<B>InsideTrack</B>
<B>ACTE To Form Advisory Board On IATA CCIS</B>
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives at the request of the International Air Transport Association is creating a nine-member board to guide an independent study into the IATA Corporate Client Identification Service and the revision of the IATA Recommendation Practice 1778. ACTE has invited representatives from two airlines, three corporations, one agency and one global distribution system to serve on the committee, which will be co-chaired by ACTE's president Ron Wagner and executive director Nancy Holtzman. IATA earlier this year withdrew its request for approval of RP 1778, following an ACTE forum where corporate travel managers raised security and confidentiality concerns (BTN, Feb. 26). Mike Müller, IATA assistant director of passenger services, told BTN that proposed changes to RP 1778 would be submitted by Aug. 1.
<B><A NAME="2">CO To Interline E-Tix With All Majors By Year-End</B>
Continental Airlines, already the domestic leader in electronic ticket interlining, said it plans to establish bilateral links with all other major U.S. carriers by year-end. Greg Brenneman, the carrier's president and COO, last week told reporters during an earnings conference call that "within a few months" interlining will be available with United Airlines, followed by American Airlines and then Delta Air Lines. Continental already interlines e-tickets with America West Airlines and domestic partner Northwest Airlines. The carrier, however, refused to comment on a possible paper ticket surcharge, similar to the one put in place earlier this month by American.
<B><A NAME="3">NBTA, NAPM Discussing Reciprocal Memberships</B>
The National Business Travel Association has been talking with the National Association of Purchasing Managers about developing a relationship that would include reciprocating memberships. NBTA executive director Marianne McInerney said the two organizations are moving forward in discussions and hope to come to a mutual agreement by late summer. McInerney said there are synergies between the two organizations and opportunities for joint educational offerings. "It is important that travel continues to be recognized for its special nuances and that we understand the models coming out of purchasing," said McInerney.
<B><A NAME="4">HP Appoints Insider To Head Global Travel Team</B>
A newcomer to the travel industry has taken the travel management helm at Hewlett-Packard, based in Palo Alto, Calif. Susan Courtney on April 2 became global travel manager, replacing Phil Wilson who will take on new responsibilities within the travel department. Courtney, who is new to travel, no doubt will rely on the industry expertise of HP's seasoned team of travel management professionals, which includes Rich Del Colle, Kevin Iwamoto, Jeff Kurn and Lea McLeod. A 22-year veteran of HP, Courtney brings strong leadership and project management experience.
<B><A NAME="5">Occupancy And RevPAR Down, Energy Costs Up</B>
First-quarter occupancy rates at Marriott International-owned U.S. properties skidded 2 percent over the prior year, the company reported last week. Likewise, growth in revenue per available room slowed to 2.5 percent. At the same time, energy charges surged. In February, Marriott imposed nightly energy surcharges, described as temporary, at its owned and managed hotels in California. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide took the same step at its California hotels, as well as its properties in Washington and Oregon. While Marriott's total U.S. energy outlay jumped 30 percent for the quarter, it told analysts this included a 40 percent hike in the west. In New York City, where no surcharges have been announced, energy costs jumped 54 percent.
<B><A NAME="6">Getthere's Largest Clients Mandating Tool</B>
Five of Sabre GetThere's top 10 clients mandated the use of its booking product during the three-month period ending March 31, according to Sabre chairman, CEO and president William Hannigan. The 74 new customers GetThere added during the quarter included two of the Corporate Travel 10, Ernst & Young and Lockheed Martin.
Also, GetThere this week will announce that TQ3 Maritz Travel Solutions will join American Express, British Airways, Cain Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel as distributors of GetThere's MidMarket booking product for smaller and midsize businesses (BTN, Oct. 2, 2000).
<B><A NAME="7">Call For Best Practices Nominations</B>
BTN is seeking candidates for Best Practitioners and Travel Manager of the Year. The deadline for nominations is May 16. Send nominations, along with specifics about accomplishments during the past year, to BTN editor David Meyer by fax at (212) 279-3945 or e-mail to
[email protected].