Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Technology
terrorist bombings that led to many deaths. Its tourism
sector was devastated overnight and took many years
to recover. Similar atrocities have occurred in Kenya
and Madrid, affecting both leisure and business travel
to and from these destinations.
Advances in technology are revolutionising the UK
and international travel and tourism sector. The
dramatic growth in the use of the internet is having
a major impact on the work of business travel agents.
Web-based CRS (central reservation systems) and
GDS (global distribution systems) allow agents to
access a vast amount of information on travel services,
accommodation and destinations. Bookings for clients
can be arranged and confi rmed instantly. The internet
also gives business travellers working to a tight budget
the opportunity of searching for particular travel
products and making their own bookings direct with
travel companies. However, this can be a very time-
consuming process and many companies still prefer
to use the services of a business travel agent with
their experience, industry knowledge and buying
power, especially when complex travel itineraries are
involved.
Health epidemics and pandemics
Health scares can adversely affect business travel to
certain destinations. Britain's tourism sector was very
badly affected in 2001 when the country experienced an
outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Countryside
areas were closed to the public and countless rural
tourism businesses lost earnings of up to 90 per cent
for the year. Further afi eld, in 2002 an outbreak of the
disease SARS affected tourism in the Far East and had a
knock-on effect on the countries to which people from
this area visited, including the UK. Recent outbreaks of
bird 'fl u have caused similar problems in certain parts
of eastern Europe and the Far East. Business travellers
are likely to cancel travel arrangements to areas that
have health epidemics or pandemics.
Technology is also changing the way that business
people communicate. Web-based, telephone and
video conferencing systems are used across the world
to hold 'virtual meetings' and seminars. Companies
use this technology to save on the costs and time
associated with business travel, although meeting
people face-to-face remains the favoured option in
certain circumstances.
Political unrest
Business travel to and within areas of the world that are
politically unstable needs careful planning, based on
up-to-date advice and information. Currently, countries
such as Iraq, Israel and Afghanistan are experiencing
political problems, but still need aid and investment to
help them develop for the future. This involves visits
by private and public sector agencies which look to
the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce to provide
the latest travel advice. An important role of business
travel agents is to be aware of problems in the areas of
the world that their clients are visiting and advise them
accordingly.
Terrorism
Although the tragic events of September 11th 2001 in
New York seem a distant memory, this terrorist attack
had a profound impact on global business travel. Flights
to and within the USA were grounded immediately
and business people could not travel easily. This led
many companies to re-assess their need for business
travel and to investigate other ways of doing business,
such as telephone and video conferencing. Following
9/11, extra security measures were introduced at
airports across the world, which led to travel delays
for passengers. London experienced its own terrorist
attack on 7/7 2005, which led to heightened security
at railway stations across the country. Although such
measures can cause extra delays, most travellers are
willing to sacrifi ce a little time in return for a safer
journey. The Indonesian island of Bali has experienced
Weblink
Check out this website for more
information on the travel to areas of the
world that are experiencing political unrest.
www.fco.gov.uk
