A potential merger between the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and National Business Travel Association emerged anew as the ACTE board unanimously approved and sent to NBTA "an outline of the broad terms of a proposed merger." The terms, according to prepared remarks from ACTE president Richard Crum, provides "guarantees of the rights and privileges" of ACTE's international membership and integrity of ACTE's global education. The marketplace wants and needs a combination of the best of both organizations, best practices, and deliverables. This will not be accomplished by the takeover of one association by another, but rather a true merging of ideas, philosophies, and memberships--all committed to creating a new organization." Crum said the plan that resulted from prior merger talks "would not have found support" of ACTE's international constituency, of which 61 percent is outside the United States. Any merger needs 51 percent approval of ACTE's membership. Included in the outline sent to NBTA is the need for co-branding for the next two years, followed by creation of a new name; a new interim board formed by five members from the ACTE and NBTA boards and election for a new board with non-U.S. seats guaranteed; leadership from the new NBTA president and yet-to-be appointed NBTA executive director; and education based on the ACTE philosophy.

Hogg Robinson Group reported that client revenue for its first fiscal quarter "was approximately 7 percent below our expectations." The travel management company said market conditions since May 2009 "have remained challenging," characterized by "many clients reducing their travel activity" and exacerbated by travel "bans and constraints" in response to swine flu. HRG invited staff to consider "sabbaticals, shorter working hours and unpaid leave in a bid to avoid further job reductions." According to CEO David Radcliffe, "a number of staff have already responded positively to this program." HRG's board of directors, including the chairman and CEO, agreed to a 5 percent pay cut, effective 1 September 2009.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Europe made available a service combining travel itineraries and e-tickets "into a concise, easy-to-read document that clearly identifies the status of the traveler's booking and any actions to be taken." Available in eight languages and on computers or mobile devices, the service works for online and offline bookings made "through all reservation systems, including those of low-cost airlines, rail providers and independent hotels," according to CWT. The travel management company plans to implement the service globally in 2010.

Expedia's corporate travel division Egencia in the second quarter experienced a 23 percent drop in gross booking volume year over year, to $330 million.

Travelport GDS processed 86 million segments during the three months through June, 15 percent lower than a year earlier. The decrease was steeper outside the Americas at 19 percent, versus 11 percent within the region.