Middle East Travel Update – client advisory

The visible cost of flights and hotels is only a fraction of what organisations truly spend on business travel. In-house travel management often conceals a range of indirect expenses that quietly affect budgets over time. From the administrative burden placed on internal teams to missed access to negotiated supplier rates, the financial impact extends far beyond initial bookings.

In a perfect world, business travel plans would unfold exactly as they’re supposed to. Reality, however, is far less predictable and crises such as natural disasters, political unrest, or sudden logistical changes can flip a business trip on its head. In this article, we speak to James Challis, Operations Manager at Gray Dawes, about the importance of keeping travellers informed, the benefits of having a well-oiled response strategy, and the power of our TripSure app in keeping travellers safe.

Planning a business trip to São Paulo? This comprehensive guide introduces you to Brazil’s financial capital. From navigating its major airports and tackling world-famous traffic to understanding business etiquette and staying safe, this guide equips you with everything you need for a successful trip. You’ll also discover how to get around efficiently, where business travellers typically stay and meet, and the top experiences worth fitting into a busy schedule, including iconic landmarks, world-class art, and vibrant neighbourhoods.

We recently caught up with our friends at Singapore Airlines to talk about their selection of cabins, their newly refurbished airport lounges, and the experience they bring to business travellers.

In an age of video calls and digital collaboration, is business travel still worth it? The data says yes. From closing 37% more deals to building stronger client relationships, face-to-face meetings continue to deliver measurable value that virtual interactions simply can’t match. Here’s why in-person engagement remains one of the most powerful tools in business.

Business travellers are demanding – and expecting – much more personalised travel experiences. We’re joined by United Airlines to examine how the industry is evolving in order to deliver unique services and experiences for corporate travellers, based on their individual preferences, selections and destinations.

2026 staat in het teken van vernieuwing binnen zakelijk reizen. Bedrijven kijken niet alleen meer naar hoe zij reizen, maar vooral naar het doel en de toegevoegde waarde van iedere reis. Deze ontwikkeling beïnvloedt reisbeleid, technologie, duurzaamheid en de verwachtingen van reizigers.

n the movies and on TV, a hotel is rarely just a place to sleep — it’s a stage for drama, comedy, fear, romance and unforgettable encounters. In the BBC Radio 4 feature Seven of the most memorable hotels in film and TV, hosts Ellen E. Jones and Mark Kermode unpack why hotels make such rich settings for storytelling, acting as hermetically sealed worlds where lives collide, secrets simmer and anything can happen.

Procurement portals are now a common way to run Travel Management Company RFPs, offering structure and consistency for procurement teams. But when portals are poorly configured, they can unintentionally limit supplier responses, create unnecessary friction, and make it harder to assess what truly differentiates one TMC from another.

Based on extensive experience responding to portal-based RFPs, this guide from Gray Dawes Travel shares nine practical ways travel managers and procurement leads can attract higher-quality responses, improve evaluation, and achieve better outcomes from the process.

As winter fades and brighter days arrive, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead for a successful season of business travel. With over 800 Premier Inn hotels across the UK, you’re always close to your next meeting, conference, or event. From city centres to business hubs, enjoy convenient locations, comfy beds, blackout curtains for great sleep, and the option to upgrade to Premier Plus for extra comfort. Start your day with an unlimited breakfast, wind down with delicious on-site dining, and save with meal deals. Book early for the best value, flexibility, and stress-free stays wherever work takes you.