Issue 22

ATPI TRAVELLERS NEWS
ISSUE 22 SUMMER 09 £3.00
44
and 9
on st
s
u
See
ATP ACQUIRES INSTONE
INTERNATIONAL
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN BUYING POWER
TRUE INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE
EXPERTISE IN KEY SECTORS
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE
ADDITIONAL STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY
A UNIQUE TRAVEL
MANAGEMENT COMPANY
IN THIS ISSUE:
Oil & Gas industry feature
Around the world with ATP
When the going gets tough
WIN A WEEKEND IN DOHA
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14 - IN DEMAND
ISSUE 22
SUMMER 09
CONTENTS
FEATURES
14 - ON DEMAND The credit crunch means
management is looking for more travel cost
savings than ever before.
16 - A SEA CHANGE
20 - OIL & GAS INDUSTRY FEATURE
23 - ATPI AND INSTONE COME TOGETHER
FOR OFFSHORE EUROPE The largest event for
the upstream Oil and Gas industry outside of
the USA is being held this September.
30 - DON’T BE TEMPTED
36 - ATPI SELECT, PLAY GOLF IN BARBADOS
WITH FOOTBALL LEGENDS!
08 - TRAVEL NEWS
REGULARS
36 - ATPI SELECT
28 - MEET THE TEAM
19 - HOTEL CHECK
33 - FLIGHT CHECK
05 - CEO’S WELCOME
06 - AROUND THE WORLD WITH ATPI
08 - TRAVEL NEWS
11 - WORLD OF TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
12 - FLIGHT CHECK Dean Mitchell, ATPI
Supplier Relations Manager, takes to the
skies with Lufthansa Italia, the new airline
launched by Lufthansa in February this year.
19 - HOTEL CHECK Micasa in Aberdeen is a
home from home
24 - DESTINATION FACTFILE
28 - MEET THE TEAM
31 - WORLD OF TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
What we’re doing to save you money in
these difficult times…
32 - TRAVEL NEWS
33 - FLIGHT CHECK Jeremy King checks out
the Emirates A380
34 - TRAVELLERS TALES
38 - ATPI NEWS
39 - COMPETITION Win a weekend in
Doha with Qatar Airways and
Intercontinental Hotels
Editorial Beverley Allen & Jeremy King editor@atpi.com
Design Naked Marketing info@nakedmarketing.co.uk
Comments and recommendations contained within this magazine are based on the author’s opinions. Whilst
every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this magazine is correct, neither ATPI nor the
contributors make any representations in respect of the content of this magazine and they cannot accept any
responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any consequences resulting therefrom.
ATPI Travellers News is now printed on sustainably sourced paper
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Contact Us www.atpi.com
Sales 0870 264 3174
WELCOME
ATPI UK Operations Centres
LONDON & SOUTH (REGISTERED OFFICE)
Rivercastle House, 10 Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
Tel: 0870 990 6900 Fax: 0870 990 6901
EAST Sapphire House, Mobbs Way, Lowestoft,
Suffolk NR32 3BE Tel: 0870 264 3172 Fax: 0870 264 3176
MIDLANDS Lower Court, Hardwick Business Park,
Noral Way, Southam Road, Banbury, Oxon OX16 2AF
Tel: 0870 460 3437 Fax: 0870 460 3438
SCOTLAND Bridge House, 58 Bridge Street, Aberdeen
AB11 6JN Tel: 0870 720 2100 Fax: 0870 725 9264
NORTH South Court, Sharston Road, Manchester M22 4SN
Tel: 0870 460 3451 Fax: 0870 460 3538
Rail Lodge House, Lodge Square, Burnley BB11 1NN
Tel: 0870 460 3567 Fax: 0870 460 3569
ATPI Worldwide Operations Centres
NETHERLANDS, Beechavenue 101, 1119 RB
Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 20 11 475
GERMANY, Ottostraße 1, 80333 Munich, Germany
Tel: +49 89 55 25 5015 Fax: +49 89 55 25 5029
BELGIUM, Berchemstadionstraat 78, 2600 Berchem, Belgium
Tel: +32 3 218 10 40
FRANCE, 9, Avenue Alexandre Maistrasse,
F92500 Rueil Malmaison, France Tel: +33 141 398 888
NORWAY, Stadion Parken, Blokk B,
Jåttåvågveien 7, N-4020 Stavanger, Norway
Tel: + 47 51 81 78 80 Fax: + 47 51 81 78 99
SOUTH AFRICA, P.O.Box 1068, Kelvin, 2054, South Africa
Tel: + 011 656-2079 Fax: + 011 656-2079
USA, 195 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Tel: +1 866 360 2874 (toll free) Tel: (203) 772 0060 (local)
USA, Suite 370, Kirkwood 3,
11757 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, USA
Tel: + 1 866 992 2874 Fax: + 1 281 920 9180
Instone UK Operations Centres
SOUTH (REGISTERED OFFICE) , Regent House,
Hubert Road, Brentwood CM14 4JE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1277 236900 Fax: +44 1277 264620
EAST, North Quay House, 36 North Quay,
Great Yarmouth NR30 1JE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1277 236920 Fax: +44 1277 236917
Instone Worldwide Operations Centres
AZERBAIJAN, Silk Way Business Centre, 37 Telnov Str., Baku,
AZ1025, Azerbaijan Tel: +994 1249 06861 Fax: +994 1249 06862
CHINA, Room 1209, 12/F, Tianan Center,
338 Nanjing Road (West), Shanghai, China, 200003
Tel: +86 21 6103 4618 Fax: +86 21 6103 4612
CYPRUS, Karalis House, Office 101, Agias Phylaxeos 221 – 225
Limassol. Cyprus Tel: +357 25 770 491 Fax: +357 25 818 963
DENMARK Havnegade 35, DK-1058 Copenhagen K
Tel: +45 3391 5915 Fax: +45 3391 5916
GREECE, 22, Katehaki Street, 115 25 Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 2106 715360 Fax: +30 2106 715375
HONG KONG, 13-01 Stanhope House,
734-738 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3664 8000 Fax: +852 2561 6880
INDIA, 601, Krishna Building, 224 A.J.C Bose Road, Kolkata
700020, India Tel: +91 3330 585700 Fax: +91 3330 585701
NETHERLANDS, Schiedamsedijk 40A, 3011 ED Rotterdam,
Netherlands Tel: +31 1089 25600 Fax: +31 1089 25699
NORWAY, Tollbugata 17, P.O.Box 76 Sentrum, N-0101 Oslo,
Norway Tel: +47 2310 3250 Fax: +47 2310 3260
NORWAY, C Sundtsgt.39, N-5004 Bergen, Norway
Tel: +47 5530 6400 Fax: +47 5530 6430
NORWAY, Nedre Tyholmsvei 3, N-4836 Arendal, Norway
Tel: +47 3700 5600 Fax: +47 3700 5620
PHILIPPINES, 8th Floor Banco de Oro Building,
8737 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City 1200, Philippines
Tel: +63 2813 7001 Fax: +63 2813 3229
RUSSIA, 11 Derbenevskaya Embankment,
Block A, Office 23, Moscow, Russia, 115114
Tel: +7 495 9136 787 Fax: +7 495 9136 788
RUSSIA, 68 Sovetskaya Street, Kholmsk, Sakhalin Island,
694620, Russia Tel: +7 42433 59940 Fax: +7 42433 59941
RUSSIA, 5 # 25 Releeva Street, St. Petersburg, 191104, Russia
Tel: +7 812 336 96 81 Fax: +7 812 336 96 82
RUSSIA, 21#28 Bestuzheva Street, Vladivostok, 690000, Russia
Tel: +7 4232 513591 Fax: +7 4232 513591
SINGAPORE, 400 Orchard Road, #18-05 Orchard Towers,
Singapore 238875 Tel: +65 6233 5100 Fax: +65 6733 5456
USA, One Greenway Plaza, Suite 1050, Houston, Texas, USA
77046 Tel: +1 713 590 8282 Tel: 866 376 7249 (Toll Free US)
Fax: +1 713 590 8283
OPPORTUNITIES
ABOUND
The decision to feature the Oil & Gas
industry in this edition of Travellers News was
made some time before the announcement
of ATPI’s purchase of Instone International. It
is nonetheless fortuitous that the most
significant ATPI acquisition to date can be
celebrated in this particular issue.
I am pleased to announce the acquisition of
Instone International, it is a great company with
an excellent reputation and outstanding
people but what really stood out for me, was
the strategic fit between the two businesses.
Not least amongst these is a footprint that
extends from Houston to Hong Kong and
expands across 20 countries. Many of the
pages in this issue of Travellers News are given
over to Instone International and our deal,
including my interview with Betty Low who as
the former editor of Business Travel World is
one of the most renowned journalists in the
industry. This piece, on page 16 along with
various others will give you a good overview of
the history and the present of our new
organisation.
Looking ahead from the acquisition it is clear
that the future of ATPI and travel management
in general is global. ATPI has always been
noted for its international view. Whether the
current economic downturn is purely a global
phenomenon and hence utterly unavoidable
as the government would have us believe, may
or may not be the case. The solution, however,
is for all businesses to take a wider view. The
opportunities for continued growth are almost
certainly beyond our borders possibly, as
suggested by the president of the World Bank,
Africa holds the key, but in the shorter term
there are still growing markets in India, China,
Russia and South America which offer
substantial opportunities for us and more
importantly our clients.
I am also pleased to announce that ATPI has
been awarded the environmental standard ISO
14001, this makes us one of a very small
number of travel management companies
with both ISO 9001 and 14001 no mean
achievement.
Businesses are already looking for
opportunities to streamline their operations
and travel is no exception. In this issue of
Travellers News Adam Knights outlines one of
a number of multinational projects we are
working on to drive best practice travel
management across regions. Gary Hance,
meanwhile, is looking into the detail required
to take advantage of the current softening of
the market. There can be no doubt that these
are challenging times and talk of the green
shoots of recovery may still be premature but
the opportunities are there to reduce the cost of
travel and it remains the responsibility of ATPI to
highlight them for our clients benefit.
It is this economic climate that makes our
acquisition that much more notable and is
recognition of the success of everyone at ATPI
and a good measure of long term security for
the Group.
Graham Ramsey, Group Chief Executive
04 & 05
AROUND THE WORLD WITH ATPI
EXPANDING
OUR HORIZO
On Friday 15th May 2009 the term ‘Around
the World with ATPI’ took on an entirely new
meaning as ATPI International Group took
ownership of Instone International and instantly
went from a fully owned presence in seven
countries to just under 20.
With 26 locations as far afield as Hong Kong
and Houston this regular Travellers News feature
is an excellent opportunity to recap where
the new ATPI Group is operating.
Azerbaijan
Instone International Azerbaijan is celebrating
its 5th anniversary this year (although operations
started in June 2005). The team of 12 makes up
the only travel company in the country providing
rotational services to the marine industry.
Belgium
Another small team, ATPI Belgium is based in
Bercham just outside Antwerp in the heart of the
industrial part of the country. In addition to
corporate travel management there is a strong
events team.
China & Hong Kong
Shanghai was established in 2005. The
operations team of six staff provides the Singapore
office with back-office support, it also acts as a
liaison office providing market information about
China and coordinates with global clients, whilst
also dealing with domestic opportunities.
In 2008 two Instone managers were dispatched
to establish Instone International Hong Kong with
seven local travel specialists. As it passes its first
birthday the office has become an essential link
across the rapidly growing Asian market.
Cyprus
Instone International System Solutions, the Instone
IT department, began operations in 2000. The
company manages software development and
network security through to datacenters and fare
loading for all the Instone offices.
Denmark
Instone Denmark was founded in 2002, to offer
specialised marine travel services locally. It has
since become the market leader with 18 staff
operating from two locations, Copenhagen and
Aarhus. The company services most of the
leading shipping and offshore businesses in
Denmark.
France
Established in 2005 ATPI France consists on a
corporate travel business with particular focus on
the oil and gas industry as well as a large events
team which form the centre of expertise for ATPIs
pharmaceutical events. The events business also
incorporates its own design studios.
Greece
Since its inception just three years ago, Instone
Greece has grown at 20% per annum in the
competitive Mediterranean shipping market,
developing local clients as well as in Cyprus,
Romania and Croatia, building on close ties with
Cyprus.
Germany
ATPI Germany in Munich is another recent
addition to the group, but staffed by a highly
experienced team of 11 consultants who service a
range of corporate clients from international law
firms to industrial supply businesses.
India
Instone operations in India began in 1994
working alongside a local partner, however by
1999 the company set up its own operation
beginning with just seven staff. Today there are
65 including 17 in the Remote Operations Centre
providing support to other Instone offices. The
business runs 24/7 for 365 days a year with a
INSTONE INTERNATIONAL
ONS
Opposite Page:
The combined management team
This page:
Graham Ramsey - ATPI International Group
Edgar Ekeseth – Instone International
Norway
Norway is the largest Instone company and one
of the oldest, celebrating its 15th Birthday on the 1st
January 2010. The company has a total of 71
employees working across three offices, Bergen,
Oslo and Arendal. The marine travel specialists are
supported by a dedicated corporate travel team.
The ATPI office in Stavanger is a useful addition
to this portfolio.
Philippines
Instone Philippines has been serving the
shipping industry for more than 13 years.
Recognised as the number one marine provider,
the company is now the 4th biggest IATA travel
agency in the country with 50 employees and a
reputation for the highest quality service.
dedicated night team handling all kinds of
emergencies. Clients are spread from the Middle
East to the Far East and Australia, not forgetting
the growing number of Indian businesses.
Netherlands
ATPI Netherlands has eight offices and five
implants. As you would expect, the capabilities of
ATPI NL are substantial, from business travel for
the Dutch Government through to a world class
events team, with corporate clients like Microsoft
as well as being the official supplier to the Dutch
Olympic committee.
The Instone office just outside Rotterdam has
nine people specialising in the marine industry.
Russia
The 23 people and four offices of the Instone
operation in Russia are probably the most physically
spread out of any. Headquartered in Moscow and
with an office in St Petersburg, the two major cities
in European Russia are complemented by offices in
Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk approximately
10,000 miles away on the pacific coast.
The locations clearly show the focus on marine
fares although both Moscow and YuzhnoSakhalinsk offices also manage corporate travel.
Current expansion plans are focused
on Novorossiysk, the main Russian port on the
Black Sea.
United Kingdom
Just over 300 people work in six ATPI offices from
London through to Aberdeen and in a variety of
specialisations. Uniquely ATPI is the only top ten UK
travel management company with an in house
visa company – essential for anyone travelling on
the less traditional business travel routes.
The Instone UK team consists of 31 staff operating
across two locations - Brentwood in Essex and Great
Yarmouth on the Norfolk coast. The UK office is the
longest established in the Instone global network
with direct links back to the origins of Instone in 1919.
USA
The ATPI and Instone businesses combine to
give a service covering the entire United States.
Specialising in corporate travel for the Marine and
Offshore sectors the business is centred around
hubs in Houston, TX and New Haven, CT. In New
Haven there is also a specialist sports travel unit
servicing, amongst others, the travel requirements
for Major League Soccer across the country.
The rest of the world…
The full geographic spread of the Group is
enhanced by satellite operations like the Dutch
Antilles in the Caribbean and a data centre in
Johannesburg, South Africa.
If you would like to discuss doing business in
one of our worldwide locations please speak
to your Account Manager or ATPI sales on
0870 264 3174
Singapore
Founded in 1997, the Singapore office has been
the major Asian hub for business, with the
support of 22 staff, for over a decade. Centrally
located on Orchard Road, with extensive regional
and local contacts enabling the many marine
companies to work effectively within the region.
18 & 19
06
07
TRAVEL NEWS
SAVING ON EXPENSES
It will be cheaper to eat and drink in France from July. VAT levied
on restaurants and cafés is being cut from 19.6% to 5.5% in a bid to
boost consumer spending. With current exchange rates , the cut in VAT
means a £15 meal will cost around £13.20.
ROOMY QANTAS
There’s more room for passengers flying onboard the Qantas A380,
the largest and most technologically advanced aircraft ever built. The
A380 also offers significant improvements in terms of environmental
performance, including reduced fuel consumption and emissions,
greater efficiency and less noise.
With only 450 seats onboard, the Qantas A380 offers more space for
every passenger. Qantas operates three return A380 services each week
between London and Sydney via Singapore. QF32 departs London on
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and QF31 departs Sydney on
Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Plane spotters may be interested to know that Airbus 380’s are starting
to become more prevalent in the London skies, with Emirates running a
daily 380 from Heathrow to Dubai, and Singapore Airlines now operating
twice a day to Singapore.
UNDER ONE ROOF
TAP Portugal has transferred to the newly renovated Terminal 1 at
Heathrow. The move is part of the Star Alliance ‘Move under one Roof’
project designed to offer Alliance customers greater convenience and
more options by using common facilities at major airports. TAP is joined
by Star Alliance pals including LOT Polish, Austrian, Croatia Airlines,
Lufthansa and SWISS. Long term residents bmi continue to operate
from T1. At time of writing, Lufthansa was in the process of completing
the purchase of bmi from Sir Michael Bishop.
TAP has also announced additional services between Lisbon and
Luanda, Angola with the airline now operating 13 times a week between
the two cities.
EMIRATES INCREASE
Still in Angola, in an unrelated move, Emirates from 25th October will
offer three times per week service between Dubai and Luanda, using
Boeing 777 aircraft. Fans of the UAE carrier will be pleased to note that
good connections are available from Emirates services to and from the
UK. The addition of these new services may relieve some of the pressure
on a traditionally very busy destination.
CLAIMING AIR PASSENGER REFUNDS
Around 200,000 people have been paid out after claiming part
refunds following the class action settlement reached in California
against Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. With over £73 Million pounds
available for distribution travellers typically receive between £4 and
£16per long haul flight sector flown.
ATP have already assisted many clients in preparing claims and it's not
too late to consider. If your company had travellers on BA or Virgin long
haul flights purchased in the UK or US between 11 August 2004 and 23
March 2006, please contact your ATP account manager for details of how
we can help. Of course if you have all the data, you can claim online at
airpassengerrefund.co.uk.
CLEAR GOES MURKY
In the US, the company behind the ‘Clear’ channels offering a speedy
route through security for registered travellers who have paid a
subscription and had a biometric iris recognition card issued, has gone
into receivership. This has left around 250,000 customers who had paid
for membership back with the rest of us in the security lines. The system
operated in some 20 airports in the US.
AVIS REDUCES ‘GRACE’ PERIOD
ATPI car hire partner Avis has reduced the ‘grace’ period which it
allowed for renters to return a vehicle and still remain on a daily charge.
Previously renters could bring back the car up to 59 minutes after each 24
hour charging period without incurring extra costs, however this has now
been reduced to 29 minutes. This brings Avis into line with its competitors.
Of course, bringing the car back on time will mean no risk of extra charges,
and by the way, fill it up with fuel too!
BAGS OF CHANGE
Virgin is changing its checked-in baggage policy from 23 September
to simplify allowances and excess charges for its passengers. The
airline is moving to a ‘piece policy’ for all of its
network with a maximum weight of 23kgs to
make it easier for travellers to know their
entitlements.
VIRG
IN
Passengers travelling to the USA,
H
AS SI ATLANTIC
Caribbean, Kenya and Nigeria will be
THEIR MPLIFIE
allowed to carry two pieces of baggage
POLIC BAGGAGD
in Economy and Premium Economy and
E
Y ON
three pieces in Upper Class. For all other
A
R
L
O
L
UTES
international flights the baggage policy will
be one bag for Economy passengers, two
pieces for Premium Economy and three pieces
for Upper Class passengers.
Excess charges have been streamlined across all classes. Bags
weighing above 23kgs up to a maximum of 32 kgs will cost £35. For any
additional bags over the free allowance, the charge for bags up to 23kgs
will be £90. The excess charge of £35 will also apply to additional bags if
they exceed 23kgs.
If you are connecting from one Virgin Atlantic flight to another Virgin
Atlantic fight, the most generous allowance will apply to the entire journey.
However if you are transferring to/from another airline you should stick to
each airlines allowance when travelling.
From 7 October British Airways has also changed their baggage
allowance for World Traveller economy cabin flights to and from USA,
Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean. Passengers will
have a one bag free allowance of 23kgs.
LUFTHANSA EXPANDS
AFRICA CONNECTION
Lufthansa is launching a new service to Libreville, Gabon on 15 July.
The airline will fly five times a week from Frankfurt via Accra, Ghana, to
Libreville, the capital of Gabon. The route will be operated by Airbus A340
and A330 aircraft with First, Business and Economy Class cabins.
BA TO LAUNCH LONDON
CITY – NEW YORK SERVICE
British Airways is launching the first ever London City - New York
Business Class only service on 29 September. The twice a day service
will operate using dedicated Airbus A318 aircraft offering 32 seats. This
marks the first long haul service from LCY, although outbound the
aircraft will stop to refuel in Shannon. BA is making this into a virtue,
however as passengers will clear US immigration at Shannon, resulting
in the Shannon – JFK leg effectively operating as a domestic flight! The
inbound service (because of prevailing winds) operates direct to
London City.
The airline is also to launch new services between London Heathrow’s
Terminal 5 and Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport on 25 October.
The daily service will be operated by a three class Boeing 777 offering 36
new Club World fully flat beds, 24 World Traveller Plus and 212 World
Traveller seats. Virgin Atlantic meanwhile continue to offer a Gatwick Las
Vegas daily service.
WALKING TALL (AND DRY) IN ABERDEEN
Aberdeen Dyce Airport’s Terminal has opened a new International
Walkway just in time for its 75th birthday celebrations this August.
The brand new extension to the terminal is enclosed, covered
and segregated, improving the experience for arriving and departing
passengers.
The opening follows an extensive stand re-alignment programme to
allow the latest state of the art aircraft to use Aberdeen Airport, all in all
amounting to a £5 million investment. This may sound like a relatively
minor subject for Travellers News, but if you have had the experience of
walking to/from an aircraft parked on the international stands in the
howling rain, you’ll be pleased!!
Still in Aberdeen, a new international arrivals area is also on the plans,
and work on extending the car park continues apace.
EASTERN EXTRAS
Eastern Airways has upped the frequency on its Southampton –
Aberdeen route from three to five flights each weekday from the
beginning of July. Two of the flights stop en route in Newcastle, three
operate via Liverpool, giving two firsts; the first service between
Southampton and Liverpool, and the first service between Liverpool and
Aberdeen since Ryanair abandoned the route around two years ago.
Flybe continue to operate a twice a week non stop service
between Southampton and Aberdeen.
08 & 09
Advertisement
when the going gets
TOUGH
For this issue I have resisted my sales instinct to
write something about investing in travel to meet the fall
in demand, visiting existing customers or searching for
the new business that does exist. I would like instead to
discuss some more fundamental travel related issues in
these difficult times.
Our account management team is working harder than
ever. The reason for this is the increase in analysis our
customers request on their travel patterns, behaviours and
overall spend. In a difficult climate the time afforded
to us and the interest in what we are doing has
increased dramatically.
Putting on the brakes
While it is obvious that right now the attention on costs is
driving this focus, it does make me wonder why there isn’t a
more even approach over the long run. For example, moving
from fully flexible business class tickets to a fixed economy
policy is pretty dramatic. I recognise that in good times cost
management generally isn’t as tight as in bad times but travel
seems to be the one area where the brakes are either
non-existent or conversely burning through the discs.
This swing in attention was most illuminating when a
large, highly respected, existing client told me of a new
instruction from the very top stating that “all non-essential
travel now required increased levels of authorisation.” The
response was “who in this business travels when it isn’t
essential?”
Again, not surprising is the massive uptake in cheaper
fares and classes people will accept. The ‘inclusive’ tour fare
market has suddenly taken off. These are the fares that you
see in the holiday brochures where a trip to Dubai or the USA
can be upgraded to business class for a supplement. They
are effectively package tour fares; essentially they need to
include accommodation and a minimum stay. Why then, is
it only now, that customers are saying “yes I agree, we
always stay two nights and of course we need a hotel.”
Suddenly the desire for air miles (which many of the cheapest
fares don’t attract) seems to be firmly in the background
while travellers worry more about their jobs or the job they
are doing.
Working together
As a sales person I feel privileged to visit existing and
potential clients most days of my working life and when I am
not on the road I read all of the meeting reports that our
account managers compile. This gives me an excellent
perspective on how travel is viewed by businesses and I am
pleased that the current environment is giving ATPI and I
imagine other TMC’s, an opportunity to really show what we
are made of. Like any harsh environment, strong relationships
get stronger and teams that work together are achieving
outstanding results.
Adam Knights, Sales Director
10 & 11
Advertisement
LUFTHANSA ITALIA
FLIGHT CHECK
Dean Mitchell, ATPI Supplier
Relations Manager, takes to
the skies with Lufthansa Italia,
the new airline launched by
Lufthansa in February this year.
I was looking forward to putting the
new airline to the test when I had to fly to
Milan for a business meeting and I wasn’t
disappointed. Check-in was hassle free; very
quick, efficient and friendly. When I travelled
to Italy the airline was flying from Heathrow’s
Terminal 2 but from June it moved to its new
home in Terminal 1.
With some time to spare I took the opportunity
to visit the new Star Alliance Lounge in Terminal
1. It’s a great area with plenty of seating and
good amount of workspace and Wi-Fi so you
can catch up with work if you need to.
ITALIAN CLASS
German efficiency and Italian style
On boarding the plane, an Airbus A319, the
first thing you notice is the warm greeting and
smile. Lufthansa Italia is about classic German
service with an Italian edge and influence. This
European mix works well together with its
efficient service and elegant style.
The aircraft cabin was extremely light with
very comfortable all-leather seats. In business
class the seating rows are three across but the
middle seat is not sold and is replaced by an
area to hold your drinks.
The seat pitch was good with lots of legroom
and a relaxed ambiance which is not the norm
on European flights these days. One minor but
nonetheless very useful feature was a great
hook in the seat for a jacket – there would be
no excuse for a crumpled jacket when you
arrive at your destination!
In-flight service was great. The food was
excellent with a choice of menu offering three
courses and a hot entrée; nicely rounded off
with an authentic Italian espresso!
A good selection of business magazines and
English and Italian newspapers were offered so
you could catch up with the latest news stories
before landing.
In Economy, the leather seating was
comfortable with all three seats in use and a
selection of drinks and snacks were offered
which were more than adequate for the length
of flight.
The crew was immaculately turned out with
that Italian ‘chicness’ that you see wherever you
visit in Italy. They were always smiling and
attentive – something which is so lacking on
many flights these days – particularly in Europe.
Lufthansa Italia flies six times a day and gets
you to Milan before anyone else from London.
We took the Malpensa Express train into town
which takes 40 minutes and costs €11 one way
which is extremely good value. The train was
on time and worked very well. A perfect end to
the journey.
I would definitely use this as my airline to Italy.
Focus is on being on time, frequency and great
service with ‘Italiano’ edges but for me it’s the
welcoming smile I will always remember.
12 & 13
ON
DEMAND
THE CREDIT CRUNCH MEANS MANAGEMENT IS LOOKING FOR
MORE TRAVEL COST SAVINGS THAN EVER BEFORE. DEMAND
MANAGEMENT MAY BE THE ANSWER, SUGGESTS BETTY LOW
Betty Low had been editorial director of
Business Travel World for 14 years until its
sale earlier this year. She is now works
on business travel strategy and
communications projects and earlier this
summer organised the conference
programme for the inaugural Business
Travel Market in London.
Most analysts believe that between 2 and 8%
of a typical company’s total spend is on travel and
expenses so no wonder company directors
regularly look to their travel purchasers for cost
savings.
So much good work has been done on
negotiation and price, that there is very little room left
for savings there. But one very real, virtually
unexplored outlet is demand management. Put very
simply whereas supply management focuses on the
supply chain and honing in on the quantity and price
of what is on offer; demand management is the
mirror image. It means reassessing what is actually
needed.
Procurement means buying wisely; demand
management means careful identification of what
needs to be bought. This is critical because both
travellers and bookers will tell you that the most
common reason for booking out of policy is that
what the traveller needs is not available within policy.
So if you do want increased compliance to your travel
policy (and therefore savings), the first step is to
analyse the traveller profile to ensure that the
preferred programme covers the travellers’ needs.
There could be more alternatives than internal
customers realise. Looking at demand for transport
means assessing what product is best for the trip;
for example, for short-haul travel you can consider
substituting rail for air.
Start by asking what is required to deliver to the
business objective. One air ticket between the same
two destinations can look like quite a different
product on different carriers or in different classes but
there are many more differences which can be
invisible to the traveller but very visible to his or her
department’s budget. Roddy Dempster at
Weatherford in Aberdeen (see panel) discovered that
significant savings could be achieved by moving
from fully flexible to lowest cost, changeable tickets.
Understanding the cost implications of each fare
class can yield tremendous savings.
Buying tickets as early as possible is another
example. In general the earlier you purchase the air
ticket, the cheaper it is likely to be (see chart).
Travellers may also find that different hotel
products meet their needs. According to numerous
business travel studies, the most important factor for
travellers in choosing a hotel is not its category or
quality of service but its proximity to the location of
the traveller’s business. So, it might not be just price
which explains the success of the ubiquitous budget
hotels during the economic slowdown. But these are
not the only opportunities.
Look also at the average length of stay. If that is
more than three nights, the serviced apartment
option might be more suitable for the traveller and
RODDY DEMPSTER WEATHERFORD
UK PURCHASING MANAGER
When Roddy Dempster began to make
changes in February 2008 in how
Weatherford’s travel programme was being
managed, the oil field services company
was losing 16-17% of its then £4m annual
travel spend because of travellers telling
bookers what tickets to buy. That loss has
now come down to only 2%.
Weatherford had 100 travel bookers
working in different divisions. “Travellers would
say where they wanted to go and who they
wanted to fly with and the booker would then
just book the ticket,” says Dempster, UK
purchasing manager.
With the help of his ATPI account manager
Dempster began to update the travel policy
and create a centralised travel team. They and
ATPI were charged to police the policy. Rather
than 100 bookers attached to divisions, two
people became completely dedicated to
travel. They were trained in such things as
what different ticket types meant. “People had
thought that a ticket had to be fully flexible to
make any changes. But you can incur a £35
charge on a lowest cost, changeable ticket
and still make savings over purchasing fully
flexible tickets,” he says.
Dempster believes that getting staff on board
and communication are critical for success.
“A dedicated centralised travel team is
definitely the way to go,” says Dempster.
“Make sure the policy is watertight and
policed and that the people booking are
educated and knowledgeable in different
ticket types and fares and can advise travellers
about the flexibility.”
CHART TO ILLUSTRATE PRICE VARIANCE
FROM ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE
£4500
£4000
cheaper for the company.
Just as with air, bookers should encourage
travellers to book hotels earlier, preferably at the
same time as the air sector. Research says that
between 2 and 7% of the room cost can be saved by
booking the hotel even two weeks out.
But ultimately the greatest savings come from
considering the total cost of a trip; this means taking
account of time, the cost of connections and effects
on productivity.
Negotiating a good rate for transfers between
home/office and airport with a chauffeur drive
company is good procurement. But introducing
airport trains into the travel programme is good
demand management. A train transfer into a major
city can often be quicker and therefore more
productive as well as cheaper.
Demand management should also look at the
process of travel management itself. For simple
transactions self-booking tools take up not only less
of the travel arrangers’ time but also less of the travel
management company’s time and your money.
Consultants can then be used for more complex trips
where their expertise can add real value.
Understanding the supply chain enables shrewd
buying; understanding what a company’s travellers
really need and offering them the right products and
processes enables good management.
£3500
£3000
£2500
£2000
£1500
£1000
£500
£0
30 DAYS PRIOR
16 - 30 DAYS PRIOR
8 - 15 DAYS PRIOR
3 - 7 DAYS PRIOR
3 DAYS PRIOR
Ticket purchase time (Days before departure)
CLUB WORLD
WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS
WORLD TRAVELLER
SOURCE: Based on British Airways published fares London LHR - New York JFK - London
LHR. Period 1st January 2009 - 25th June 2009
14 & 15
A SEA CHANGE
ATPI’s recent acquisition of marine travel company Instone made it
a €1 billion company but what does it mean for clients? Betty Low
asks Graham Ramsey, ATPI chief executive, the question
There’s a perceived wisdom in the business world that
the only companies that will flourish, regardless of sector,
are giant, global companies or small, niche players.
Graham Ramsey, CEO of ATPI, has other ideas. “We fill the
gap between those global players that offer fulfilment and
the strong national players,” he said. Ramsey’s acquisition
of Instone is a key tactic in delivering to that strategy.
ATPI has long been more than merely a UK player. This
spring’s acquisition of Instone (for £37 million according to
press reports) gives the new ATPI an extensive and wholly
owned operation in many more parts of the world (see map).
“We can now service our clients in more markets,”
said Ramsey.
Instone was a natural fit for ATPI. Established in 1919, it has
a strong marine business (70%), the remaining 30% being
corporate travel for that market. The new company will allow
Instone’s clients to benefit from ATPI’s corporate buying
power and service tradition and will give ATPI’s existing client
base offices in cities where they might very well want a local
service – places such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila,
Kolkata (Calcutta), Athens and Cyprus.
The deal leaves ATPI with wholly owned operations in 17
countries, franchises in two (Russia and Azerbaijan) and will
make it a €1 billion turnover business. The purchase was
made possible by funds from existing investors without ATPI
having to increase its gearing.
Ramsey says that Instone had other suitors so the deal
was not straightforward but that both companies came
together because they shared not only market synergies and
were complementary without overlap but also because
“senior management preferred our philosophy because it
fitted their management team.” As is the case at ATPI the top
team had been there for 12-14 years and are those who
have grown the business. “This has been a positive
integration,” says Ramsey. “Some things are different but
there are so many synergies here. Like ATPI, Instone was an
international business catering for international mid size
companies managing people going to work so there were
definite synergies.”
Creating a company dedicated to servicing international
mid-size companies is a vision that Ramsey has had for the
past decade. He has been in charge since ATPI was formed
by the fusion of two long established UK travel management
companies, Seaforths and Ayscough in 2002.
For Instone there were definite advantages as well. Their
marine clients would now have the benefit of broad
corporate travel expertise. Although Instone did do corporate
travel it was very much the corporate side of the marine
travel business so the ATPI experience will be invaluable.
Both Instone and ATPI clients will now benefit from an
owned network in many of the key (for the company’s client
base) business locations in the world.
“With an owned network, everything is so much
more joined up. The technology systems are the same so
that you can deliver good MI much more easily, for
example,” says Ramsey.
ATPI has grown steadily over the years. Is there another
purchase on the horizon? “Never say never,” says Ramsey,
“but good business practice is for periods of acquisition to
be followed by periods of consolidation and implementation.
“We’ll now be focusing on structuring the company to
deliver to our new, larger, but similar client base.
And for ATPI and Instone clients such consolidation means
a more joined up international network and international
service. All part of the ATPI strategy.
INTRODUCING
SOME OF
THE TEAM
Dag Kristian Amland
Divisional Managing Director of Marine and
Corporate Business for the Instone Group.
Peter Muller
Divisional Managing Director. Has responsibility
for the ATPI UK, France and USA operations.
Willem Starink
Divisional Managing Director of ATPI
Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
MAIN IMAGE
Left to right:
John Jansen – ATPI International Group
Edgar Ekeseth – Instone International
Graham Ramsey - ATPI International Group
John Walker - Barclays Private Equity
16 & 17
Advertisement
MICASA, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
HOTEL CHECK
HOME
FROM HOME
Aparthotels – part hotel and part apartment – are not
new but today many companies are looking to enhance
their hotel programmes especially for longer stays. Many
existing hotel chains offer Apartment solutions and in this
issue of Travellers News we review the new Micasa
serviced apartments, in the centre of Aberdeen.
Finding a hotel in Aberdeen can be tricky but
a one bedroom apartment in the Micasa
Aparthotel seemed ideal, well within my
budget and centrally located. A brief transfer
by taxi from Aberdeen Airport to Micasa in the
city centre took just 40 minutes.
First impressions are extremely discrete, no
grand entrance, I simply pressed the intercom
on the secure door of the Georgian building and
was instructed to use the lift to the first floor.
Spacious and modern
Once the lift doors opened it was a completely
different story. The first floor reception area was
very spacious and modern with some lovely
modern contemporary art on the walls. No
queues at the 24hr reception which was a
welcome relief. I was the only person checking in
so the procedure took a matter of minutes. The
pleasant receptionist confirmed my details and
my breakfast order for the following morning. I
was handed my key and directed to Apartment
No 9 on the second floor. All in all a very good
first impression.
I found the apartment very spacious with
modern and tasteful décor. It had all the
conveniences you could ask for including a fully
equipped kitchen with dishwasher and
appliances – truly a ‘home from home’. The
wooden floors in the kitchen, dining area and
lounge looked classy and were complemented
by comfortable furnishings. The lounge had a flat
screen TV with Freeview. I was also pleasantly
surprised when I called reception to be told that
the Wi-Fi was free of charge.
The apartment was split into two levels with a
spiral staircase leading to the bedroom and
bathroom. The former being large with a
comfortable bed and plenty of storage space,
the latter was also a good size and included all
the usual toiletries.
Out on the town
After a long day working and travelling, I
decided that I would try out one of Micasa’s
partner restaurants and take advantage of the
bill back facility on offer. I chose La Lombarda, an
Italian restaurant about a ten minute walk from
the apartment where I had a lovely two course
meal with a glass of wine. The bill, when it
arrived, was simply signed for and added to my
Micasa account.
I headed back to the apartment and straight to
bed for a fantastic night’s sleep, extremely quiet
even though I was in the centre of town. The next
morning I awoke at 7am opened my door and
as promised, found my Continental breakfast
outside the room. This consisted of cereal, water
and a croissant with butter and jam. At 8am I
checked out with no problems at all and waited
five minutes for my taxi outside to arrive to take
me to my first meeting.
This was my first time at an aparthotel and I
was impressed. With no bar or restaurant this
will not be a solution for every traveller or every
occasion but as an addition to a company’s hotel
programme the Aparthotel certainly has a place.
Micasa offers 34 serviced apartments
ranging in size from one to three bedrooms.
Reservations for Micasa and other Aparthotels
around the world, can be made via your ATPI
consultant.
18 & 19
Advertisement
OIL & GAS INDUSTRY FEATURE
OIL & GAS
INDUSTRY FEATURE
To begin this Travellers News feature we asked Ian McCartney,
Managing Director of Weatherford UK Ltd to give us an overview
of the Oil & Gas industry as a whole and of course the part
effective travel management can play.
TN: How is the Oil & gas sector holding up in
the current climate?
IM: The year to date has been pretty good, we
are not seeing much growth from last year but
given the economic situation we have had a
better time than most.
Looking ahead in the short term is not so easy,
this time last year oil was at $147 a barrel and 10
weeks later it had dropped to $40. I this climate
any kind of forecasting is virtually impossible, but
we do expect a difficult period over the next six
months or so, as operators have cut back on
drilling programmes and are looking to reduce
rig costs.
That said there is still plenty of business out
there, our tender department is busier than I
have ever seen it in 31 years in the industry. The
current price of $74 a barrel is probably about
right but it will require some realigning of costs
from operators in the short term.
TN: What are the key issues for the next 12
months?
IM: There is no doubt that cost reduction is at
the top of everyone’s agenda at the moment but
if the general economy starts to pick up and the
oil price stays relatively stable then I am
optimistic.
The western hemisphere has been hit harder
by the recession than the east and certainly the
opportunities we are looking at will be further
afield. Projects in Russia, the rest of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and
West Africa are continuing and we certainly see
growth coming from there as well as the Middle
East.
The situation in Scandinavia is also interesting
as so much of the industry is state sponsored in
Norway. As such it has been relatively resilient to
the current trends and much of the activity there
will continue.
TN: What have been the travel implications for
Weatherford and the industry as a whole?
IM: Like everyone we have been watching our
costs carefully but travel remains an essential
element of our business, and it is even more
important at the moment that we are out
chasing the business that is there. Weatherford
have recently acquired a company in Russia with
600 employees so this, combined with the
reduction of activity on the UK continental shelf
(UKCS), may mean that travel volumes will
increase.
In terms of cost management in travel,
Weatherford UK have been ahead of the curve.
We were facing major challenges 18 months ago
and needed to review our entire booking
process. With the choice of tendering the account
or working more closely with ATP to streamline
the process; we chose the latter option. ATP
Consulting helped us to set up, recruit and train
our own travel booking team to manage the
booking process. We are already seeing good
results and strategically it leaves us well placed
to face the future. On top of savings from internal
process improvements and the airfares
themselves, we also saved the time and effort of
a full tender which would have distracted us from
our main business so it really was a win-win for
everyone involved.
Ian McCartney is Managing Director of
Weatherford UK Ltd. Part of Weatherford
International; the group is quoted on the
New York Stock Exchange and is one of
the largest global providers of advanced
products and services that span the
drilling,
evaluation,
completion,
production and intervention cycles of oil
and natural gas wells.
20 & 21
Advertisement
OFFSHORE EUROPE
ATPI AND INSTONE
TOGETHER FOR
OFFSHORE EUROPE
See u
s
Any analyst looking for synergies between ATPI
and Instone prior to the acquisition in May would
have done well to look to Aberdeen and the
Society of Petroleum Engineers event Offshore
Europe. The largest event for the upstream Oil
and Gas industry outside of the USA is being held
this September at the Aberdeen Exhibition and
Conference Centre and both ATPI and Instone
booked a stand.
In view of both organisations commitment to this
vital industry it seemed appropriate to join both
stands and move them into a key location in the
main hall.
International Sales Director Adam Knights
commented on the move “This exhibition will be the
first opportunity to demonstrate our desire to build
something even more substantial from these
businesses. Our clients are already asking about
the additional opportunities we can create for
them.”
ATPI and Instone have a long history of serving
this most specialised of sectors and will be using
the show as an opportunity to showcase the tools
and technologies required to manage travel in
extreme environments. Many travel industry
on st
and 9
44
developments that have long been considered
essential for oil & gas workers are now becoming
more mainstream. These include:
• 24 hour service – ATPI and Instone both offer
extensive in house 24 hour services with access to
industry travel specialists when they are needed.
• Global presence – being where we are needed
has always been a central theme of both
organisations. With offices in major hubs like
Aberdeen and Houston as well as more specialist
locations like Stavanger and Sakhalinsk the
combined spread of ATPI and Instone covers 26
offices in almost 20 countries.
• Fares – Specialist marine fares if you qualify and
excellent ATPI fares if you don’t. Through Instone,
clients can access every global marine fare but,
given the restrictions placed on their use, ATPI can
provide access to specialist fares for every kind of
traveller. The ATPI approach to global sourcing
means that every buyer can take advantage of
worldwide pricing anomalies along with the
combined ATPI Instone purchasing power.
• Emergency tracking – Being able to
track travellers at a moment’s notice has always
been an issue for travellers in Luanda or the Niger
Delta but as unrest becomes a global issue so all
businesses are increasing their awareness.
• Travel security – Like tracking, more and more
non oil businesses are realising that their travellers
need high quality support be it from pre travel risk
assessments or news updates whilst they are on
the ground. ATPI security partner AKE Group can
advise on all aspects of destination risk.
90 in ‘09
Finally no Aberdeen event would be complete
without a party and Offshore Europe is no exception
as Instone celebrates its 90th birthday with an
invitation only reception in the centre of Aberdeen.
The event, planned for the 9th day of the 9th month
in the 9th year of the new millennium will be one of
many celebrations of Instone’s 90 year history as
well as hopefully an opportunity to present
something of the next 90 years.
22 & 23
DESTINATION FACTFILE
Luanda – perhaps not a typical travel
destination, but for many employed in the
international energy industry, the capital of
the former Portuguese colony of Angola, is a
regular feature. It is by no stretch of the
imagination a tourist destination and travel to
the capital of this resource-rich South West
African state is strictly the domain of the
business traveller.
The city, which was originally named Sao
Paula de Loanda and was located on the Ilha
de Cabo, was founded in 1575 by 400
Portuguese soldiers and 100 families. Just one
year later the colony moved to the mainland.
With a current population of approximately 5
million, it has greatly surpassed the 500,000
people it was originally intended for.
Energy Hub
Today, with proven oil reserves of 9 billion
barrels (bbls), Angola has the fourth-largest
proven reserves on the African continent behind
Libya, Algeria and nearby Nigeria (BP Statistical
Review of World Energy, June 2008). Luanda is
its energy hub and is now among the most
expensive destinations for travellers. Indeed,
according to a poll carried out by one Londonbased consultancy in January 2009, it is
now the world’s
most expensive city
for foreigners, ahead
even of Tokyo.
What, you may
ask, makes Luanda
such an expensive
destination?
Well,
Angola’s 27-year civil
war only ended in
2002, and, unsurprisingly, the country maintains
certain characteristics of a post-conflict state, for
example, damaged infrastructure, such as
Luanda’s port, which consistently witnesses long
delays. The mass investments by Western states
plus China and a significant number of
expatriate workers that have accompanied this
investment have also impacted and continue to
push prices sky-high. Subsequently, inflation has
contributed to shortages in key goods and utility
provision and despite a sharp drop in global
food prices (at the time of writing a litre of
WITH PROVEN OIL RESERVES
OF 9 BILLION BARRELS (BBLS),
ANGOLA HAS THE FOURTH
LARGEST PROVEN RESERVES
imported milk in Luanda can cost $3). The World
Bank anticipates that these high prices will
continue.
Hotel rooms and, indeed, accommodation of
any kind are at a premium in Luanda. Hotel
rooms average $400 per night and need to be
LUANDA, ANGOLA
LUANDA
CITY OF OIL
booked at least a month in advance (or up to
three months if rooms are required in large
numbers). Residential accommodation is also
pricey, for example, a simple two-bedroomed
apartment can demand rent in excess of $7,000
per month.
Angola’s economic growth has largely
been determined by its resource wealth,
predominantly the oil industry although the
government is keen for further investment in
exploration for natural gas. From the cessation
of hostilities in 2002 through to 2008, the
country’s economic growth could be measured
in double figures. However, the global financial
downturn has impacted significantly on Angola.
The country’s Economic Ministry has revised its
growth forecast for 2009 from 11.8 per cent to
three per cent. Indeed, demonstrating the key
importance of the energy industry to Angola’s
economy is the fact that its budget is based on
the oil price and for 2009, this was originally set
at $55 per barrel, but has already been reduced
to $35 per barrel. Falling revenue from oil and
diamonds will continue to significantly impact on
the economy.
As a result of the decades of conflict and years
of accelerated economic growth, there is a clear
divide between rich and poor and two pricing
structures in force, those for locals and those for
foreigners – this is hardly surprising given that
almost two-thirds of the population live on under
$2 per day. In the capital many are dependent on
street trade while outside Luanda many are still
reliant on subsistence farming.
Security Concerns
Luanda’s security environment has been
shaped by the same factors, and it will come as
little surprise given its geographic position and its
history of conflict that security concerns rank
highly among the worries of potential travellers
to Angola. Indeed, the Angolan countryside is
littered with unexploded ordnance and
landmines, a tragic reminder of the conflict;
however, this is not a problem in Luanda itself. At
the outset I should note that compared to its subSaharan competitors in terms of oil production,
Angola’s security situation is markedly different.
While Angola does suffer internal discontent, in
particular in the oil-rich enclave of Cabinda, this
has yet to significantly impact upon the energy
sector, the way the Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta has in Nigeria.
The oil dividend has yet to benefit the majority of
the population and as such there is the potential
for civil unrest country-wide and could well affect
the capital, particularly around times of political
tension and elections.
Luanda’s primary security concern is its high
levels of criminality, which many commentators
only expect to worsen though at the time of
writing, there have been few reports of notable
security incidences occurring in Luanda in 2009.
Visitors, however, should remain vigilant as a
flare-up in political or civil unrest may present
itself unannounced.
24 & 25
Advertisement
TOP TIPS
Planning is key to any trip, but given the
inflated costs and premium on accommodation
and services, this is particularly pertinent for any
proposed travel to Luanda.
Accommodation
Accommodation should be booked as early as
possible. Visitors should frequent the new area of
the city, which is home to modern hotels, shops
and restaurants. Avoid anything but luxury
accommodation in Luanda, lesser hotels are often
in disrepair, have poor plumbing and are less safe
as a rule. Specifically, look for accommodation at
hotels near the beach where all-inclusive rooms
with restaurants on the premises are located.
Refrain from walking between bars and
restaurants on the Ilha.
Be vigilant against pickpockets and bag
snatchers whilst moving around on foot. Do not
resist criminals if accosted as they may be armed
and often operate in gangs. Carjacking is a
significant concern in Angola.
Transport
There is no taxi service at Luanda airport so
visitors should arrange to be met at the airport by
a driver via a trusted local contact or your
accommodation. Arrange for the driver to display
a sign with his/her name on it and not that of the
visitor or that of their employer. Ask to see official
photographic identification. Do not hire
unregulated taxis, as they are infamous locations
for minor and major crimes while public transport
systems are overcrowded, poorly maintained and
also unsafe. Vehicle and driver hire in Angola is
very expensive and ranges from $150-$350 per
day depending upon the type and condition of the
vehicle.
Unexploded ordnance still poses a significant
risk outside the city limits and travel outside
Luanda is not advised.
Safari tours
It is worth noting that further afield in Angola it
is possible to take time out on a safari tour giving
the business traveller a unique opportunity to
explore this beautiful country. Jenman Safaris offer
a 4x4 camping expedition across Southern
Angola visiting some unique sites such as the The
Ruacana Falls and the Tunda Vala Escarpment.
www.jenmansafaris.com
TOP LEFT:
Luanda
Claire Fleming, Corporate Relations Manager,
AKE Ltd
TOP RIGHT:
Home to the Meercat
To assist in your planning, readers are invited to
a trial of AKE’s country intelligence tool Global
Intake. For more information contact your ATPI
Account Manager
MIDDLE:
Handmade african
sea grass baskets.
DESTINATION TRAVEL ADVICE PASSPORT AND VISA
Visas are required for travel to Angola.
Passports must be valid for a least six months
after departure from Angola and have at
least two blank visa pages.
All visitors are required to submit their
travel itinerary; a UK company letter
confirming purpose of visit and an invitation
letter from host company in Angola.
Applicants linked to the oil industry must
have their invitation signed and stamped by
the Oil Ministry.
All Angolan visa applications are now
subject to a new procedure, which may
potentially lead to further delays.
From submission to the Consulate,
approval to issue the visa is sought from the
authorities in Angola. Until any such approval
is received, the Consulate will not issue any
visa; any delay encountered in receipt of this
approval will result in delay of the visa being
issued regardless of the date of release
originally quoted by the Consulate.
All travellers requiring visas to Angola are
advised that extra processing time needs to
be allowed for and that service levels offered
by the Consulate are not guaranteed. For
more information contact our website
www.atpi.com/visas
26 & 27
MEET THE TEAM
IT’S IN
THE BLOOD
WILLIE MCPHERSON WILL NEED NO INTRODUCTION TO ANYONE IN
THE CLOSE KNIT ABERDEEN BUSINESS COMMUNITY. KNOWN FOR A
FAMOUSLY GOOD GOLF DAY (THE ANNUAL ATPI CLASSIC) AND
FAMOUSLY BAD JOKES (TOO MANY TO MENTION), WILLIE HAS BUILT
HIS SUCCESS WITH THAT OF ATPI ABERDEEN AND THE CITY ITSELF ON
THE BACK OF THE OIL INDUSTRY AND A LOT OF HARD WORK.
TRAVELLERS NEWS MET UP WITH WILLIE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE ISN’T HOSTING AN EVENT OR
ENTERTAINING CLIENTS AND TO HEAR SOME BAD JOKES TOO.
You could argue that there are two
things running through Willie McPherson’s
blood – oil and travel – and for ATPI’s clients in
the oil and gas industry there couldn’t be a
better mix.
In Aberdeen, 95% of all clients are in the oil
and gas sector and Willie is at the forefront of
this, working closely with ATPI’s offices in some
of the major oil hubs in the world such as Great
Yarmouth, Stavanger and Houston. The oil
industry has changed dramatically in the last
twenty years and Aberdeen is now seen as a
technical worldwide centre of excellence.
bombings are not uncommon. Working with
security industry specialists, the AKE Group,
clients can access up-to-the minute travel safety
advice and information and use the Emergency
Traveller Tracking System which can identify the
whereabouts of an employee wherever they are in
the world.
“One of our clients was so impressed with
Traveller Tracking when they had to call upon the
service when serious problems arose in Nigeria that
they now join some of the AKE security seminars as
a guest speaker to tell others how beneficial the
system was to their company.”
A dangerous business
The oil & gas industry can be an extremely
dangerous business. “Our clients are hardy
travellers with complex travel itineraries, flying
to some of the most remote areas in the world
such as Angola, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The
nature of the industry demands a very specialist
travel management service.”
With clients travelling to such far flung
destinations across the globe, the expertise of
ATPI’s Passport & Visa team is essential to
ensure travel arrangements all go according to
plan. “We work very closely with Simon Rawlins
and his team in London who are fantastic in
providing a first class service, particularly with
the ever changing requirements for visas for
some destinations.
“Our clients really appreciate the fact we have
an in-house Passport and Visa department.
ATPI’s ‘one stop shop’ approach is a big
attraction as clients know we can manage
every part of their travel requirements whether
it’s a last minute crew change, an urgent
requests for visas or a report on a company’s
carbon footprint.”
This is echoed by another key service offered
by ATPI, which is particularly relevant for those
working in an industry where kidnappings and
A tight knit community
Times have changed in the twenty years since
Willie joined the then Seaforth’s office in Aberdeen as
Operations Manager. Then there were just seven
staff in the office, now there are over 90.
As Business Development Director, he is
responsible for sourcing new contracts as well as
working closely with the account management
team, managing existing clients. “The demands and
needs of clients in the oil and gas industry are very
different from any other type of business.
“Although we are working in a global industry it is
a very tight knit group and everyone knows
everyone so it is vitally important to develop and
maintain a close working relationship.” It is a job the
team in Aberdeen do extremely well with its
customer retention level a staggering 95% year on
year. A figure Willie is immensely proud of.
As with most industries, the current economic
downturn has had an impact. “We are working with
a number of clients who have been particularly
affected by the global recession and want new
recommendations to tighten and control
expenditure.
“ATPI has a very hands on approach and
although we are a large company we are very
adept at meeting customer demands. Our
approach is very much ‘when do you want it?’
WILLIE MCPHERSON
MAIN IMAGE:
Willie McPherson
FAR LEFT:
Willie is a big
football fan
LEFT:
Sunrise at
Aberdeen Harbour
ATPI HAS A VERY
HANDS ON APPROACH
AND ALTHOUGH WE
ARE A LARGE COMPANY WE
ARE VERY ADEPT AT MEETING
CUSTOMER DEMANDS.
A natural entertainer, Willie relishes his role of ‘MC’
at ATPI’s corporate events such as the annual Burns
Supper. Another hugely popular event in the
calendar is the ATPI Golf Classic. Born from Willie's
love of golf, it is now in its nineteenth year and
attracts sponsors and players from across the
industry.
The last year has been particularly tough for Willie
on the personal front as tragically he lost both his
parents. “Both my mum and dad were my
inspiration and very much my role models in life, so
losing them both in the last year has been very
difficult. My dad died from brain cancer which is the
same disease my all time sporting hero Seve
Ballesteros has been fighting for the last 18 months.”
Life’s passion
Football is one of his biggest passions and he is
a lifelong supporter of both Aberdeen and
Manchester United. It’s a passion he shares with his
children, Neve and Niall, taking his daughter to her
first football match when she was just one year old.
Both of his children were season ticket holders for
Aberdeen by the time they were one and a half!
He also has a great love of music with a massive
collection of over 3,000 CDs. His favourite singer is
Nils Lofgren and rather romantically Willie managed
to arrange for Nils to dedicate a song to his wife at
a recent concert in Aberdeen as it had been their
‘first dance’ at their wedding. Going back stage after
the gig to meet the musician was a real highlight
‘definitely a night we’ll never forget.”
Mr Bump?
Extremely accident prone, Willie has broken more
than 20 bones in his body over the years. One of his
most memorable accidents was, in fact, when he
was taking part in the ATPI Golf Classic. At the sixth
hole he slipped and fell on the handle of his putter,
unknowingly breaking two ribs and bruising his lung
but he carried on playing. However, as he fell to the
ground he swiftly found himself on the receiving end
of CPR when a sponsor on the next tee mistakenly
thought he had collapsed with a heart attack. “As
you can imagine, with two broken ribs the vigorous
pounding of CPR did not aid my recovery and just
made it worse but I was grateful that someone
came to my aid so quickly!”
When it comes to travel, Willie confesses he likes
flying and loves travelling! One of his favourite
holiday destinations is very close to home, the
beautiful St Andrews. Further afield, Arizona tops the
list for its ‘perfect weather, fantastic golf courses and
relaxed lifestyle.’
Top of the list for business travel is Houston. He
visits ATPI’s office in Houston several times a year
with ATPI’s Sales Director Adam Knights building on
mirrored accounts which are serviced from both the
Aberdeen and Houston offices. ‘I love the scale of
the city, the friendly people and its style.’
Willie and the team are now preparing for
Offshore Europe, Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition
(8th - 11th September 2009) where ATPI will be
exhibiting for the first time. “As one of the largest
providers of travel services to the oil and gas industry
it is important that we have a strong presence at the
show and we are looking forward to meeting old
clients and new.” If you have the opportunity to visit
make sure you call into Stand 944.
28 & 29
DON’T BE
TEMPTED
Everyone likes to bring back a
souvenir of their trip, especially if
they are visiting some of the
more remote destinations in the
world, but is it legal? The
European Commission recently
published a Commission
Regulation on foodstuffs from
outside the EU. Travellers News
takes a look at the regulations.
Advertisement
Time pressured business travellers don’t
often get the time to shop for presents on
their travels; often a mercy dash around the
shopping mall at the airport or a hasty
purchase on-board the aircraft is as good as
it gets.
Traditional foodstuffs are always a favourite
to take back home for family or work
colleagues. If you are travelling from within the
European Union (and Andorra, Liechtenstein,
Norway, San Marino and Switzerland) there is
no issue but outside of the EU there are strict
controls because products of animal origin
may contain pathogens that can cause
infectious diseases in animals.
You cannot bring in or send to the EU any
meat or diary products for personal human
consumption or the feeding of pets. There are
some exceptions for countries outside the EU –
small quantities for personal consumption are
permissible from Croatia, The Faroe Islands,
Greenland and Iceland but the amount varies
for individual countries so you would need to
check first.
If fish is your preference, small quantities of
fish (must be gutted) or fish products are
allowed for personal consumption provided
the fish products or the weight of one fish does
not exceed 20kg. There is no restriction on fish
products from the Faroe Islands or Iceland.
Other animal products, such as honey, are
okay providing the weight does not exceed
2kg per person. However, there are additional
restrictions in place for certain protected
species such as caviar of sturgeon, where only
125g is permitted.
There are some animal products from
outside the EU that are exempt from any
restrictions. See the quick reference guide for
full information.
EXEMPTED ANIMAL
PRODUCTS
• Bread, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and
confectionery (including sweets) not
mixed or filled with meat products
• Food supplements packaged for the
final consumer
• Meat extracts and meat concentrates
• Olives stuffed with fish
• Pasta and noodles not mixed or filled
with meat products
• Pizzas without meat
• Soup stocks and flavouring packaged
for the final consumer
• Any other food product, not containing
any meat and less than 50% of any
other type of processed animal
product, such as dairy, egg or fishery
products
Remember if you bring back banned
items, or items in an amount that
exceeds certain weight limits, all of the
goods will be seized and destroyed and
you could face prosecution. If you are in any
doubt double check by visiting the
government’s new food checker website
www.direct.gov.uk/dontbringmeback.
WHAT WE’RE
DOING TO
SAVE YOU
MONEY IN THESE
DIFFICULT TIMES…
GARY HANCE LOOKS AT THE FARE SAVINGS ATPI ACHIEVE AND HOW
THE FARES TEAM MAKE IT HAPPEN, GIVING AN INSIGHT INTO SOME
OF THE DRIVERS IN THE AIRLINE AND BUSINESS TRAVEL INDUSTRIES.
Back in the day
There was a time when the travel business
seemed less complex, with airlines paying travel
agents a proportion of the air ticket price as a
commission. Agents earned more money as the
fares went up and corporates found that they
‘just’ paid the cost of the air ticket, so any other
fees were invisible to them.
Then it all changed. Agents no longer relied
on the airline for income, they relied on the
traveller or corporate client to pay them a fee for
the service provided. Of course this led to more
innovation on the part of the agent, with traveller
tracking, 24 hour service, passport and visa
information, management statistics, online
reporting and lots of other value added products
being developed.
But what was important to ATPI clients before
these changes and what’s even more important
now is access to cheap fares and the ability for
our consultants to come up with these on as
many bookings as possible.
Patience
To save money you need patience which is
not something that’s usually present in the
booking process. Travellers don’t believe their
flight is confirmed until the e-ticket receipt is in
their inbox. However, to make the best of your
travel budget, some patience is required to
ensure that we check all the available options
before sending you that e-ticket. Our travel
consultants are very good at what they do and
they’ll certainly send you back your itinerary
options pretty quickly. They’ll also happily book
your flights (usually bookings have at least a 72
hour life by which time tickets have to be issued.)
Every night, while we sleep, all ATPI bookings
are being churned through our database. Each
morning the dedicated ATPI fares team come in
to find thousands of bookings from the previous
day. These are distilled into a number of reports
which usually identify around 300 to 400
bookings requiring further examination. Often
this analysis doesn’t beat the fare that the ATPI
consultant originally came up with, but
sometimes it does. Whether via combination
tickets (splitting the booking into component
parts and combining separate fares or tickets),
suggesting an alternative carrier, advising of a
changeable but cheaper fare type, or more
unusual options. The fares team earn their
money by saving yours.
I hadn’t thought of that!
One of the clever ideas currently being
pursued is combining journeys. This works
(for example) when a traveller has to make two
or more trips over the next few weeks or
months. If one of these trips is to Europe and one
to a long haul destination (this works particularly
well to the US) then it’s possible to combine the
tickets to save in excess of £1000 in Business
Class.
The same clever reporting against the
database also allows us to offer other money
saving ideas. For example a major carrier
recently announced a free upgrade for Economy
passengers to Business Class over a short
period of time. ATPI reporting allows us to very
quickly identify passengers already booked who
would qualify and to rebook them to take
advantage of the offer.
Bearing in mind that this magazine goes
outside the ATPI client base, we’re not going to
tell you all of the other clever stuff that goes on,
but ATPI clients can find out from their account
manager, not only what these things are, but
how successful they can be when applied to
your travel.
If you’re not an ATPI client – call 0870 264 3174
for a trial. And remember, patience is a virtue
and one that can really save you money!
Gary Hance
Director of Group Operational Development
30 & 31
TRAVEL NEWS
LONDON’S NEW LOUNGE
London City Airport’s £1.5 million refurbishment project of the
departure lounge has been completed and, unusually for a
building project, has opened one month ahead of schedule.
Designed to establish a sense of calm and relaxation for
passengers, the departure lounge features polished limestone floors,
marble surfaces and leather seating throughout. There’s more room
for travellers, with 17 per cent more seating, as well as improved
restroom facilities and new climate control systems.
Numerous laptop plug-in points and
complimentary Wi-Fi access means
passengers can continue to work
THE D
using smartphone devices or laptops
LOUN
EPA
P
OLISH GE FEA RTURE
whilst waiting for their flight. The
FLOO ED LIMETURES
airport continues to boast thirty
SURFRS, MARSTONE
minute check in times, but don’t be
L
E
ATHEACES ANBLE
there 29 minutes before, as you’re
THRO R SEATI D
liable to find that the system won’t
UGH NG
OUT
allow you to check-in!
ROOM WITH A VIEW
Rugby fans are in for a treat with the opening of Marriott Hotels 156
bedroom hotel at Twickenham Stadium. Integrated within the stadium,
the new hotel has 12 suites including six with pitch-views (named after
six Grand Slam-winning England captains).
Part of Twickenham Stadium’s South Stand development, the hotel is
just six miles from Heathrow Airport, conveniently located for Twickenham
railway station and just 20 minutes by car & rail from central London.
The hotel’s restaurant, 22 South Chop House, is named after the 22metre line on a rugby pitch and features British influenced menus using
locally sourced ingredients. Other facilities include a bar and café lounge.
The six pitch view suites feature a separate bedroom, bathroom and
private sitting room which are also available for private dining, together
with access to a private balcony in Twickenham’s South Stand.
Event organisers can book the extensive meeting and conference
facilities in the South Stand of the stadium, as part of the hotel’s partnership
with Twickenham Experience Ltd. A variety of dining and conference
options are available and there are 2000 parking spaces!
DELTA DEPARTS
As part of its cost saving plan to counter the current climate, Delta
Airlines will cease operation on the Edinburgh - New York route
from the end of September. Gatwick - Cincinnati is dropped from the
end of August, whilst the Gatwick - New York and Gatwick - Atlanta
services have already been moved to Heathrow. Cincinnati fans will
need to find an alternative, as Delta was the sole carrier on that route.
Continental continue to serve New York from Edinburgh, and of course
numerous carriers can get you there from London.
Emirates
FLIGHT CHECK
A380
THE EMIRATES WAY
When the A380 first arrived at Heathrow
not only did a group of people gather to
watch the landing but a few days later the
pilot of my bmi flight to Aberdeen pointed out
the vast aircraft as we taxied past – was he
ever so slightly jealous?
I made sure I was front of the queue when the
chance came to review the Emirates version of
this colossus, even though rather uniquely, this
flight check did not actually involve flying
anywhere – such is the attraction of the
new Airbus.
An enormous plane requires an enormous
gate, but this restriction is embraced
wholeheartedly as the Emirates business lounge
is designed around the gates allowing premium
passengers direct access to their cabins on the
upper deck. The upsides to this are huge and
clearly add tremendous value to the frequent
flyer – anything to reduce queues works for me.
In addition the lounge access itself is gloriously
simple; just buy a business class or first class
ticket. No clubs, no points, no multi variations of
lounge depending on your status; like a club you
are either in or not.
Uncommon Economy
But back to reality and the economy section.
It is comfortable and pleasant and big. Very very
big. The rationale for Emirates is clear; provide
an economy class that is as good as anyone
else, with the volume to match even the keenest
prices. If you, or your FD, are not sufficiently
enticed by the business and first class offer, then
book a window seat. Unlike smaller aircraft the
side walls downstairs have none of the
curvature of their smaller counterparts so there
is a magnificent feeling of space from just a
couple of extra inches above your head.
Business class upstairs is at the top end of
industry standard making effective use of the
additional space. Once aboard, the bar area
between Business and First manages to avoid
having any seats too close to avoid disturbed
sleep and a business passenger feels suitably
removed from the rest of the world.
Rising to the challenge
First Class has always been a challenge for
commercial airlines; if you want to fly in
seclusion and comfort you fly business class, if
you are fabulously wealthy and want to travel in
real style, you charter or buy your own plane.
What do you do with the plain very rich? The
Emirates First Class is the answer, a genuinely
outstanding experience that actually comes
close to being value for money. The individual
cabins are just that, not quite cruise line perhaps
but not dissimilar from the Orient Express. A fully
equipped office, the screen feels more suited to
CNN than the latest Hollywood epic. Finish your
working day and excuse yourself to the
bathroom whilst a turndown service replaces
your office with a peaceful bedroom. Despite
having 1,000 channels of entertainment at your
fingertips the opportunity for the best night’s
sleep you have ever had on a plane will
probably prove too compelling.
On waking up another sojourn to the
bathroom is obligatory, the size of a small
private office they are simply huge by any
normal aircraft standard – and of course they
have full size showers – elegantly described as
spa showers. You only get five minutes of water
per flight but still a full size shower.
Emirates have used the A380 as an
unashamed excuse to get people, especially
frequent travellers, back to the front of the bus –
although even the hackneyed phrases about
travelling up front or turning left are now passé
the A380 has re written the rule book – just to
reinforce another adage that what goes around
comes around we have returned to an ‘upstairs
downstairs’ culture. I for one want to be upstairs
and Emirates have made the job of justifying it to
the FD much easier.
Jeremy King
Head of Marketing
32 & 33
TRAVELLERS
TALES
IN THIS ISSU
E OF TRAVEL
LERS NEWS
TWO MORE
WE TALK TO
SEASONED T
RAVELLERS T
THEIR FAVOU
O DISCOVER
RITE DESTIN
ATIONS, AIR
HOTELS, TH
L
INES AND
EIR PET HATE
S AND TO G
THEIR TOP T
ET SOME OF
IPS ON WHA
T THEY DON
WITHOUT W
’T LEAVE HO
HEN THEY G
ME
O ON THEIR
TRAVELS.
KELLY JONES
National Account Manager
Business Travel
Avis Rent A Car
nothing else to do!
ory
First Flying Experience? My first mem
Luggage tips or
I
y.
scar
little
a
was
it,
of flying, I have to adm
I am probably not
s?
trick
ily
fam
was eight years old on my first
person to give
best
the
way
the
on
and
n
holiday abroad to Spai
ing as I end
pack
on
tips
over
there oil started dripping out of the
my hand
g
KELLY’S TOP 5 ITEMS SHE CANNOT
takin
up
say
to
s
dles
Nee
TRAVEL WITHOUT:
head compartments.
I
s.
shoe
of
full
age
lugg
a
people started getting anxious until
to
know
been
have
the
1. iPod
member of the crew opened
travel with five pairs of
r
othe
the
of
one
find
to
t
men
compart
day
three
2.
a
Blackberry
for
shoes
with
passengers had brought cooking oil
ys
alwa
I
,
ever
How
trip!
ted,
3. Funky travel plug thing that you can
them which had leaked out. Crisis aver
use anywhere
like to ensure that my
as his
4.
Shoes, shoes and more shoes
but the passenger was not happy
a
is
age
lugg
hand
shell suit was ruined by the leaking oil!
5. My partner if it’s not a business trip!
manageable size as I
Favourite Destination? My favourite
g
tryin
ying
anno
it
find
hu
holiday destination so far has to be Mac
to carry it around the
most
Picchu in Peru. It has to one of the
airport. Therefore my tip would be to
After
in
amazing destinations on the planet!
lay out everything you think you need
high
it
of
half
five long hard days of trekking at
pack
then
your hand luggage and
u just
’t
won
altitude, we finally saw Machu Picch
you
e
ante
guar
I
ase.
suitc
main
in your
when
as the sun was setting. I actually cried
free!
duty
for
miss it and more room
for
l
I first saw it! And we raised £7,000
Best Hotel? Without doubt the best hote
in
ntal
charity on that trip.
Orie
darin
Man
I’ve stayed in was the
a
Day
Favourite Airline? I don’t have
Kuala Lumpur. We arrived on Christmas
al
ption
exce
had
ys
as
suite
favourite, but I’ve alwa
a
to
aded
and were promptly upgr
so
.
ager
flights with Thai Airlines. The staff are
man
l
hote
the
by
ent’
pres
s
stma
a ‘Chri
travel.
8th
the
friendly regardless of your class of
by
ing
relax
We spent Christmas Day
I was
city,
The other has to be Emirates, when
floor swimming pool, overlooking the
all
were
we
Trek
rity
the
and
returning from a Cha
staff
The
being plied with cocktails!
on
given champagne and a welcome
!
class
first
y
lutel
abso
is
hotel
lovely.
n
board from the Captain which was
Anything you always request whe
you
mind
gh,
thou
back
the
at
us
sit
did
fussy
y
They
reall
not
I’m
l?
hote
a
into
checking
tents
pillow
after ten days trekking and sleeping in
about where I am in the hotel or what
ably
prob
were
ts
toile
The
.
rised
surp
not
I tend
e?
I’m
futur
the
in
be
ld
shou
I
be
may
I get,
room
l
more fragrant!
hote
the
in
not to spend much time
t?
As
Best book to read during a long fligh
do.
to
s
thing
r
othe
of
ty
plen
’s
as there
must.
and
n
A good murder mystery book is a
clea
r,
orde
long as it’s in good
lly
me
Anything by James Patterson, usua
comfortable you won’t hear
a
with
g
alon
rt
airpo
picked up at the
complaining.
ct. I’m
g?
selection of glossy magazines, is perfe
What do you hate about travellin
like
feels
t
wha
for
g,
t
fligh
the
also currently re-readin
n
whe
rts
Hanging around at airpo
es by
gh
throu
the 100th time, The Celestine Propheci
es
queu
long
and
yed
is dela
ual
James Redfield, which talks about a spirit
immigration.
a bit
ds
Soun
.
earth
et
plan
of
ng
er
keni
awa
What would make your life easi
!
book
stic
fanta
‘floo
of
tree huggy, but it’s a
bit
A
?
seas
when travelling over
on
at my
Favourite in flight film or best album
dust’ like in Harry Potter, so I can be
King
hing
watc
t
forge
r
be
ld
your iPod? I’ll neve
wou
That
destination instantly.
The
mes
Kong on a flight returning from Cyprus.
beco
it
until
,
ever
How
e!
som
awe
you
and
really bad turbulence made you feel like
available, I guess trying to travel light
by a
nd
arou
n
throw
g
bein
film
the
in
s will
were
hase
purc
rt
airpo
te
minu
lastting
resis
watch
ing
large ape! I always try and
help. I’m a bit of a control freak, so know
home
at
see
ally
norm
ldn’t
wou
I
g
well
ethin
are
som
rary
itine
l
trave
my
of
cts
all aspe
it’s not
really
on the television, on the basis that if
planned and confirmed in writing
so I’d
seat
my
into
ped
strap
I’m
good
that
ce.
iden
conf
me
gives
is
better watch it until the end, as there
Kelly’s fav te
holida so far
has to be Mouari
chu Picchuy in
Peru
COLIN WELSH
Chief Executive Officer
Simmons & Company
International Limited
COLIN’S TOP 5 ITEMS HE CANNOT
TRAVEL WITHOUT:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
holiday is
Colin’s favoumrieteat the Sandpiper
spending tiresort
Club Med
Blackberry
iPod
Bose noise cancelling headphones
Pills that help me to sleep well despite
different time zones
Good reading materials – books or ma
gazines
First Flying Experience?
When I was six legend
s, but my favourite read so
years old I flew to Ork
far this year
ney on a Vickers ha
s been “Snowball” which
Viscount with my parents,
is the story of
brother and sister. inv
estor, Warren Buffet.
At that time Aberdeen airp
ort consisted of a
Favourite in flight film or
few out buildings on the
best album on
east side of the your
iPod? My favourite film is
airport. All I can remem
“The Notebook”
ber about the trip is jus
t because it’s a great sto
that it rained all the time
ry. Alternatively I
and that one of the am
happy to watch James
windscreen wipers on the
Bond movies
rental car fell off! I aga
in and again. My favourite
haven’t been back since.
album on my
My dad was a flight iPo
d to relax to is “The
engineer on Lancaster bo
Best of George
mbers during the Mic
hael”, and for fun, the Gir
war and I have inherited
ls Aloud music
his fascination of videos
.
aircraft and flying.
Luggage tips or tricks? Wh
Ideal Travelling Compan
en I’m travelling
ion? When I am on bu
siness I never check in
flying on business (particula
any bags
rly long haul) I am bec
ause of the risk of los
a bit antisocial, I like my
ing them and
own space to work, bec
ause it can delay me on
watch a movie or sleep.
arrival. My best
Apart from that my tip
for reducing the weight
ideal travel companions
of our luggage
would be my family wh
en we are travelling as a
as that generally mean
family is to leave
s I am going on my
14 year old daughter beh
holiday.
ind as she likes
to pack everything, includ
Favourite Destination? I don
ing the kitchen sink.
’t really have a
Best Hotel? My favourite
favourite business destina
hotel in London is
tion because I like the
Dorchester because the
to get the business do
rooms are so
ne as quickly as com
fortable. My favourite hot
possible and head home
el group has to
again. Often I only be
the Four Seasons, as
see the airport, the traffic
the quality is
en-route and the con
sistently very good.
hotel or office I am visiting
. For my own holiday
Anything you always
it has to be Mauritius wh
request when
ich has the perfect che
cking into a hotel? A qu
climate with lovely hotels
iet location, a
, friendly people and non
-smoking room with a kin
fabulous watersports.
g size bed and
four pillows.
Favourite Airline? I usually
fly with British
What do you hate about
Airways because it is so
travelling? I hate
easy to change waitin
g around at airports, it’s the
planes at Terminal 5 at He
queuing at
athrow, plus British sec
urity and delayed flights tha
Airways flights have a mu
t are the worse
ch better record of par
t. It’s a very stressful, frustrat
leaving on schedule than
ing and a poor
they used to.
use of time.
Best book to read during
a long flight? I
What would make your
like to read autobiograp
life easier when
hies of sporting travel
ling overseas? A Gulfstrea
m private jet!
Colin’s family holidays are
always action packed !
Are you one of our seasoned travellers? If so would you like to take
part in our next Travellers Tales? Please email us at editor@atpi.com
34 & 35
ATPI SELECT
PLAY GOLF IN
BARBADOS WITH
FOOTBALL LEGENDS!
27 SEPTEMBER - 3 OCTOBER 2009
ATPI Select is pleased to offer you this
exclusive opportunity in conjunction with
ITC Classics to play in the Football
Legends Golf classic at one of the finest
Golf courses in the world, the Royal
Westmoreland in Barbados.
You will be hosted by some of the
biggest names from the world of football,
including Rodney Marsh, Frank Stapleton,
Mike Summerbee, Ron Atkinson, Brian
Kidd, Alex Stepney, Dean Saunders,
Tommy Booth, Francis Lee, Peter Barnes,
Ian Wright, Frank McLintock, Kevin Moran,
Graeme Sharp, Gary Owen, David Ginola
and Terry Mancini - a tremendous line up
for an unforgettable holiday!
A golfers’ dream holiday!
Eighteen teams of four, each
incorporating one of the football legends,
will compete against each other in a team
Stableford competition at the Royal
Westmoreland, an exclusive estate and
country club in Barbados.
Day 1 Arrival & Welcome Drinks
Day 2 Practice and Dinner
Day 3 Golf Tournament and Sunset cruise
Day 4 Golf Tournament
Day 5 Option to play Golf at Sandy
Lane (additional cost applies)
Day 6 Day at Leisure and Gala Dinner
Day 7 Departure
Prices from £2,995 per person (£8,985
per team of three) including return
economy flights with Virgin Atlantic, airport
transfers, villa accommodation at the Royal
Westmoreland, daily breakfast, green fees,
one practice and two competition rounds
at Royal Westmoreland, and four evening
events.
ATPI Select are the holiday travel experts.
For more information on this great offer
or advice on your next holiday call 0870
990 6022 or visit www.atpselect.com
Football Legends / Golf Classics
Rodney Marsh was one of a
generation of highly talented
‘maverick’ players that emerged in
English football during the 1970s. He
played for Fulham, Queens Park
Rangers, Manchester City, the Tampa
l
Bay Rowdies and the English nationa
Sky
on
dit
pun
rded
side. A well rega
mentator
Soccer Saturday for 11 years and a com
ntly hosted a daily
on the game, he most rece
contributed to football
football show on TalkSport and has
shows on BBC 5 Live.
Tommy Booth played 382
times for
Manchester City in the
centre of
defence and midfield be
tween 1968
and 1981, scoring 25
goals and
winning an FA Cup, Europ
ean Cup
Winners’ Cup and two
League Cup
winners medals. He
also won 4
England under 23 caps.
Francis Lee played for Bolton
Wanderers, Manchester City and
Derby County in the 60s and 70s,
winning League Championship
medals with both Man City and
Derby and represented England on
27 occasions. He scored more than
the
200 goals in his career and holds
penalties
of
ber
num
English record for the most
scored in a season.
Alex Stepney was Manchester
United’s goalkeeper when they
became the first English club to win
the European Cup. He also played
for Chelsea and Millwall before he
became a goalkeeper coach,
including a spell at Manchester City.
He also works as an after-dinner spe
aker
and currently hosts The Legends Foo
tball phone
in on 105.4 Century Radio in Manche
ster.
Brian Kidd played for Manchester
United, Arsenal, Manchester City,
Everton, Bolton Wanderers and
several American teams. He scored
in the European Cup final in 1968
(with Manchester United), on his 19th
birthday. He earned both of his English
caps two years later. Kidd maintained a
healthy goal scoring ratio throughout his career,
and was still scoring on a regular basis in the final years of his
career in America during the early 1980s.
Guest players are subject to change.
Mike Summerbee played in the
successful Manchester City side of the
late 1960s and early 1970s. Off the
pitch, Summerbee has been involved
with a number of businesses,
including a period where he coowned a menswear business with
George Best. He also starred in the cult film
Escape to Victory alongside Sylvester Stallone,
Michael Caine and Pelé and is currently closely associated with
Manchester City and can be found in the Legends Lounge for
most home games.
Ron Atkinson, commonly known as
‘Big Ron’ is the former player and
manager aligned with clubs such as
Manchester United, Aston Villa and
West Bromwich Albion. In recent
years he has become one of Britains
is
best known football pundits. He
atic
yncr
idios
perhaps most famous for his
e become
hav
es
turn of phrase; his utteranc
’.
glish
known as ‘Big-Ronisms’ or ‘Ron
Dean Saunders played for Aston
Villa, Swansea City, Cardiff City,
Brighton, Oxford United, Derby
County, Liverpool, Galatasaray,
Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United,
Benfica and Bradford City. He won 75
caps for Wales and in October 2008,
Saunders took over as manager of
Wrexham where they made the best league start
in the club’s history.
Frank
St
apleton is best
remembered for his tim
e at Arsenal
and Manchester United
where he
scored a total of 186 go
als in 665
appearances. He was
a pivotal
player for the Republic of
Ireland and
was also manager at Bra
dford City.
anchester
d for M
Peter Barnes playe
ited, Leeds
Un
r
cheste
City, Man
omwich Albion.
United and West Br
t for Manchester
He made his debu
d scored in the
City in 1974-75, an
Final. In the same
1976 League Cup
Young Player of the
year he was voted
on’s
rnes was also Albi
Year by the PFA. Ba
79 - 1980.
leading scorer in 19
36 & 37
ATPI NEWS
ATPI WINS ENVIRONMENTAL
ACCREDITATION
Following a series of audits by the British
Standards Institute (BSI) of its main operations in
Aberdeen, Lowestoft and London, ATPI has been
recommended
for
accreditation
to
the
ISO14001:2004 environmental standard. The
standard has been set up to encourage
organisations to take a proactive approach to the
environment by setting up an Environmental
Management System (EMS).
ATPI divisional managing director Peter Muller
commented on the recommendation: “In many ways
this has been a much harder task than the quality
standards that we already hold, the scope is much
wider and the challenge considerably greater. There
has been a tremendous amount of work done across
the whole business and it is good to see that
recognised.”
ATPI is understood to be one of the first travel
companies in the UK to achieve both ISO9001:2008
and ISO14001:2004. Although this is not seen as the
end of the road as Muller confirms: “We are not setting
ATPI up to be an environmental leader, given the
nature of our business that may be seen by some as
hypocritical. We are saying that environmental
management is something every business needs to
address and winning this standard is the first
milestone.”
Environmental management is one element of
ATPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy which also
includes Duty of Care, Ethics and People. For more
details visit www.atpi.com/csr
ATPI SPEEDS CLIENT
INVOICE PROCESSING
In response to client demand for electronic
invoicing with more sophistication and
validation, ATPI is now able to produce hand
off files to operate with client purchasing
systems. A recent request had us validating
some 17,000 cost centres for one client, which
resulted in them dispensing with an internal
travel requisition system which had required all
details of our invoices to be manually entered on
receipt. That client now receives a weekly invoice
file containing cost centre, product line,
employee SAP number and other necessary
details which allow them to instantly upload the
data into their purchase ledger, allocate costs to
the right department and speed invoice
payment. If your company would benefit from
simpler invoice processing, give your account
manager a call today.
VISA INFO ONLINE
Take a look at the new ATPI visa and
passport section on our website. Users can
quickly find out if a visa is required for their
proposed trip, download application forms,
and even track progress of an ongoing
application. See www.atpi.com/visas
A WEEKEND IN DOHA
COMPETITION
WIN
A WEEKEND IN DOHA
WITH QATAR AIRWAYS AND
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS
QATAR AIRWAYS WORLD’S 5-STAR AIRLINE
QUESTIONS:
One of the few airlines in the world with the prestigious 5-star
ranking for service excellence from Skytrax, Qatar Airways brings you
a world of award-winning service on the ground and in the air onboard
one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the sky. Experience the
art of hospitality perfected by a team that always aims for the stars.
With 42 flights a week from the UK to Doha, Qatar Airways offers the
business traveller a host of unique benefits to over 80 worldwide
destinations. One of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Qatar
Airways offers an ever-expanding worldwide network covering Europe,
the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America.
1 Name two destinations that Qatar Airways fly to in the Far East
INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA
To enter the competition and for
full terms and conditions, please visit
www.atpi.com/competitions/doha
InterContinental Doha balances the modern and traditional Arabian
welcome. Situated in a quiet area at the West Bay, yet centrally located
near the city and just a few minutes from the business district, an idyllic
setting for business and leisure.
257 spacious rooms including 36 suites boast stunning view of the pool
and beach. The Executive Floor, InterContinental Club, provides guests with
additional benefits. Contemporary dining options combined with an array
of authentic cuisines. Versatile meetings and events facilities. The Bay Club,
InterContinental Doha’s resort, features the longest private beach in Doha,
various sports activities and a 24-hour fully equipped gymnasium.
2 What three airports does Qatar Airways fly out of in the UK?
3 What is the name of the Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer Program?
4 How many suites does the InterContinental Doha offer?
5 Name the resort area at the InterContinental Doha that offers the
longest private beach in Doha.
Closing date for entries is 8th October 2009
38 & 39
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