Illustrated Packing List: Greek Island Hopping

Hello, Hello, Hello My Loves!!

I'm so excited to be back on TWD to reveal my Greek Island packing essentials!! This Friday May 24th I will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, leaving all the stresses of New York City behind ahhhh. I can already feel that Mediterranean sunshine permeating my skin. That reminds me...I still need to buy SPF 100 lotion because right now I'm grossly Snow White. Anyway, it seems that this trip's packing list is all about statement accessories. Truthfully, bohemian white maxi dresses just aren't that fun to draw ;). Starting from the top left:

Mary Katrantzou Medium Print Pouch Clutch

DOLCE & GABBANA Filigrane Embellished Gold-Plated Clip Earrings

mally Lip Magnifier in Sexy Siren

Zac Posen Illesteva Cat Eye Acetate Sunglasses

ALAIA Studded Cutout Leather Sandals

Mara Hoffman Pow Wow Printed Bandeau Bikini

I fell absolutely in love with this season's prints and pop color accents like chartreuse, coral, and tangerine. I'm having visions of Santorini's aqua blue waters as the backdrop to my saturated colored ensembles. The outfits make the trip don't they?! How are you all spending your Memorial Day holiday? Have any of you been to the Greek Islands? If so leave your suggestions below.

Much love,

Meag xx

TO NDC OR NOT TO NDC? THAT REALLY IS THE QUESTION

Not since APD has a three letter acronym caused such a stir in the business travel industry. And those three letters? N, D and C, of course.

New Distribution Capability is a new business model proposed by IATA member airlines that – if approved by the US Department of Transport – will allow greater visibility of the airlines’ products at point of sale. Seats will no longer be distinguishable purely by price and carrier alone. Consumers will be able to compare class, seat type, service levels and ancillary costs, as well, in the same way that hotels are sourced and booked.   

The introduction of greater visibility means that airlines will no longer compete on price and brand awareness, but rather on a more accurate like-for-like product basis. The travel industry understands the need for this change and agrees it is a good thing for the airline industry, the manager and the consumer.

However, the NDC proposition is also stirring up a cloud of controversy in the travel industry. Why? For two reasons. Firstly, IATA has excluded travel managers, travel agencies and trade organisations from strategy meetings. And secondly, because the new technology gives airlines the capability to ask buyers to input demographic passenger profiles pre-search.

All airlines already hold extensive amounts of passenger data, which is used in targeted marketing campaigns, competitive intelligence and to establish the viability of new routes, which is essential for opening up emerging markets.

But none asks for that information pre-search. Doing this means the airlines could – note, not would – discriminate based on the pre-search data, raise prices artificially and charge higher prices to those travellers they feel are able to pay more: corporates. And in a time when managing costs is still very high on the travel managers’ agenda, the possibility of paying more – and artificially so – is understandably grating.

By David Chapple

David Chapple is event director of the Business Travel Show, which takes place each February in London. Find out more at www.businesstravelshow.com. Comment on this blog below, or contact David on Twitter @btshowlondon 

THE HEATHROW DEBATE - WHAT'S THE ANSWER?

We posted a news story on our LinkedIn page yesterday about business travellers wanting another runway at Heathrow Airport. Richard Charman, research manager at HRG, posted a reply. See below. Food for thought, isn't it? We'd love to hear what you think - @btshowlondon or Business Travel Show group on LinkedIn. 

If you look at the IoD's own member research - it shows a significant regional split on where expansion should be focused. Having read numerous submissions my gut feeling is that Gatwick may be given an additional runway, Manchester Airport will get an additional runway, Birmingham Airport will have a significantly expanded runway by the end of 2014, Boris Island or similar will be promoted as a long term alternative to Heathrow, by the Government, whilst expansion at a number of other airports will also be permitted. It is already happening at Llydd Airport.  Personally, I would like Heathrow Airport expanded to accommodate two more runways but, I do not see how the Government can get that through Parliament or the courts because of the environmental impact. The promotion of one additional runway might be acceptable - but some argue that is only an interim not, a long-term solution. The likely outcome of the Davis Commission exercise is an attempt to direct development to a number of airports around the country to try and encourage balanced airport expansion because this implies balanced economic development - such simplistic logic ignores failed attempts to get airlines to use Stansted which is currently a white elephant used many by low cost airlines. Such a scenario could do a great deal of harm to UK earnings from aviation and encourage expansion at airports outside the UK. We are already suffering significant political and economic damage as a result of the imposition of Air Passenger Duty which should be abolished or as a minimum reduced significantly.

By Richard Charman

Greek Island Hopping Getaway!!

Hello Hello My Darlings!!

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself!! A little under three weeks from now I will be jetting off to Athens to kick-start my Greek Island Hopping Extravaganza. On the agenda is Mykonos, Paros, and breathtaking Santorini. I can't wait to take you all there with me through my blog. This will be my first time traveling to Greece and I've been told just HOW extraordinarily beautiful it is. 

I searched high and low for references for this illustration and finally landed on an editorial from VOGUE Hellas. I wanted it to feel authentic and equally fashion/travel driven. I loved her headpiece as it related to Greek Mythology and the fact that she seemed to mirror my sentiments towards Greek island hopping (eager). I've been devising my packing list to illustrate here so stay tuned.

Before I sign off, I am dying to get recommendations from you all on the "must-sees" of Greece. Leave your comments and suggestions below and don't forget to include any post tips on themes, photos, postcards that you would like to see here upon my return. Thrilled to bring you Greece inspired posts galore and sink my teeth into a new country. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!!

Much love,

Meag xx