FCm Travel Solutions is targeting more hotel partners in regions such as Latin America, Ireland, Russia, for its 2009 global hotel programme.

Now contracting hotel partners until the end of August, FCm has identified the above regions as key markets for growing corporate demand and the expansion of its programme.

“With the continued growth of our worldwide network and client base, we are aiming to further expand our global hotel programme in 2009 to ensure we have ample product to meet our clients’ needs”, said Joe McCormack, general manager of FCm’s global hotel programme.

“The main growth areas within our 2008 programme continued to be USA, the Middle East, India, China and South America”, he said.

“Latin America, Ireland and Russia are the areas where we are particularly keen to build on our base of hotel partners in 2009.”

The FCm business in Latin America and Caribbean has developed strongly during the past 18 months, and we are experiencing an increase in demand from our clients in that region.”

“In Ireland, the growing economy is fueling good levels of demand for hotel product, while in Russia; Moscow is recording the highest average room rates globally.”

“FCm is actively servicing clients in all of these markets with accommodation needs on the rise.”

Mr. McCormack added that rising hotel rates in many markets around the globe had resulted in more corporate clients working with travel management companies (TMCs) to help leverage their hotel cost savings.

“In the SME (small to medium enterprise) market especially. We are seeing an increased focus among corporates on cost control, with more companies looking to FCm for competitively negotiated low rates. There is a growing awareness in this market segment of the benefits of procuring all accommodation through just one TMC”, he said.

“In the accommodation industry itself, we are seeing hotel companies looking cautiously to the future given the soaring fuel prices and the global economic focus on the USA and UK. By locking in contracts with FCm, hotel suppliers can be confident of partnering with a TMC that has performed well over recent years and is focused on further expanding our network and business growth during the next 12 months and beyond.”

Mr. McCormack said dynamic pricing would continue to be a key focus, providing hotels with the opportunity to shift rates as needed.

“Flexible pricing will be used by many hotels so they can deal with certain market conditions and fluctuate their rates to fit in with any challenges as required. FCm is looking to work closely with those companies willing to offer BAR (best available rate) and any further discounts, so we can offer our clients globally competitive rates.”

Mr. McCormack said FCm was aiming to expand its hotel partner portfolio not only in terms of size, but also in the blend of hotel product it could offer corporate clients.

“In light of the growing corporate interest in boutique properties, we are looking to partner with individual, stand alone hotels just as much as the larger chains”, he said.

“We will be selecting a range of hotel product on a global level to meet the need of our travelers. It is our aim to have a diverse and competitive spread of hotel inventory throughout the world.”

FCm Travel Solutions:

• Is one of the world’s leading corporate travel and expense management consultancies, building global presence with local, personalized and flexible service.
• Provides end-to-end solutions including dedicated travel managers, strategic account management, expense management travel technology procurement, MICE and executive travel.
• Has a regionally focused global network that ensures in-depth understanding of each client’s local business culture and travel environment.

Creates value for companies large and small, by guaranteeing time and cost efficiencies in their travel management.

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Flight Centre Ltd is Australia's most popular travel provider and provides a complete range of travel services to leisure and business travelers across nine countries. The company's corporate division FCm Travel Solutions is renowned name in India.