Corporate Travel News

IATA announced (23-Oct-2015) results of a study of air travellers "showing that passengers would welcome the richer travel shopping experience that will be enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC)". The study was conducted by Atmosphere Research Group on behalf of IATA. Key findings include:

• More than 75% of air travellers said the NDC-based display would make it easier to compare flights and prices and understand the true cost of their flight, compared to how they shop and book travel online today;
• More than 70% of business fliers and 65% of leisure travellers would be more likely to purchase optional airline services if presented with information about the services in an NDC-based display;
• Sixty-three percent of business travellers and 69% of leisure travellers would find it helpful to receive timely promotional offers via text message;
• 68% of business passengers and 64% of leisure passengers would be comfortable with an airline or travel agent informing them about the availability of optional products based on previous purchase data.

The survey also revealed the following travel trends:

• 88% of business passengers and four of five leisure passengers own a smartphone. Seventy percent of business passengers own tablets, as do 60% of leisure passengers;
• Business passengers are younger than leisure travellers, suggesting a "passing of the torch" from older generations of business passengers. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) stated (03-Mar-2015) international arrivals to Canada increased 3% year-over-year in Dec-2014, driven by 11% growth from CTC's overseas markets. Some 17.1 million international visitors came to Canada in 2015, although tourism growth is below the global average of 5%. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (05-Jan-2015) a tourism snapshot for Oct-2014, which found a 9% year-on-year rise in tourism with 1.3 million international travellers. CTC's overseas markets increased by 15% year-to-date in Oct-2014. The China and South Korea markets reported 36% and 31% rises respectively in terms of visitors to Canada in Oct-2014, while Germany's market increased by 1%, the UK by 9%, and France by 9%. The US market achieved an overall 7% increase in Oct-2014, while the Mexico market increased by 25% year-over-year. CTC's secondary markets continued to perform strongly in Oct-2014, as traveller numbers to Canada rose 25% year-over-year from Taiwan, 17% from Hong Kong, 15% from Italy, 11% from Switzerland, 7% from Spain, and 2% from the Netherlands. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (26-Nov-2014) a tourism snapshot for Sep-2014, which found a 4% year-on-year rise in tourism with 1.7 million international travellers. CTC's overseas markets increased by 12% year-over-year in Sep-2014. The China and Japan markets reported 24% and 23% rises respectively in terms of visitors to Canada in Sep-2014, while Germany's market increased by 11%, the UK by 9%, and France by 3%. CTC stated the new CAN+ visa programme in India is "already producing dividends", including a 19% boost in travellers to Canada in Sep-2014. The US market achieved an overall 1% increase in Sep-2014. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) appointed (16-Oct-2014) David Goldstein to the role of president and CEO, effective 01-Dec-2014. Mr Goldstein currently serves as CEO and president of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) stated (28-Aug-2014) over 2.1 million international passengers travelled to Canada in Jun-2014, a 2% year-on-year increase. CTC noted a 10% year-over-year increase from its overseas markets in Jun-2014, which helped deliver an overall increase in international travellers. CTC stated the China market experienced a 27% surge in visitors to Canada, while the Australia "maintained its impressive 2014 growth" with a 9% rise in travellers to Canada in Jun-2014. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) reported (30-Jun-2014) over one million international passengers travelled to Canada over the Easter holiday period in Apr-2014, an 12% increase over 2013. CTC noted the US market increased by 8% in Apr-2014, while the Mexico market dipped by 1% year-over-year. Brazil's travellers increased by 10% in Apr-2014, while Germany's market was up 31% compared to increases of 23% from the UK and 1% from France. China's passengers strongly increased year-over-year by 21% in Apr-2014, alongside increases of 21% from South Korea and 19% from India in Apr-2014. Japan's market rose by 18% year-over-year in Apr-2014 due to increased capacity from Tokyo Haneda and Narita airports. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released (05-May-2014) its 2013 annual report, noting leisure travel accounted for almost one-fifth of Canada's international trade in services, while overall tourism export revenue grew by 2.5% to reach CAD16.4 billion (USD15.05 million). Canada's economy received CAD545 million (USD500.28 million) in tourism revenue, CAD72 million (USD66.09 million) toward federal tax revenue, while 4416 jobs were created or protected in Canadian tourism businesses. Some 2.56 million visitors visited Canada from CTC's 10 leisure markets in 2013, an increase of 2.9%. In 2013, CTC stated Canada welcomed 16.6 million international overnight visitors from the US and all other markets, up 2% over 2012, largely driven by increased visitation from Asia. Growth from the ten leisure markets where the CTC actively invests also grew, seeing a 2.9% rise, and totalling 73,000 visitors. CTC noted this increase is attributable to significant growth from emerging markets, including China, Mexico and South Korea, while more modest increases were seen from the core markets of France and Australia, with a slight decline from the UK. CTC reported the key drivers for growth include lower oil prices and increased air capacity, with over 150,000 seats added to the existing capacity in 2013. CTC reported the status of the following markets:

• UK: 589,000 travellers spent CAD788 million (USD723.33 million) in 2013, an increase of 0.4% in revenue over 2012;
• France: 426,500 travellers spent CAD537 million (USD492.93 million) in 2013, an increase of 1.4% in revenue over 2012;
• Germany: 276,200 travellers spent CAD421 million (USD386.45 million) in 2013, an increase of 1.0% in revenue over 2012;
• Australia: 224,600 travellers spent CAD398 million (USD365.34 million) in 2013, an increase of 1.2% in revenue over 2012;
• China: 334,100 travellers spent CAD603 million (USD553.52 million) in 2013, an increase of 24.2% in revenue over 2012;
• India: 162,700 travellers spent CAD171 million (USD156.97 million) in 2013, a decrease of 0.8% in revenue over 2012;
• Brazil: 78,600 travellers spent CAD160 million (USD146.87 million) in 2013, an increase of 5.2% in revenue over 2012;
• Japan: 188,900 travellers spent CAD302 million (USD277.22 million) in 2013, a decrease of 3.1% in revenue over 2012;
• Mexico: 139,700 travellers spent CAD216 million (USD198.27 million) in 2013, an increase of 10.8% in revenue over 2012;
• South Korea: 142,000 travellers spent CAD247 (USD226.73 million) million in 2013, an increase of 5.8% in revenue over 2012. [more - original PR]

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) reported (05-Mar-2014) strong performances from the China, Mexico and India markets helped finish 2013 "on a high note". CTC's latest global tourism watch report stated Chinese passengers travelling to Canada increased by 24% in Dec-2013, Indian passengers increased by 9%, arrivals from South Korea fell 7%, while Japan's market increased by 2%. The US market declined by 4% while the Mexican market increased by 13% in Dec-2013. Germany's market grew by 7%, passengers from France increased by 6%, although the UK market decreased by 2% in Dec-2013. Total Canadian outbound travel for 2013 increased 2% year-over-year. [more - original PR]

Oman Air reported (20-Jan-2014) significant increases in its recruitment of Omani citizens as flight crew and the number of Omanis training for flight-deck roles. The airline said in the last 12 months 38 trainees commenced courses for ATR, E175 and Boeing 737 aircraft with ATC Toulouse, CTC, Ecole National Aviation Civil, Jeppesen and Flight Safety International. [more - original PR]