You searched for business

Search Results forbusiness

Visitor levy changes positive, but need to work for business: UKHospitality Scotland

Representative Image: Edinburgh skyline at sunset, UK - Scotland The Scottish Government has announced it will bring forward changes to its Visitor Levy legislation to give councils the power to set flat rate charges for the levy. This will be in addition to the option to use a percentage fee. It said it will also clarify how the levy is to be applied to sales via third parties, such as booking platforms. UKHospitality Scotland has consistently highlighted that a single flat rate charge is simpler and easier for accommodation businesses. While it remains opposed to visitor levies, it has said these changes are positive and recognise the concerns with the current legislation that businesses have raised. Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: "UKHospitality Scotland highlighted at the outset that a flat rate charge would be simpler, easier to administer and less costly to business, than a percentage. “Given the current legislation is unworkable, we welcome that the Scottish Government is being pragmatic in working with industry to address the challenges. “Today's announcement is a key step towards fixing the problematic existing legislation and we look forward to engaging with the Scottish Government, opposition parties and councils on the proposed changes. "While these changes are positive, we remain opposed to the introduction of charges on guests and visitors. “At a time when the country desperately needs economic growth, making holidaying and visiting Scotland more expensive through tax is counter intuitive and I would encourage local authorities to consider the impacts of a levy carefully."

Chris Harcombe joins Loganair as director of business development

Loganair announced an exciting new appointment. Chris Harcombe joins the Loganair Executive Team as Director of Business Development – Charter & Non-Schedule from 1st December. This newly created role is a strategic leadership role, responsible for driving revenue growth across charter and non-scheduled flight services for Loganair. This role involves working closely with internal teams and external partners to capitalise on market opportunities, strengthen client and partner relationships, and develop bespoke solutions that address evolving organisational needs, ultimately supporting sustainable business growth. Chris brings almost 20 years’ experience in the UK regional aviation sector with over 10 years' experience in strategic leadership positions. He spent more than 16 years at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, latterly as Managing Director until 2022. Before that, he led the airport’s air service development activity from 2013, helping to deliver market-leading passenger and cargo growth, doubling passenger traffic and establishing DSA among the UK’s top 10 cargo airports. His career has also included roles at Liverpool John Lennon, Teesside and London Heathrow airports. Most recently, he served as Venue Director at The Murrayfield Experience from August 2024, responsible for all Hospitality and Food & Beverage operations at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium. Chris Harcombe, Director of Business Development said: “I’m delighted to be joining Loganair at a critical time for UK regional connectivity and to have the opportunity to be part of shaping the next phase of Loganair’s development. Loganair fulfils a crucial role in connecting the communities and customers across the UK and beyond. I’m proud to be joining a dedicated and dynamic team in this new and exciting role. "Building on Loganair’s trusted reputation and commitment to customer service, operational performance and leadership in sustainable aviation, I’m looking forward to working with customers new and old to strengthen existing partnerships and identify new opportunities.” Luke Farajallah, CEO at Loganair, commented: “We're delighted to welcome Chris to the Loganair Executive Team. Chris brings an exceptional depth of experience in aviation, commercial development and customer-focused innovation. His track record in driving growth and building successful partnerships across the UK aviation sector makes him an outstanding addition to our executive team. "As we strengthen and diversify our charter and non-scheduled services, Chris’s insight and experience will help us reach new markets, deepen our relationships with customers, and support the continued growth of the airline.” Most recently, Loganair announced new routes to support the people of Jersey, offering vital connectivity to the UK mainland. The new Jersey routes include Exeter, Bristol and Southampton. Earlier this year, Loganair was ranked second in the Which? annual customer survey of short-haul airlines, achieving a 72% customer score. The airline received a five-star rating for customer service and a four-star rating for booking, boarding, and cleanliness. Loganair was also named the most punctual airline for UK arrivals and departures in Q2 2025 by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, with 86% of its flights arriving and departing on time.

Gen Z Business Travel Trends 2026: Risks, Sustainability, and Flexibility

Claudia Gualdi, Travel Intelligence Data Team Lead at Riskline Gen Z out there are looking to have fun along with doing some proactive work when travelling for business. They generally prefer to do their own booking and sustainable options while flying or staying influence their decisions. They expect business travel to fit seamlessly with their lifestyle, prompting companies to offer greater flexibility. Travel Daily Media in conversation with Claudia Gualdi, Travel Intelligence Data Team Lead at Riskline finds out more on Gen Z travel trends, need and access to travel risk intelligence and travel trends for 2026. Travel Daily Media (TDM): Tell us a bit about Riskline? Why is Travel Risk intelligence so important today? Claudia Gualdi (CG): In today’s world, travel can be complex due to rising disruptions, climate change, health crises, and the current geopolitical instability. In this challenging landscape, having access to travel risk intelligence, whether in the form of ‘At a glance’ data or in-depth advisories, can play a vital role in keeping people safe. While public access to information has never been easier, the reliability and accuracy of sources and facts don’t keep pace. Misleading articles, outdated websites, and the large amount of misinformation shared online often confuse travellers ahead of a trip. Riskline combines human expertise, AI speed, and wide-ranging open-source intelligence for smarter travel risk insights. Our AI and OSINT proprietary platform monitors 100,000+ sources in real time, in multiple languages, filtering out non-critical data. Our analysts research and verify information from trusted sources, adding clarity and context so travel managers and travellers receive only what’s relevant without information overload. TDM: Can you share with us which businesses in the Middle East and Asia utilise Riskline data and analysis? What is it that you offer to travel facilitators? CG: Some of our partners in the Middle East and Asia are Zurich Insurance (Zurich) and TruTrip in Singapore, and ITL World in the United Arab Emirates. In Australia, our clients include World Travel Protection, CTM APAC, Pace First, and ZeroRisk, demonstrating our reach across the broader Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern regions. Inbound travel to the Middle East and Asia keeps surging. Growing travel demand is combined with the rising need to support travellers and businesses with reliable information and assistance in both regions, amid their crucial roles in the geopolitical and economic landscape. In both regions, we provide full coverage of travel disruptions and safety concerns related to the current regional instability. As part of our ‘Entry’ intelligence, we also track visa facilitation schemes that are being rolled out to boost regional travel, as well as any health-related requirements. Riskline continuously monitors diplomatic tensions, border closures, evacuations, and the growing impact of climate-related disruptions across MENA and Asia. TDM: What is it that Gen Z are looking for in terms of business travel? What is their attitude regarding risks? CG: Gen Z business travellers are looking for flexibility, personalisation, and sustainability in their travel programmes. They value experiences that add to their career growth and professional performance, prioritising personal safety, flexible itineraries, and quality. According to the “2025 Millennial & Gen Z Business Travel Trends” report, developed by CTM, regional differences also influence preferences. Safety is a key concern in the UK and Asia, price matters most in the US, and comfort is highly valued in Australia. Most Gen Z travellers (59 percent) book their own business trips, preferring online tools, mobile apps and messaging platforms. Sustainability is increasingly important, with many seeking eco-friendly airlines (55 percent), sustainable hotels (51 percent) and expecting employers to invest in greener options (57 percent). Bleisure opportunities (42 percent extend trips for leisure) and loyalty benefits also influence their choices. Another report indicates that Gen Z business travellers are quite selective in their expectations. According to SAP Concur, 96 percent would refuse a trip that does not meet these expectations. They expect business travel to fit seamlessly with their lifestyle, prompting companies to offer greater flexibility compared with previous generations. TDM: In case of sudden disruptions that may be natural or man-made, why is it important to have localized risk intelligence to support travel confidence? CG: When unexpected disruptions occur, there’s often little time to respond. Access to Travel Risk Intelligence ensures getting the right information at the right time. At Riskline, we report from where events unfold, delivering verified travel intelligence within minutes, often before governments and international media, such as the Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP). Whether it’s a regional conflict or a local protest, our analysts detect and track incidents at every level, from global headlines to street-level risks, streamlining incoming information for timely, actionable alerts. Our granularity of information assists all types of needs, from the 1-minute quick alert format to the in-depth analysis of a crisis: Alerts - Short reports that focus on the impact of political, security, and travel-related incidents worldwide on clients’ operations, travel plans, assets, and safety. Risk Advisories: Published normally within 24 hours, when a significant incident takes place, or during an ongoing event or situation. They serve as a medium-length report that describes conditions that may be changing rapidly, such as in the aftermath of a major natural disaster, a diplomatic dispute, or a conflict that will result in travel disruptions and safety concerns. Destination Reports: Tailored to safety, travel, or health, they cover the long-term status of events, crise,s and incidents. TDM: What changing trends in travel do you see for 2026 with changing behaviour patterns especially in terms of comfort and sustainability? How can travel facilitators up-skill themselves for the same? Can you share some case studies or examples for us, please? CG: Some travel trends to continue monitoring are surely work-life blending or bleisure travel, which remains on the rise. Thanks to remote jobs and more affordable travel conditions, many choose to combine work and leisure trips. Extending the stay aligns with the desire for a balanced lifestyle and a commitment to reducing the environmental impact. Slow travel, calmcations and retreats, with the core objective to slow down, relax and interact deeply with the local environment and community, are increasingly popular, often combined with workshops and activities that require stopping and focusing without screen interruptions. In general, there’s growing interest in changing the perspective of travel: the ‘where to’ becomes less important, and more travellers want to taste the authentic local life, rather than just being tourists. Amid growing discontent with over-tourism destinations, more travellers seek to visit lesser-known destinations that offer similar experiences to many of the world’s famous tourist hotspots. In 2026 and beyond, digitalisation of travel will continue to evolve fast. From digital booking platforms to AI-powered apps that assist travellers in crafting personalised itineraries, technology is non-negotiable. Countries keep up this pace with growing digitalised systems for entry, including e-Visa options, e-Passport gates at airports and biometric solutions to speed up border controls. TDM: What is it that you love about technology and your role in it? Any words of wisdom for youngsters aspiring to be in your shoes. CG: What feels rewarding in this job is knowing you’re supporting people, making it possible for them to access digestible insights that truly help them travel safely. I also like the constant challenge of transforming complex, real-world scenarios into clear, actionable intelligence. Travel is still both deeply personal and highly innovative, and so is the perception of risk. Travel remains rooted in human culture and experience, tied to our identity, taste and individual choices. At the same time, it evolves through technology, data and AI. My advice for those aspiring to work in this field is to stay curious and adaptable. Keep up with emerging technologies and trends. Be passionate about travel. Experiencing it firsthand is also essential in creating successful, customer-centric solutions.

Nautika Pro Launches India’s First ‘Business Class’ Ferry Experience in the Andaman Islands

For thousands of travellers visiting the Andaman Islands each year, there's one part of the journey that hasn't matched the destination: the ferry ride between islands. That changes today with Nautika Pro, India's first premium ferry service designed for how people actually want to travel. Why This Matters The Andaman archipelago spans 570+ islands, with most travellers island-hopping between Port Blair, Havelock Island and Neil Island. Ferry travel is essential, and during peak season (October-May), boats book weeks in advance. For families planning dream vacations, honeymooners, and business travellers, ferry connections have become a surprising source of stress—crowded conditions, cancellations, and uncertainty. "We talked to families who spent months planning their Andaman trip, only to feel anxious about the ferry connections," said Anoop Kumar, Director, Nautika. "Parents worried about keeping kids comfortable during the 90-minute crossing. Honeymooners wanted their vacation to feel special from the moment they left Port Blair. We've created an experience where the journey itself becomes one of the best parts of the memory." The Nautika Pro Difference Nautika Pro runs the largest ferry in the Andaman Islands, a brand-new 2025 catamaran that can hold 360 passengers and travels at 26 nautical miles per hour. They offer three types of service to meet diverse travel needs: Business Class has two separate 4-seat cabins with dedicated personal attendants, full dinner and drink service and priority QR code boarding. This is perfect for anyone who want privacy or need to work while they are crossing. Royal Class has roomy, premium seats with more legroom, priority boarding, private areas, and free drinks and snacks during the trip. Luxury Class offers a higher level boat ride with far greater comfort and service than other alternatives. Details That Change the Experience When you're planning ferries around hotel check-ins, diving trips, or that sunset at Bharatpur Beach, you need to be able to count on them. Nautika Pro delivers: Modern Check-in: QR code boarding eliminates long jetty queues • The "Magic Window": Signature unobstructed ocean views on both decks—perfect for spotting dolphins • Stay Connected: On-board Wi-Fi lets you share ocean views in real-time or get work done • 60% Quieter: Advanced noise-reduction design means you can actually relax, read, or nap • Onboard Café: Real barista-prepared coffee and fresh refreshments • Pre-Departure Lounges: Comfortable spaces with refreshments at major terminals • Dedicated Concierge: Help with island recommendations, activity booking, and onward connections • Luggage Assistance: No more struggling with bags on crowded decks What Travellers Are Saying During trial sailings, the response has been revealing: "We were dreading the ferry part after reading online reviews. My wife gets motion sickness, and we had two small kids. The Nautika Pro lounge gave us a place to relax before boarding, the seats were comfortable enough that both kids fell asleep, and the staff actually helped us with our bags. It completely changed how we felt arriving at Havelock." — Rahul M., traveling with family from Mumbai "I run a business and needed to take calls during the crossing. The quiet zone, proper seating, and working Wi-Fi meant I could stay productive. When the meeting ended, I looked up and realized I was watching the Andaman Sea—not stuck in a crowded ferry." — Sameer K., Bangalore Making Island-Hopping Easier With approximately 525,000 tourists visiting the Andaman Islands annually, and tourism being a major revenue source for the island economy, ferry services form the backbone of the travel experience. Nautika Pro deals with genuine travel problems while keeping the safety and timeliness that island travel needs. This is especially useful during monsoon season (June to September), when ferries often have to deal with strong seas that cause delays or cancellations.

Business Travel Optimism Rebounds as Evolving Patterns, Policies and Technologies Shape the Industry: GBTA

Representative Image New research reveals latest industry sentiment, resilience and hurdles facing business travel as it adapts to ongoing uncertainty, shifting travel behaviors and emerging technology. As companies worldwide continue to navigate their business travel strategies amid change and uncertainty, confidence among global industry professionals is rebounding. Forty-three percent of business travel professionals worldwide say they are more optimistic now, up 15 percentage points versus prior months in 2025. However, concerns remain, relative to still-anticipated decreases in business trip volume, spending and revenue at their organizations for 2025. Business trip and traveler preferences and patterns are also evolving, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping how companies anticipate managing travel. Yet, challenges persist ─ from traveler accessibility gaps to the impact of government actions ─ and continue to redefine the landscape. “This latest poll reflects what has always been the industry’s innate ability to innovate and change – to succeed in the face of challenges. Business travel is showing signs of resilience and adaptation, with optimism rebounding and new patterns emerging,” said Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA. “However, the poll results also underscore the need for thoughtful strategies to navigate external pressures and internal policy shifts. GBTA remains committed to understanding the trends, and helping the industry move forward with confidence and clarity.” Key findings from the GBTA October poll: Current Industry Outlook Presents A Mixed View Industry optimism back on the rise After months of uncertainty, business travel professionals are regaining confidence heading into the final months of the year. Forty-three percent of respondents say they are optimistic about the industry’s outlook for the rest of 2025 ─ a significant jump from 28% in June. Canadian respondents are especially more upbeat, with more than half (54%) expressing optimism, versus 23% in June. It is, however, still 33% below optimism levels compared to November 2024. U.S. government actions continue to cast a shadow over business travel spending, volume and revenue outlook External factors continue to impact business travel. One-third of global buyers (35%) expect their company’s 2025 travel volume will decline due to U.S. government actions, with an average expected decrease of 19%, mirroring similar levels reported in GBTA’s June poll. Also in line with June results, 30% percent of global buyers expect their travel spending to decrease in 2025, by an average of 19%. The October poll shows EMEA-based travel buyers are least likely among other regions to expect a decline in volume (29%) or spending (23%). Global travel suppliers are feeling a bit more confident about business travel revenue for 2025. Thirty-seven percent expect an impact to their business travel revenue (an improvement from 48% in June), with a similar anticipated decrease of 16% on average. Revenue concerns continue to be most pronounced among lodging suppliers (59%), but consistent since June (58%). Travel management company (TMC) respondents are less likely to expect a decrease (32% in October versus 48% in June) while more airline professionals expect a decrease (50% October versus 39% June). It is likely that declines in second and third quarter volume and spend are not able to be “made up” in the fourth quarter, Thus, the fairly stable view of slower/lower growth for 2025, even as optimism rebounds. How People, Policies and Programs Are Shaping Business Travel Trends Business travel patterns shift toward longer, multi-stop trips The way companies and their employees travel for work continues to evolve. Nearly two in five travel buyers (39%) report a rise in “linked” or multi-meeting/multi-destination trips. One-third (33%) have seen longer trip durations and another third (32%) say day trips have decreased in the past year. (In GBTA’s 2024 poll, 53% of buyers reported seeing more linked business trips, 36% reported longer business trips and 27% cited fewer day trips versus 2023.) Premium economy bookings are on the rise, especially in EMEA, where 45% of travel managers noted an increase. Travel policies tighten on short-term rentals, while employees are willing to pay for better experiences themselves, without reimbursement expectations. Corporate travel programs are split when it comes to employees and short-term rentals: 57% of policies prohibit use of platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, while only 8% always allow them. Meanwhile, whether for convenience or comfort, some employees are deciding to cover what their travel policies don’t. Two in five travel managers (43%) say their employees at least occasionally pay out-of-pocket for travel upgrades, most often for flight cabin upgrades (78%) followed by airport lounge access (30%) and extra hotel nights (29%). Blended travel continues to gain ground, boosting employee satisfaction Combining business and leisure travel continues to evolve. Forty-three percent of travel programs now have defined policies for blended or “bleisure” travel, with 71% of buyers citing benefits of improved employee satisfaction and 68% noting better work-life balance. However, concerns remain for travel managers around duty of care (59%), expense tracking (55%), and insurance coverage (46%). Traveler accessibility efforts lag; awareness and booking complexity are top barriers Despite growing awareness, only 18% of travel managers say their company extensively accommodates travelers with accessibility needs, compared to 35% of suppliers. Air travel seating (46%) is the accessible travel option most frequently requested by employees. (A 2022 Accessio survey revealed 39% of business travelers identified as having an accessibility requirement that affected their performance.) Limited employee awareness (50%), supplier information (30%) and booking complexity (30%) are also cited by travel buyers as major obstacles to accessible business travel. Is the Business Travel Industry Embracing the Next Wave of Artificial Intelligence? Agentic AI adoption accelerates, but data privacy concerns loom The industry is embracing agentic AI, with nearly half of suppliers and TMC professionals (49%) and one-third of buyers (33%) reporting their companies are already experimenting with autonomous AI. (In GBTA’s February poll, 34% of travel buyers said they planned to apply AI in their travel program in “significant ways” in 2025.) Top applications for both travel buyers and suppliers and TMCs are customer service, traveler personalization, and automated itinerary planning. Additionally, half of buyer respondents (51%) are planning to use agentic AI for expense reconciliation.

KAFD and Hilton Join Forces to Redefine Riyadh’s Business Hospitality Landscape

The King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) has announced a major partnership with Hilton to operate a new 450-key flagship hotel in the heart of Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The agreement was signed during the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), marking a pivotal step in KAFD’s hospitality expansion strategy. The collaboration underscores KAFD’s ambition to attract world-class brands that elevate the district’s status as a leading destination for business, investment, and leisure in Saudi Arabia. The upcoming Hilton Riyadh King Abdullah Financial District will stand as a symbol of the city’s evolving urban and economic landscape, offering an integrated mix of corporate convenience and lifestyle luxury. Talking about the partnership, Saad Abdulaziz Alkroud, Chairman of the Board at KAFD DMC, said: “We are excited to partner with Hilton to enhance KAFD’s hospitality offering and firmly establish the district as a major destination for both business and leisure travellers. KAFD’s growing hospitality offering demonstrates our commitment to enabling Vision 2030 by developing world-class infrastructure to drive the growth of tourism in the Kingdom.” With direct access to KAFD’s conference centre, cultural attractions, and business ecosystem, the new hotel will be linked via climate-controlled skywalks and will connect to the upcoming monorail system, providing seamless access to the Riyadh Metro and the wider city. King Khalid International Airport will be just a 25-minute drive away, positioning the property as a key gateway for international visitors and investors. John Pagano, Managing Director of KAFD DMC, said: “This agreement with Hilton is a key step in expanding KAFD’s hospitality offering, supporting the district’s role as a hub for business, investment, and international conferences. The hotel will complement KAFD’s integrated ecosystem of offices, residences, retail, and event venues, providing seamless convenience for visitors and residents. With Hilton joining KAFD, we are advancing the district’s long-term strategy to create a connected, dynamic environment where business and lifestyle converge.” The property will reflect Hilton’s signature service, featuring 450 contemporary rooms and suites, a stylish lobby café, specialty restaurants, and a poolside terrace. Guests can also access a fully equipped fitness centre, health club, and 900 square meters of meeting and event space, including boardrooms and an executive lounge—designed to meet the needs of both corporate and social gatherings. Commenting on Hilton’s growth in Saudi Arabia, Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton, said: “Hilton Riyadh King Abdullah Financial District represents an exciting step for Hilton in Saudi Arabia. Our growth in the Kingdom has accelerated significantly in recent years, and with over 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline, we remain confident in the country’s inspiring future. We are thrilled to be working alongside KAFD DMC to bring our signature Hilton hospitality to the heart of Riyadh’s financial centre and create unforgettable stays for all our guests.”

Top Destinations for International Business Travel from India in 2025 from SAP Concur

Panoramic aerial view Statue of Liberty and Jersey City and Manhattan cityscape in New York City, NY, USA SAP Concur’s 2025 Global Business Travel Survey found that 89% of business travelers, 93% of travel managers, and 90% of CFOs expect their organization’s travel budget to increase or hold steady this year. From Bengaluru to Berlin, Indian boardrooms are buzzing with global travel plans. As India’s economy grows and companies expand their global footprint, international business travel is back in full swing. SAP Concur’s 2025 Global Business Travel Survey found that 89% of business travelers, 93% of travel managers, and 90% of CFOs expect their organization’s travel budget to increase or hold steady this year. To understand where business leaders are headed, SAP Concur analyzed Concur Travel booking data from January 1 to June 30, 2025, and compared it with the same period in 2024. Here’s what stood out: Global travel is on the rise: International business travel volume increased 2.6% in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, with Q1 driving growth at 4.5% year over year. Q2 held steady with a 0.6% uptick. Airfare insights: U.S. travelers paid the most per international ticket at $2,675, reflecting longer-haul journeys. Japanese travelers averaged $1,950 per ticket, while Italian business travelers—mostly flying within Europe—spent just $719. Steady corridors: Canada–U.S. travel volume remained unchanged. Nearly 80% of Canadian business travelers continued to head south of the border, year over year. Where is India travelling in 2025? United States United Arab Emirates Germany Singapore United Kingdom Thailand France Malaysia Qatar Netherlands Key Takeaways: U.S. destinations represented 27% of all international travel volume from India in the first half of the year. In second place, U.A.E represented 9.5% and Germany came in third at 8.3%. Business travel is firmly back on the agenda in 2025, with global hubs like the U.S., Germany, and the UK leading the way. Costs remain steady, and while Q1 continues to drive the bulk of activity, India’s growing global ambitions mean international travel is likely to stay strong through the year.

businesss solar profuct services