Travel Office Holds Conference on Corporate Discounts

In an attempt to reduce Harvard's $30 million travel budget, the Harvard Travel Office brought more than 600 University affiliates to the Charles Hotel yesterday to learn about corporate travel discounts.

The goal of the fair, according to Assistant Director of Travel Systems Frank Schnur, Jr., was to "get people familiar with all the vendors."

Though yesterday's fair targeted faculty and staff, most of the travel options are also available to students.

"College is a very important business for us," said Janet P. Squires, a sales representative for USAir. "We like to involve the students as well."

The Travel Office sponsored the trade show to inform faculty and staff of special travel options including rate discounts that the Travel Office has negotiated with major hotels, airlines and rental car companies.

Travel Director Patricia A. Giometti said the Travel Center is trying to save Harvard 10 to 20 percent of the $30 million it spends annually on travel expenses.

USAir was just one among 21 vendors at the fair. Other airlines included Delta and American Airlines. The fair also included car rental agencies such as Hertz and Alamo, and hotels such as the Hyatt, Holiday Inn and Sheraton Commander.

"[We are] participating to support Harvard in its endeavors, to assist Harvard in their travel and hotel related needs," said Elyse R. Kaplan, account manager of worldwide sales for Holiday Inn.

Charles Benson, a program assistant of Harvard's Program in Professional Education, was one of the many visitors. "I just wanted to see what other options they had--what else was out there," he said.