Business travel

Qatar Airways announced on 20 May that it had joined ICCA, the international congress association, with a view to developing the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) market in Doha.

Business travel operators are pushing hard to take advantage of the growth opportunities offered by the Brazilian market. In recent days, Lufthansa and American Airlines have announced new ambitions across the Atlantic.

The Balladins group is continuing to expand on the French market: six new hotels have already joined the network in 2012, while three new establishments are planned for June.

Qatar Airways has opened services to Zagreb. The Croatian capital thus becomes the 30^th European destination of the network developed by the airline.

Thalys will be reducing its frequency this summer, to adapt to the drop in the number of business trips, and to carry out maintenance work.

The Starwood group will soon be making its return to the Iraqi market with the opening of the Sheraton Erbil in the Kurdistan region.

The Renaissance hotel opened in the heart of Barcelona at the end of April, replacing the Diplomatic, following an extensive renovation programme. 

The Hilton Worldwide group has just announced the imminent arrival of the Garden Inn brand in South-East Asia: the first property will open its doors in Hanoi at the end of 2012.

Business travel is evolving in Italy, with the launch at the end of April of the AGV .italo: a new train equipped with top-of-the-range facilities, including free wi-fi for business travellers.

The G7 taxi company is planning to launch a new service for business travellers, who could soon be using shared taxis to travel between central Paris and Orly and Roissy airports.

Singapore Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines signed an agreement on Monday formalising the joint venture between the two Star Alliance member airlines.

Choice Hotels International has announced the launch of its new application for iPad users.

A survey published on 9 May by Amadeus identifies the major business travel hubs in terms of air traffic, and the main trade routes between the different markets. Unsurprisingly, Asia leads the way, with seven of the ten busiest intercity air routes in the world.

The Carlson Rezidor group recently announced the opening of a new establishment in Glasgow: the Park Inn by Radisson Glasgow City Centre is due to open its doors in the 1st quarter of 2013.

Passenger traffic at Marseille airport soared in April (+19.1%): a result that needs to be qualified, however, in the light of the results recorded in 2011, which were impacted by the Arab Spring.

The Best Western Premier Sukhumvit hotel has opened its doors in Bangkok, becoming the 14^th representative of the hotel network in Thailand.

Romania is planning to build a new international airport, Bucharest South International, with a view to adding to its already ageing airport facilities.

Gulf Air inaugurated its revamped Falcon Gold Lounge at Bahrain International Airport on 8 May.

Finnair set off for the first time on Wednesday to Chongqing, the airline's new Chinese destination, clearly geared towards business.