News in Brief from ITP, BAA, American Express, BSI and Evolvi
ITP signs new UAE partner
ITP - International Travel Partner has signed a new partner in the United Arab Emirates, Al Jaber Travel in Abu Dhabi.
The global network, which is new represented in 33 countries, already has a partner in Dubai, Al-Futtaim Travel
Ian Epps, Director of Partnership Relations with ITP said, "Al Jaber is a market leader in Abu Dhabi and is already working alongside our partner in Dubai, Al-Futtaim Travel.
"We are very pleased to have two such strong partners in a commercially important market like the UAE."
Paul Farrell, Al Jaber's general manager, said, "Al Jaber Travel is delighted to be part of the ITP Network.
"We believe that with the forecasted growth in Abu Dhabi we will be able to offer our existing and potential customers a truly global business travel solution."
www.itptravel.net www.aljabertransarabian.ae
BAA appeals against order to sell airports
BAA today (October 19) began its appeal against the decision of the UK consumer watchdog the Competition Commission (CC) to sell three of its seven airports.
The UK airport owner told the Competition Appeal Tribunal that a member of the CC inquiry team had connections with possible buyers of Gatwick Airport, one of the airports BAA was ordered to sell.
BAA lawyer said Peter Moizer's position with CC involved a conflict of interest.
www.baa.com www.competition-commission.org.uk
Amex launches new planning dashboard
American Express Business Travel has launched a new planning dashboard.
The cXo is aimed a c-level executives who need to get greater control of their company's travel programme.
The travel management company said it was a new, customisable budgeting and planning tool for executives to make "informed, targeted decisions that support revenue generating activities within cost reduction parameters rather than implementing sweeping, across-the-board cuts".
Frank Schnur, Amex's vp advisory services, said: "Looking ahead to 2010, companies will need to remain competitive in their respective marketplaces, and challenge the status quo to identify more opportunities for savings."
http://home3.americanexpress.com
BSI launches enhanced security tool
Accommodation procurement specialist BSI has launched an enhancement to its traveller and delegate security tool.
The new version will enable BSI to track clients' travellers in real time.
BSI said the web based tool "empowers clients by notifying nominated client personnel of security threats and giving them the ability to locate business travellers in the event of an emergency scenario such as a security alert or, even, adverse weather conditions which may create travel restrictions."
www.bsi.co.uk
Evolvi enhances compliance features
Evolvi has enhanced its award winning booking engine to stop travellers going outside company policy.
The new feature allows travel management companies and their corporate clients to control access to first class travel.
It also enables corporates to challenge the selection of Open Return as a journey class by screening all available fares and costs, starting with the lowest.
Jon Reeve, Evolvi's trade relations director, said: "Travel budgets remain under pressure and many businesses now see commercial advantage in the greater use of rail - not just on cost grounds but when taking overall productivity into account.
"This new functionally enhances the ability of companies to set and monitor clear rules of travel within their overall procurement strategies."
www.evolvi.co.uk