DOMESTIC airfares in Jan 2009 are at their cheapest levels since 1992, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics. BITRE reports that pax can snag a bargain airfare as airlines look to offset weaker demand, with fares more than 30% cheaper in Jan 09 than they were in the same month last year.

The ‘Best Discount’ Domestic Air Fare Index provides an index figure, rather than an actual fare. This year’s figure of 56.10, made up of an average of Qantas (Red e-Deal or Super Saver), Virgin Blue (Promo Fare or Blue Saver), Jetstar (JetSaver Light or JetSaver), Tiger Airways (internet discounted fare), Rex (Rex Saver or Rex Net) and Skywest (SkyDeal or SkySaver), is substantially less than previous figures. In Oct 08, the next cheapest month, the index averaged 68.80, while in Jan 08 it was 79.6. BITRE said business, full economy and restricted economy indexes have also shown signs of decline for Jan 09.

Travel management company (TMC), BCD Travel, is recommending that business travel clients planning meetings incentives conferences exhibitions (MICE) in 2009 should aim for capital city locations where there is greater competition between hotels and conference centres for corporate dollars.

Due to the economic downturn, more business travel clients are looking to maximise savings and strengthen their internal corporate travel policies, while also making more cost-effective decisions on locations for meetings incentives conferences exhibitions (MICE).

A key point of difference offered to business travel clients by BCD Travel is their ability to not only provide corporate travel booking services but also to provide advice, planning and implementation of meetings incentives conferences exhibitions (MICE).

BCD Travel’s business travel clients can take advantage of BCD Travel’s insider knowledge to source the very best deals for meetings incentives conferences exhibitions (MICE). For example, a five star hotel in Sydney recently contacted BCD Travel to offer four star prices for its corporate travel clients.

More Australian businesses are travelling further afield for their conferences and incentives due to the more favourable currency conditions over the past 12 months, according to Corporate Travel Management Company, BCD Australia.

BCD Australia’s Sydney office reports a significant increase in overseas bookings for major company events over the past financial year, with the Australian dollar continuing to hover around 95c against the US greenback.

New Zealand and the broader Asia Pacific region has long been the most popular region for overseas conferences and incentives held by Australian companies, but this year more Australian companies have been choosing destinations in Europe, the US, China and India.

Among the locations selected by BCD Sydney’s corporate travel management clients in FY07-08 are Monaco, Istanbul, Hawaii, Cancun, Mauritius and various cities throughout China and India.

As the world’s two most important emerging economies, China and India have extra appeal, with many Australian companies recently establishing new business ties there. Both countries are undergoing significant leisure and corporate travel booms as more foreigners, including Australians, choose to visit on personal holidays or business excursions. New hotels and resorts are popping up all over both countries, with Hilton Hotels Corp recently announcing that 75 new hotels will be built in India over the next five years, along with 18 in China.

Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney’s newest 5 star hotel, open from September 1, 2008

A new chain of upscale hotels for Accor, Pullman hotels are designed to meet the needs of business travelers, whether traveling alone or in a group.

Check In and Chill Out at Sydney’s newest 5 star hotel. Experience the most luxurious hotel in Greater Sydney. The magnificent 16 story Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park has been designed with the business traveller in mind, with the latest in technology throughout.

Located in the heart of Greater Sydney, close to the fast growing business hubs, including Parramatta, North Ryde and Rhodes.

Special Offer for BCD Clients: Experience Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park from $199 per room per night*.

Pullman, new attitude hotels for business travellers.