As we make our way through such extraordinary economic times, we have noticed a few travel trends that may impact your bottom line. In a previous newsletter, our travel management tip focused on companies reviewing or revising travel policies to reflect the current environment. Well, survey said: 47% of the responses claimed their company made revisions. Interestingly, we typically see about 10% actually revise policies on a regular basis. We have noticed companies paying much closer attention to their unused tickets. Today, travelers are much more willing to re-use their tickets and go through the extra step while saving a lot of money for the company. Lastly, organizations involved with Humanitarian efforts are also much more willing to utilize “Humanitarian Fares” than everyday published fares. The reduction in cost can far out-weigh any potential restrictions on the ticket.

These times have forced all of us to scrutinize our expenses and travel is truly a controllable expense. Let us help your travel program with additional cost control strategies.

Thank you for your business.

Jay Ellenby
President/CEO

Traveling internationally this year? There are new regulations and often changes, are you familiar with the requirements for the countries you plan to visit? VISA and Passport requirements are varied and all travelers need to be familiar with them; here are some helpful reminders as you are planning that next trip:

 Travel documents all need to match in Name and Date-of-Birth
 The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your return date
 VISAS are required for many countries and the process varies by country
 VISA regulations and fees mirror those set by the US Government; how the US regulates other countries’ citizens coming to the US, the other countries reciprocate in regulations & fees
 A passport must have two blank adjoining pages for any VISA and they can not be the last two pages
 Apply for the correct type of VISA – Business vs. Visitor; if you have the incorrect type it can be very costly

Also, we recently learned that anyone visiting China beginning in September may find additional restrictions and VISA requirements. October represents the 60th anniversary of the current Chinese form of government. They may impose additional restrictions and require a new VISA for some who wish to visit this fall. If you currently hold a VISA to visit China and have plans to travel there later this year, as your travel date gets closer please check with the Chinese Consulate to determine the status of your VISA.

In our continuing effort to provide travel programs suited to the needs of any Humanitarian efforts we here at Safe Harbors Travel Group have been working with various air carriers around the world to bring you better fare savings.

We have had Humanitarian air fare programs to South Africa and East Asia. Now with our newest partners we are able to offer large savings on economy class travel to:

 South America on TAM Brazilian Airlines to:
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraquay
 Eastern Africa provided by Ethiopian Airlines
 The Middle East via Etihad Airways

These programs offer significant savings off of retail air fares. One key feature on our program to South America is the offer to obtain economy or business class fares.

Please contact any of our qualified consultants to learn more about your options

Recently Safe Harbors Travel Group added two new partners offering best in market pricing on your next hotel stay. These savings opportunities are exclusively available when working with a member of our team or self-booking through Cliqbook.

These special price options represent our on-going success in providing best pricing options around the world.

To keep you up to date on trends in the world of travel – we are seeing hotels continue to make pricing and amenities concessions as they try to keep their hotels full.

Similar trends are popping up when negotiating with Car Rental vendors. These companies, National, Hertz and AVIS are all open to true negotiations on program pricing.

This month’s Travel Management Tip #6 is: Manage the Company’s Travel Policies – Embracing and communicating the goals of the program help to gain support from everyone in the organization.

Compliance in supporting the policy can lead to minimums of 15 to 20 percent savings in air fares and help to support any programs with suppliers you have negotiated. Support of the programs also improves the likelihood that the suppliers will renew next year.