Government ash response “woefully lackingâ€
Wednesday, 28 May, 2010
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The Government’s response to the volcanic ash crisis has been condemned as “woefully lacking” by corporate travel buyers.
More than 72% of travel and meetings buyers suggested that the Government could have done more to assist them.
Planning and communication clarity were cited in particular as areas the Government could have improved.
Research by the Institute of Travel & Meetings UK & Irelandfound that by the time the ash cloud became major news on April 15, more than two thirds of travel managers had already implemented crisis plans, with the vast majority doing so in partnership with preferred travel management companies.
In total, 82% of buyers reported their TMC’s provided “somewhat” (56%) or “very” (26%) strategic and supportive action, although buyers also reported resorting to creative means of repatriation outside of their TMC’s activity.
Buyers said that most of the supplier community had done what they could to assist companies.
But price increases for services were reported across the board, especially in the hotel sector.
The survey was undertaken immediately after the initial wave of ash from volcano Eyjafjallajoekull and sought to understand the reaction of those managing business travel and meetings in their companies and the level of support they received throughout the crisis.
ITM CEO Paul Tilstone said: “In general the reaction to the crisis was measured and effective, a result of crisis management systems having been finely tuned over the years, but the support of stakeholders outside of the industry appears to be woefully lacking.
“As a result, ITM commits to better engage with government and the media in the future to provide more effective assistance andcommunication at times of crisis.”
The vehicle the association is using to do this is the ITM Phoenix Group – a cross industry leader group – announced at the association’s annual conference by chairman, Jamie Hindhaugh, head of production L2012 and head of sourcing – logistics for the BBC.
Colin Goldney, managing director of ITM research partner Argate, said: “Clearly the TMC community provided some great support for business travellers and their companies, but there is also an opportunity for them to look at more creative solutions which companies had to create themselves.
“The TMC is in the perfect position to be able to co-ordinate activity between companies and look to chartered services and other resolutions in times of crisis – such support would undoubtedly be welcomed and rightly command a premium as a real value-add.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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