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MONTENEGRO
Europe’s new riviera
Located at the entrance of Boka Bay, a fjord-like idyll on Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast, One&Only Portonovi is a year-round haven where cultural wonders and fresh-air adventures meet the glamour of Europe’s most fashionable new riviera. Opening next month (March), this ultraluxury resort – the first One&Only property in Europe – is surrounded by dramatic coastline, spectacular mountains and boasts a private sandy beach. Rooms, suites and villas reflect the architectural style of the old Venetian palaces of the region while 10 private residences with access to their own beach and jetty, individual pools and private courtyards, are available to purchase for guests who wish to call One&Only Portonovi home. Retreat highlights include Chenot Espace, offering pioneering treatments scientifically designed to enhance guests’ vitality and health and a culinary experience led by executive chef Nancy Kinchela, defined by Italian, Asian fusion and farmto-table Montenegrin cuisine. Guests can also explore the dramatic Adriatic coastline by yacht or speedboat or visit World Heritage sites, abandoned fortresses, hidden beaches, fascinating islands and unspoiled national parks. Portonovi is an easy drive from Dubrovnik (one hour), Tivat (50 minutes) and Podgorica (two-and-a-half hours) airports. Gemma Greenwood
Hotel registration for the 2021 programme goes live on February 2, plus new awards categories have been added
The Business Traveller Middle East Awards are back for 2021 and this year’s programme is bigger and better than ever, with several new categories added.
Hotel registration will go live on February 2, 2021, via Platinumlist, with the event, now in its 19th year, scheduled to take place in May.
Awards voting across some 37 categories will go live in March, spanning 10 airline awards, four airport awards, 17 hotel awards and new for 2021, six leisure and lifestyle awards.
Reflecting new trends and traveller priorities, they include ‘Best Leisure Hotel in the UAE’, ‘Best Golf Club in the Middle East’, ‘Best Luggage for Business Travel’, ‘Best Business Technology (phones, teleconferencing, etc)’, ‘Best Credit or Payment Card for Business Travel’ and ‘Best Mobile Travel Application’.
Also making its debut in 2021 following the normalisation of WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD
relations between the UAE and Israel, is the ‘Best Business Hotel in Tel Aviv’ category.
The Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2021 celebrate the companies at the forefront of business travel and services, as well as the hard work of top-level industry executives.
Each year, the coveted gala awards ceremony attracts a highprofile crowd comprising industry heavyweights, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs), C-Suite executives and key decision makers across the hotel, aviation, tourism and transportation sectors.
The 2021 event will see more than 150 attendees attend an exclusive business lunch at a five-star UAE hotel, with details to be confirmed soon.
It follows the award programme’s highly successful 2020 event, which for the first time in its 18-year history, took place virtually.
Headline winners included Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Etihad Guest, InterContinental, Rotana and Four Seasons Hotel DIFC, to name a few.
In 2021 we give you, our valued readers, the chance to vote for companies who you regard the best in travel – those who have gone above and beyond during what has been an exceptionally challenging year for the sector.
Perhaps they were prompt in providing information about changed services, proactive in informing you of changes to services or offered flexibility with bookings, re-bookings and refunds. Or it may be that they have varied and improved the terms of their loyalty and recognition programmes.
Perhaps they simply looked after you and your loved ones during the few travels you did make, demonstrating hospitality in difficult times. The awards survey gives you the opportunity to reward them.
Our programme is widely respected because the winners are chosen by you — our readers, experts in the field. Your votes make up the largest annual independent poll of frequent travel customers and despite the pandemic, we would like to continue celebrating the best in travel. Thank you!
