As corporate travel budgets tighten, Emma Allen suggests imaginative places for business trips and meetings
While the credit crunch may be starting to bite and the days of lavish budgets appear to be over, it’s not all doom and gloom for booking agents and travel management companies.
“At the moment clients are simply looking for better value for money,” said CT Business Travel business development director Ian Wheeler.
In short, that means seeking better rates and adding value and, happily for bookers, many venues are willing to negotiate. “Hotels are more willing to listen. It’s simply a question of being proactive and finding the best deal,” said Wheeler.
With an ever-growing number of meeting spaces – more than 35,000 will open this year and next – the choice of venues is bigger than ever.
Hotels still attract the bulk of the market and many have great facilities for groups. For larger numbers, specialist conference and training centres are increasingly popular.
Hotel Bookers International found 21% of corporate companies stated they planned to use this type of venue more in 2008/09, due to the state-of-the-art technology and specialist facilities such as translation booths and screening rooms.
Other companies are realising the value of a quirky or unusual meeting place. Theatres, amusement parks, museums, vineyards and even cruise ships – the sky is the limit when it comes to finding a venue with a difference.
An increasing number of visitor attractions are starting to offer team-building days too. Thorpe Park in Surrey, for instance, offers ‘I’m a Celebrity…’-style packages, complete with bug-eating tasks for participants.
‘Green’ venues are another emerging trend, as many companies place increasing importance on their environmental policies.
Faced with tougher competition, a number of hotels are also starting to team up with outside venues to improve their offer. For instance, guests at Millennium and Copthorne’s new Sheffield hotel will be able to use the meeting rooms of Sheffield United Football Club, adjacent to the hotel.
While there tends to be little difference between what hotels and conference venues pay – typically around 8% commission – most academic or cultural venues tend not to pay any commission.
Meeting and sleeping spaces
The new eco-friendly 15Hatfields on London’s South Bank bottles its own water and uses recycled paper, pens and glasses. Fifteen meeting rooms can accommodate anywhere from six to 550 delegates.
The 44-bed boutique Dylan hotel in Dublin has launched a series of business packages, with options including free wi-fi, complimentary laptop hire, free shirt pressing and shoe cleaning.
Leeds’ newest design hotel, the Ellington, will impress tech-savvy clients. All suites have plasma TVs, iPod docking stations and an entertainment centre for Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 consoles.
This month sees the opening of the 228-bed Crowne Plaza in Manchester. Features include free wireless access, a dedicated meetings desk and nine conference rooms.
Tips: Booking business travel accommdation
By Simon Hawley, MICE development manager, Capita Business Travel
If booking within company policy, always check the budget. Find out exactly what is included.
If it’s not within policy, find out exactly what the client wants. Is the location appropriate to the meeting venue or office? Is the restaurant suitable for entertaining clients?
Organise payment options in advance. Will the hotel bill the company or will the client pay? To avoid embarrassment, make sure all parties are clear on billing.
For lone female travellers, book rooms well away from stairwells and lifts.
Valet parking, room service and checking that tables for one in the hotel restaurant are discreetly placed is appreciated by clients.
For longer stays, consider a serviced apartment. These can offer more privacy and be more cost effective.