 

Hotels

Blending legacy and modernity

Amora Hotels & Resorts’ executive director Earp Siriphatrawan shares how the independent brand is leveraging a strong F&B focus, strategic social media marketing, and personification to set the course for rapid expansion and innovative growth following the establishment of a new regional office in Sydney. Read more

Scoot welcomes new Embraer aircraft, launches more services in South-east Asia

Scoot will be receiving its third and fourth Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in Singapore in September and October 2024. With the addition of the new aircraft, Scoot will launch flight services to two new South-east Asian destinations, namely Kertajati (Greater Bandung) in Indonesia, and Malacca in Malaysia. Read more.