Small and medium enterprises whose staff travel regularly to Hong Kong and Asia are being targeted by Cathay Pacific with a new incentive scheme.
The Cathay Pacific Small Business Solutions programme will be offered to any SME spending a minimum of ”10,000 a year on travel with the airline.
Benefits include discounted business and economy fares, reductions on accommodation and free Marco Polo Club frequent flyer membership.
SMEs wanting to join the scheme must register at www.cathaypacific.com/uk/sbs. Successful companies will be given a unique username and an online password.
Schemes like Cathay”s are popular with SMEs because they very often do not qualify for the discounts and perks that are given to bigger corporates.
Paul Cruttenden, Cathay”s UK and Ireland corporate sales manager, said SMEs were becoming an important part of the airline”s business, particularly as trade with China grows.
”We”re seeing some growth in this market segment and that has not just come from the blue chip corporates that you would expect,” he said.
Cruttenden said Cathay had assessed similar schemes in the market and made its own very competitive.
”We are offering special fares online and 10% off hotel bookings made through Cathay Hotels,” he said.
He added that Cathay had an advantage over competitors to Hong Kong with its ownership of Dragonair, which gives it connectivity throughout the southern China region.
Cathay operates four times a day between Heathrow and Hong Kong. It faces more competition when Virgin Atlantic moves to twice daily on the Heathrow-Hong Kong route from December.
All carriers to Hong Kong have been keen to pick up business from SMEs and other budget conscious-travellers since the demise of the budget carrier Hong Kong Oasis Airlines in April.
Cruttenden said Cathay”s load factors on the London route were currently running at 80%.
For more information, visit www.cathaypacific.com/uk/sbs.
Gary Noakes
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