ON THE MAP

Etihad Airways has launched an innovative online mapping tool developed in co-operation with LinkedIn, making it easier to message new contacts, arrange meetings and be more productive while travelling. The “Etihad Mapped-Out”tool is available at http://www.etihadmappedout.com and offers professionals on LinkedIn the ability to search their connections by geographical location and see them displayed on a map, making it easier for business travellers to connect with their global network of contacts as they travel. LinkedIn members can enter search parameters based on geographical area, which can be countrywide or even a specific city; industries of interest; and first- and/or second-degree connections. The result of the search is a personalized map of the member’s LinkedIn connections, with a listing of business contacts within the region. Members can also reach their contacts instantly by sending messages directly from the contact list. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ chief commercial officer, explained, “As a global airline, Etihad Airways connects points and people from across the globe, so our Etihad Mapped-Out tool which taps into LinkedIn’s global audience of over 200 million is an extension of that mission. This tool is particularly useful for our guests travelling for business. Ahead of a business trip, the guest can use this tool to see not only his or her immediate contacts in the region, but also second-degree contacts. This fosters more effective networking and greater opportunity to create connections across international boundaries. We are always looking for ways to enable our guests to get more out of their travel experience. For business travellers, the world just got a bit smaller.”