Individual corporate travelers do not always possess an overall view of the travel volume generated by all their colleagues. Finding a one­ – off cheap rate doesn’t help companies consolidate volumes, neither does it gain negotiation power with hotels. With increased transparency and knowledge of public rates through the Online Travel Agencies and price comparison websites, corporate buyers today have trouble distinguishing between the different hotel pricing options available. The availability of free information also means that travelers may see low non – ­refundable saver rates on a hotel’s website and compare them to fully flexible rates negotiated by the company.

Corporates require the best of both worlds – a choice of hotels to meet travelers’ needs at the lowest price, bearing in mind booking conditions. Effective rate negotiation is as much about choice as price; the mix of rates available is determined by the corporate’s choices. The lowest rate may not be the most cost effective rate, as negotiated rates often include airport or local transportation, breakfast, Internet, parking and other amenities. Corporate buyers no longer need to choose between dynamic and fixed price models when it comes to finding the lowest hotel rates. Neither do procurement managers need to invest the time to create a hybrid model. In order to leverage the best value, HRS, the leading hotel solutions provider, has a few key pieces of advice for buyers:

1. The key driver in any hotel rate negotiation is occupancy. Volumes can be leveraged to source and shortlist hotels that meet the corporates quality and location requirements – as well as price objectives. Develop an understanding of the day of week, location and seasonality patterns in order to take advantage of the available rate types.

2.  The cost of amending or cancelling a booking should also be factored into the negotiation. HRS estimates that one in six corporate bookings are cancelled or changed. The incremental cost to the corporate could be as much as 100% of the first night’s stay.

3.  The dynamic nature of hotel rates means that price does not necessarily equate to quality. It does not always follow that a better quality of hotel should cost more. New hotels are generally more prepared to offer lower rates because they need to ‘lock in’ corporate business and have the flexibility to do so.

corporate.hrs.com/sg

salesapac@hrs.com

+65 6580 2828

@HRS_AsiaPac

HRS Global Hotel Solutions

Today’s global organisations have a large number of employees working as international assignees, expatriates and business travellers. Employees who travel across borders often find themselves in unfamiliar environments and situations, subject to increased risks and threats, and less prepared to handle these situations than if they were in their home country.

As a result, employers carry an increased “Duty of Care” obligation to protect their employees from these unfamiliar – yet often foreseeable – risks and threats.

Prevention is key
In an ever-changing and volatile world, the growing focus is clearly on prevention and risk mitigation. Our statistics have shown a positive trend of an emerging risk management culture where risks are managed efficiently and effectively. A recent study by International SOS Foundation also showed that there are tangible commercial incentives to investing in preventive programmes.

It is evident that corporate meeting planners can no longer ignore the importance of having a robust business continuity plan to ensure the safety of their attendees, and they must take proactive steps to minimise and avoid costly emergencies and evacuations.

For them, being able to identify a suitable business event destination based on a sound understanding of the health and security risks of the destination is crucial. Preparation – including a risk assessment, education and health check programmes – will reduce the need for intervention during and after travel. In the case of an emergency, in addition to taking certain precautions, the onus lies on corporate meeting planners to make sound decisions as to whether or not an event should be cancelled.

Medical and travel security risks can easily escalate at short notice during a crisis or evolving situation. The bombing incidents in Bangkok and Jakarta last year were painful reminders that one could easily become a victim of an attack even in urban – and typically perceived as safe – areas. In such time-critical situations, having access to up-to-date intelligence and actionable advice from a trusted source are absolutely critical for corporate meeting planners to assess whether or not to proceed with an event.

To better prepare corporate planners, we advise the following top 5 action tips towards assessing risk and preparing for emergency situations on the ground:

1. Identify specific health and security risks at event location
2. Ensure event delegates are prepared for the trip – this can be in the form of either pre-travel briefings or sending notifications that includes relevant medical, security and itinerary details
3. Set up an online platform hosting critical information about the destination country and make it easily accessible for delegates and/or business travellers
4. Ensure first aid kits (or stations) and evacuation routes/plans are in place in case of emergency
5. Have a reliable partner, with the necessary medical and security expertise, to support you on the ground

As international travel continues to be an inevitable part of global meetings and conventions, corporate meeting planners need to manage their duty of care responsibilities by strengthening their capability to protect the health and safety of delegates. Our call is for corporate meeting planners to step out of their day-to-day mind-set and think about the success of events at a broader level, which includes delegate welfare. Beyond the delivery of a grand event to your guests, true success also hinges on the organiser’s security, safety and crisis management capabilities.

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Philippe Guibert is the Regional Medical Director, Consulting Services, Asia at International SOS, integrating a risk management framework into an organisation’s broader policies through education, information, preparation and prevention.

International SOS is the world’s leading medical and travel security risk services company, pioneering a range of preventive programmes and delivering unrivalled emergency assistance during critical illness, accident or civil unrest. www.internationalsos.com

Article by Philippe Guibert.

Genting Dream

GENTING Hong Kong is launching Dream Cruises, a new product line targeted at the luxury MICE and leisure segments, and deemed as Asia’s first luxury cruise line.

It’s first ship, Genting Dream, is currently undergoing outfitting by shipbuilders in Meyer Werft, Germany, and will arrive in Singapore on November 4 to offer a two-night cruise, followed by a six-night itinerary to Hong Kong.

Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises, said the luxury cruise ship will homeported in Guangzhou after that, from November 18 to March 26, 2017, offering two- and five-night itineraries.

Michael Goh, senior vice president of Dream Cruises, said he is targeting a guest mix of 40 per cent MICE travellers and 60 per cent leisure travellers from source markets such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

He added: “MICE groups in China are usually large groups of 500 people or more. Groups from South-east Asia are usually smaller, between 50 and 300 pax.”

The ship’s Zodiac Theatre can comfortably accommodate 1000 people.