Issue 37: March/April 2009
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for the Hertfordshire constituency of Chipping Barnet and shadow secretary of state for transport, is clearly no fool.
She has a first-class law degree from the University of Bristol and earned a Bachelor of Civil Law qualification from Jesus College Oxford. She is a former barrister and lecturer in law at King's College, London. At the age of just 31, she became a member of the European parliament where, from 2001 to 2002, she was deputy leader of the Conservatives.
She has, however, implied that while her Conservative colleagues remain implacably opposed to expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, she is not against expansion at other airports in southeast England. This position has been interpreted, rightly or wrongly, to mean that Her Majesty's Opposition might look favourably on growth at Southend or Southampton, Luton or perhaps even Lydd.
However strongly one may disagree with the Conservatives' opposition to expansion at the three main London airports, they are entitled to their opinion. One cannot but trust that it is a genuinely-held view, based on careful consideration of the arguments for and against.
Where it all starts to fall apart, however, is when politicians - of any hue - start to put forward alternative 'solutions'. It would be wonderful to see some of the UK's smaller airports, in the south-east and elsewhere, grow into fully-fl edged regional hubs, but that is all they are ever likely to be.
There is no substantive evidence that a haphazard smattering of regional airports - particularly in a country the size of the UK - can provide a viable intercontinental alternative to a single, major hub. Growth at 'other' southeast airports simply does not address the Heathrow challenge.
Given her achievements to date, it seems reasonable to suppose that Ms Villiers is fully aware of that fact. In any case, she may only be representing a wider Opposition view, and shooting the messenger is as pointless as it is wrong.
However, messengers operate on a two-way street - a mixed-mode runway, if you prefer - and maybe the shadow secretary of state could be prevailed upon to carry a message back to base camp.
In recent months, the corporate travel industry has re-doubled its efforts to inform, educate and influence those in the corridors of power at Westminster and Whitehall. It is a painfully slow and costly process, the effort is rarely if ever acknowledged, and the results are nigh impossible to quantify.
What if it worked the other way around? Just suppose that, for once, those with the power sought out those with the knowledge? Any political grouping that embraces 'grass-roots opinion' is almost by definition more electable (or re-electable) than one that remains aloof from the common herd.
Having consulted those in the know, our leaders may still come to conclusions with which we do not agree. However, those in the know will take comfort from the knowledge that they have been consulted, and politicians will be less likely to miss the point.
THIS MONTH, as well as reporting the news, we are creating it, too. From the next issue, we will be incorporating Business Travel World, following its acquisition.
As a result, and on the back of our success in the 2008 Business Travel Journalism Awards as the best business travel publication, we look forward to strengthening our award-winning team of writers to create an even better publication in the future, underlining our commitment to the corporate travel market.
Mike Toynbee, Editor
DESTINATION PROFILE
Australasia - getting it on down under
A "can-do" attitude coupled with healthy financial prospects makes Australia and New Zealand great place to do business, says Jonathan Hart
FEATURES
Winning ways | details
Diamond Award interviews BBT's annual Diamond Awards were not only an opportunity for the big names in travel to take a winning bow, but also for behind the scenes staff to receive recognition. Colin Ellson reports
Poll Position | details
ITM research findings The ITM's third annual trends survey helps benchmark buyers' activities
Vision on | details
Video-conferencing alternatives Will rapid technological development enable video-conferencing, or 'telepresencing', to offer a cheap, green alternative to business travel? Bob Papworth prepares for 'total immersion'
Footing the bill | details
Travel management costs Bob Papworth looks at who is really picking up the cost of buying corporate travel
Tools of the trade | details
Technological solutions Corporations across all sectors are looking for ways to trim and manage costs. Tricia Holly Davis reports on what's out there to help get the job done
Weathering the storm | details
How London's hotels are faring The outlook has looked brighter For the capital's hotels, admits Catherine Chetwynd, but with refurbs underway and the budget sector in ascension, the forecast for the capital might be improving
Driving force | details
What's new for technology? Reporting on the technological innovations pushing the industry forward, Bob Papworth gets a glimpse of the future
Capital connections | details
London airports update Gary Noakes reports on what's new at London's airports
Pushing the boat out | details
Meetings afloat Combining a conference with a cruise seems like the stuff of dreams, says John Law, but it can be a cost-effective alternative to a land-based event
At your service | details
The apartment alternative Apartments and apart-hotels are becoming increasingly popular with business travellers, says Dave Richardson, and not just for financial reasons
