Riding on the success of the past two years, the third China Business Travel Forum (CBTF) is to be held at the Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai on December 4-5.

It is jointly organized by the world's largest business travel management company, American Express, and Shanghai International Conference Management Organization, a subsidiary of Shanghai Tourism Administration Commission.

Since 2005, as one of American Express's region-wide business travel trade show in Asia Pacific, CBTF has been instrumental in spearheading China's business travel industry development by providing unique insights and market analysis on business travel management.

"According to 2006 China Business Travel Survey, corporations in China spent US$7.41 billion on air travel in 2005, making China the fourth biggest business travel market in the world and enjoys one of fastest growth rates," said Gregor Lochtie, vice president and general manager for Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan of Business Travel American Express.

He is also general manager for China of CITS American Express Business Travel.

"China's business travel market is experiencing double-digit growth annually. An increasing number of international companies are attracted to China, and at the same time more and more Chinese companies are actively entering into the international market," he added. "However, organized business travel is still relatively new in China. As the Chinese travel industry continues to develop, it is critical for corporations to develop or streamline their business travel policy so as to keep costs at a minimum and turnover at a maximum."

Companies operating in China are more conscious of the need to exercise prudent cost control over their T&E expenditure. Themed "Total Travel Management: Real World, Real Time, Real Value," the 2007 CBTF focuses on the importance of corporations adopting a full-scale integrated management approach in achieving significant savings on investment as business travel and related travel and entertainment expenses continue to increase.

International events like CBTF are considered as "win-win" event, according to Lochtie. Suppliers showcase their latest products and services while corporate clients learn about the latest industry trends, global travel management best practices and cost saving opportunities.

American Express will announce its annual China Business Travel Survey (Barometer) during the forum, presenting an exclusive and comprehensive picture of the state of the Chinese travel industry highlighting exciting industry trends and forecasts.

It will also cover recent industry changes, existing and expected trends and developments through travel policy, booking systems and expense management.

American Express is the first in the industry to conduct an in-depth business travel survey on the various aspects of T&E practices in China. Lochtie said the survey findings provide valuable information that helps suppliers, vendors and travel management companies identify new market opportunities as well as being better prepared for the changing expectations on T&E management from corporations operating in China.''

"As a global leader in business travel management, we are best positioned to help corporations meet this challenge," Lochtie said.

CBTF will be attended by regional and multinational corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, local red chip companies, travel managers/buyers, senior management, finance and business planning executives, government and state owned enterprises. The number of registrations has well exceeded the previous year.

In addition, the forum will hold a series of business travel seminars on topics ranging from aviation in China, customer experience, to hotel programs and business travel outsourcing.

(Shanghai Daily November 19, 2007)