8 minute read
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELLER
Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and the UAE’s First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), in partnership with Visa, are launching a sustainably focused Visa credit card. e FAB Etihad Guest Visa Sustainable Card will introduce a series of sustainability focused bene ts that will educate and reward members for making sustainable choices and provide options to o set emissions for their spending. e partnership is powered by ecolytiq, provider of digital infrastructure for green nance, which will provide the Sustainabilityas-a-Service® technology to track sustainable spending.
Etihad is the rst airline in the region to reward frequent yers for being more sustainable in the air and on the ground. rough its Conscious Choices initiative, Etihad Guest members are rewarded for o setting their ights with miles, carrying less baggage on board, and purchasing sustainable products in the Reward Shop. When they are not ying, members can also earn Tier Miles by o setting everyday emissions when driving, when heating or cooling their home, cooking their dinner, or by donating miles to a meaningful cause. Etihad’s IATA environmental assessment success
Etihad has successfully completed IATA Environmental Assessment stage 2 and received accreditation in four key operational areas: facilities management, flight operations, Etihad technical division, Etihad Catering Services. The IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme is a blueprint for airlines to achieve sustainability in all air and ground operations. It is an evaluation system designed to independently assess and improve the environmental management of an airline. Stage 2 represents the highest level of IEnvA compliance and requires an airline to demonstrate ongoing environmental performance improvement. Etihad, which has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and halving its 2019 emission levels by 2035, is one of only nine airlines globally to complete stage 2 of the assessment.
Retired A380 to be upcycled into a hotel
FRÉDÉRIC DELEUZE, a former Airbus engineer, plans to upcycle a retired A380 into a Toulouse hotel. e A380 hotel, with 31 rooms and suites and a restaurant, would be located at the new MEETT convention and exhibition centre, not far from Toulouse airport, with a scheduled opening date of 2024. One of the suites would be one located in and around the A380’s cockpit, while the other would be at the rear of the aircra located on two oors and connected by the original staircase.
Emirates recently announced plans to upcycle its rst retired A380 into bespoke furniture and memorabilia, while several of British Airways’ B747s are being saved from the scrapheap, with plans to convert them into lm sets and permanent exhibitions.
The new Kisawa Sanctuary on Mozambique’s Benguerra Island is the first property globally to open in tandem with its own marine research centre, Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies (BCSS), which is also Africa’s first permanent ocean observatory.
Taking a ‘resort to research’ approach, the data and knowledge output of BCSS informs the environmental decisions of the sanctuary, ranging from design choices and ocean awareness to meaningful guest experiences, such as spending the day tagging sharks from the deck of the research vessel.
The strategic location and data support environmental management at a local level, facilitate regional collaboration, and contribute to international scientific programmes.
At the same time, the resort’s diving centre primarily supports researchers conducting field projects, carrying out surveys, filming documentaries or location scouting, and also provides dive training and courses through research expeditions.
Data collection and conservation work includes open ocean animal identification, marine debris monitoring and waste management.
Kisawa also employs local talent for enhanced insight into the surrounding environment and habitats.
The resort, which treads a light footprint on the land through new conscious construction methods and traditional roof weaving, features 22 one-, two-, and three-bedroom bungalows spread across 12 residences – some cove-side and others sheltering in the dunes on the ocean-side.
Guests can expect to eat produce grown on site using organic and seasonal gardening methods, as well as goods sourced from local farmers, fishermen and producers.
Mövenpick teams up with mindful beauty leader Yuni
MÖVENPICK HOTELS & RESORTS has become the launch hotel partner for Yuni – a responsible beauty brand specialising in mindful products.
Properties in the Middle East and Australia will soon be treated to bathroom amenities from the Yuni Hotel Collection, part of the Vanity Group portfolio, with hotels in Africa and Asia to follow soon.
Guests experiencing the collection will be immersed in a “powerful blend of bergamot, grapefruit, orange and cedar”. e stress relieving aromatherapy essence is free from animal testing, parabens, microbeads, silicones, triclosans, MIT/ MCIT and heavy metals and designed to anchor and recall moments of stillness. e products are also created using OceanBound Material, protecting waterways globally. OceanBound Material is collected in high-risk areas within a 200km distance of coastlines or waterways that potentially lead into oceans.
Dubai’s Radisson RED o ers guests a breath of fresh air
RADISSON RED in Dubai Silicon Oasis has become the first UAE hotel to o icially monitor and assess its indoor air quality.
The property has partnered with Dubai-headquartered AirZones, the world’s first Indoor Air Quality Star Rating Standard™, to ensure healthy environments for customers, joining its mission to make Dubai one of the healthiest cities on earth, way before the 2040 target.
Having used AirZones’ cutting-edge monitoring technology to measure the quality of air inside the hotel over the past month, Radisson RED DSO has been awarded Airzones’ four-star indoor air quality rating.
AirZones is now o ering advice on how to further improve air quality, focusing on any excess pollutants.
FOUR SEASONS LAUNCHES ADDITIONAL 2023 PRIVATE JET ITINERARIES
FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS
has launched additional private jet itineraries for 2023. e luxury hospitality rm rst announced its private jet journeys at the end of last year and they have proven so popular that it has expanded the options to seven trips – the most it has ever o ered in one year. e seven “expertly curated itineraries” set to take ight in 2023 will allow Four Seasons passengers to “seamlessly explore a collection of remarkable destinations while enjoying the bene ts of private travel”.
Newly added journeys include:
Timeless Encounters (March 26 – April 18,
2023): is 24-day voyage explores Kona, USA – Bora Bora, French Polynesia – Sydney, Australia – Bali, Indonesia – Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, ailand – Taj Mahal, India (day trip) – Dubai, UAE – Prague, Czech Republic – London, England.
Ancient Explorer (August 16 – September
8, 2023): A 10-destination trip taking in Miami, USA – Mexico City, Mexico – Easter Island, Chile – Bora Bora, French Polynesia – Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Bangkok, ailand – Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan – e Pyramids, Egypt (day trip) – Taormina, Italy – Madrid, Spain
Uncharted Discovery (November 20
– December 20, 2023): Discover seven destinations over 24 days: New Orleans, USA – Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica – Machu Picchu, Peru – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Antarctica – Bogotá, Colombia – Paradise Island, Bahamas
All 2023 itineraries will take place aboard the new Four Seasons Private Jet. Fully customised to Four Seasons speci cations, with input from previous journey passengers, the Airbus A321neo-LR aircra o ers the widest and tallest cabin in its class, featuring a 48-seat interior con gured for even greater comfort.
fourseasonsjet@fourseasons.com
New BBJ for RoyalJet
THE ROYALJET GROUP, a premium private aviation specialist, has acquired another Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The aircraft is currently undergoing technological and communications upgrades and will be available to charter by April. The new BBJ boasts a 23-passenger VVIP interior with an aft private master bedroom with private lavatory and shower, and a mid-cabin open plan VVIP lounge. It can sleep up to 12 in VVIP lie-flat seats and its queen-sized bed. The aircraft has been previously upgraded with special soundproofing, along with a low cabin altitude modification, special humidifiers and a HEPA filtration system. It is also being fitted with the latest technology so passengers will be able to stream high-definition video content via their personal accounts with providers such as Apple TV, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video utilising the onboard Wi-Fi system. This aircraft will also become the longest range BBJ in RoyalJet’s fleet, capable of flying non-stop for more than 12 hours.
ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR VISTA
PRIVATE AVIATION GROUP Vista Global Holding (Vista) has reported another record year (2021) for its brands – VistaJet (private aviation membership programme) and XO (click-to-flight solutions).
The group saw global flight hours increase 64 per cent year on year, with VistaJet selling more than 22,000 annual subscription hours, up 90 per cent on 2020.
A “massive influx of business travellers choosing private aviation over commercial flying” led to the number of XO Deposit Members increasing 68 per cent in 2021 and a 26 per cent hike in VistaJet members. Vista now serves more than half of the top 10 largest global companies. vistaglobal.com
Exclusive paintings, sculptures, photography and timepieces from award-winning international artists.
Painting by Painting by Mai Majdy Mai Majdy Mai Majdy
Photograph by Photograph by Lord Patrick Lichfi eld Lord Patrick Lichfi eld Lord Patrick Lichfi eld
The United Arab Emirates 50th Anniversary Navigator Clock – Limited Edition by David Galbraith
