BRITISH BUSINESS TRAVELLERS NOT PUT OFF BY THREAT OF WAR

BRITISH BUSINESS TRAVELLERS NOT PUT OFF BY THREAT OF WAR - But Take a Paper Ticket if You Are Flying to the Middle East - War with Iraq may be looming but that is not stopping British businessmen and women from travelling abroad, according to a poll of its members conducted by the influential Guild of Business Travel Agents (GBTA). Over half of the GBTA's 35 travel management company members, who book 80% of UK business travel, say that there is no evidence that clients have cut back on travel as a direct result of potential war. "Business travellers don't travel for the fun of it," says Philip Carlisle, Chief Executive of the Guild of Business Travel Agents. "If a contract needs to be won or a meeting needs to happen, it will unless there is a serious threat to the traveller's safety. For many companies their futures are dependent on their staff continuing to travel." But a piece of advice from the GBTA in the short term is to take a paper airline ticket with you if you are going anywhere in the Middle East, rather than relying on an electronic ticket. "If war breaks out suddenly and a business traveller finds him or herself stuck somewhere in the world, it is much easier to switch to a different airline or route, if you have an accountable document in your hand," says Carlisle. "I stress that this is a very short term measure because there is no doubt that under normal circumstances e-ticketing is much more convenient and cost effective." The GBTA admits that, although clients are still travelling, they are only getting on a plane if absolutely necessary and the number of trips per individual has been scaled down. They are also not committing themselves too far in advance and are booking at shorter notice. The GBTA claims, however, that this is due to general cost cutting measures, not necessarily because of the Gulf conflict. "We are seeing a reduction in travel spend, but overall any changes in travel plans are linked to the economy's general downturn, or other factors such as heightened airport security for example, which puts business people off making short day trips," says Philip Carlisle. "Tanks at Heathrow, and the evacuation of Gatwick's north terminal the other week definitely didn't help." Carlisle is at pains to point out that all GBTA members are carefully monitoring the war situation and are on standby to re-route their clients and get them home if necessary. "We are following FCO advice closely and all of our members have contingency plans in place. If war breaks out we will be working round the clock to track customers down and get them where they need to be." Ends For further information: Vanessa Aves/Steve Dunne, Brighter PR, Tel: 020 7603 2168, email: Vanessa.aves@brighterpr.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/27/20030227BIT00660/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/02/27/20030227BIT00660/wkr0002.pdf