Kicking off with a full-house at opening session “Technology and the future of business travel”, CTW China 2016’s emphasis on Technology is right on target as the interest on this subject mirrors the results of the Annual Corporate Travel Industry Outlook unveiled during CTW China Forum 2A: 2016 in the eyes of travel managers. The report is co-published by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) China and TTG Events.
According to the opinions of some 113 Chinese corporate travel industry professionals surveyed in February and March 2016, Technology (comprising data security, big data and mobile technology) remained a top priority for the industry, followed by economical & political considerations (comprising global economy, corporate social responsibility and political context), and social factors (comprising millennials travel behavior, sharing economy and social media) .
Explained Akshay Kapoor, Director, CWT Solutions Group, Asia Pacific, “Our initial findings show that industry sentiments are following a similar pattern as previous years. The reason we see technology remaining a top priority stems from a constant pressure for improved traveler efficiency and productivity on the go, with mobile phone functions and capabilities being a significant enabler in this area.”
“These sentiments are reflective of what is important for China’s corporate travel professionals right now and what the industry will be placing emphasis on in the year ahead,” said Kapoor. Full details of the survey findings will be released later this month.
Other topics covered at today’s conference — “Travel management—A case study”, “The role of airlines in corporate meetings & events”, “Ask the Experts: Data intelligence” and “Ask the Experts: Compliance In China” —were organised in 2 simultaneous session tracks to match the relevance of Corporate Travel Management and Corporate Meetings & Events delegates.
In total, 10 conference sessions will take place over the 2-day conference, with innovation and trending topics such as “Exploring new payment solutions”, “Corporate travel and the sharing economy”, “Building strategic supplier relationships” and “Technology showcase” scheduled in tomorrow’s programme.
The 33 moderators and panelists and speakers helming the sessions comprise of local and regional practitioners hailing from solution providers and leading corporate end-users from established organisations like ACTE, Apple Inc, Applied Materials INC, CWT, Ctrip, East Star Event Management, Eli Lilly, Harman International, HRS, Lenovo, Merak, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Philips, Qatar Airways, Shanghai E-travel, Standard Chartered, TravelSky and Unilever Industries, among others.
Geetha Arekal, Regional Travel Head for APAC, Unilever Industries, shared her experience at CTW China 2016. “This morning’s conference topic definitely piqued my interest, especially when I learnt so much on how technology impacts business travel. For someone who is unfamiliar with the Chinese market landscape, the session really helped me to understand why the industry is the way it is.”
Benson Tang, Regional Director Asia of ACTE who was the moderator for CTW China Forum 4A “Ask the Experts: Data Intelligence” said, “CTW China is, as usual, a well-organised event. Into its second edition now, CTW China has grown, both in terms of size and also in its well-thought out programme.”
This CTW China 2016 also features one of the conference’s biggest sponsorship and partnership endorsement and support from major airlines, hotels and corporate travel solution providers to date. These new and returning organisations include:
- Official International Carrier – United Airlines
- Official GDS Partner – TravelSky
- Official Domestic Airline – China Eastern Airlines
- Platinum Sponsors – Delta Air Lines, Frasers Hospitality and Qatar Airways
- Gold Sponsor – AirPlus International
- Exhibitors – Best Western International, Etihad Airways, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Millennium Hotels & Resorts,Star Alliance, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
Corporate Travel World (CTW) China 2016 will be held from 6 - 8 April in Shanghai and is co-locating with IT&CM China, the leading international MICE event in China.
For more information, visit www.corporatetravelworld.com/china | WeChat ID: CTW-CH
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