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On The Ground 6 JUL-AUG 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Business travel Taxis please, not ride-share For business travellers, taxis still remain the favoured option over ride-sharing services for its perceived safety, according to a research commissioned by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a global travel management company. About two in five (39%) business travellers surveyed said they feel somewhat or very vulnerable about their personal safety in ride-sharing services, compared with 36% for taxis. Travellers from Asia Pacific were the most concerned overall, with 43% indicating they feel worried using ride- sharing services, compared to using a taxi (39%). In the Americas, the numbers are 40% and 39% respectively, and in Europe 34% and 28%. Even though ride-sharing is associated with the younger generation, the findings show that Millennials, in all regions, are the most worried about their personal safety, followed by gen X travellers and baby boomers. According to the research, gender differences appear to track the differences seen between generations. This may be because males are more likely to travel for business the older they get, but the opposite is true of female business travellers. In some cities ride-sharing services can be considerably cheaper than taxis or car rental services. But traveller safety and the legality of these services in various markets remain important concerns. "Ride-sharing services may be right for some corporate travel programmes but not for others," said Bindu Bhatia, managing director, Asia Pacific, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. "Whether the sharing economy is a good fit for a company will depend on their company culture, their traveller demographics and their risk management policies, among other things." Launched by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the Certied Incentive Travel Professional (CITP) exam is aimed specically at incentive travel planners in corporations and agencies, as well as senior managers on the supplier side — that is, WORDS ESTHER FAITH LEW (TOP LEFT) LLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES DMOs, CVBs, DMCs, hotels, cruise companies, venues, etc. In terms of eligibility, the exam is open to those with ve years of full-time employment in the incentive travel industry and 40 hours of continuous professional education — of which 25% must be specically produced by SITE and related to incentive travel; or have three years of full-time employment in the industry and 40 hours of continuous professional education — of which 25% must be specically produced by SITE and related to incentive travel. In order to help participants prepare for the exam, SITE also oers an online preparation course at US$395 for SITE members and US$495 for non- members. Associations SITE launches new CITP certification exam Business travellers who feel vulnerable about their personal safety in ride-sharing services vs. taxis

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