Focus Page 312
There Is No Replacement for Face-to-Face Conferences
Business is fueled by relationships; there is no replacement for face-to-face meetings and conferences when it comes to generating new and repeat business.
Barbados Month: TotallyBarbados.com - the online face of a destination
On the Caribbean paradise island of Barbados, TotallyBarbados.com has become the leading resource for local information by blending detailed travel and destination information for visitors with a strong business and investment section. BTN investigates how it has used indepth local knowledge to attract a global audience.
China: Online Travel Opportunities Outweigh the Risks
Online travel penetration in China will increase to 14%. China Travel Market Analysis from PhoCusWright’s Asia Pacific Online Travel Overview
BTN Destination Focus: Barbados Month
Barbados is BTN’s Destination of the Month. In the first of a series of features, Adam Hakansson looks at how the Caribbean hideaway continues to prosper during the global downturn.
Japan prepares to host three world-class sporting events
With Japan now confirmed as hosts for the 2019 Rugby Union World Cup (announced on 28 July), and with a strong proposal for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups well under way, BTN Asia Pacific Editor Daniel Rourke is in Japan to investigate its next major bid. The hosts for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be announced by the XXXI Olympiad Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2 October, with Tokyo tipped as the city to beat.
BTN spotlight: Westin Miyako, Kyoto
The 120-year-old Westin Miyako is one of Kyoto’s oldest and best loved hotels. As Japan welcomes a new government and Prime Minister to power, BTN’s Daniel Rourke spoke to Junko Funakoshi, Westin Miyako’s Manager of Advertising and Public Relations, about growing markets and changing ideas in Kyoto and Japan.
Japan raises its sport tourism credentials with the Conrad Tokyo
With Tokyo a front runner to host the 2016 Olympics and also juggling bids for both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, BTN travelled to Japan to check out its sport tourism facilities, starting at the Conrad Tokyo, one of the capital’s newest and most vibrant hotels.
BTN spotlight: the Hilton Osaka
The Hilton Osaka is one of longest established global brand hotels in Japan’s second biggest city. It caters for the needs of business and tourism travellers alike from the city centre. BTN met up with Ms. Ai Reynolds of the Hilton Osaka to find out about the changing face of the global business and tourism market in Japan, and the hotel’s unique approach to hospitality.
BTN Special Report: social media crisis management
In the brave new world of social media, the crowds, not the boardroom control the conversation. It takes just one disgruntled customer to create viral campaign that can reek cyber havoc. So what can the corporates do to stay on the right side of bloggers? Adam Coulter investigates
BTN Spotlight: Richard Thorne, Innovata
Travelling the world is becoming easier with revolutionary booking tool developed by Innovata. BTN caught up with Richard Thorne, who heads up its Aviation division, to find out what new technology the company has planned.
BTN Special Report: how United paid the price for breaking a guitar
Social media means that brands no longer control what consumers say about them. The most powerful travel example yet was the musician who created a YouTube hit about United breaking his prized guitar. Adam Coulter examines the ensuing PR disaster and what companies can learn in order to stay on the right side of the consumer.
BTN spotlight: Chris Cuddy, CEO, Cheapflights
Chris Cuddy is the CEO of travel price comparison website, Cheapflights. BTN asks his thoughts on everything from the rise of user-generated content to the challenges of heading up an online business during the downturn.