{"id":43721,"date":"2015-12-30T10:00:11","date_gmt":"2015-12-30T09:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/conciergerie-le-voyage-daffaires-vip-20151230.html"},"modified":"2016-02-10T10:41:15","modified_gmt":"2016-02-10T09:41:15","slug":"conciergerie-le-voyage-daffaires-vip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/conciergerie-le-voyage-daffaires-vip","title":{"rendered":"Concierge service - VIP business travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dealing with the unexpected, finding the untraceable, solving the unsolvable: the tasks assigned to concierge services are generally quite challenging, in order to satisfy the demands of busy travellers. By relieving them of their daily worries, the concierge should enable them to save a considerable amount of energy, and therefore be more productive for their company while on the move. The market is buoyant, if the new services that are springing up here and there are anything to go by. While their positioning may differ, the vast majority target the famous 'high-contribution' clientele so coveted by suppliers.<\/p>\n

In addition to the historic figure of the hotel concierge - always elegant, never stingy with good advice, but whose assistance is limited to the time spent in the establishment - concierge services have already been added to the range offered by top-of-the-range credit cards. American Express is of course the best-known example, but there is no doubt that the 24\/7 concierge service that accompanies Mastercard's new Aurae card, issued for the modest sum of 50,000 dollars, also offers a wide range of VIP services...<\/p>\n

At the same time, private concierge services have been launched. Following in the footsteps of John Paul, which has been a leader since its launch in 2008, multi-skilled specialists such as Ultimate Luxury for U and only U (UUU) have joined the ranks of these \"all-rounders\". More recently, business travel agencies have also recognised the value of such solutions for the most demanding businessmen. This is particularly true of Carlson Wagonlit (CWT), which has set up an Espace Prestige, now staffed by sixteen concierges, a top-of-the-range service that has already won over around twenty corporate clients and some 400 individual travellers. \"They are members of executive committees of large companies in 95 % of cases.<\/em>\"says Laurent Comte, General Manager of Business Travel at CWT. \"It became clear to us that all these activities surrounding these rather special travellers required specific services, skills and a working environment.<\/em>\"explains Laurent Comte, who adds that \"90 % of requests relate to travel<\/em>\". Supply meets demand, with business volume growing by 8 % in 2014.<\/p>\n

Digital assistant<\/h2>\n

\"g-stockstudio-shutterstock.com\"<\/p>\n

By relieving business travellers of their daily worries, the concierge enables them to save considerable energy, and therefore be more productive for their company.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Alongside these 'classic' concierge services, there are a number of players with a more atypical positioning. This is the case with Parnasse, the VIP brand launched by Orange in 2008, which pays particular attention to new technologies. Parnasse focuses on an \"ultra-personalised service at the forefront of the digital world\" and, in addition to exclusive and unlimited mobile packages abroad, offers exclusive services and cultural events reserved for its members.<\/p>\n

The phenomenon is now riding the smartphone wave. From new concierge applications such as Cl\u00e9 Priv\u00e9e<\/a> are banking on the responsiveness offered by these new tools, accompanying VIP customers on their business trips. The principle remains unchanged: subscribers take out an annual subscription, which provides them with the services of a \"travel companion\", as Cl\u00e9 Priv\u00e9e describes itself.<\/p>\n

The accommodation sector is no exception to this phenomenon, with hotel chains each equipping themselves with mobile applications that enable their customers to identify good addresses close to their establishments. For their part, the new entrants to the collaborative economy are also launching one-off concierge services to enhance their offer. This is the case of Magic Event, the flat rental platform dedicated to professionals, which this year launched its e-conciergerie, through which business travellers can find practical services. For example, they can mend a wardrobe snag, have a meal delivered or get a 4G key in a hurry.<\/p>\n

The latest example of this craze for concierge services can be found in the car rental sector, with the launch by Avis of the \"Avis Travel Partner - Votre Partenaire de Voyage\" offer. Presented by the rental company as \"a unique concierge service<\/em>\"This new option - invoiced at 9 euros per day - guarantees assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, thanks to dedicated staff who can be contacted by email or telephone. In addition to the more standard requests, such as contact details for a restaurant, shop or company, Avis is focusing on assisting travellers in the event of unforeseen circumstances, particularly in the event of lost or stolen luggage, credit card or telephone. Avis Travel Partner also offers telephone translation services, which can prove useful for business travellers on the move. \"We want to provide our customers with the premium service they have come to expect from a brand like Avis.<\/em>\"says Annika Gummesson, Marketing and Sales Director of Avis Budget Group.<\/p>\n

While it is difficult to find a guideline in this ever-expanding catalogue of concierge solutions, top-of-the-range positioning is more often than not the rule. And in the end, it's the address book that makes the difference when it comes to measuring the added value of these made-to-measure services, at the confluence of the VIP travel agency, the super-assistant and the exclusive club.<\/p>\n