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www.travelweekly-asia.com 23 ITB ASIA Official Dailies | CREDIT: ISTOCK What would be your priority when selecting a travel agent? Value- for-money packages? Accurate descriptions of a travel destination? Altruistic brand images of a company? Green initiatives adopted by them? With an increasing emphasis on corporate social responsibilities (CSR) in organisations across all industries, there is still a divided view on whether it is a deciding factor that will impact travellers' selection. Both Jalaludeen Ariff, director of sales, Four Points by Sheraton, and Yogesh B Mehta, Head of Hotels of via.com believes the CSRs can be a deciding factor that connects environmentally-conscious travellers with hotels. However, Alexander Schulten, board memeber for DRV German Travel Association, and Endang LiniRin Widiastuti from the Lampung By Tan Shi Wei and Marie Ng Tourism Board of Indonesia, beg to differ. Schulten shared that even though brand image is important and CSR projects could strengthen buyer trust, "price would be more important as value-for-money packages are key in the selection of a travel agency". In addition, customers "would still be the one that makes the final decision at the end of the day", hence companies should strive to best meet the customer's needs. Endang, too, shared that the ethics of organisations like the "accuracy of the travel package promoted by the agency", and that "managing customer expectations" such as a particular diet would be crucial in having an enriching travel experience. Therefore, it is evident from the divisive views on the importance of CSRs that the choice still lies in the hands of consumers. neWs CanDiD shoTs TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA'S FRIENDS IS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY A DECIDING FACTOR FOR TRAVELLERS? China leaDs in global business Travel sPenD iTB's keynote focused on global business travel spend which will rise to a record US$1.18 trillion by 2014 with 40% coming from Asia Pacific. This is according to the global Business Travel association (gBTa). "The association expects china to surpass the united states by 2016," explained Welf J Ebeling, VP, Operations, Asia Pacfic GBTA. China, starting with a mere 34 billion (usD) in the year 2000, has now grown to "223 billion (usD) at the end of 2013 and is set to increase by another 15%by the end of this year [2014]. among countries that are climbing the ranks is india. "over the last 15 years, india has worked its way up from the number 24 in 2000, to ranking 10th in 2013 and gBTa expects india will continue to move up in the rankings and could become the ninth largest market in the next five years," predicts Ebeling. However despite the growing numbers, lack of infrastructure is one of the greatest hurdles faced not only by india but by countries worldwide. Brazil too has not managed to boost revenue despite its improvement in infrastructure for the world cup. ebeling states that countries must develop infrastructure that keeps up with the demands and needs of the traveller to fully appreciate this expanding market. By Tanujja K. Dadlani (Left) From left: Hindarto Gunawan, Ramayana & Co; Hera Nitihardja, PHM Hospitality; Urs Klee, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel; Leilani Merilo, Hotel Borobudur Jakarta; Peter Scholz, Ayodya Resort Bali; Kristian Kuntadi; PHM Hospitality; and Nyoman Santiawan, Rama Hotels and Resorts Bali. (Left) From left: Angeline Tan, Park Hotel Alexandra; Darren Ware, Grand Park Orchard; and Irene Chua, Travel Weekly Asia. From left: Tony Cousens, Wyndham Hotel Group; and Rae Tang, Ramada. (Below) From left: Irene Chua, Travel Weekly Asia; Steven Ler, MICE, Product & Marketing, UOB Travel; Raphael Saw, Far East Hospitality Management; and Katherine Ng, Travel Weekly Asia. (Top) From left: Katherine Ng, Travel Weekly Asia; Marc Steinmeyer, Tauzia Hotel Management; Christophe Glass, Harris Hotels; Gerard Quirk, Hotelbeds; and Robert G. Sullivan, Northstar Travel Media. (Below) From Left: Sean Dee, Outrigger Enterprises Goup; Ken Scott, ScottAsia Communications; Tom Kemp, Northstar Travel Media; and Robert G. Sullivan, Northstar Travel Media. From left: Susan Li, Lisa Cohen, Thomas Cintorino, Janine L Bavoso from Northstar Travel Media. From left: Jana Lim, Travel Weekly; Debby Tai, OKOK.

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