Technology - The Art of Business Travel https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Travel in Asia-Pacific Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:01:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 Blacklane’s Jason Dunderdale on Driving Business Travel https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/blacklanes-jason-dunderdale-on-driving-business-travel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blacklanes-jason-dunderdale-on-driving-business-travel Sun, 27 Oct 2024 22:57:07 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=16457 Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

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Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers.

With over 300 employees, Blacklane has become the premium global chauffeur service operator and a staple for business travellers across the globe. In addition to its airport transfers, the company has introduced new services in over 50 countries globally to meet the changing demands of business travellers post-pandemic.

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How has the landscape of global business travel changed since the pandemic?

 Business travel’s bounce-back has exceeded expectations. Industry bodies such as the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) have identified that the global business travel sector is due to set a new spending record by the end of 2024, and that spending will exceed US$2 trillion by 2028. The World Travel and Tourism Council has also highlighted that corporate travel is back and set to exceed 2019 levels this year (2024) by 6.2 per cent.Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

In addition, business travel consistently reports a post-pandemic increase in the blending of corporate travel with personal holidays. At Blacklane our research supports this trend – in our 2024 Travel Trends Report we found that globally nine out of 10 business travellers have combined business and leisure trips, with 54 per cent stating this combination boosts their productivity. In fact, half of respondents highlighted that they work harder when there are exciting things available for them to do such as sightseeing and visiting museums or renowned restaurants. I know from personal experience that simply building in time to walk around a new city is a great inclusion on any business trip.

Have you seen a significant change in the volume of global business travellers post-pandemic? If so, in what way?

Pre-pandemic, much of our business was focused on airport transfers. We have introduced new services to meet the evolving demands of business executives and luxury travellers around the world. Our City-to-City option has grown significantly, with business travellers choosing Blacklane to provide a comfortable journey without interruption instead of, for example, short-haul flights and rail journeys. In particular, the journeys between major metropolitan areas such as Miami to Fort Lauderdale and London to Manchester have been exceptionally well received. Thanks to popular demand we’re expanding these options with City-to-Vineyard and City-to-Slopes routes to offer more services in line with discerning traveller habits.

READ: Pan Pacific Group’s Marcel Holman on the Need for Green Hospitality

Our In-City service – newly introduced during the pandemic – is also extremely popular, particularly in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dubai and London. Blacklane moves executives around cities to and from offices, between meetings and events 24/7.

As corporates become more acutely aware of their duty of care responsibilities, ground transportation is increasingly part of a managed travel program so this sector is a growth area for us.

Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

Airport transfers remain the core of our business and are performing in line with business travel’s strong recovery post-Covid. Business travellers are demanding comfortable and reliable journey options at all stages of a business trip – if you fly business class and have a busy travel schedule, bundling onto public transport or into an unknown taxi doesn’t really help to keep stress levels at bay.

READ: How About a Laptop With No Screen?

What new travel policies and regulations have been implemented globally that business travellers should be aware of?

 In the EU, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is expanding its reporting requirements. As part of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) obligations, large organisations must report on scope-3 emissions – essentially the emissions by third-party contractors. For travel buyers, this means being able to accurately record data on the carbon footprint of all business travel to meet the broader sustainability reporting requirements of their organisation.

“Pre-pandemic, much of our business was focused on airport transfers. We have introduced new services to meet the evolving demands of business executives and luxury travellers around the world.”

Travel buyers therefore need greater visibility of transport elements sometimes left to chance, such as ground transport journeys, so that they can be booked in line with overall corporate policies, and accurately tracked and monitored. Travel buyers tell us that sustainability is a major consideration in all travel policies and buying decisions.

Industry data suggests that the ground element of a business trip is commonly not part of a managed travel program for around 30-40 percent of journeys. Corporates are starting to monitor spends and trends in this area, often driven by a requirement for accurate sustainability data and cost control. We work hand in hand with organisations to better understand travel patterns so that policies can align with corporate goals and traveller well-being demands.

Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

What are the key changes in business traveller expectations post-pandemic?

Business travellers expect flexibility, the ability to combine work and leisure and that their wellbeing will be protected. Blacklane’s 2024 Travel Trends Report outlined that during dedicated business trips, roughly two in every three research participants (65 per cent) prioritised time for personal activities and relaxation to remain productive when on the road. I might have a chauffeur for my airport transfers, but it is not yet commonplace that access to a reliable chauffeur is available across other elements of a business trip. Getting between meetings and events while in-destination could be so much smoother if this was the case, and the trip would be really elevated if that chauffeur helped me squeeze in some personal errands like ensuring I pick up some gifts for my family.

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We see more relaxed approaches to remote working in travel policies globally, and greater attention by corporates to the wellbeing of their people. Ironing out the pain-points in business travel makes for more engaged and productive people so it’s an important consideration for us all. Travel buyers outline that reliability and professionalism are absolutely key, so it’s important we’re able to support all these needs.

“Business travellers expect flexibility, the ability to combine work and leisure and that their wellbeing will be protected”

Are global business travellers placing more emphasis on premium experiences and wellness during their trips? How are these expectations being met?

 Absolutely. A focus on wellbeing and premium amenities increases work success according to Blacklane’s research. Almost all C-Level executives (96 per cent) stated that premium experiences positively contribute towards their productivity and success. It’s a very important consideration for travel buyers. Almost half (45 per cent) of the most senior business travellers reported losing up to a whole day – between four and eight hours – of productive time due to the stress of fragmented business travel. Meeting travel expectations has huge implications on the success of a business trip, in all senses.

Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

As a frequent traveller myself I’m really aware that it is the little touches that really make a trip feel effortless, and make a difference. These things that are often thought of as luxury extras are in fact integral to a smooth experience. For example, simply having wifi access throughout a journey means you have the choice of relaxation such as watching a film, or to work from your devices.

What are the needs of global business travellers in 2024, and how are those needs being met?

We see that global business travellers look for uninterrupted Wi-Fi for all of the journey, private chauffeurs in-city for travel and personal errands, pre-booked airport transfers with English-speaking chauffeurs, the option to fly premium or business class, extra luggage allowances and even the chance to travel with a family member to best manage stress when travelling.

READ: A Step-by-Step Plan For Achieving Duty Of Care

It is important to note that cost-cutting in travel is a concern for business travellers according to our research. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of business travellers flag that cuts negatively impact their productivity on business trips, highlighting that travel managers need to carefully consider how they best meet the expectations of today’s business travellers.

How are global travel companies adapting to meet the new expectations of business travellers? What trends do you foresee in the future of global business travel?

 Global business travel has aggressive targets in areas of sustainability, and there is work to do on all sides to meet these demands. Increasing traveller education about the choices they make, ensuring travel programs accurately report and measure all segments of a journey, and suppliers working to evolve and invest in greener options are important parts of the puzzle.

Jason Dunderdale, global head of agency sales for luxury transport company Blacklane discusses the growth of driver services and the changing needs of business travellers. 

Travellers are also demanding more sustainable choices, and we see some travel policies rewarding business travellers for making better environmental choices. These changes are making sustainability a larger part of the travel buying decision-making process and helping corporates to ensure that all elements of a journey are managed by a partner with sustainability top of mind.

“It is important to note that cost-cutting in travel is a concern for business travellers according to our research”

Blacklane’s research in the 2024 Travel Trends Report clearly highlights the importance of embracing the increasingly blurred lines between business and leisure travel. As such, there are areas where business travel services will need to evolve to be more geared up to flexible usage. For example, hotels with co-working or hot desking spaces are a consideration when I travel. A traveller may want high-quality leisure facilities such as a gym with state-of-the-art equipment and easy access to the global virtual classes they enjoy at home, rather than the ‘functional’ features often associated with a business hotel. The industry also needs to rethink its approach to luxury amenities so that they become necessities for those on the road the most

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How About a Laptop With No Screen? https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/how-about-a-laptop-with-no-screen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-about-a-laptop-with-no-screen Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:34:09 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=15903 Ideally suited for business travel, the new Spacetop G1 by Sightful is the first device to combine the utility of a laptop with the power of spatial computing. 

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Ideally suited for business travel, the new Spacetop G1 by Sightful is the first device to combine the utility of a laptop with the power of spatial computing.

Designed for the “work from anywhere” world with a 100-inch virtual workspace rather than a 13-inch LCD, the Spacetop G1 gives users what they need most: space to do their best work everywhere. Combined with 48 TOPS of AI compute, the result is a monumental shift for the laptop market

Originally introduced through an invite-only Early Access programme, Sightful set out to work with and learn from early tech adopters to fine-tune Spacetop for a broader audience. Over the course of the programme, the company incorporated feedback to upgrade Spacetop’s hardware and proprietary operating system, SpaceOS, before making the device generally available.

Enter Spacetop G1: The cutting edge laptop, built to provide a portable, private, and high-productivity workspace in a familiar laptop form factor. While Spacetop’s biggest benefit remains a nearly infinite workspace to expand productivity and creativity anywhere, Spacetop G1 offers additional benefits, spanning sleeker hardware and added OS functionality.

Ideally suited for business travel, the new Spacetop G1 by Sightful is the first device to combine the utility of a laptop with the power of spatial computing. 

These include built-in, well-protected and lightweight AR glasses that automatically dim in bright or sunlit environments; slim profile, lightweight hardware that lets users easily fit Spacetop into a standard laptop sleeve and leave their old laptop behind; eight hours of battery life thanks to a new, 70% faster Qualcomm chipset and 90hz optics refresh rate – all combined with the 100-inch virtual canvas; and onboard AI functionality, allowing Spacetop to leverage AI in ways no other device can.

“We introduced Spacetop to free people from the constraints of time and space, as we don’t believe people should be stuck in 14-inch screens,” says Tamir Berliner, CEO and Co-Founder of Sightful. “We firmly believe in the power of AR glasses as the first step. Physical reality has always been the limiting factor – bulky, uncomfortable headsets, limited battery and processing power, and a world that is not yet built for daily AR. This is why we collaborating with the world leading companies to deliver the most delightful product, and what we see as the world’s best laptop.”

Ideally suited for business travel, the new Spacetop G1 by Sightful is the first device to combine the utility of a laptop with the power of spatial computing. 

G1 Spacetop also represents Sightful’s robust partner network, which continues to grow with best-in-class partners like Qualcomm, Wistron, and XREAL, all of which are instrumental for the hardware and manufacturing of Spacetop.

From its 100-inch virtual workspace and 5G connectivity to its comfortable and attractive design, Spacetop G1 finally brings together the privacy, productivity, and promise of spatial computing into an incredibly well-designed product that anyone can use today. This is the device that, in combination with the best 5G network, promises to change what the way of mobile working

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Emirates Extends Complimentary Chauffeur-Drive Service to Hong Kong https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/emirates-extends-complimentary-chauffeur-drive-service-to-hong-kong/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emirates-extends-complimentary-chauffeur-drive-service-to-hong-kong Thu, 01 Feb 2024 03:22:00 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=15366 Emirates will extend its world-class chauffeur-drive service to business class passengers arriving to and departing from Hong Kong from February 1, 2024.

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Emirates will extend its world-class chauffeur-drive service to business class passengers arriving to and departing from Hong Kong from February 1, 2024.

Through this complimentary service for Emirates’ First and now Business Class customers, the airline further elevates its offering for its premium travellers in Hong Kong with a convenient, door-to-door journey on the road that compliments the airline’s exceptional inflight experience and unique products.

READ: We Review Emirates Business Class From Dubai to Nice

Emirates’ premium travellers can choose from a range of vehicles for their journey to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), guaranteeing both a luxurious and comfortable transport experience including Mercedes Benz S-Class or BMW Full Electric i7 models. The complimentary CDS service also entails unlimited radius coverage with the exception of restricted areas such as Lantau Island, Ma Wan, Discovery Bay, Park Island, Huang Guang Control Point, and Shenzhen Bay Port are not included in the CDS coverage.

Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), passengers will be guided by CDS Staff stationed at Arrival Hall to their designated vehicles. Departing passengers must meet the minimum pick-up time requirement of 3 hours prior to their flight departure.

Emirates will extend its world-class chauffeur-drive service to business class passengers arriving to and departing from Hong Kong from February 1, 2024.

Emirates’ CDS can be booked at least 12 hours prior to departure through the “Manage My Booking” option on www.emirates.com, Emirates’ call centres or through travel agents.

Emirates is the number one provider for complimentary Chauffeur Drive service, as the airline operates in more than 70 cities worldwide, which is more than any other airline. With the expansion of the service, Emirates will further expand its exclusive offerings for Hong Kong premium travellers with a personalised CDS experience that provides a sense of comfort and hassle-free journey to and from HKIA.

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Passengers Choosing Airlines Based on Free Wifi https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/viasat-survey-passengers-choosing-airlines-based-on-wifi-over-price/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=viasat-survey-passengers-choosing-airlines-based-on-wifi-over-price Wed, 15 Nov 2023 03:28:04 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=15200 A recent airline passenger survey by Viasat has found free inflight wifi is almost as influential a factor as ticket price for many travellers.

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A recent airline passenger survey by Viasat has found free inflight wifi is almost as influential a factor as ticket price for many travellers.

The findings reveal growing demand and expectation for in-flight Wi-Fi, as 83% say they would be more likely to rebook with an airline offering quality onboard connectivity

Viasat, Inc., a global communications company, surveyed 11,000 people worldwide who had flown in the past 12 months as part of its 2023 Passenger Experience Survey.

As passenger numbers reach near-record levels and global travel is firmly back on the cultural agenda, the findings show that passenger expectations are starting to increase in turn. In fact, 83% of those surveyed reported they were more likely to rebook with an airline that offered quality Wi-Fi, while 81% said Wi-Fi was important to their onboard experience, a 4% increase since 2022.

A recent airline passenger survey by Viasat has found free inflight wifi is almost as influential a factor as ticket price for many travellers.

Half of respondents said they were less likely to connect to in-flight Wi-Fi if they had to pay. Moreover, three in 10 passengers surveyed (29%) were willing to pay more for their ticket to benefit from free Wi-Fi. Other than ticket price, free in-flight Wi-Fi has become the most influential factor for passengers when choosing an airline (22%) – ahead of free food and drink (18%), legroom (13%), and free entertainment (9%).

In the US, demand for free in-flight Wi-Fi increased by 50% since 2022’s survey, with India seeing a 42% increase, and Brazil 35%. Half of passengers worldwide (50%) now say Wi-Fi should be free on all short-haul flights and more than eight in ten (82%) for long-haul flights.

But access to free in-flight Wi-Fi is only the tip of the iceberg; 47% of passengers want unlimited social media access in the skies, while one in five want to game (22%), demonstrating the desire to be connected and not to miss out on life on the ground.

A recent airline passenger survey by Viasat has found free inflight wifi is almost as influential a factor as ticket price for many travellers.

This ‘fear of missing out’ is especially prevalent in sports fans with four in five passengers (81%) saying they would pay for access to live sports during a flight – with the FIFA World Cup the most in-demand (45%), followed by the Olympics (28%) and the NBA (25%).

However, to benefit from reliable Wi-Fi and edge-of-your-seat experiences, the vast majority (89%) would be willing to make some sacrifices, with 42% happy to see advertisements, and a third happy to give up alcoholic beverages (34%) or loyalty points (33%) in exchange. And when it comes to enjoying free connectivity onboard, 88% of passengers would expect some restrictions, such as advertisements (38%).

“These findings give us a fascinating insight into the minds of passengers at a critical time for the aviation sector,” says Jimmy Dodd, SVP & President, Global Enterprise & Mobility at Viasat. “It is encouraging to see passenger numbers close to pre-Covid levels and the 2023 Passenger Experience Survey shows how quickly travellers have adopted to digital nativism, including expectations for free, fast Wi-Fi and edge-of-your-seat experiences, like live TV and live sport at 30,000 feet.”

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CIBT Launches Entriva Digital Travel Solution https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/entriva/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=entriva Thu, 12 Oct 2023 09:50:58 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=15049 Corporate travel visa and immigration service provider CIBT has launched Entriva, a unique digital travel solution to enable a simple and stress-free travel visa and passport experience.

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Corporate travel visa and immigration service provider CIBT has launched Entriva, a unique digital travel solution to enable a simple and stress-free travel visa and passport experience.

Providing travel services in over 190 destinations, Entriva comes at a time when global travel is on the rise, up more than 200% versus 2022, and business travellers are experiencing complex travel planning challenges, including new and mandatory documentation, such as entry cards and visas.

Countries are also swiftly introducing new entry requirements, which can be difficult for travellers, often leading to frustration or cancellation of travel plans.

Entriva is backed by CIBT’s 30+ year history in providing travel and immigration services for 75% of Fortune 500 companies, business travellers, global travel management companies and high-touch clientele.

“Entriva is not just a technology,” say CIBT CEO Marc Kaplan. “Entriva is a movement to bring simplicity and peace of mind to an entire market of travellers who are struggling to find a solution for travel preparation.”

The introduction of Entriva simplifies the travel planning and visa application process, allowing travellers to ‘breathe easy, journey better’, removing the stress from navigating complex global travel requirements.

Corporate travel visa and immigration service provider CIBT has launched Entriva, a unique digital travel solution to enable a simple and stress-free travel visa and passport experience.

“Proprietary research showed us that travelers generally experience high stress levels when planning and preparing for international trips,” says Raksa Nazryk, chief product officer, CIBT and president at Entriva. “Travellers describe the ideal travel document experience as one that calms anxiety and builds on the excitement of the trip. Drawing on the expertise of CIBT, designing Entriva for the consumer audience was a natural evolution for the company.”

Advanced technology, global presence, proprietary knowledge and real-time access to country requirements are at the core of Entriva’s power to deliver seamless, secure, and cost-effective travel preparation services. A simply designed digital experience minimizes application time and the number of required forms.

In addition, a personalised Entriva account provides convenient access to travel planning and status updates. Entriva travel experts are available throughout the application process, and all applications are validated by a combination of live experts and proprietary technology before submission

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New Self-Check-in & Bag Drop Services From SITA at KL Sentral Station https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/new-self-check-in-bag-drop-services-from-sita-at-kl-sentral-station/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-self-check-in-bag-drop-services-from-sita-at-kl-sentral-station Mon, 09 Oct 2023 03:51:54 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=15018 Aviation technology provider SITA will equip KL City Air Terminal in KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur with Check-in Kiosks and Self Bag Drop services.

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Aviation technology provider SITA will equip KL City Air Terminal in KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur with Check-in Kiosks and Self Bag Drop services.

The new facilities are expected to be installed and operational by Q2 2024. This will enable passengers to check in and drop their bags at the city center train station prior to taking the KLIA Ekspres train to the airport, thereby reducing the stress upon arrival.

The hardware is supported by SITA Flex, a powerful next-generation platform enabling smooth and efficient passenger processing on and off airport.

The new agreement opens the door to the future of airline check-in and passenger experience. With the self-check-in and self-bag drop (SBD) kiosks, the check-in process is faster and will allow passengers to tag and drop off their bags within 30 seconds. SBDs have also been installed at KL International Airport Terminal 2 in March 2018.

The deal marks a new era of connected and intermodal travel where passengers can benefit from joined-up services that reduce hassle and improve the travel experience.

Aviation technology provider SITA will equip KL City Air Terminal in KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur with Check-in Kiosks and Self Bag Drop services.

“Our renewed partnership with SITA aims to modernise our in-town check-in process and enhance passenger experience, says Noormah Mohd Noor, chief executive officer of ERL, which operates the station. “Self-check-in and self-bag drop facilities can potentially provide cost efficiencies for airlines while offering added convenience for passengers. The self-check-in kiosks are identical to those at the KL International Airport, and every airline that currently allows their passengers to do kiosk check-in at the airport can automatically extend this convenience to KL Sentral. We just reopened the in-town check-in facility in September with Malaysia Airlines being the first to restart the check-in services, and another Malaysia-based airline to restart within this month. As air travel continues to recover, we remain committed to providing our passengers with a seamless and efficient travel experience.”

ERL has partnered with SITA since 2007 to provide the platform for any airline to offer check-in services at KL Sentral. Under the new five-year contract, SITA will provide four self-check-in kiosks and two SBD kiosks initially and this set-up can be easily scaled up to match growing demand in the future. Three conventional manned check-in counters will be maintained for those who still need staff assistance.

Aviation technology provider SITA will equip KL City Air Terminal in KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur with Check-in Kiosks and Self Bag Drop services.

“The future of travel will be intermodal, and we’re excited to help join the dots between air and rail services via this partnership with ERL,” says Sumesh Patel, president, Asia Pacific, SITA. “Whatever the form of travel, there’s the need for safe, automated, smarter, and more efficient journeys. Across the travel industry we face similar issues and there is a need to tackle these together through common and shared approaches — be that for air travel, cruises, railways, or events. At SITA, we have the experience of bringing multiple stakeholders together through a single platform and helping adopt digital ways of simplifying experiences and operations.”

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To Fly or to Drive https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/hire-car/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hire-car Sat, 15 Apr 2023 01:08:13 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=14257 Business travellers are increasingly returning to the humble hire car when it comes to maximising convenience and flexibility. 

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Business travellers are increasingly returning to the humble hire car when it comes to maximising convenience and flexibility. 

A jet-setting company lifestyle is something many businesspeople dream of their entire lives. However, it comes with costs. Airport security, long waits in lounges for connecting flights, and, often, bad food. Now though, we’re in the midst of a shift. We’re seeing a welcome movement away from air travel and back to the humble car. 

According to a BTN Group survey, 57 per cent of corporate travel “decision-makers” said they expect an increase in employee travel by car. They also foresee a considerable two-thirds increase in the number of reps using car rentals at their destinations. 

This move primarily comes from the peace of mind offered by business rental programs. It offers a host of perks that aren’t available when companies use traditional airports. 

Firms Can Leverage Loyalty Programs

Cars from sites like Edmunds are more versatile than conventional flights, meaning that they’re suitable for everything, from site visits to board meetings. Firms can pay for various car-based services to meet their needs, such as executive vehicles for single-person transport, or MPVs for moving more people around. They can also select cars on the frequency with which they will use them, or the number of miles they will drive. 

However, depending on the number of miles driven, there may also be scope for incentives and reimbursements. Companies could get significant discounts from loyalty programs and they can track mileage to observe whether or not it saves money compared to flying. 

Ultimately, business rentals offer better rates than one-off options. Companies could have fleets on retainer, potentially saving them money. 

Business travellers are increasingly returning to the humble hire car when it comes to maximising convenience and flexibility. 

More Reliability

While flights are inevitable for some types of business travel, they aren’t always reliable. Cancellations and delays can disrupt company calendars and anger clients. However, the same is not always true of rental vehicles for corporate purposes. The risk of using these is more diffuse. 

There are also benefits for employees over using their personal vehicles. They can feel more confident their employer is supplying reliable cars that will serve them when required, and provide the safety features they expect. 

The BTN Group survey suggests that around 50 per cent of employees don’t want to use their own vehicles for business trips because they haven’t checked that basic features, like fog lights, are working. Another 45 per cent said they didn’t want to drive their vehicle because it was between 5 and 19 years old and might be unreliable if subjected to a cross-country trip. 

Better Services

Whether the trend will take off in Asian countries remains to be seen. However, it is more likely here than in other parts of the world. Internal Asian flights, for instance, tend to be more expensive than in Europe and America, perhaps incentivizing businesses in well-connected countries to consider road travel instead. Taxes on gasoline also tend to be lower in this region, again adding impetus to the initiative. 

On top of that, car companies may work with hiring firms to provide enhanced vehicular services. For example, they may fully valet vehicles between trips or even fill up the tank. 

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Samsung Introduces Samsung Message Guard https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/samsung-message-guard/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samsung-message-guard Tue, 21 Feb 2023 00:08:46 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=14093 With the rise of cybercrime globally, Samsung's new Samsung Message Guard takes smartphone protection to new levels. 

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With the rise of cybercrime globally, Samsung’s new Samsung Message Guard takes smartphone protection to new levels. 

Did you know that just receiving an image might be enough to let hackers in? While everyone knows not to open random links or attachments, that no longer guarantees safety as cybercriminals constantly explore new methods of attack. Zero-click exploits are the latest kind of cyberattack, and they can take place any time an image is received. A single image could be hiding malicious code.

While there has been no sign of such attacks on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, Samsung Electronics constantly looks ahead to anticipate potential threats and develop preemptive security measures – such as Samsung Message Guard.

Picture this: your phone receives an image. It vibrates gently in your pocket before going still. Or it’s on your bedside table, lighting up briefly as you sleep. You haven’t touched your phone, but someone may already be reading your messages, browsing your gallery and copying your bank details.

Zero-click exploits are just the latest threat in an era of increased cybercrime targeting user data. One in three consumers around the world has been the victim of a data breach where their personal data was hacked. Data breaches are increasingly common, with rates more than tripling between 2013 and 2021.

Threats evolve, but so too does Samsung’s mobile security. Samsung Galaxy smartphones offer comprehensive safeguards with the powerful Samsung Knox platform, and users are already protected from attacks using video and audio formats. Samsung Message Guard takes that security one step further by preemptively protecting your device, limiting exposure to invisible threats disguised as image attachments.

The security solution currently works on Samsung Messages and Messages by Google. In line with Samsung’s philosophy of open collaboration, a software update will roll out at a later date to let Samsung Message Guard protect you across third-party messaging apps as well.

With the rise of cybercrime globally, Samsung's new Samsung Message Guard takes smartphone protection to new levels. 

Samsung Message Guard is an advanced ‘sandbox’, or a kind of virtual quarantine. When an image file arrives, it is trapped and isolated from the rest of the device. This prevents malicious code from accessing your phone’s files or interacting with its operating system. Samsung Message Guard checks the file bit by bit and processes it in a controlled environment to ensure it cannot infect the rest of your device.

Simply put, Samsung Message Guard automatically neutralizes any potential threat hiding in image files before they have a chance to do you any harm. It also runs silently and largely invisibly in the background and does not need to be activated by the user. So where previously you could be endangered without doing anything, now you are protected from zero-click exploits without lifting a finger.

Samsung Message Guard is just the latest forward-looking security solution from Samsung. Separately, Samsung Galaxy devices already provide industry-leading security and privacy protections in other areas, thanks to the award-winning Samsung Knox. This provides end-to-end protection across every layer of hardware and software, as well as real-time threat detection

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Sumsung Reveals New S8 Series Tablets https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/sumsung-galaxy-s8/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sumsung-galaxy-s8 Wed, 02 Mar 2022 02:56:35 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=13417 The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, S8+ and S8 tablets enable business travellers to unleash extraordinary productivity and creativity anytime, anywhere.

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The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, S8+ and S8 tablets enable business travellers to unleash extraordinary productivity and creativity anytime, anywhere.

Thanks to its outstanding hardware, smoother upgrades to the S Pen, ultimate performance and convenient seamless connectivity to the Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung’s newest tablets yield increased work efficiency and enjoyment of entertainment on and off the road. The Galaxy Tab S8 series pushes the boundaries of tablets by introducing the first Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra model with the largest 14.6-inch high-quality display in the Galaxy Tab series. Paired with 120Hz refresh rate and Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos, the series brings the perfect viewing experience for users who like to watch movies and stream media on tablets.

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is further equipped with dual front cameras, a three microphone set-up with noise reduction technology and an upgraded Auto Framing feature, which perfectly meets the standards of professional video conferencing. Along with a 4nm processor, extremely low latency S Pen, 5G and Wi-Fi 6E network connectivity and other top performances, not to mention the slim design and portability, the Galaxy Tab S8 series is every user’s best partner in entertainment and work.

Perfect for work and play, the Galaxy Tab S8 series is equipped with expansive high-quality displays. The Galaxy Tab S8 display is 11-inches, Tab S8+ is 12.4-inches, and the Tab S8 Ultra features the largest 14.6-inches screen in the series, reaching an ultra-high screen ratio of 16:10 when combined with a very thin 6.3mm bezel. The three Galaxy Tab S8 series models also feature a 120Hz refresh rate and Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos for immersive cinematic viewing.

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, S8+ and S8 tablets enable business travellers to unleash extraordinary productivity and creativity anytime, anywhere.

As video communication becomes more important, video calls have become a recurring item in user’s work or family agendas. Therefore, the Galaxy Tab S8 series has 12-megapixel high-definition front cameras, and the S8 Ultra is equipped with dual front cameras with wide and ultra-wide angles, supporting professional 4K video quality. Even if users need to invite friends or business partners to join during the call, there is no need to worry about the focus as Samsung’s advanced Auto Framing technology allows users to maintain focus during the call and automatically zooms to accommodate all participants when they join. The Galaxy Tab S8 series is also equipped with three-microphones with noise reduction technology, which can effectively prevent unwanted background noise and keep calls clear even in noisy outdoor environments.

The Dual Recording feature of the Galaxy Tab S8 series records the screen and camera footage at the same time. Concurrently, users may write notes directly on the screen. Users can also take advantage of the high-quality video calling and real-time sharing experience launched by Samsung and Google Duo, browse the web, or record inspirations and exchange ideas on Google’s interactive whiteboard, JamBoard.

In addition, the Galaxy Tab S8 series’ body is made of sturdy Armor Aluminum, which makes the overall design slimmer, lighter and more durable. Users can easily slip the tablet into their bag and carry it with them. Coupled with a powerful battery of up to 11,200mAh and ultra-fast charging of up to 45W, the Galaxy Tab S8 series can restore 100% power in 80 minutes, allowing users to get to work, stay connected, or indulge in the ultimate entertainment, whether on the go, in the office or at home.

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, S8+ and S8 tablets enable business travellers to unleash extraordinary productivity and creativity anytime, anywhere.

Equipped with top performance and a range of practical functions, the Galaxy Tab S8 series helps users cope with multiple tasks simultaneously, maximize productivity and stimulate limitless creativity. The Galaxy Tab S8 series uses the fastest high-performance 4nm chip in the Galaxy tablet and the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. With 5G network, users can safely share files or enjoy streaming video content, where high-speed and stable network will make all tasks more effective.

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and S8+ are also equipped with a new and upgraded S Pen, using advanced prediction algorithm which greatly reduces the latency to 2.8ms, enabling a paralleled user experience of pen and paper. For the first time ever, through Samsung’s exclusive partnership with Clip Studio Paint, users can connect to their Galaxy smartphone and turn their tablet into a digital color palette. Using the S Pen as a brush on the tablet, users unleash their creativity when inspiration arises. In addition, the S Pen also supports Air Action, which allows users to control the tablet remotely with simple gestures.

If users need to perform multiple tasks at the same time, the substantial display of the Galaxy Tab S8 series can be split into multiple resizable windows to display different contents, meaning users may watch class slides on the left half of the screen, whilst searching for information online and writing class notes with the S Pen on the right. Without switching back and forth between different applications, this greatly increases work efficiency.

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, S8+ and S8 tablets enable business travellers to unleash extraordinary productivity and creativity anytime, anywhere.

The Galaxy Tab S8 series offers up to 16GB RAM and 512GB of built-in storage. It also supports up to 1TB microSD card to expand storage space, helping users store large work files and media content

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Lenovo Launches Dual-Screen Business Laptop https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/news/thinkbook-plus-gen-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thinkbook-plus-gen-3 Tue, 11 Jan 2022 08:26:38 +0000 https://www.theartofbusinesstravel.com/?post_type=news&p=13314 A true productivity powerhouse, Lenovo has released the new ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 laptop with plenty of processing power and a secondary display.

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A true productivity powerhouse, Lenovo has released the new ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 laptop with plenty of processing power and a secondary display.

Whether you’re on the road or working from home, you’ve probably never had to reply on a laptop quite like you have the past 24 months. With this in mind, Levono adds to its ThinkBook line up with the Plus Gen 3, which introduces an industry-first 17.3-inch ultra-wide 21:10 aspect ratio primary display with an innovative eight-inch secondary screen that introduces a whole new meaning to multitasking and opens up a host of use case possibilities

Expanding screen real-estate for improved productivity and efficiency usually requires connecting a second display which is not typically portable. The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 changes that by introducing the industry’s first 17.3-inch laptop with a built-in secondary eight-inch full-color LCD display. Productive multi-tasking has become the new norm but often requires multiple devices and a larger workspace. Now with ThinkBook Plus Gen 3, that workspace becomes mobile. The ultra-wide 21:10 aspect ratio primary display already offers more space to take advantage of Windows 11 Snap layouts but adding a second touch-enabled display, with an integrated digital pen, presents new productive scenarios.

These include the ability to use application sub tools shown on the second display, freeing up the main screen for creation; more engaging collaboration with full width conferencing adding a chat window on the second display, or a notepad function to take notes during online meetings; and the ability to use the second screen as a drawing board to edit or refine images, with the integrated digital pen with ColorKing+ plug-in by Ufro.

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In addition, the “waterfall” capability is very useful during document editing as source pages can extend from the main to the second display; while a “Magic Launcher” can place frequently used application icons on the second display for quick access. Also look out for the calculator function, which makes navigating spreadsheets or financial applications a breeze; and the ability to mirror a smartphone onto the second display, improving multitasking and synergy across devices.

In terms of technology and design, ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 is a high-performance laptop. Powered by 12th Gen Intel Core H-Series processors, up to 32GB LPDDR5, and up to 2TB Solid State storage, there is plenty of power on tap. ThinkBook Plus Gen 3 also features a 21:10 ultra-wide aspect ratio main display with 3072×1440 resolution at 120Hz, up to 400nits brightness, and 90% screen-to-body (STB) ratio with Dolby Vision support and Low Blue Light with TÜV Rheinland EyeSafe certification; a smart power button with integrated Fingerprint Reader; an FHD Infrared Camera with physical privacy shutter; a Harman/Kardon developed Dolby Atmos Speaker System; Wi-Fi 6E for fast and stable connectivity; and a backlit keyboard and glass click pad.

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