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Global Travel Collection announces 2024 Elevate Connections in three cities

Global Travel Collection’s annual conference returns in 2024, newly reimagined as a series of one-day events called Elevate Connections, set to take place in three key destinations: London, New York City and Los Angeles. Elevate Connections will take place biennially, with the larger flagship Elevate conference planned for the spring of 2025. Elevate Connections will empower GTC advisors to “elevate” their expertise with a packed schedule of events, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve, with a focus on industry connections and business development to enrich their business portfolios and provide clients with exceptional travel experiences.

60 advisors and over 80 partners are expected to attend Elevate Connections at a Summer Soirée on 19th June at Hotel Café Royal in London. 200 travel advisors across the company’s affiliated brands and 120 esteemed preferred partners are expected on 8th August at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles and 19th September at Pier Sixty in New York City.

Participants in each location will hear from industry leaders and gain insights on the latest trends in luxury travel during a general session; enjoy various networking opportunities; build new relationships and reconnect with partners during the GTC Connections Trade Show; attend advisor-specific breakout sessions for the leisure, corporate and entertainment sectors; explore resources at the GTC Experience Room; and pose questions to leadership in an “Ask Us Anything” session. Advisors will be invited to engage in experiential circles embracing themes such as adventure, culinary and wellness travel.

“In an era dominated by technology, we believe that human connections remain vital,” said Angie Licea, President, Global Travel Collection. “Elevate Connections provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our thriving community of travel advisors and help them strengthen connections with our valued supplier partners. By creating a forum in which our advisors can share ideas, learn from each other and build relationships, we can help them fulfil their clients’ most extraordinary travel experiences.”

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We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

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elevate connections

Global Travel Collection’s annual conference is returning newly reimagined in 2024 as a series of one-day events in three key destinations: New York City, Los Angeles and London. Elevate Connections is where we — the movers and shakers of luxury travel — will stand in a class of our own with a focus on industry connection and development.

This series encompasses the only events specifically designed and planned for the GTC community, and this year, we are heading to the highest concentrations of advisors and partners. At GTC, we foster an atmosphere that values relationships and unparalleled support, enabling the growth of new ideas and insights, as well as the fulfilment of our clients’ most extraordinary travel experiences.

Connecting the best of the best in luxury travel, this series presents an invaluable opportunity to celebrate our thriving advisor community. Prepare to be inspired and motivated; Elevate Connections will ignite a new direction of excellence in your business and foster the luxury travel industry’s shared vision of success.

Elevate Connections: New York and Summer Soiree: London are now in a  WAITLIST pattern. If you'd like to participate and be added to the waitlist, please complete the expression of interest form below.

Wednesday, June 19 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm GMT Hotel Café Royal

Expected attendance:

• Up to 60 advisors
• 60 partners

LOS ANGELES

Thursday, August 8 10:00 am - 7:00 pm PT Fairmont Century Plaza

• Up to 200 advisors
• 120 partners

Thursday, September 19 10:00 am - 7:00 pm EST Pier Sixty

PARTNER EXPECTATIONS

Elevate Summer Soiree: London  Join us for our annual summer soirée where esteemed independent advisors unite with top luxury brands at an intimate gathering hosted by Global Travel Collection.  Proudly fostering vital connections between our esteemed partners and discerning luxury travel advisors, this invitation-only event promises an extraordinary night of opulence. Join us for an  unforgettable evening held at the iconic Hotel Café Royal.

Elevate Connections: Los Angeles and New York  have been designed with partners in mind. Partners can expect to engage with the top travel advisors in the industry in their region. The daily itinerary features innovative programming open to all partners. Programming for each event includes:

• General session: Discover industry updates and keynote speakers
• Networking Lunch, Breaks and Reception: Build new relationships and reconnect with advisors
• Tradeshow: Connect with advisors during dedicated tradeshow hours
• Breakaways: Dive into leisure, entertainment and business travel alongside advisors and attend a dedicated partner update session
• GTC Experience Room: Explore the GTC resources at your fingertips
• Leadership discussion: Pose a question in a "Ask Us Anything" session

HOW PARTNERS CAN PARTICIPATE

Each Elevate Connections event will only feature a handful of our most engaged partners. Reserve your spot and participate in these exclusive events today by filling out this EOI form. A full listing of available partnership opportunities can be found below. Once participation is confirmed, a member of the GTC Events Team will be in contact to share registration and deliverable information.

Please note, accommodations will not be provided. We will have a discounted rate available in the coming weeks, please be on the lookout for that link. 

Elevate summer soirÉe: London

SUMMER SOIREE RECEPTION TICKET £550 excluding VAT

Reception ticket includes (1) registration granting entry to the full event - a maximum of (2) tickets are available per partner. Participating partners are able to provide a giveaway raffled to advisors during

ELEVATE CONNECTIONS: Los angeles & new York

TRADESHOW PARTICIPATION HIGHBOY TABLE REGISTRATION $2,500

Participate in the Elevate Connections partner tradeshow with (1) highboy cocktail round exhibit table. Hotel reservations are not included in any sponsorship packages. We recommend you make your own hotel reservation for this event should you need one.

• Can attend full day of programming
• One (1) highboy cocktail round exhibit table
• One (1) complimentary trade show representative
• Listing in printed materials including programs and promotional literature
• Elevate Partner Highlights Digital Guide on GTC Intranet until Elevate 2025
• B2B Marketing : Product overview inclusion in our Elevate Partner Highlights Digital Guide ($5,000)
• B2C Marketing : Promotion Page or Advisor Inspiration page on GTC.com ($5,000)
• Pre-conference opt-in attendee list provided four-weeks prior to conference
• Post-conference opt-in attendee list provided approximately a week after the conclusion of the event

TRADESHOW PARTICIPATION 6-FOOT TABLE REGISTRATION $3,750

Participate in the Elevate Connections partner tradeshow and make your presence known with a 6ft table and opportunity to bring (2) representatives. Hotel reservations are not included in any sponsorship packages. We recommend you make your own hotel reservation for this event should you need one.

• One (1) 6ft rectangular exhibit table
• Two (2) complimentary trade show representative

TRADESHOW PARTICIPATION LOUNGE REGISTRATION $5,000

Participate in the Elevate Connections partner tradeshow as an anchor sponsor with a comfortable and inviting lounge setup and the opportunity to bring (2) representatives. Hotel reservations are not included in any sponsorship packages. We recommend you make your own hotel reservation for this event should you need one.

• One lounge setup including either (2) lounge chairs and (1) couch -or- (2) couches + (1) coffee table

TRADESHOW PARTICIPATION ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT $500

Max (3) registrations per partner company

elevate connections: additional sponsorships

EVENT SPONSORSHIP GENERAL SESSION $25,000

Make sure your brand is top of mind when Elevate Connections opens as we kick off with the event. This is a fantastic opportunity to let everyone know about your presence at the conference. GTC will work with partner on mutually beneficial topics to feature partner in a fireside chat for (20 minutes including potential videos/Q&A).

• One (1) 6ft tradeshow table participation during trade show
• Two (2) trade show attendee registrations 
• Speaking/video opportunity
• Logo on Signage
• Listing in printed materials as a sponsor including programs and promotional literature

EVENT SPONSORSHIP BREAKOUT SESSION $10,000

Position your brand as a thought leader as the sole featured presenter during a GTC breakout session. Partners will have the opportunity to showcase a senior leader speaker presenting on the topic below to our exclusive buyer audience.

• One (1) highboy table participation during trade show
• One (1) trade show attendee registrations 
• Speaking/video opportunity 

EVENT SPONSORSHIP FOCUS GROUP SESSION $10,000

A member of the Global Travel Collection team will lead a select group of advisors in a focus group session related to your company's product/brand. Understand unfiltered feedback from your customer related current and desired perspectives/actions. Sponsors will be welcome into the room for the second half of the presentation to inform focus group guests of new opportunities.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP TRADESHOW NETWORKING ANNOUNCEMENT $1,000

The Elevate Connections Tradeshow will feature (4) scheduled announcements/networking prompts scheduled every (30) minutes. Feature your company with a (1) minute speaking opportunity to talk about your business and announce the next networking prompt.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP NETWORKING LUNCH $25,000

It's a lunch date! Treat our advisors to lunch and ensure they have the energy to keep going throughout the day. Partner will have the ability to provide branded service ware and will have the opportunity to provide remarks at the lunch (5 minutes including optional video).

• Two (2) highboy table participation during trade show
• 5 minute Speaking/video opportunity to kick off the lunch

EVENT SPONSORSHIP NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK $10,000

Combat the afternoon crash and sponsor the refreshment break. Partner will have the ability to provide branded service ware and GTC will work with the catering team and partner to provide a refreshment break specialty item that aligns with partner's brand.

• 5 minute Speaking/video opportunity to kick off the reception
• B2B Marketing : B2B email with Elevate Partner Highlights Digital Guide ($5,000)

EVENT SPONSORSHIP NETWORKING RECEPTION $25,000

The Elevate Connections Partner & Travel Advisor Reception will follow our full day of programming and feature an open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres and food stations. The partner will be featured on each bar and food station and will receive top billing on reception signage. Partner will also have the opportunity to kick-off the reception with a greeting and video message.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT LOUNGE $10,000

Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to sponsor the headshot lounge. Partners will be able to invite and greet advisors to the headshot station and will be featured in a post-event email with the links to the headshots.

• One (1) trade show attendee registrations

EVENT SPONSORSHIP SUSTAINABILITY $2,000

Position your company at the forefront of sustainability by sponsoring travel offsets for the event. Sponsorship dollars will go directly to purchasing carbon-offsets to neutralize emissions contributed from travel to this event. Global Travel Collection will work with our partners, Sustainable Travel International, to calculate emissions and can provide a certificate to sponsoring partner.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP EVENT APP $1,000

The Elevate App is an indispensable tool for all guests with a variety of different functions aimed at enhancing the Elevate experience. The App provides a one-stop service for all guest needs at the event. Your brand will be named as the primary sponsor with your brand prominently displayed on the home screen, visible each time the App is opened. Partners will also receive a dedicated page in the App and a dedicated app alert announcement.

EVENT SPONSORSHIP CREATE YOUR OWN $-.--

Have a sponsorship idea for our event that doesn't necessarily fit within the outlined opportunities? We welcome our partners' creativity and would love to hear your proposal. With the intricate planning that goes into an event, we, of course, cannot guarantee your idea will fit into the schedule, but we could brainstorm and collaborate on other options should that be the case.

included elevate partner marketing package

ADVISOR ENGAGEMENT DIGITAL HIGHLIGHTS GUIDE $5,000 VALUE

Elevate Partner Highlights Digital Guide

CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT PROMOTION PAGE $5,000 VALUE

Work with our team to build a promotion page exclusive to your brand. The newly redesigned Global Travel Collection website is a destination point for advisors and consumers to stay informed on the latest luxury promotions. Our website attracts more than 9,200 monthly users.

CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT ADVISOR INSPIRATION PAGE $5,000 VALUE

Global Travel Collection's website advisor stories page functions as a blog for advisors to share their expertise and travel experiences. Allowing them to showcase their knowledge and provide useful insights to readers.

By sharing their personal experiences, advisors can connect with their audience and help them make informed decisions.

Additional questions? Contact the GTC Events Team

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Opportunities for industry leaders as new travelers take to the skies

Travel fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic—airline revenues dropped by 60 percent in 2020, and air travel and tourism are not expected to return to 2019 levels before 2024. 1 “ Back to the future? Airline sector poised for change post-COVID-19 ,” McKinsey, April 2, 2021; “ What will it take to go from ‘travel shock’ to surge? ” McKinsey, November 23, 2021. While this downturn is worrisome, it is likely to be temporary. McKinsey’s latest survey of more than 5,500 air travelers around the world shows that the aviation industry faces an even bigger challenge: sustainability.

The survey results indicate emerging trends in passenger priorities:

About the survey

We asked about 5,500 people in 13 countries, half of them women, to answer 36 questions in July 2021. Each had taken one or more flights in the previous 12 months. More than 25 percent took at least half of their flights for business reasons; 5 percent had taken more than eight flights in the previous 24 months. They ranged in age from 18 to over 75 and hailed from the US and Canada, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan, Australia, and Brazil.

Topics included concerns about climate change and carbon emissions, carbon reduction measures, and factors influencing tourism stays and activities.

We compared the results to those of a survey asking the same questions that we conducted in July 2019.

• Most passengers understand that aviation has a significant impact on the environment. Emissions are now the top concern of respondents in 11 of the 13 countries polled, up from four in the 2019 survey. More than half of respondents said they’re “really worried” about climate change, and that aviation should become carbon neutral in the future.
• Travelers continue to prioritize price and connections over sustainability in booking decisions, for now. This may be partly because no airline has built a business system or brand promise on sustainability. Also, some consumers may currently be less concerned about their own impact because they’re flying less frequently in the pandemic. That said, almost 40 percent of travelers globally are now willing to pay at least two percent more for carbon-neutral tickets, or about $20 for a $1,000 round-trip, and 36 percent plan to fly less to reduce their climate impact.
• Attitudes and preferences vary widely among countries and customer segments. Around 60 percent of travelers in Spain are willing to pay more for carbon-neutral flights, for example, compared to nine percent in India and two percent in Japan.

This article outlines steps that airlines, airports, and their suppliers could take to respond to changing attitudes and preferences. The survey findings suggest that airlines may need to begin with gaining a deeper understanding of changes across heterogenous customer segments and geographies. With those insights in hand, they could tailor their communications, products, and services to differentiate their brands, build awareness among each passenger segment, and better connect with customers.

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The survey findings point to fundamental and ongoing changes in consumer behavior.

After a decade of steady growth in passenger traffic, air travel was hit hard by the pandemic. International air travel immediately fell by almost 100 percent, and overall bookings declined by more than 60 percent for 2020, according to Airports Council International. At the time of writing, revenue passenger miles have returned to close to pre-pandemic levels in the United States, but still lag behind in other markets. 2 “COVID-19: October 2021 traffic data,” International Air Transport Association (IATA), December 8, 2021. In its October 2021 report, before the Omicron variant emerged, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that the industry’s losses would be around $52 billion in 2021 and $12 billion in 2022. 3 “Economic performance of the airline industry,” IATA, October 4, 2021.

Furthermore, travelers’ preferences and behaviors have changed sharply during the pandemic, particularly around health and safety requirements. An Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum found that, on average, three in four adults across 28 countries agreed that COVID-19 vaccine passports should be required of travelers to enter their country and that they would be effective in making travel and large events safe. 4 “Global public backs COVID-19 vaccine passports for international travel,” Ipsos, April 28, 2021. And a 2021 survey by Expedia Group found that people buying plane tickets now care more about health, safety, and flexibility than previously. But, there is also renewed interest in travel as nearly one in five travelers expected travel to be the thing they spent the most on in 2021, one in three had larger travel budgets for the year, and many were looking for new experiences such as once-in-a-lifetime trips. 5 “New research: How travelers are making decisions for the second half of 2021,” Skift, August 26, 2021.

Comparing McKinsey’s 2019 and 2021 survey results, sustainability remains a priority as respondents show similar levels of concern about climate change, continue to believe that aviation must become carbon neutral, and want their governments to step in to reduce airline emissions. Some changes were more striking. The share of respondents who say they plan to fly less to minimize their environmental impact rose five percentage points to 36 percent. In 2021 half of all respondents said they want to fly less after the pandemic. Changes in opinion varied across markets. Passengers in the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia, for example, were more likely to feel “flygskam,” (shame about flying) while those in Spain, Poland, and Australia felt significantly less guilty about flying.

It is worth tracking these trends in each market and demographic, because passengers’ experiences and opinions are increasingly relevant: passengers spend far more time online, increasingly trust each other’s recommendations more than traditional marketing, and can reshape brand perceptions faster than ever. 6 “ Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer ,” McKinsey, August 31, 2021. In some markets consumers may reward airlines that meet rising demands for environmental sustainability—and punish those who fall behind.

The Australian airline Qantas may be acting on a similar belief. In November 2021, it announced a new “green tier” in its loyalty program. The initiative, based on feedback from passengers, is “designed to encourage, and recognize the airline’s 13 million frequent flyers for doing things like offsetting their flights, staying in eco-hotels, walking to work, and installing solar panels at home”. Qantas states that it is one of the largest private-sector buyers of Australian carbon credits, and it will use program funds to support more conservation and environmental projects. 7 “Qantas frequent flyers to be rewarded for being sustainable,” Qantas media release, November 26,, 2021. “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

Given these shifting trends, it may be helpful for all industry stakeholders to maintain a deep and up-to-date understanding of consumer segments in each market that they serve. Three main findings about today’s travelers emerged from the 2021 survey:

Finding 1: Most travelers now have concerns about climate change and carbon emissions—and many are prepared to act on these concerns

Concern about carbon emissions from aviation did not rise much during the pandemic, probably in part because air travel declined so sharply. About 56 percent of respondents said they were worried about climate change, and 54 percent said aviation should “definitely become carbon neutral” in the future.

While these numbers have increased only one or two percentage points since 2019, the share of respondents who rank CO 2 emissions as their top concern about aviation—ahead of concerns such as noise pollution and mass tourism—rose by nine percentage points to 34 percent. More than 30 percent of respondents have paid to offset their CO2 emissions from air travel.

Finding 2: Price and connections still matter much more than emissions to most travelers

Of the nine major factors travelers consider when booking a flight, carbon emissions consistently rank as sixth-most important across customer segments. This may be partly because most airline marketing centers around low cost or superior service, and pricing and revenue management are targeted at price and best connection. Most booking websites allow prospective travelers to sort by price and number of connections, for example, but not by carbon footprint. Google Flights has made a first step, showing average CO2 emissions per flight and improving transparency for travelers.

Travelers might begin to make different choices if emissions featured more prominently in the booking process—particularly if more airlines offered CO 2 reduction measures that delivered genuine environmental impact.

Finding 3: Attitudes vary widely by demographics and geography

Beliefs about the seriousness of climate change, and how to respond to it, vary across demographics and geographies (exhibit). Although younger people are generally more aware of the predicted consequences of climate change, older cohorts have become more concerned about climate change since the 2019 survey. In some countries, large majorities see climate change as a major threat, while that represents a minority view in other countries.

The survey shows that frequent travelers feel slightly more shame about flying than other respondents—37 percent compared to 30 percent—but show a much lower intention to reduce their air travel to minimize their climate impact, at 19 percent compared to 38 percent.

According to Pew Research, more than 80 percent of people in Greece, Spain, France, and South Korea believe climate change is a major threat, compared to around 40 percent of those in Russia, Nigeria, and Israel. 8 “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. According to 2019 polling by the Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation, more than three-quarters of Americans believe it represents a major problem or a crisis—but fewer than half are willing to pay to help address it. 9 Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

These numbers may change quickly in the next few years as discussions about climate change become less abstract as oceans rise and storms, forest fires, and droughts become more severe. Instead of being one topic of concern among many, millions more people around the world may come to see climate change as today’s greatest challenge.

This shift seems to be apparent in government action, especially in mature economies. The US, for example, announced its intention to exit the Paris Agreement in June 2017 but pledged to rejoin in April 2021. 10 “Climate change: US formally withdraws from Paris agreement,” BBC, November 4, 2020; “President Biden sets 2030 greenhouse gas pollution reduction target,” White House fact sheet, April 22, 2021. And in September, the White House set a goal for the country to produce 3 billion gallons of sustainable aircraft fuel annually by 2030—up from about 4.5 million gallons produced in the US in 2020—which would cut carbon emissions from flying by 20 percent compared with taking no action. 11 “Biden administration advances the future of sustainable fuels in American aviation,” White House fact sheet, September 9, 2021.

Taking stock of the pandemic’s impact on global aviation

How the industry can be cleared for takeoff.

Travelers’ attitudes and behaviors appear to be in flux, and will likely continue to change. Depending on the world’s progress in preventing and treating COVID-19, the industry will likely take at least a couple of years to recover from the downdrafts caused by the pandemic.

In this unique moment in aviation history, airlines may be able to communicate in new ways to inspire passengers to join the fight against climate change. Based on McKinsey’s experience in aviation and other industries around the world, there may be an opportunity for carriers to make it “easy to do good”. When following such an approach, experience shows that customers are drawn to straightforward language, demonstrations of what the industry is doing in this area, and the tangible benefits of those efforts. The most compelling stories are positive and connect with customers’ emotional needs.

As in the early days of travel advertising, airlines could reinforce the idea that the journey is the destination—that “getting there is half the fun.” By inviting customers to get involved in creating a greener future and own the solution, they could forge new partnerships and deepen loyalty.

Actual progress will be essential; organizations that talk about sustainability without demonstrating action may quickly be held to account. Simply keeping pace with trends or regulatory requirements will offer no advantages. Airlines that move boldly, such as by replacing rather than modifying a loyalty program with some kind of “planet-positive” scheme, will stand out from competitors.

The survey results and McKinsey’s work in the industry lead us to believe that the market is ready for a forward-thinking airline to chart a route to a cleaner future for the industry. Leading airlines that build a business strategy and brand promise on sustainability will likely attract a growing share of business and leisure travelers, fresh capital and talent, and new allies across the industry, government, and society at large.

In the years ahead, more customers will be willing to pay for sustainability, particularly if airlines can engage them with interesting approaches, such as gamification in frequent flyer programs, opt-out rather than opt-in offsets, “green fast lanes” for check-ins and security control, and customized emission-reduction offers. Decarbonization could become the standard to reach and maintain next-tier levels in loyalty programs. Passengers will be able to join the global decarbonization team and transform flight shame into flight pride.

Like many private flyers, corporate customers will look for ways to mitigate their CO 2 footprint. Passenger and cargo airlines could craft attractive decarbonization programs to engage the rising numbers of corporates aiming to significantly reduce their scope 3 emissions from air transport.

No single set of approaches will be effective in every geography or with every passenger segment. But airlines with a deep understanding of their customers’ changing needs and desires will continue to outperform those that don’t. Such organizations could recruit more of their passengers to the decarbonization team while protecting their brands, the future of aviation, and the planet itself.

Mishal Ahmad is a manager in McKinsey’s New Jersey office, Frederik Franz is a senior associate in the Berlin office, Tomas Nauclér is a senior partner the Stockholm office, and Daniel Riefer is an associate partner in the Munich office.

The authors would like to thank Joost Krämer for his contributions to this article.

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Global Travel Collection launches Elevate Connections in major cities for 2024

Global Travel Collection has announced “Elevate Connections,” a reimagined series of one-day events for 2024, aimed at enhancing the expertise of travel advisors in London, NYC, and LA.

LONDON –  Global Travel Collection ’s annual conference returns in 2024, newly reimagined as a series of one-day events called Elevate Connections , set to take place in three key destinations: London, New York City and Los Angeles. Elevate Connections will take place biennially, with the larger flagship Elevate conference planned for the spring of 2025. Elevate Connections will empower GTC advisors to “elevate” their expertise with a packed schedule of events, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve, with a focus on industry connections and business development to enrich their business portfolios and provide clients with exceptional travel experiences.

60 advisors and over 80 partners are expected to attend Elevate Connections at a Summer Soirée on 19th June at Hotel Café Royal in London. 200 travel advisors across the company’s affiliated brands and 120 esteemed preferred partners are expected on 8th August at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles and 19th September at Pier Sixty in New York City.

Participants in each location will hear from industry leaders and gain insights on the latest trends in luxury travel during a general session; enjoy various networking opportunities; build new relationships and reconnect with partners during the GTC Connections Trade Show; attend advisor-specific breakout sessions for the leisure, corporate and entertainment sectors; explore resources at the GTC Experience Room; and pose questions to leadership in an “Ask Us Anything” session. Advisors will be invited to engage in experiential circles embracing themes such as adventure, culinary and wellness travel.

“In an era dominated by technology, we believe that human connections remain vital,” said Angie Licea , President, Global Travel Collection. “Elevate Connections provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our thriving community of travel advisors and help them strengthen connections with our valued supplier partners. By creating a forum in which our advisors can share ideas, learn from each other and build relationships, we can help them fulfil their clients’ most extraordinary travel experiences.”

Theodore Koumelis

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

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The power of connection: Generations at work

April 29, 2024

For Global Intergenerational Week 2024, BCD Travel celebrates the power of intergenerational connections at work. Here’s what our people had to say about belonging, what they value and life at BCD.

BCD’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) council orchestrated a companywide celebration for Global Intergenerational Week 2024 . This annual worldwide campaign, observed April 24-30, encourages people to embrace intergenerational practices and relationships. It’s significant for large companies like ours because diverse global workforces contribute to dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable corporate cultures. To show what that looks like at BCD, we spoke to two staffers from different generations but in similar roles. They gave us their perspectives on belonging, what they value most and their BCD experiences.

Generations working together

Meet Dharshika Johnson , Team Leader based in Sri Lanka, and  Richard Thomas , Operations Supervisor, in the United Kingdom. Dharshika joined BCD in 2019. She works in a group that oversees around 390 multi-national agents in four languages and eight countries. Richard has been with BCD since 2016 and helps lead a team of 173 multi-national agents speaking four languages in seven countries.

What does employee belonging mean to you as an individual?   

Richard:  I spend half my waking day in work during the week, so it is important to me feel like I belong. My team is large and diverse. I have a few office-based colleagues, but the majority of our staff are home-based. The sense of belonging is comforting, supportive, much like an extended family. We all build connections in our interactions as we are a social being.  

Dharshika:  As an individual, I feel valued by making positive connections with others and being able to bring my real self to work.  

Where would you reach out when seeking support, expertise and guidance in your daily role?   

Richard:  I have a great support network in my role. My line manager is always there to support and help me find solutions, with the backup of the full core management team. I have nine peers with very different areas of expert knowledge. I also have agents who have country and supplier detailed knowledge. When I need to, I can reach out to other departments, People and Culture, Supplier Relations, IT and many more. For me, it’s about making sure I ask the right person for the right support.  

Dharshika:  Operations heads in both my department and other departments, as well as colleagues in other departments of a similar role as me.  

What qualities do you observe when people of different ages are working in the same role?   

Richard:  I have observed that different ages within a team can bring a depth of knowledge and life experience. I feel there is some level of deferring to older members of the team, when it comes to areas where life experience is the key skill. For knowledge and skills, I find that we defer to the person who has more comprehensive knowledge in that area. It can take a while to build a healthy dynamic within any peer group. Being the leader of the group is a role that must move around and for me age is just one of the pieces that goes into the mix. 

Dharshika : Numerous characteristics exist, including one’s manner of thinking, body language, working style, level of job knowledge, commitment and behavior. 

Share some of your most important values in work and life.     

Richard:  For me the values that are important are: Honesty, candor, integrity, loyalty, and trustworthiness. This phrase is key for me: “Say what you mean and mean what you say.”

Dharshika : Teamwork, leadership, flexibility, organizational respect and a desire to learn and develop. 

How satisfied are you that your opinions and suggestions are taken into consideration?  

Richard:  When we are discussing a new process or a change to an existing process, we all have the chance to offer opinions and make suggestions. We have a healthy level of debate within the team and build consensus. I know my ideas are taken seriously and considered as some of my ideas have been actioned as a team process.  

Dharshika:  I am happy with how our senior leadership treats team members equally when it comes to opinions and suggestions.  

Share whether you’ve ever felt your age has affected someone’s attitude towards you at work . 

Richard:  I feel this is a very hard area to assign age as a motivation for someone’s actions. It has been a long time since I decreased the average age in a group. If there has been, it has been at a subconscious level.  

Dharshika:  Not at all! It all depends on how well we understand one another and maintain positive relationships inside the team.

The benefits of intergenerational collaboration

The benefits of intergenerational collaboration are already apparent in BCD’s large global workforce. Our more than 15,000 employees represent five generations from the youngest (Gen Z) to the most senior (Traditionalists).  Research shows that embracing intergenerational diversity positively influences workplaces and society at large. When employees feel valued and respected regardless of their age, they are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to the company’s mission. So, fostering a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect:

• Mitigates age-related biases
• Reduces turnover rates
• Cultivates a talent pipeline that reflects the demographics of the communities where we live and do business

By leveraging the unique strengths and insights of each generation, we spark innovation, solve complex problems more effectively, and stay ahead of the curve in rapidly evolving markets.

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What do people of different generations appreciate at BCD?

What I like most about working at/for BCD is the confidence, empowerment & belief that the leadership carries in you to get the job done. – Gev Patel, India, Gen X

I’ve been 27 years with BCD. What I appreciate most are the opportunities to grow within the company. I’ve been lucky to have great mentors, great leadership but most of all great colleagues around me, with whom I shared laughter, sweat and tears. – Jean-Francois De Mol, Belgium, Boomer

I love working at BCD as I always feel encouraged to ‘live to live’, not just ‘live to work’. I love that I can do a job I enjoy whilst being able to prioritize the things that matter most to me outside of work (like climbing mountains). There’s a great balance between work and play that I truly cherish. – Katie Foster, Canada, Gen Z

I do appreciate BCD’s work environment. Having such amazing and supportive colleagues makes every day worthwhile. The people you are surrounded by can, literally, change how you feel. I couldn’t be luckier. – Laura Roca López, Spain, Gen Y

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .

WELCOME TO NEOM BAY AIRPORT

Connecting NEOM to the world

• NEOM Bay Airport

Located at the crossroads of three continents, NEOM Bay Airport (NUM) provides easy access to visitors, residents and business partners, connecting NEOM to the world. The airport serves as a gateway for both domestic and international travellers. NUM is helping NEOM to shape the future of air mobility through seamless customer-centric connectivity.

DESTINATIONS

Our growing network connects you to domestic and international hubs. Bookings can be made directly through the airlines.

TRANSPORTATION

NEOM BAY FACILITIES

NEOM BAY AIRPORT

NEOM Bay Airport offers a range of facilities to ensure your journey is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Comfortable waiting areas where you can enjoy pre-departure refreshments

Quick self-service check-in

Efficient bag drop services

Complimentary high-speed WiFi available throughout

Convenient transit to and from local regions and acommodation

To allow for a convenient and relaxed travel experience and have sufficient time for check-in, security checks and any unforeseen delays, please arrive at the airport for domestic flights at least 90 minutes prior to departure. For international flights at least 120 minutes prior to departure.

We offer a range of services for passengers with reduced mobility including wheelchair assistance, accessible restrooms and designated assistance customer care staff. Contact your airline in advance to arrange for specific assistance needs.

There are a variety of food and beverage options to cater to your preferences. If you're on the move, you can enjoy refreshments from our vending machines. For those with more time to relax, our cafes offer a range of options.

Internet access is available free of charge. You can connect to the wi-fi network and enjoy high-speed internet at any time during your time with us. Stay connected, catch up on emails or browse the web hassle-free as you await your flight or luggage.

Yes, there are a selection of hotels to accommodate a variety of preferences. Some of the nearby hotels include:

• Hampton by Hilton Sharma.
• L'Azure Beach & Resort.
• Vista Sharma Resort.
• Royal L'Azure.

These establishments offer a range of accommodation, ensuring that travelers have options to suit their specific needs and preferences.

Yes, NEOM Hospital is located within a 10-minute drive from the airport. Additionally, the airport has designated medical facilities and first-aid stations within the terminal to provide immediate care for medical issues.