Roger has earned world-wide recognition as a business travel guru through his weekly column, 'The Frequent Traveler,' in the International Herald Tribune; and as a contributing columnist for the New York Times. He has been described as the dean of business-travel journalists in Europe, who ‘created the template for business-travel columns in newspapers worldwide.’ An actor and broadcaster, Roger provides the many voices offered by Voicesetcetera.com.
Roger has published two books so far and countless articles and columns in many newspapers and magazines throughout the world; for example: The International Herald Tribune, New York Times, CNN Traveller Magazine American Express’ Travel and Leisure, British Airways Business Life…
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It’s hard to separate fact and fiction these days.
A letter from Joan Draper in Ramat Gan, Israel tells of her dog Turtle creating mayhem in transit at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, when he escaped from his unlocked cage, might have been a scene from Keystone Cops. To lock or not to lock the cage of a traveling pet is a crucial concern for civil aviation. Click here
How often do travelers find the clichés of the glossy ads, and the PR hype, redeemed by that elusive amalgam of true friendliness, service, recognition, and efficiency that I call ‘hospitality,’ whether in hotels, airlines or cruise ships? Click here
I offer no prescient predictions about business travel in the downturn. Or in the upturn as travel rebounds, as it always does. Like economic forecasters, I can only react to events with sapient hindsight and reflect on the past mistakes of others.
But it’s an ill wind as they say… And indeed, the economic downturn has been good for business, according to an American Express survey of senior UK finance executives over half (58 percent) of whom reveal that decisions made during the downturn have actually improved their firms’ long term prospects. Click here
An interview with Bea Tollman – founder and president of Red Carnation Hotels.
RC: Could we please talk about what I like to call the ‘boutique experience’ and what it means to you?
BT: Well, the boutique experience to me is the fact that people feel they are almost walking into a home where the welcome is warm and genuine and where they are recognized for whom they are… but they’re a guest and every guest should feel special; and that’s what we really aim to do. When guests arrive at the hotel they do feel they are warmly welcomed; and made to feel special and comfortable. Click here
The courtship ritual invariably starts with a discreet phone call.
‘Are you free to talk? We’re looking for a marketing vice president for a biotech group in Geneva.’ (There follows a mouthwatering description of your dream job.) ‘Do you know anybody who’d be suitable? You mean, you might be interested yourself? Why, that’s terrific…’ Click here
© Roger Collis 2009