31. Which if these are more important for buisness travellers than for non-business tourists and travellers?

• time to choose from different travel options

• possibility to make reservations at short notice

• access to reservations 24 hours a day

• express check-in at airports

• pakaged travel arrangements – flight, transfer, accommodation, meals, etc. all included

• fast internet connections in hotels

• hotel in a quiet relaxing location

• support information on local area and culture

Listening

32. Carlos Lozano is a travel agent specializing in business travel. Listen to the interview and answer the questions.

1. What is the role of the account manager?

2. How does Carlo’s company ‘go the extra mile’?

33. Which of the items in Ex. 31 are more important for the business traveller according to Carlo Lozano?

34. Listen to a travel agent who specializes in corporate travel describing the particular needs of the business traveler. Before you listen, think about the meaning of these phrases.

    at short notice	client history	extended credit
    a complete package	to settle up	en suite facilities

35. Discuss the following questions.

1. From the travel agent’s point of view, what differences are there between dealing with a business traveler and an ordinary tourist?

2. What does a business traveler look for when arranging a trip?

3. When arranging a flight or a hotel which of these things are most important for the business traveler?

Flight a choice of flight times a choice of airlines express check-in automatic upgrade good food with free champagne lots of leg-room reclining seats immediate car hire pick-up on arrival limousines service from airport to hotel air miles incentive scheme

Hotel express reservation corporate discounts rate express check-in/check-out access to fax modem point in room mini-bar close to airport room for business meeting sports centre free newspaper

36. Listen to the interview with Margaret Sesnan, a business executive who travels a lot in her job. Before you listen, match these words with their definitions:

    Exhibition Slippers Stand (noun) Trade fair

    soft shoes worn only at home a very large show of goods, advertising, etc., for people who work in a particular industry an area or structure where things are displayed, exhibited, or sold a show for the public

37. Now answer these questions:

1. What is Margaret’s job and what type of business trips does she go on?

2. How are the trips arranged?

3. What business facilities does she look for in a hotel?

4. What special features does she look for as a woman?

5. What different customs does she mention at business appointments in Japan?

38. Margaret prefers to be on a lower floor and near the lift for safety reasons. Working in pairs, discuss what other special needs you think travelling female business executives have. Consider facilities and security features.

39. You are going to listen to an extract from a brochure. Before listening, answer the questions.

1. What services does a business traveler need from a hotel?

2. What makes a hotel suitable for hosting a conference?