Introducing the latest myCWT product and service enhancements
Building on our digital, omnichannel myCWT platform, our new products and services will simplify travel management for you and your employees – anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
Note: Featured services may not be available in your country at this time. Please reach out to your CWT representative for more details.
Hear from Chief Product Officer, Erica Antony as she shares the key product highlights of 2024, along with the key areas driving innovation.
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2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust
As we enter an era of rapid transformation and unprecedented challenges, it is essential for travel managers, meeting & event planners, and corporate decision-makers to look ahead and frame our current strategic thinking with a clear vision of the future. Business travel and meetings and events (M&E) are poised for significant change over the next decade and a half, driven by a complex interplay of sustainability goals, technological advancements, evolving work models, and geopolitical dynamics.
In this paper to mark the 10th anniversary of our Global Business Travel Forecast, we explore, for the first time, a long-term vision of the future and potential trajectories through three distinct scenarios, each offering insights into how these forces should affect policy-making, budgeting and priorities. By examining these scenarios, we can better understand the diverse possibilities that lie ahead and the strategic imperatives required to thrive in each potential future.
Based on trajectory data analysis and interviews with industry leaders, behaviorists and climate tech founders, this forward-looking approach enables us to anticipate changes, strengthen our strategies, and make informed decisions that align long-term objectives. It is through this lens of foresight and adaptability that we can build resilience, seize opportunities, and navigate the complexities of the future.
We invite you to reflect on the insights presented, and consider how your organization can prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together we can ensure that travel and meetings remain catalysts for growth, scalability and sustainable practices.
- Scenario development is both an art and a science
- Megatrends Shaping the Future of Business Travel, Meetings and Events
- Sustainability goals the new crux of corporate policy
- Technology Revolutionizes Travel Management
- Modern work models spark new travel patterns
- Changing demographics open doors to new opportunities
- Three Scenarios: Base case, boom and bust
- Future-proofing strategies
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CWT GBTA Global business travel forecast 2025
When it comes to pricing, global business travel has finally reached an enduring, higher baseline. Prices will continue to rise in 2025, but only moderately, so expect a period of normalized growth.
However, this pricing environment, one of marginal gains and price regularity, is fragile. Global leisure travel has now realized a lot of its pent-up demand, while corporate travel has been resurgent, with 2024 edging at preCovid levels.
There are many factors at play, whether its volatile oil prices, labor costs and constraints, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical factors. As this elevated baseline edges upwards, albeit marginally, travel budgets will come under increased scrutiny, especially as travel patterns and attitudes change.
It’s why business travel can’t be viewed in a silo, and the true value to an organization must be fully realized. This forecast can help with those calculations.
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Capitalize on emerging technologies in corporate travel
Technological advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. How will emerging innovations like Generative AI, blockchain, and self-sovereign identity (SSI) transform corporate travel?
BTN and CWT probed global CEOs, travel managers, industry consultants and tech experts on the promises, questions, and expectations these innovations raise and how they are set to reshape traveler experience, cost control and service delivery in corporate travel and events.
Download and discover
- The technologies that will have the greatest impact on corporate travel in the next 2-5 years
- How these emerging technologies are poised to control costs, enhance service and security, and boost efficiency
- The critical challenges, opportunities, risks and roadblocks each innovation raises
- What travel managers, buyers and experts anticipate from these innovations
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Tale of two worlds: How to manage a hotel program in EMEA
Managing the local portion of a large corporate hotel program requires you to live in two worlds. You have to design a plan to accommodate the distinctive needs of your region while also taking your company’s larger travel strategy into consideration.
We partnered with CWT Solutions Group to develop tips to help you with the unique aspects of managing corporate travel in the EMEA region.
- Add independent hotels to your corporate too
Your company likely has chain-wide agreements with large brands but they may not meet local travel needs, especially in secondary cities.
75% of European travelers report the top reason they make bookings outside their company’s travel program is a lack of accommodation options near their workplace. Use other content sources from your travel management company like specially sourced rates or third-party hotel content such as Booking.com or Expedia Partners Solutions to add more property types to your hotel program. This will increase the likelihood of travelers booking in your program. - Give Europeans their breakfast
European travelers are generally more influenced by breakfast than any other hotel attribute – more than property type, health club or gym, and even the hotel photos – so don’t skimp on breakfast in your hotel negotiations. - Start using rate re-shopping tools
85% of travel buyers in EMEA don’t use rate re-shopping tools, yet rate re-shopping tools can produce 1-2% total program savings. Since these tools rebook similar rates at the same property, they provide a seamless experience for both you and your travelers. - Allow non-refundable rates
62% of European travelers would book non-refundable rates if discounts are significant enough, according to GBTA/RoomIt study, “Improving Hotel Programs in 2019.” Travelers aren’t always wrong to do so. Non-refundable rates can actually be beneficial to your program.
- Add independent hotels to your corporate too
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CWT appoints David Holmes VP of Payments
CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed David Holmes as VP of Payments.
“I am pleased to welcome David to the team – his strong background in travel payments will help us evolve our payments strategy,” said Vince Chirico, CWT’s SVP Global Network & Technology Partners. “Payments are an increasingly crucial part of the travel business, and one where innovation is driving huge change.”
Holmes will be based in Miami. A US national, Holmes most recently led global commercial strategy at UATP, the airline-owned payment network. Holmes is a senior commercial and payments leader with almost 18 years of travel payments and travel FinTech experience.
He holds an MBA in International Finance from the University of Miami – School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from George Mason University.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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How to introduce new innovations to your travel program
We recently kicked off our 2019 Innovations LAB. Clients and partners joined our exploration of new technology impacting the travel industry. The event was held in Silicon Valley, the center of tech innovation, at the HQ of our incubator partner Plug & Play.
We focused on a common question related to travel programs: “How can we improve services to travelers and create a better experience for them?” Our goal at Innovations LAB was to dissect how to solve for the traveler experience and help travel buyers uncover solutions for their program.
The event focused on getting participants out of the day-to-day grind and into elevated thinking about how the traveler experience is defined and how improving it can positively impact a business.
An exploration into the traveler journey helped to identify the aligned needs of both the traveler and business, and uncover potential solutions. Attendees were able to further expand their view with a first-hand glimpse of new-to-market technology that world-renowned tech startups are working on.
One participant summed up the experience best, describing it as a “great way to have new start-ups look at ways to fill current services, processes, payments and gaps in behavior that we see in corporate travel today”.
Participants left with the tools to innovate, as well as our best practices on how to ensure their business was ready to innovate. Here’s a condensed version of our in-depth look at introducing new innovations at your company:
- Identify internal partners – They will help you navigate company resources, access data, and guide you through execution.
- Build a sandbox – aka your “go to” group of testers that can help you deploy a pilot quickly and gather the necessary data and results.
- Determine your resources – What do you need to get your project off the ground including investment and personnel?
- Define the problem – Identify what you are trying to solve for, in the most specific terms possible.
- Set up your hypothesis testing for success – Consider the following:
a. Do you have a community with shared knowledge to help you avoid challenges or wasting resources?
b. Are you focused on how to speedily prove or disprove your hypothesis?
c. Are there any travel management company dependencies?
d. Are you allowing a reasonable timeframe for testing? (We suggest three-to-six months) - Define success by determining how your company views success. Consider that many times your greatest learnings may come from perceived failures.
- Identify internal partners – They will help you navigate company resources, access data, and guide you through execution.
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CWT secures Cyber Essentials Certification
CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has secured a UK Cyber Essentials certification. This UK Government-backed scheme is designed to protect organizations and their data against a wide range of cyberattacks.
“Compliance with this scheme highlights our strong commitment to cybersecurity,” said Harshal Mehta, CWT’s Chief Information Security Officer. “Various laws around the world, like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), mandate tough standards for data security. This certification marks another important milestone for CWT’s security program which already includes PCI DSS and SOC certifications, and it shows our clients how seriously we take our duty to protect their data.”
The UK Government worked with the Information Assurance for Small and Medium Enterprises (IASME) consortium and the Information Security Forum (ISF) to develop Cyber Essentials, a set of basic technical controls to help organizations protect themselves against common online security threats. The full scheme, launched on 5 June 2014, is backed by UK industry bodies, including the Federation of Small Businesses, the CBI and various insurers.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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RoomIt by CWT appoints James Colquhoun VP of Finance and CFO
RoomIt by CWT, the hotel distribution division of CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed James Colquhoun VP of Finance and CFO.
“James’ leadership and experience will help us in our journey towards being the global leader in hotels for business travelers,” says David Falter, President of RoomIt by CWT. “We are delighted to welcome him to the RoomIt team.”
Colquhoun will be based at RoomIt by CWT’s Chicago headquarters. He is a proven leader in the hospitality and travel industry, with senior roles in partnerships, business development, distribution, finance, operations and marketing, including more than ten years with Hyatt Hotels.
His expertise lies in improving revenue and profitability for both large corporations and start-ups, developing and executing disruptive strategies in the digital and distribution space, negotiating partnerships, and managing change.
Born in the UK and now a US citizen, Colquhoun holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Bristol.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
RoomIt by CWT
RoomIt by CWT is the hotel distribution division of CWT. Every day we match travelers with the right room at the right rate, and every minute we book over 30 hotel rooms. We also provide travelers with the amenities and loyalty programs they want, while helping organizations control their budget and improve travel oversight. -
How a brand reflects business integrity
The first entry of the Business Dictionary defines integrity as the “Strict adherence to a moral code, reflected in transparent honesty and complete harmony in what one thinks, says, and does.”
At CWT we could not agree more with this definition. For us, our brand goes beyond a manifesto created by the marketing department and reflects what we all think, how we act, and how we live.
Earlier on this year, we have done a brand repositioning to mark an evolution in our value proposition. It was not a mere visual exercise, but an opportunity to present our commitment based on three pillars: simplifying corporate travel, connecting to unlock possibilities, and collaborating with businesses to move forward.
But let’s get back to integrity and speak about how brands reflect it.
For instance, when the behavior of its employees tells the same story and is guided by a set of clear values. No matter who they speak with, the speech should always be the same. From top management to front-line employees, from Japan to the US, the culture that guides them should be consistent.
And talking about culture, because the perception of integrity can vary from one person to another, it is important all companies have in writing what they understand by it, so they leave no room for misunderstandings. Again, the importance of having a solid corporate culture and values that transcend frontiers is key here.
It is also equally important that the experience they offer is consistent, no matter the channel they are using to interact with their customers. For a TMC like us, this means that our clients should receive the same service no matter if they call us, use an online booking tool or our app.
Consistency is also a must when it comes to integrity. Companies should always stand by their principles. Avoiding Groucho Marx “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others” should be at the top of the list of any company, no matter the pressure it is put under.
Within this set of principles, companies should include keeping their word. Companies that don’t meet their commitments lose integrity…
…And trust, something that is intrinsic to integrity. Building trust takes many good acts but a single wrong-do can destroy it, so it is important that companies work not only on building trust but on maintaining it if they want to show business integrity.
At the end of the day, integrity is everything. As President Eisenhower said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”
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Data with Destiny – After Brexit, will there be free movement of data?
Amidst the long-term uncertainty of Brexit, what do we know about the impact of Brexit on UK-based GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) programs?
Without speculating on the outcome, the recent focus is on the potential of a No Deal Brexit.
In the event that the UK is no longer a member state of the European Union, the UK will, as a matter of law, be considered inadequate for the protection of European resident’s data. This is irrespective of what’s really the case.
In simple terms, this means that European data cannot be processed in the UK unless a mechanism for the legal transfer of personal data is utilized by the entity processing the European data.
The UK Data Protection Regulator, or Information Commissioner (ICO) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) recently issued guidelines on what companies should do in the event of a hard Brexit when there are data flows between the EEA (EU and Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland) and the UK.
One option available would be to establish data transfer contracts between UK and EEA-based companies, which would be the likeliest transfer mechanism chosen by many UK companies.
It consists of contractually agreeing to apply GDPR principles when the country of importation of personal data is not subject to GDPR. These contracts are standard forms available from regulators that cannot be modified.
In view of the UK-EEA volume of trade, one can expect a number of such transfer contracts to be concluded after a hard Brexit. This could be an arduous exercise, with very limited actual value.
The UK implemented GDPR on 25th of May 2018 along with other EU Member States and the UK Commissioner has exercised significant regulatory oversight of how companies comply with data protection rules with high profile cases like “Cambridge Analytica” and an impressive arsenal of external communications on how to apply GDPR.
In the same month, a new UK Data Protection Act was adopted. The UK joined the first few countries having officially complemented GDPR through national legislation.
Furthermore, the UK has announced it will essentially copy the GDPR into UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 if and when the UK exits. The UK version of the GDPR will be called the UK GDPR.
Therefore, the above-mentioned process would merely be a burdensome paper exercise as data protection rules will remain the same post-Brexit. The UK is a country in which the fundamental right to privacy is enforced and protected. Data protection standards in the UK are among the highest in the world. Post-Brexit, the high standards of UK data protection will remain.
By rendering the UK an “inadequate” country of protection, the Brexit legal operation seems rather artificial in this case. But there are ways to fix this.
The European Commission has the power to determine, on the basis of article 45 of the GDPR, whether a country outside the EU offers an adequate level of data protection. This process can however be drawn out as the EC must first propose the UK to join that list, obtain an opinion of the European Data Protection Board, and an approval from all representatives of EU countries.
The effect of such an adequacy decision is that personal data will flow freely from the EEA to the UK without any further safeguard or transfer mechanism.
In a hard Brexit scenario, there may no longer be free movement of people, capital, goods and services, but there could still be free movement of data.
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CWT appoints Hélène Wilson VP of Employee Experience
CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed Hélène Wilson as VP of Employee Experience.
“I am thrilled to welcome Hélène to the team,” said Catherine Maguire-Vielle, CWT’s EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer. “Her cross-cultural sensitivity, gained by living and working all around the world, will help provide a consistent, high-quality experience to CWT employees.”
Hélène will be based in Paris. She has international HR experience, acquired at a variety of organizations such as Accenture, SITA and Laureate Education. Her expertise spans employee experience, business partnering, talent management, HR transformation, and HR analytics.
A dual French-Australian national, Hélène has a good understanding of the travel and hospitality sector.
Hélène Wilson holds a Human Resources Diploma by Monash University and a Masters in Applied Languages by the University Paris Diderot VII.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Keep it simple – The case for streamlining
When we think of business trips, what usually springs to mind is a domestic or international flight between two capitals, a few nights in a hotel, and a couple of taxi rides.
But this one-traveler approach is alien for travel managers and arrangers in the Energy, Resources, and Marine industries. A typical trip involves moving large numbers of people from various locations to some of the most remote places in the world. There’s a lot to coordinate for a lot of people. Think scheduled flights, charter flights, ground transport, hotels, and company worksite accommodation.
Delays and mistakes are just not an option A failure with crew rotation could cost a company millions in penalties and lost productivity.
To avoid that, employ an integrated workforce management solution instead. Here are four key benefits.
- Boost efficiency – Process information from a single system and user interface, not multiple systems.
- Optimize cost – Reduced complexity leads to fewer errors and a more efficient booking process, thereby saving time and money.
- Improve the experience for travelers – Individual components of a traveler’s trip are consolidated onto one itinerary. What’s more, it’s available to travelers in many different ways. They can even have paper copies, though most people today want it all via a mobile device.
- Care more about your travelers – Close to half of all itineraries change at least once. CWT Energy, Resources & Marine’s job is to manage travel efficiently and keep track of travelers as things change. Providing one-stop booking for everything makes the entire process simple and clear.
At the end of the day, a streamlined process allows for easier reporting for internal tracking purposes and for reporting activity based on local regulations; a tricky task when managing crew rotations with manual spreadsheets.
By centralizing and managing the process from end-to-end, companies have more visibility and control of each of their travelers’ trips including commercial flights, charters, helicopters, vessels, rig mining sites and more.
Combining remote worksite logistics and commercial travel operations introduces enhanced efficiencies, safety, and potential savings of up to 10-15% of overall travel spend.
- Boost efficiency – Process information from a single system and user interface, not multiple systems.
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CWT strengthens its traveler experience leadership team with two key hires
CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed Consuelo Corridori as Head of HR for Traveler Experience and Dirk Van Leeuwen as Head of Global Operations for CWT’s Traveler Experience function.
“I am delighted to welcome Consuelo and Dirk to the team – in these newly-created roles, they will help us create a world-class traveler experience,“ said Niklas Andreen, CWT’s Chief Traveler Experience Officer. “With their varied backgrounds, they exemplify the diversity that gives CWT such a unique culture.”
Consuelo Corridori will be based in London. She will lead the strategic workforce evolution of Traveler Experience, as well as being the voice of the area within CWT’s HR function as it continues to expand its capabilities.
Before joining CWT, Corridori held executive HR leadership positions in the education, travel technology, and media sectors. An Italian national, she has lived and worked in Italy, Cyprus and the UK. She has extensive and global experience in both strategic and operational human resources management and is adept at building strong teams, cultures, and infrastructure during times of strong growth. She holds an MSc in Business Administration from Clayton University.
Dirk Van Leeuwen will be based in Paris, where he will be responsible for helping the contact centers maximize the benefits of a global team. He will ensure travelers have a consistent experience when interacting with CWT’s counselors anywhere in the world. Van Leeuwen is also responsible for the roll-out of key Travel Experience initiatives across CWT’s contact centers, including messaging.
Prior to this role, Van Leeuwen was a leader at Woonoz, an innovative e-learning company. Before that, he spent 12 years in contact centers leading global customer experience teams. A Dutch national, born in Bangkok, who calls France home, he has a passion for managing people from diverse backgrounds and bringing them together to achieve goals. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Spotlight on the Stans
“Azerbaijan: The land of fire.” It’s an evocative tagline for a country. But unless you have visited or you’re a supporter of the Atlético de Madrid football club, their sponsored team, you may not know much about the country or its neighbors Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
But if you work in the Energy, Resources, and Marine (ERM) sector, you’re probably very familiar with ‘the ‘Stans.
The border between Europe and Asia is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, coal and uranium, and the ERM sector is booming thanks to EU investment.
I asked our experts to shed some light on this fascinating region.
Azerbaijan – Earth, wind and fire
The influence of the ERM industry can be seen in the settlement of Neft Daşlari. What began as an oil rig with a couple of elevated walkways has flourished into an entire city in the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan has more volcanoes than any other country on earth and a continuous natural show that has marveled explorers over the centuries. Yanar Dag – the fire mountain – blazes continuously, fed off underground gas deposits.
For my colleague Richard Saunders, Global Head of Partner Commercial Relations, Azerbaijan is full of surprises with incredible architecture and a unique mix of influences from East and West: “In Baku many of the old Communist-style buildings have been completely renovated and now resemble something more akin to the grand boulevards of Paris.”
Almaty, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan – A gleaming capital and cafe culture
With abundant reserves of oil and valuable minerals, the country has a flourishing economy. Its capital Astana can compete with Shanghai or Singapore for its futuristic outlook and spectacular architecture.
But Marc Redfern, Director of our Global Partners Network for Europe and Central Asia is mad about Almaty: “It is one of my favorite cities in the world. Parts of it are European in style. In Spring the city comes to life after the long cold winter with pavement cafes seemingly appearing from nowhere. In less than 30 minutes, you can escape the hustle (and traffic) of the city and be right at the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains breathing in the cooler air.”
When traveling to the country, you need to be aware that ATMs are largely available only in big cities so always carry cash. And be aware winters are extremely cold. If you are traveling between November and the end of April, pack warm clothes.
Turkmenistan – Rich in resources
The rich resources of this desert country can be found in the Darvaza Gas Crater, known to locals as the ‘Gates of Hell.’ This natural gas deposit collapsed into an underground cavern when geologists set it on fire to prevent the spread of methane gas.
But that’s not all. Under the Decree of the People’s Council, on the 17th of August 2003, the population was granted subsided electricity, natural gas, water, and salt until 2030.
Despite having amazing Silk Road sites, the country is one of the least-visited in the world.
Darvaza gas crater, Turkmenistan Uzbekistan – Untapped reserves
When it comes to natural resources, Uzbekistan scores high. It has the fourth largest gold deposit in the world, the tenth largest copper deposit, and the twelfth largest uranium deposit. The national gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, ranks eleventh in the world in natural gas production. The country has significant untapped reserves of oil and gas: There are 194 deposits of hydrocarbons in Uzbekistan, including 98 condensate and natural gas deposits and 96 gas condensate deposits.
But there’s way more to it than that. Rich in commodities, the country also possesses a vast architectural, historical, and cultural heritage. In fact, if you are going to travel there for business, add a few days to your stay to visit the magnificent cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.
You can also enjoy Tashkent’s metro stations. The capital is known for having one of the most beautiful underground systems in the world. And of course, if you want to see one of the largest gold mines, you need to visit Muruntan.
Of course, there’s no need to add that we can safely organize crew or individual travel to these destinations so your employees can focus on your business.
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Shanghai – Uncover the heart of China’s central coast, Shanghai
Flying into Shanghai, you get an overview of what the Chinese city has to offer. Bright lights, buzzing atmosphere, sky rise buildings, and the international flavor that exists in this global hub. Here you can find a taste of the old, mixed with the modern flair divided up by the Huangpu River. This fast-paced business city has so much to offer, from “bleisure” travel right through to variously advanced establishments to hold the most memorable meetings and events. Add a mix of the most desirable restaurants and famous chefs into the mix, and you have the full package for the perfect meeting or event destination.
Event venues like no other!
Shanghai is home to some of the most spectacular event spaces that go above and beyond. Here, you can take your event to the next level with beautifully curated venues with skyline views, and unique experiences that will ensure your attendees leave with fond memories.
The Bund allows you to create an event that showcases the creative architectural masterpieces that Shanghai has to offer, with a stunning view of the Pudong skyline. Some hotels reside along this strip, such as the five-star Fairmont Peace Hotel, providing some art-deco event spaces – where old fashioned glamour meets modern contemporary art.
Hosting an event fit for royalty? Shanghai has the perfect venue for it. The Marble Hall of the Children’s palace, formerly the home of the royal Asian Kadoori family. The site is ideal for lunch or dinner events, or large scale meetings. The beautiful marbled terrace and expansive gardens making it suitable for post-event socials.
A new take on teambuilding
Teambuilding in a new destination is about embracing all the culture and trying new activities. Gather your colleagues together and have a go at bubble football – it is what you are thinking too. Put on a giant bubble suit and play football, while you try to take out your colleagues at the same time. The game aims to topple over two of your opponents before you are allowed to score a goal, and the first time to score three wins. Sounds fun, right?
Photography and history are two much-loved things in Shanghai. Take a tour with a local photographer and explore the traditional Shanghainese lane-house that combines Western and Chinese elements of a bygone era. There is an opportunity to step into a 1920’s Shi Ku Men-style house, as well as meeting the residents who have fascinating stories to share.
It’s time to experiment
Shanghai being a financially leading city, with creativity and innovative ideas continually bouncing around, you can bring any experiential event alive here. It is a city that lives and breathes influence, primarily through digital platforms. Some of the biggest luxury brands have taken to pushing their creative marketing events to Shanghai as it supported by the mix of art, culture and of course, technology, that leaves attendees with immersive, memorable experiences. There is a vast market for consumer-lead events creating a broad buzz within the online community. Thus, physical activity is amplified on social media by connecting brands with followers in the digital sphere.
It’s time to host your next meeting or event in Shanghai
Insider insights
Jenny Pu, Sales & Account Manager, CWT Meetings & Events, China
“When coming to Shanghai, you can experience meetings and events at a whole new level. Attendee engagement is an all-time high, with curated experiences to ensure the best reach. The events we host here are interactive and require attendee input, which can change how the rest of the event runs – the power of influence is within the audience’s hands. Not forgetting the culinary scene here in Shanghai, which will blow your mind with the various textures and flavors. Why don’t you bring your next event to Shanghai?”