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Global Solutions

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Globalization

Presented by:Colleen Hagg, Advantage Performance Network

Nancy Miller, Travel and TransportChris Thelen, Chambers Travel Management

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Trivia

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1. When it is 9am Friday in Chicago, what time is it in Hong Kong? Friday, 11pm (+14 hrs)

2. Name at least 6 GDS’s 7-Wspan, Galileo, Amadeus, Sabre, Apollo, Abacus, Sirena

3. Does VAT stand for: Very Adaptible Traveler, Value Added Tax or Vicious Adoption of Time Value added-tax

4. What is the name of the French, Belgium and German railways? SNCF, Duetch Bahn and Thys

5. What currency are airline tickets issued in, in Russia? A-Sterling, B-Rubbels, C-Dollars or D-Euros C-Dollars

6. What EMEA country has over 90% of all hotel invoices billed to the TMC /direct billing rather than cc? Spain

7. What does the OK sign mean in France? Zero or worthless

8. In Singapore, why is it rude to cross your legs with your ankle on your knee? Because showing the soles of your shoes is seen as rude

9. In what region of the world is it considered disrespectful to put someone’s business card in your pants pocket? Asia

10. How many drinks will you get if you raise your thumb up in the a bar in Germany? How many in Japan? 1-Germany, 5-Japan

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To my agency, globalization is…

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How often were you asked about global solutions

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Involvement in Global bid within last 12 months

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Global Associations

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Number of Global Accounts your agency manages

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Data consolidation

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Reporting Tool for Consolidation

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What is Globalization?

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Need to ask your customer…what is their goal?

Lots of options

What your customer wants!

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Common Misperceptions

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•It works well here in the US, why not globally?

•Fares and content is the same globally

•It’s a cost savings

•Easy to get global supplier contracts

•Can easily be managed solely from the US

•All agencies gather the same information

•Consolidated reporting is free

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Considerations

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•Cultural Differences

•Languages

•Currencies

•Time zones

•Communications

•Travel Policy

•After-hours service

•IATA Ticketing

•Data Protection

•Account Management

•Commissions

•Rail / Car

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Considerations cont.

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•Technology knowledge

•Online tools

•Consolidated Reporting

•Crisis reporting/support

•GDS vs. Non-GDS

•Nonrefundable tickets

•Contracting

•Service differences

•Transaction Fees

•Other Fees

•Expense process

•Payment

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Marketing

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How do you stack up against competition?

What else to you market besides your physical locations?•Management reporting•Crisis alert and assistance•Profile systems•Travel portal•Pre-trip reporting•After-hours•Implementation•Account Management•Experience

Bigger isn’t always better!

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Lessons Learned

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•Need executive support and “owners” in all regions

•Awareness of how US direction is perceived

•Don’t think email communications will take care of it

•Face-to-Face meetings are a must

•Payment arrangements: In-country vs. US payment

•Travel Policies: Vary by country and region

•Hotels…easiest to mandate with instant gratification

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Lessons Learned cont.

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•IATA rules still apply

•Fund Transfers (group pymts) Europe to US is slow

•Carefully chose your agencies partners

•Don’t be shy to ask to amend agency fees

•There is no one solution that is perfect

•It is just challenge!

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Conclusion

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Now we are ALL Experts!