BTC Invitation
Dear Travel Industry Colleague,
On the morning of 20 September at the Sofitel Brussels Europe Hotel, the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, International Airline Passengers’ Association, Belgium Association of Travel Management, Business Travel Coalition and Institute of Travel Management will host, along with the participation of several other prominent European travel and consumer organizations, a Customer Leadership Hearing on proposed reforms to rules governing the Computer Reservations System industry in Europe. As an industry leader, you are invited to this must-attend event; registration fees are waived for you.
As you may be aware, the European Commission is currently reviewing the CRS Code of Conduct. This Code has been in place since 1989 in order to govern systems for airline bookings in Europe to ensure consumers receive the best information and price available when booking travel. The Commission’s work in this area has now reached a critical stage.
The purpose of this event is to encourage a transparent public consultation regarding potential reform of the Code and to provide a platform for stakeholders’ increased concerns with respect to the Commission’s apparent interest in redefining what constitutes a “Parent Carrier” under the Code.
In addition to audience members like you, key participants will comprise “Witnesses” and “Questioners.” There will be two panels of Witnesses. The first will include government officials from the Commission and competition authorities from member states. The second panel will be made up of interested parties such as airlines, CRSs, travel management companies and subject-matter experts. The Witnesses will present 5-minute Statements. After all Statements are read, the Questioners will address their queries to each of the Witnesses.
The Questioners will include the leadership of travel and consumer organizations active in Europe. Also joining as Questioners will be members of the press to provide an extra measure of impartiality; Business Travel Europe is our Media Sponsor. When the Questioners are complete with their interaction with the Witnesses, they will turn to the introduction of Motions and a Referendum to be transmitted to the European Commission and Parliament. (Members of the press will not participate in this last phase.)
I look forward to hearing from you about your attendance. To register, please visit http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=54820. Seating is limited. You will receive a confirmation of your registration as well as additional logistical information. For comprehensive background information on this issue, please visit http://businesstravelcoalition.com/issues/eu_crs_deregulation.html.
Best regards,
Kevin Mitchell
Chairman
Business Travel Coalition
SPECIAL NOTES:Join a Signatory Letter to the EC to protect your vital interests!
The European Commission is virtually moments away from rendering hollow the CRS Code of Conduct that protects consumers, corporate buyers and TMCs vis-à-vis full airfare content, data privacy safeguards and pricing discipline in the marketplaces for travel distribution and air transportation services in Europe. To review and join a Signatory Letter to the Commission go to http://businesstravelcoalition.com/advocacy/campaigns/99.html.Join a BTC Webcast on September 11 regarding travel distribution woes in Canada.
BTC will conduct a Webcast at 12pm (EDT) on September 11 to update the industry on the problems travel management companies and corporate travel managers are experiencing in Canada with airfare fragmentation and the associated expensive workarounds. Low-fare pioneer WestJet will also make a brief presentation and limited-time offer to corporate travel managers. To register for this free Webcast, visit http://www.AdvancedSurvey.com/default.asp?SurveyID=54361.