Business Traveller Middle East - May 2023 by Motivate Media Group

MAY 202 3

businesstraveller.com

A PLACE TO REMEMBER

A DAY IN RIYADH

THE A380 UPDATE

PLUS

Stunning hotels set to open within the Middle East

Make the most of a brief trip to Saudi Arabia’s capital

Is the ultimate giant of the skies making a comeback?

Elevator Pitch • Air Miles • Global Hotel Alliance

REACHING THE PINNACLE All the winners of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023

Olivier Louis The managing director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm receives the Lifetime Achievement Award

AIRSIDE

CONTENTS

REGULARS 06 UPFRONT

The latest airline, hotel and travel news 12 GLOBAL NEWS

An update on international travel 14 SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLER

Best practices from across the region 36 ELEVATOR PITCH

Tom Roelens, general manager of Atlantis The Royal 37 AIR MILES

Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations 38 OPINION

How many pilots are really required to fly a commercial aircraft ? 39 OPINION

Is this going to be the year of personalised luxury travel? 40 A DAY IN...RIYADH

Make the most of your brief stopover in Saudi Arabia’s capital city

FEATURES

COVER: CLARKWIN CRUZ

MAY 2023

ON THE COVER

26 INDEPENDENT MINDS

The UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance delivers a platform for independent hotel brands to band together 32 A PL ACE TO REMEMBER

A look at some of the stunning hotels set to open this year across the Middle East 42 THE A380 SUPERJUMBO UPDATE

REACHING THE PINNACLE

All the winners of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023

As demand for flights soars post-pandemic, the giant bird is back 48 TIMED TO PERFECTION

A roundup of ten outstanding timepieces from the recently concluded Watches and Wonders exhibition

66 POSTCARD

Enter the world of terayachts

THE REPORT

TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT

58 Japan Airlines Boeing 777300ER (business class) London-Tokyo

TRIED & TESTED HOTELS 60 Hyatt Centric Victoria

Harbour Hong Kong 61 Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Dubai 62 One&Only Cape Town 63 SO/ Paris

SMART TRAVELLER 64 Our guide to... tourist tax

32 48 M AY 2 0 2 3

WELCOME

Varun Godinho, Editor

o all the winners of our Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023, take a bow. You are certainly the best of the best. While our annual awards entered into its 22nd edition this year, many gathered in the grand ballroom of the Palazzo Versace Dubai on May 1 were working in the industry for twice as long, some even more. Among them was Olivier Louis, our Lifetime Achievement Award winner, the managing director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm. In a career that’s spanned over five decades, he started working in Dubai’s hospitality industry 25 years ago, and has seen first-hand its remarkable transformation. “Dubai now has 140,000 rooms – while there are only 100,000 in Paris, 100,000 in London, 100,000 in New York. We’re already 30-40 per cent above those huge destinations,” said Louis. For the more than 250 guests who attended our awards night and who belonged to the aviation, hotels, airports and tourism sectors, their roles have played no small part

in realising those incredible numbers in Dubai, as well as in the broader Middle East. Read our entire coverage of the awards in this edition (pg16). Apart from that, you’ll also find in the following pages our exclusive interview with Chris Hartley (pg26) who’s leading the Global Hotel Alliance which is gathering independent hotel brands under its umbrella and giving them a chance to compete against the major hospitality giants. Further on, hear from the general manager of the recently opened Atlantis The Royal resort in Dubai as to why his property stands out among its peers (pg36) and also familiarise yourself with some of the latest upcoming hotels across the Middle East (pg32). On the aviation front, we’ve rounded up updates on the operational status of the awe-inspiring A380 across all of its 14 operators worldwide (pg42). There’s much to celebrate in the following pages. Enjoy the issue.

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd M OT I VAT E M E D I A GRO UP

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner and Group Editor Ian Fairservice Editor Varun Godinho Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Editorial Co-ordinator Londresa Flores Contributors Hannah Brandler, Akanksha Maker, Gemma Greenwood, Felicity Cousins, Camille Macawili, Amy Sessions, Jeremy Tredinnick General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Sales Manager Chaitali Khimji Senior Sales Manager Murali Narayanan PAN ACE A M E D I A LT D

Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe

b us i n e s strave l l e r. c o m

A DAY IN RIYADH How to spend 24 hours in Saudi’s capital city (Page 40)

THE A380 UPDATE All you need to know about the superjumbo’s 14 global operators (Page 42)

WATCHES AND WONDERS A look at some of the latest novelties unveiled this year (Page 48)

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Photograph Lord Patrick Lichfield

EXCLUSIVE PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, PHOTOGRAPHY AND TIMEPIECES FROM AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

The United Arab Emirates 50th Anniversary Navigator Clock – Limited Edition by David Galbraith

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Painting by Fatima Sherjan

Rosewood to open in Saudi’s Amaala development 6

ROSEWOOD HOTELS AND RESORTS will open a new property in Saudi Arabia’s Amaala development in the north-west of the kingdom. Rosewood Amaala will feature 110 guest rooms and suites, and 25 Rosewood Residences too. Its culinary experiences will include fine dining concepts, casual eateries and club lounges. The endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles have nesting sites around the beaches of the upcoming hotel, and hence all construction will ensure that the turtle population is left unaffected. Rosewood Amaala will also be surrounded by the world’s fourth-largest reef. Other Rosewood properties planned to open in the Middle East include Rosewood Doha (2023), Rosewood Riyadh (2025) and Rosewood Red Sea.

UNITED AIRLINES RESUMES OPERATIONS TO DUBAI UNITED AIRLINES has launched a new nonstop daily service between its New York/Newark hub and Dubai International (DXB). United is thus the only US airline to offer nonstop flights between Dubai and the US. Also, Dubai-based carrier Emirates has activated its codeshare with United. Emirates customers heading to the US can access more than 150 US cities in the United network, via the three gateways of Chicago, Houston and San Francisco. Furthermore, Emirates Skywards members can earn and redeem miles on all flights across United’s worldwide network.

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ACCOR’S FAIRMONT RELOCATES GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS FAIRMONT HOTELS AND RESORTS has relocated its global headquarters from Paris to Dubai. Mark Willis, former Accor CEO for India, Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye (IMEAT), is now the worldwide CEO for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Fairmont has 90 active properties across more than 30 countries including the likes of The Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. It has a pipeline of over 30 hotels around the world from the Red Sea to Bangkok. With nearly 40 per cent of its current development projects located in the IMEAT markets, Accor says that the move of the Fairmont brand’s HQ to Dubai allows it to take advantage of the opportunities within the region.

UPFRONT

The Chedi Hegra will debut in AlUla A NEW CHEDI PROPERTY will open within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla. General Hotel Management (GHM) will operate the 35-key boutique property which is expected to open in Q4 2023. The hotel is being directly built into several existing structures including an old railway station and its surrounding buildings, as well as the Hegra Fort, among others structures. The property will feature three fine-dining restaurants, a café, a spa and a pool. Where possible, it will use local construction materials and also engage local businesses and labour. The Chedi Hegra is expected to create at least 120 jobs once fully operational.

Qatar Airways opens new lounge at Hamad International

Turkish Airlines aims to double fleet size by 2033 TURKISH AIRLINES aims to double its fleet over the next decade. It intends to expand its fleet to over 800 aircraft by 2033, up from around 400 aircraft now. Similarly, Turkish wants to serve 170 million passengers per year by 2033, compared to the forecast 85 million in 2023, with a network of more than 400 destinations. The carrier is targeting a consolidated revenue of over US$50 billion by 2033, contributing US$140 billion of added value to Türkiye’s economy by the same year. The flag carrier also wants to establish the low-cost AnadoluJet as a separate subsidiary, reaching a fleet of 200 aircraft by 2033, compared to approximately 70 today.

QATAR AIRWAYS has opened a new business class lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Part of a renovation and expansion project at the airport, The Garden lounge serves as an extension to the existing Al Mourjan Business Lounge. The 7,390 sqm space overlooks the airport’s indoor tropical garden, The ORCHARD, and can accommodate up to 707 guests, creating an overall facility for up to 1,600 passengers. Features include seven spa treatment rooms, a fitness centre, pedicure and manicure stations, a nursery, showers, a game room, and 24 quiet spaces which can be rented free of charge for up to six hours. M AY 2 0 2 3

UPFRONT

Kuwait Airways reaches interline agreement with Malaysia Airlines

UAE CARRIERS RAMP UP FLIGHTS TO TORONTO

FOLLOWING AN EXPANDED air transport agreement signed between Canada and the UAE, the latter’s carriers have announced an increase in services to the North American country. Starting April 20, Emirates increased the frequency of its services to Canada with two additional flights per week between Dubai and Toronto. It therefore operates a daily flight on the route. Abu Dhabi carrier, Etihad, will also initiate daily flights to Toronto. Starting May 30, it will introduce one more weekly flight between Abu Dhabi and Toronto, in addition to the current six weekly flights that it already operates.

ONEWORLD ALLIANCE member Malaysia Airlines and Kuwait Airways have signed a bilateral interline agreement that went into effect on April 1. It gives Kuwait Airways passengers more options through Malaysia Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur hub, including Malaysia Airlines domestic flights and regional services to Singapore, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines passengers will benefit from interline connectivity via Kuwait to other GCC, Middle Eastern and North African countries on the Kuwait Airways network. Kuwait Airways has been gradually replacing its older-generation aircraft with the A320 neo and A330 neo family of aircraft. The Kuwaiti flag carrier also has a Boeing 777300ER fleet.

CHEVAL MAISON DEBUTS FIRST PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF THE UK HOSPITALITY GROUP Cheval Collection opened its Cheval Maison – The Palm Dubai property last month. The 131-apartment property is the first Cheval Maison outside of the UK. It features 100 one-bedroom apartments, 20 twobedroom and 10 three-bedroom options, as well as a threebedroom penthouse. Located on Golden Mile 3, it includes a range of facilities including a rooftop pool and terrace, a fitness centre and private parking. It also has an on-site restaurant for which it partnered with Dubai homegrown concept, The Lighthouse. Cheval Collection currently operates around a dozen properties in Edinburgh and London, with a Cheval Maison due to open in Glasgow in 2024.

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Dubai International Airport (DXB) was recently ranked as the world’s busiest international worldwide in 2022 for the ninth consecutive year, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) World. Here are some of its key numbers for 2022:

ALL UAE RESIDENTS CAN NOW APPLY FOR EVISAS FOR JAPAN STARTING LAST MONTH, all foreign nationals resident in the UAE who would otherwise require a visa to visit Japan, can now apply online for a short-term tourism visa. UAE nationals will continue to receive a full visa waiver whereby they are not required to apply for tourist visas to visit Japan. New changes to the Japanese visa application system also mean that all Saudi nationals and foreign nationals residing in Saudi Arabia too can now apply online for a short-term tourism visit visa to Japan. Qatari nationals meanwhile can apply at Japanese embassies, consulate-generals or consulates to have their passports registered. Once done, they will then receive a “Visa Waiver Registration” seal within their passport.

66,069,981

Number of passengers who used DXB

India (9.8 million) Saudi Arabia (4.9 million) UK (4.6 million) Top destination countries for DXB passengers

343,339

Total number of flight movements

62.2 million The number of bags handled at the airport

13 minutes

The average waiting time of incoming passengers at passport control

78 million

DXB’s forecast for 2023 passenger numbers

Air Canada to begin nonstop flights between Dubai and Vancouver AIR CANADA HAS confirmed a strategic expansion of its international network with the addition of new, nonstop flights from its hub at Vancouver International Airport to Dubai. The new route will operate four times weekly beginning October 28 onboard Air Canada’s flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The carrier’s new VancouverDubai flights will complement Air Canada’s daily service between Toronto and Dubai. Air Canada and Emirates launched a codeshare partnership, with the aim to provide customers access to 46 points across North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Etihad rolls out unlimited, free inflight social media messaging access ETIHAD AIRWAYS has launched unlimited and free inflight social media messaging access on its widebody fleet. By way of its Wi-Fly Chat packages, everyone flying on those aircraft can avail of complimentary messaging throughout their entire flight by signing in with their Etihad Guest membership. The free chat feature includes access to messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and WeChat, among others. Etihad has also rolled out WiFly Surf packages that offer unlimited data access for a flat fee (US$9.99 for flights under seven hours, US$19.99 for flights above seven hours) for the duration of the journey on its widebody aircraft. M AY 2 0 2 3

UPFRONT

The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Dubai scheduled for 2025 opening

SECOND VOCO PROPERTY CONFIRMED FOR RIYADH

SALES HAVE OPENED for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Business Bay property. The 18-storey structure will consist of a collection of 73 furnished apartments and penthouses. Residents are expected to be handed possession of their properties by the second quarter of 2025. The accommodation options range from one- to three-bedroom residences, penthouses and a fourbedroom duplex ‘villa’ too. The Residences feature a gym, a spa, a residents-only theatre, a café, and a round-the-clock concierge service.

IHG HOTELS AND RESORTS has signed a management agreement with Jurmaz Hotels Company to bring a new voco hotel to Riyadh. The 246-key voco Hotel and Suites Riyadh North is scheduled to host its first guests in 2026. The 29-floor hotel will be located around 1.5km from King Abdullah Financial District and a 30-minute drive from King Khalid International airport. The voco brand was launched in 2018, and has since then rapidly expanded in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In Saudi Arabia, IHG currently operates 38 hotels across several brands including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with another 33 hotels in the development pipeline.

World’s tallest hotel in Dubai to welcome first guests next year CIEL, SET TO BE the world’s tallest hotel, is expected to open in Dubai in the first quarter of 2024. Its developers, The First Group, said that the 82-storey property will be its largest and most complex development to date. The First Group’s architectural partner, NORR, has designed the hotel’s key features including its observation deck with views of Dubai’s skyline and the Palm Jumeirah on the 81st floor, and a rooftop infinity pool and bar that will be located on the 76th floor. One of the property’s major attractions will be its 300m tall interior atrium that will feature vertically stacked landscaped and naturally ventilated terraces.

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SPONSORED STAY CLOSE TO ROYAL RESIDENCES It is possible to tour royal residences and stay nearby to get the most from a visit.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King’s official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and is open year-round for tours. Although you can’t stay in the palace, the Cheval Abbey Strand Apartments at Holyrood, crafted from a courtier’s house with 500 years of history is located at the foot of the famous Royal Mile.

Windsor Castle

Royal Escapes in Britain If you are fascinated with the British monarchy and want to experience a part of their rich history, here are the places to stay during your next visit to the UK

he countdown is underway for the Coronation of King Charles III which will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Westminster Abbey. Whether a royal enthusiast closely monitoring proceedings or someone just looking for the ultimate royal treatment during their next visit to the UK, here are the places to stay that have an inextricable link to the British Royal Family.

VISITBRITAIN/TOM WEIGHTMAN

Sandringham Garden House

Located on the Norfolk Coast of England, the country retreat is used by the Monarch and the royal family during the holidays. The garden house on the estate, listed by Norfolk Hideaways, is available for rent and was the former home of the queen’s head gardener. It is the closest estate to the royal house.

Hampton Court Palace Georgian House

Originally the kitchens for George, Prince of Wales, The Georgian House was built in 1719 at Hampton Court Palace and has since been converted into a fivebedroom house. King Henry VIII was the most famous resident of Hampton Court Palace. Those staying in the five-bedroom Georgian House can explore the palace’s spectacular courtyards and gardens.

The Duchy of Cornwall Holiday Cottages

The Isles of Scilly are partly owned by royalty as part of the Duchy of Cornwall. The royal family owns nearly a third of the residential buildings on the islands, including four that are available to rent.

Balmoral Castle

Located north of Edinburgh in Cairngorms National Park, the Scottish castle is privately owned by the Royal Family and has been a popular summer retreat for them. When the royal family is not staying at the Castle, the public can rent one of six cottages on the royal grounds.

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and is open to visitors throughout the year. Royal fans can stay at the nearby Balmoral Gardens which is in Central Windsor and enjoy views of the castle, pop in for a tour, or visit the grounds and walk ‘The Long Walk’. HOTELS WITH ROYAL CONNECTIONS

Raffles at the OWO

The first Raffles opening in London sees a 120-room and suites flagship hotel launching in the iconic, Grade II-listed Old War Office building on Whitehall. The hotel looks out onto where the coronation Parade will take place right in Westminster.

The Goring Hotel

The only hotel which has received a Royal Warrant for its hospitality services in 2013, The Goring is well-loved by the royals being only five minutes away from Buckingham Palace itself. The hotel also played a part in Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, as royals from across the world stayed at the hotel, giving way to its nickname of the ‘annexe to Buckingham Palace’.

Thornbury Castle, Bristol

Now a luxury hotel, visitors can sleep in the same chamber where Henry VIII had stayed, and look out of the same windows as Henry’s daughter, Princess Mary spent some of her childhood at the castle. Thornbury had become the property of the Crown after Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was executed, but Mary later returned it to the Duke’s son. visitbritain.org

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UPFRONT GLOBAL NEWS

Lufthansa to resume A380 service to NYC

Lufthansa is bringing its A380 back into service this summer, with Boston and New York JFK being the first two destinations. The carrier placed its entire fleet of 14 A380s into storage following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequently sold six back to Airbus.

Zuma set to open in Capri

2 Palace Jumeirah

Zuma Capri will open at the Capri Palace Jumeirah this summer. The new restaurant will be the third Zuma property in Italy following the openings in Rome (2016) and Porto Cervo (2022). The Zuma culinary brand launched in 2002, and now has a presence in over 20 locations across the world.

RwandAir takes delivery

3 of third A330

RwandAir has received its third long-haul aircraft, an Airbus A330-200. Configured with 30 seats in business class and 222 seats in economy, the widebody aircraft will be operated to London, Brussels, Lagos and Dubai. The new aircraft grows the carrier’s fleet to 13. M AY 2 0 2 3

Anantara to make Indian

4 debut in Jaipur

Minor Hotels is taking its Anantara brand to India with a new-build property set to open in Jaipur in Q4 2023. The Anantara Jaipur Hotel will feature 150 guest rooms and suites, a full-service Anantara Spa, and will even be able to host large-scale events for up to 2,500 guests.

Plaza Premium unveils two

5 lounges in Kuala Lumpur

Plaza Premium Group has opened two new lounges at KL International airport. The Plaza Premium Lounge and Plaza Premium First facilities are located in the airport’s Terminal 1, and feature art by Malaysian artists. Both have dedicated zones for relaxation, dining and working.

Free Singapore city tours

6 for transit passengers

Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board have re-launched the Free Singapore Tour. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours, available daily. There are plans to increase it to nine tours daily. Options include the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour.

4 5

6 8 13

9 10

Air China restarts Beijing-

7 Gatwick flights

Air China has resumed flights between Beijing Capital International airport and Gatwick, with a daily service between the two locations. It also operates flights from Beijing Capital International to London Heathrow. Chinese visitors contributed £1.8 billion to UK’s economy in 2019.

IHG to open two new

8 Bali properties

IHG Hotels and Resorts will introduce its voco brand to Indonesia with a new-build voco Bali Seminyak hotel in 2024. It will also open a second Holiday Inn Express on the island by way of the conversion of an existing building into the Holiday Inn Express Bali Sunset Road.

Marriott opens two

9 properties in Melbourne

Marriott International has opened two properties in Melbourne. Le Méridien Melbourne on Bourke Street is a 235-key property, while The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, now Australia’s highest hotel, occupies the upper levels of an 80-storey tower on Lonsdale Street. Marriott now has 11 hotels in Melbourne.

Emirates returns to

10 Christchurch with A380

Emirates’ A380 has returned to Christchurch, with the resumption of a daily service from Dubai via Sydney. Emirates has been flying to New Zealand for the last 20 years. Elsewhere in the country, it operates a nonstop A380 service to Auckland from Dubai, which it commenced last December. M AY 2 0 2 3

S US TA I N A BL E T R AV E L L E R

Anantara property in Dubai diverts 62 per cent of waste from landfills

nantara The Palm Dubai Resort has reportedly diverted 62 per cent of its waste away from landfills. In 2021, it installed an onsite water bottling plant which has reportedly saved over 1 million single-use plastic bottles by replacing them with glass refillable bottles. On the F&B front, it said that 9.7 tonnes of cooking oil was cleaned and reused. Also, 245 tonnes of garden waste and 178kg of coffee cake were used for compost, while 208kg of soap was collected and reconditioned for cleaning at the back of house. The resort has also within the last year installed a new Food Digester machine. It has processed 21.6 tonnes of food waste and turned it into grey water for use in fertilising and landscaping, allowing the resort to reduce its carbon footprint by 86 tonnes over one year. Anantara The Palm Dubai noted that it has recycled 29.6 tonnes of glass, 1.8 tonnes of plastic, 453kg of metal cans and 38 tonnes of paper over the past year. All of its sustainability efforts, it says, have led to an estimated saving of Dhs120,000 per month. It added that the measures it implemented have helped to increase the quantity of waste that it could divert from landfills from 6 per cent to 62 per cent, thereby bringing it in line with markets such as Singapore which has a 60-65 per cent waste diversion rate among its upscale and luxury hospitality establishments.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Let’s get to work to implement the historic UN biodiversity agreement to ensure that 30 per cent of Earth’s land and water is protected by 2030” António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on International Mother Earth Day 2023

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NINETY PER CENT OF UAE TRAVELLERS WOULD OPT FOR SU S TAI N ABLE TRAVEL – REPORT ACCORDING TO NEW research carried out by Booking.com which surveyed over 33,000 people across 35 countries, 90 per cent of those polled from the UAE say they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months. However, over half (56 per cent) of respondents in the UAE believe that more sustainable travel options are too expensive, whereas 54 per cent are willing to pay extra for travel options with a sustainable certification. UAE travellers are also conscious about their impact when travelling, with 71 per cent turning off the air conditioning in accommodations when they aren’t there, and 46 per cent re-using the same towel multiple times. In a telling observation about the motivation of those surveyed in the UAE to make sustainable choices, 50 per cent indicated that they want discounts and economic incentives to opt for eco-friendly options, while 40 per cent would be encouraged to travel more sustainably if they could avail of reward points for making more sustainable choices that they could in turn use for free extra perks or discounts through online travel booking sites. UAE travellers are also keen to engage with the cause of “regenerative tourism” with nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) saying that they would want to leave the places they visit in a better state than when they arrived.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RIYADH PARTNERS WITH KHIYRAT TO MANAGE FOOD WASTE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL RIYADH

at Kingdom Centre has partnered with Saudi non-profit organisation Khiyrat to manage excess food generated by the hotel. By way of the partnership, Four Seasons will donate all its excess food and beverages to Khiyrat, which will in turn distribute it to those in need. Khiyrat is dedicated to reducing hunger and poverty in the kingdom by providing access to nutritious meals for those who cannot afford them. “We are proud to be partnering with Khiyrat and support their mission of reducing hunger and poverty,” said Guenter Gebhard, regional vice president and general manager at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. “This partnership allows us to do our part in helping those who are less fortunate and is an important step towards creating a more sustainable future for our city.”

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal launches on-site vertical farm THE RITZ-CARLTON ABU DHABI, GRAND CANAL has launched an on-site Vertical Hydroponic Farm. The farm is expected to generate 10kg of produce daily throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions, and has a 41 sqm footprint. It is expected to yield the equivalent of produce otherwise acquired on one acre of land in a traditional farming setup – or 30 times higher growth yields than traditional farming. The vertical farm will also reportedly utilise the practice of controlled environment agriculture (CEA), a technique where all aspects of the farm environment are managed. Since the produce is grown on-site and taken straight to the restaurants, this farm further eliminates emissions related to the transportation of food. Additionally, there is also zero spoilage from the moment it is harvested to when it reaches the kitchens. All the produce at the farm is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

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WORDS VARUN GODINHO

REACHING THE

PINNACLE The best of the best walked away with top honours at the 22nd edition of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023

n a resounding show of strength, over 250 C-suite executives and key decision-makers from the industry assembled for the 22nd edition of the annual Business Traveller Middle East Awards held in the beautiful ballroom of the Palazzo Versace Dubai on Monday, May 1. They gathered to celebrate – and be celebrated – by their peers, as the winners took to the stage to pick up

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their trophies across the 40 award categories spanning airlines, airports and hotels. The MC for the evening was Julian Gregory, managing director of Panacea Media, and the sit-down dinner witnessed entertainment by the pianist and singer Ryan Gibb. In attendance were several distinguished guests including His Excellency Ian Halliday, Australian Consul General, Dubai as well as His Excellency Simon Penney, His Majesty’s Trade

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards is based on votes cast online by readers of Business Traveller Middle East. These votes are processed by Jacobsons Direct Marketing Services.

Commissioner for the Middle East, and His Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai. In the airlines category, Emirates celebrated four wins, including ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’, ‘Airline with the Best First Class’, ‘Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East’ for its Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai International Airport and the highlycoveted ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ accolade too. Fellow UAE carrier Etihad Airways shined bright with three trophies for ‘Airline with the Best Cabin Crew’, ‘Airline with the Best Economy Class’ and ‘Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme’. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways took home two awards – ‘Airline with the Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Regional Airline Serving the Middle East’.

Our annual awards champion the message of resilience, perseverance and aspiration

IAN FAIRSERVICE

Within the airports category, Dubai International Airport won two awards for ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ and ‘Best Airport Worldwide’ – well-earned when you consider that DXB was ranked as the world’s busiest airport for international passengers in 2022. Also, in the airports category, Dubai Duty Free won top honours, and its staggering sales of US$1.74 billion in 2022 speak volumes about its standing in the travel retail sector. As for the hotels category, Raffles Doha located within the soaring landmark Katara Towers won the award for the ‘Best New Business Hotel in the Middle East’ and Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island received the ‘Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East’, becoming the property which secured the most number of votes during the public

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The winners gather for a group photograph; All the trophies lined up as the awards begin; Julian Gregory (left), managing director of Panacea Publishing, and Ian Fairservice (right), managing partner and group editorin-chief of Motivate Media Group, present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Olivier Louis, managing director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm

voting phase of the awards. At the ceremony, there were two Editor’s Choice awards that were determined after an intense round of deliberations within the editorial team at Business Traveller. The first was the Editor’s Choice: Most Iconic Property in the Middle East which went to Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre and the other was the Editor’s Choice: Best Leisure Hotel award which was secured by Sofitel Dubai Downtown. Apart from individual hotels, there were brand-level awards within the hotel category too. Marriott Bonvoy won ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’; Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts walked away with the ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East’, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts won the accolade for ‘Best

Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ and Accor’s Fairmont which recently located its headquarters to Dubai had much to celebrate as it was conferred with the prestigious award of being this year’s ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’. “Our annual awards champion the message of resilience, perseverance and aspiration,” said Ian Fairservice, managing partner and group editor-inchief of Motivate Media Group. “We opened the nominations process to the public, and also had a public round of voting to ensure the authenticity, fairness and impartiality of the awards. My warmest congratulations to each of the very worthy winners.” In his opening address at the awards ceremony, Fairservice also paid tribute to Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Hilton’s president for the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, who passed away the week prior. M AY 2 0 2 3

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Guests assemble in the pre-function area before the awards ceremony; Diriyah Company CEO, Jerry Inzerillo, pre-recorded a video message for the guests; Pianist and singer Ryan Gibb entertains the crowd during dinner

The Guest of Honour for the awards, Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of Diriyah Company, was unable to travel from Saudi Arabia to Dubai due to an unforeseen high-level business meeting in the kingdom, but put together a specially pre-recorded video message that was played at the awards. “There’s only one Business Traveller Middle East Awards, there’s M AY 2 0 2 3

only one Diriyah. For the 40 award recipients There’s only one tonight, you are the Business Traveller best of the best,” Middle East Awards, said Inzerillo in his there’s only one remarks. Diriyah In a moment that stood out at the JERRY INZERILLO ceremony, many in the room took to their feet the moment Olivier Louis was announced as the Lifetime Achievement Reward recipient. The managing director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm, has been working in the industry since the age of 16 and

entered Dubai’s hospitality sector 25 years ago. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the luxury hospitality sector within the region. The sponsors for the awards included Diriyah Company, Delsey Paris, Neutral Fuels, as well as venue partner Palazzo Versace Dubai and Palazzo Hospitality and vote processing partner Jacobsons Direct Marketing. The barometer of the exciting potential that lies ahead for the business travel industry can only be ascertained by the quality of the professionals leading the charge – many of whom you will see on the following pages. To each of the winners, mabrook.

AIRPORTS

here were only five awards within the airports category, but the voting process saw several thousand votes cast in this group alone. All the winners are marked in red below, while its competition in each category follows alphabetically.

BEST AIRPORT LOUNGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Emirates First Class Lounge,

Dubai International Airport

2 Etihad Airways First Class

Lounge, Abu Dhabi International Airport 3 Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge, Hamad International Airport 4 SAUDIA Alfursan Golden Lounge, King Khalid International Airport 5 Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge, Istanbul Airport

BEST AIRPORT HOTEL IN MIDDLE EAST 1 Grand Mercure Hotel and Residences

Dubai Airport

2 Dubai International Airport Hotel 3 Le Meridien Dubai Hotel &

Conference Centre

4 Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai 5 W Abu Dhabi Yas Island BEST AIRPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Dubai International Airport 2 Abu Dhabi International Airport 3 Cairo International Airport 4 Hamad International Airport 5 Muscat International Airport BEST DUTY FREE SHOPPING IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Dubai Duty Free 2 Abu Dhabi Duty Free 3 Bahrain Duty Free 4 Muscat Duty Free 5 Qatar Duty Free

Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East: Ian Fairservice (second from right) presents the award to team Dubai Duty Free

BEST AIRPORT WORLDWIDE 1 Dubai International Airport 2 Abu Dhabi International Airport 3 Hamad International Airport 4 Istanbul Airport 5 Singapore Changi Airport

Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East: Christian Vinsot (left) presents the award to Adil Al Ghaith from Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai International Airport

Best Airport in the Middle East and Best Airport Worldwide: Ian Fairservice (right) presents the award to HE Jamal Al Hai from Dubai International Airport

Best Airport Hotel In Middle East: Christian Vinsot (left) presents the award to team Grand Mercure Hotel and Residences Dubai Airport

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Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Programme: Ashley Jacob (left) presents the award to team Etihad Airways for Etihad Guest

Best Airline Worldwide: Ian Fairservice (second from left) presents the award to team Emirates

AIRLINES

diverse mix of regional and global airlines competed for the 11 awards that were bestowed under this category. As with the airports category, winners are marked in red, while the competition it won against in each category is arranged subsequently alphabetically.

AIRLINE WITH THE BEST CABIN CREW 1 Etihad Airways 2 Emirates 3 Lufthansa 4 Qatar Airways 5 Singapore Airlines

AIRLINE WITH THE BEST PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS 1 Emirates 2 British Airways 3 Lufthansa 4 Singapore Airlines 5 SWISS

AIRLINE WITH THE BEST ECONOMY CLASS 1 Etihad Airways 2 Emirates 3 Gulf Air 4 SAUDIA 5 Singapore Airlines

AIRLINE WITH THE BEST BUSINESS CLASS 1 Qatar Airways 2 Emirates 3 Etihad Airways 4 Lufthansa 5 Turkish Airlines

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AIRLINE WITH THE BEST FIRST CLASS 1 Emirates 2 Etihad Airways 3 Lufthansa 4 Oman Air 5 SWISS AIRLINE WITH THE BEST FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMME 1 Etihad Guest 2 Emirates Skywards 3 Lufthansa Miles

& More

4 Qatar Airways

Privilege Club

5 SAUDIA Alfursan BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE SERVING THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Qatar Airways 2 Emirates 3 Etihad Airways 4 Oman Air 5 SAUDIA

Best Regional Airline Serving the Middle East: Ashley Jacob (left) presents the award to Marwan Koleilat from Qatar Airways

BEST ASIAN AIRLINE SERVING THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Singapore Airlines 2 Air Astana 3 Cathay Pacific 4 SriLankan Airlines 5 Thai Airways BEST EUROPEAN AIRLINE SERVING THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Turkish Airlines 2 British Airways 3 KLM Royal Dutch

Airlines

4 Lufthansa 5 SWISS

BEST LOW-COST AIRLINE SERVING THE MIDDLE EAST 1 flydubai 2 Air Arabia 3 flynas 4 SalamAir 5 Wizz Air Abu Dhabi BEST AIRLINE WORLDWIDE 1 Emirates 2 Etihad Airways 3 Qatar Airways 4 Singapore Airlines 5 Turkish Airlines

Airline with the Best Economy Class: HE Simon Penney (left) presents the award to team Etihad Airways

Airline with the Best Cabin Crew: HE Simon Penney (left) presents the award to team Etihad Airways

21 Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class: HE Simon Penney (left) presents the award to team Emirates

Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East: Ashley Jacob (left) presents the award to Aswin K from Singapore Airlines

Best European Airline Serving the Middle East: Christian Vinsot (left) presents the award to team Turkish Airlines

Airline with the Best Business Class: HE Simon Penney (left) presents the award to Marwan Koleilat from Qatar Airways

Best Low-cost Airline Serving the Middle East: Christian Vinsot (left) presents the award to team flydubai

Airline with the Best First Class: Ashley Jacob (left) presents the award to team Emirates

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HOTELS

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN JORDAN 1 The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Amman HC: Amman Marriott Hotel 3 Centro Mada Amman by Rotana 4 Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel 5 W Amman

here were 13 awards delivered to individual hotels (apart from the Editor’s Choice and Overall Best Business hotel), and each of them had a Highly Commended (HC) award too which was for the property that secured the secondhighest number of public votes. The brand-level awards do not have a HC award. It was our most extensive group with 23 award categories within it. Here are the winners.

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN LEBANON 1 Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun HC: Gefinor Rotana Beirut 3 Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand 4 InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut 5 Kempinski Summerland Hotel

BEST NEW BUSINESS HOTEL IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Raffles Doha HC: Marriott Resort Palm

4 Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden

Jumeirah, Dubai

3 Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island 4 Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport 5 Shangri-La Jeddah BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN DUBAI 1 Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International

Financial Centre

HC: Novotel World Trade

Centre Dubai 3 Armani Hotel Dubai 4 Hyatt Place Dubai Jumeirah 5 JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN ABU DHABI 1 Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island HC: Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi 3 Marriott Hotel Al Forsan,

Abu Dhabi 4 Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi 5 W Abu Dhabi Yas Island

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN SHARJAH & NORTHERN EMIRATES 1 InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah

Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa

HC: Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa 3 BM Beach Hotel 4 Hilton Ras Al Khaimah

Beach Resort 5 The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah M AY 2 0 2 3

& Resort Beirut

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN EGYPT 1 InterContinental Citystars Cairo HC: Fairmont Nile City 3 Four Seasons Hotel Cairo

at Nile Plaza City Cairo

5 The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN QATAR 1 Fairmont Doha HC: Alwadi Hotel Doha –

MGallery

3 Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha 4 The Ritz-Carlton, Doha 5 The St. Regis Doha

Best New Business Hotel in the Middle East: Olivier Louis (left) presents the award to Christian Hirt from Raffles Doha

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN KUWAIT 1 Grand Hyatt Kuwait HC: Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait

at Burj Alshaya

3 Hyatt Regency Al Kout Mall 4 Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel

& Spa

5 The St. Regis Kuwait BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN BAHRAIN 1 Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa HC: Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain 3 Downtown Rotana, Manama 4 Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay 5 The Diplomat Radisson Blu

Hotel, Residence & Spa, Manama

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN RIYADH 1 voco Riyadh HC: Radisson Hotel

The hotel category recognised individual hotels as well as brands across the Middle East

Riyadh Airport

3 Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh

Diplomatic Quarter

4 Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh

Financial District

5 The Ritz-Carlton,

Riyadh

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN OMAN 1 Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel HC: Jumeirah Muscat Bay 3 Hormuz Grand Muscat,

BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN JEDDAH 1 The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah HC: Shangri-La Jeddah 3 Assila, a Luxury Collection

4 InterContinental Muscat 5 Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat

4 InterContinental Jeddah 5 Rosewood Jeddah

a Radisson Collection Hotel

Hotel, Jeddah

Best Business Hotel in Dubai: Olivier Louis (left) presents the award to team Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

Best Business Hotel in Lebanon: HE Ian Halliday (left) presents the award to Yassine Mohamad from Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun

Best Business Hotel in Bahrain: Rania Apthorpe (left) presents the award to Kirti Anchan representing Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa

23 Best Business Hotel in Abu Dhabi: Olivier Louis (left) presents the award to Taran Singh from Motivate Media Group who received the award on behalf of Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Best Business Hotel in Egypt: HE Ian Halliday (left) presents the award to team InterContinental Citystars Cairo

Best Business Hotel in Oman: Rania Apthorpe (centre) presents the award to team Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Best Business Hotel in Sharjah & Northern Emirates: Olivier Louis (left) presents the award to team InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa

Best Business Hotel in Qatar: HE Ian Halliday (left) presents the award to Christian Hirt from Fairmont Doha

Best Business Hotel in Riyadh: Rania Apthorpe (left) presents the award to Ihab Karkaba from voco Riyadh

Best Business Hotel in Jordan: HE Ian Halliday (left) presents the award to Tom Stevens representing The Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Amman

Best Business Hotel in Kuwait: Rania Apthorpe (left) presents the award to Ramzi Shway from Grand Hyatt Kuwait

Best Business Hotel in Jeddah: Varun Godinho (right) presents the award to team The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah

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EDITOR’S CHOICE : MOST ICONIC PROPERTY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre EDITOR’S CHOICE : BEST LEISURE HOTEL

Sofitel Dubai Downtown OVERALL BEST BUSINESS HOTEL IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island BEST SERVICED APARTMENT BRAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Ascott 2 Adagio Premium 3 Hyatt Place 4 Jumeirah Living 5 Marriott Executive

Apartments

BEST HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMME IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Marriott Bonvoy 2 ALL – Accor Live

BEST BUDGET HOTEL BRAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Rove Hotels 2 Centro Hotels by Rotana 3 ibis 4 Park Inn by Radisson 5 Premier Inn BEST LIFESTYLE HOTEL BRAND IN MIDDLE EAST 1 Radisson 2 Oberoi Hotels 3 Rixos 4 Sofitel 5 W Hotels BEST LUXURY HOTEL BRAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts 2 Address Hotels + Resorts 3 Anantara Hotels,

Key executives from the region’s hospitality industry attended the awards in Dubai

BEST HOTEL BRAND IN THE MIDDLE EAST 1 InterContinental Hotels

& Resorts

2 Fairmont 3 Jumeirah Hotels

& Resorts

4 Marriott Hotels 5 Rotana Hotels & Resorts BEST HOTEL BRAND WORLDWIDE 1 Fairmont 2 Four Seasons Hotels

& Resorts

3 Hilton Hotels & Resorts 4 InterContinental Hotels

& Resorts

5 Marriott Hotels

Resorts & Spas

4 Raffles 5 The Ritz-Carlton

Limitless

3 Ascott Star Rewards 4 Hilton Honors 5 Rotana Rewards

Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East: Kiran Jay Haslam (left) presents the award to team Marriott Bonvoy

Best Hotel Brand Worldwide: Ian Fairservice (left) presents the award to Christian Hirt from Fairmont

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Best Budget Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Kiran Jay Haslam (left) presents the award to team Rove Hotels

Editor’s Choice : Most Iconic Property in the Middle East: Varun Godinho (left) presents the award to Swen Ehlender from Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre

Editor’s Choice: Best Leisure Hotel: Varun Godinho (left) presents the award to Caroline Trichet from Sofitel Dubai Downtown

Overall Best Business Hotel in the Middle East: Kiran Jay Haslam (left) presents the award to Taran Singh from Motivate Media Group who received the award on behalf of Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Ian Fairservice (third from left) presents the award to team InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

Best Lifestyle Hotel Brand in Middle East: Kiran Jay Haslam (left) presents the award to team Radisson

Partners

Best Serviced Apartment Brand in the Middle East: Kiran Jay Haslam (left) presents the award to team Ascott

Venue partners

Beverage partners

Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East: Ian Fairservice (left) presents the award to Kirti Anchan representing Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

Vote processing partner

Presented by

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WORDS VARUN GODINHO The UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance delivers a platform for independent hotel brands to band together and compete directly with large hospitality companies

INDEPENDENT MINDS

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GHA

ith millions of marketing dollars available in the war chest of huge multibrand hospitality companies, independent hotel brands typically face an impossible situation while trying to compete. Fighting in the latter’s corner is UAEheadquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) which was founded back in 2004 with the aim of coalescing the independents and setting them up in a David vs Goliath scenario where they stand a fighting chance to come out on top. Chris Hartley, a former head of sales and marketing at Kempinski Hotels which was one of the alliance’s founding members, explains GHA’s genesis. “Kempinski was a founding member of GHA and they are still one of the biggest brands and

shareholders in the alliance today. The formation of GHA relates to airline alliances. Back then, Kempinski was owned by Lufthansa. However, Lufthansa had gone off to create Star Alliance and so we [at Kempinski] had lost the value of the Lufthansa ownership and the distribution and sales power that came with that. We thought we needed to do something similar [to Lufthansa creating the Star Alliance] to enable a small company like ours to compete globally. That was really the catalyst behind the creation of the GHA. Kempinski had maybe 25 hotels at that time. We brought a few other similar sized brands into the GHA. So we had about four brands with 100 hotels, trying to compete with big hotel companies that had about 500 hotels. That was the original concept, and it remains true today,” says Hartley. With Kempinski, Omni, and Oracle becoming founding shareholders of GHA – with Hartley taking over as CEO of the alliance in 2006, which he remains today – the alliance has had a meteoric growth over the last 20 years. Comprising 40 brands and over 800 hotels spread across 100 countries, GHA says that it is now the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. Its portfolio includes the likes of Corinthia Hotels, Parkroyal Hotels and Resorts, Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts, and The Set Collection, among dozens more. Last year, GHA’s growth received a major fillip when the NH Hotel Group joined the alliance and brought into the fold its 350-odd hotels across its three brands including NH Hotels, NH Collection and nhow. Interestingly, NH Hotel Group is majority owned by Minor Hotels, the latter of which has been a part of the GHA since 2007. “Minor joined us with five Anantara hotels in 2007. They were a small independent back then, but now they’ve grown – and the alliance has been a part of that growth. You can argue that the Minor Group today could run their own platform, but they instead bought into the alliance

OPPOSITE PAGE FROM TOP: JA Palm Tree Court, Dubai; Nikki Beach Dubai BELOW: Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai BOTTOM: Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance

– they are our shareholders. We as a business double their reach, and we’re in markets that they couldn’t get on their own, and so it still works for Minor. As a shareholder in GHA, they’re happy to see the alliance grow,” says Hartley before turning to the aviation industry analogy. “Lufthansa is very big in its own right, and it also owns Austrian Airlines, SWISS, etc. Lufthansa doesn’t necessarily need Star Alliance. It could operate entirely independently. But they are instead part of a broader Star Alliance. I think that’s Minor’s view of being a part of the Global Hotel Alliance.” There is no arguing the scale of GHA’s consumer reach. The alliance has 24 million people within its GHA Discovery loyalty programme. GHA’s total revenues across its hotels reached US$1.4 billion for 2022, a 60 per cent year-on-year increase over 2021. As Hartley reveals, that figure is expected to hit US$2 billion this year. But for Hartley, increased revenue isn’t the top priority – cultivating loyalty and

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GHA

encouraging customers to engage in cross-spending across GHA’s brands is the ultimate goal. “A large chunk of the annual revenue, maybe around 60 per cent of it, in any given year is one-off – those are customers that stay with us only once. Then you have around 30 per cent of that overall revenue from guests who come back to stay with us, but always at the same hotel – say the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. We like those customers, but what we try and say to them is, ‘Why don’t you also try the other brands from the alliance?’ – and that’s what we call cross-brand revenue. So about 10 per cent of our annual revenue comes from cross-brand revenue, and that’s the holy grail for us.” In 2022, GHA’s cross-brand revenue reached US$168 million, a 25 per cent increase over its pre-pandemic 2019 performance. Last year, Anantara, Kempinski and Pan Pacific Hotels Group were the most active in both receiving and sending cross-brand revenues to other GHA member hotels. NH Hotels, which joined in July 2022, contributed around US$14 million in revenue in stays to other brands by the close of last year. Crucial to driving cross-brand revenue is its loyalty programme – GHA Discovery. Of its around 24 million members, 1.6 million joined last year. GHA, therefore, has a large captive audience, and its digital rewards currency programme – Discovery Dollars (D$) – allows its loyalty programme members to earn D$ throughout their stay at any property against room charges, dining, spa and other activities. The currency is credited at the time of check out, and it can in turn be used as a spend to offset the cost of a member’s next visit to any other GHA property worldwide.

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS

Earlier this year, GHA rolled out its new Green Collection programme wherein individual hotels from its existing portfolio are labelled as a Green Collection property if they are deemed as being ahead of their M AY 2 0 2 3

peers with regards to their sustainability About 10 per cent initiatives. At the of our annual time of rolling out the revenue comes programme in March, 194 properties out from cross-brand of the total of 800 revenue, and that’s the Green the holy grail for us received Collection tag. But rather than GHA itself assessing the sustainability measures of individual hotels, it relies instead on the certification afforded by 15 global environmental organisations such as EarthCheck, Green Key, Green Growth 2050 and Green Globe. Every Green Collection-certified property has at least one certification from the 15 entities that GHA recognises as a part of the programme. The inaugural list of Green Collection hotels includes properties in 44 countries and 112 destinations. In the Middle East and North Africa, Green Collection properties account for half of the GHA Discovery’s portfolio, while in Africa and Asia, they account for 37 per and 36 per BELOW: Capella Ubud, Bali cent respectively. The highest density

of Green Collection hotels are in the Netherlands with 31 properties (97 per cent of GHA hotels in that country), Thailand with 16 hotels (52 per cent), the UAE with 15 hotels (52 per cent), China with 13 hotels (31 per cent); and Belgium and Argentina with seven hotels (54 per cent and 50 per cent respectively). Properties that have received the Green Collection tag include Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore which champions the ‘garden-in-a-hotel concept’ with 2,400 trees, shrubs and groundcovers within it; the Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel and Suites which received the Green Growth 2050 Certification; the Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort which has an extensive coral reef protection and regeneration programme; and 14 Kempinski hotels worldwide (Kempinski plans to measure 100 per cent of its energy emissions across all its hotels by the end of 2023). “People who travel extensively are very aware of their carbon footprint. We’ve got a customer base of 24 million people, and we’re going to tell those customers which hotels are following sustainability best

practices. Green Collection is our way of responding to what our customers are saying, acknowledging the efforts made on the sustainability front by our hotels and encouraging other hotels that aren’t part of the collection to make an effort and consider why they aren’t part of the collection. “We don’t want to be the [sustainability] police. We see our role as provoking a discussion, rather than lecturing, because there’s a lot of greenwashing going on. I wouldn’t be surprised if within two-three years, we have over half of all our hotels in that Green Collection,” notes Hartley. As GHA moves towards its US$2 billion revenue mark, the Middle East market is going to be vital to its growth. By the close of 2022, there

FROM TOP: Viceroy Los Cabos; Corinthia London; Elewana Elsa’s Kopje Meru, Kenya

were 28 GHA properties under nine brands in the UAE. New additions in the country to the GHA last year included the Palazzo Versace Dubai which joined the alliance in June and also the Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel which opened in July. The alliance’s UAE hotels delivered US$32 million in room revenue in Q4 alone. “The UAE market, relative to its size, is the biggest market we have. We’ve got a greater number of hotels in China, but it’s a different scale. We’ve got four-five new openings in the UAE over the next 12 months. The UAE is going to be up there with the biggest performing markets in the world for the foreseeable future,” predicts Hartley, while going on to elaborate on the alliance’s prospects in other countries in the region. “In Qatar, we opened several hotels in the run-up to last year’s World Cup. We’ve got more hotels opening in Saudi too, some of them in these mega projects. Brands such as Kempinski have announced a huge explosion of hotels in that Saudi market over the next couple of years.” In China, one of its biggest markets, GHA has over 50 member hotels. But there are other markets where it’s yet to establish a significant presence. “We could do with a much larger presence than the three hotels we’ve currently got in Japan – a market of 130 million people and, according to our customers, one of their preferred destinations to travel to. In South Korea, we’ve got pretty much nothing. The US is always dominated by the big players, but we’ve only got 20-30 hotels over there. India is a growing market, both for inbound and outbound travel. We’ve got Leela as a brand there, but they’ve got 10 hotels in a market that has 1.4 billion people,” observes Hartley. GHA’s portfolio of hotels is expected to grow by another 100 properties by the end of this year. And as the pool increases, Hartley explains the typical conditions which need to be met for a hotel brand to enter the GHA fold. “We look for companies – not individual hotels – that have the infrastructure mix of technology and human resources to work with

us, and have the scale to benefit from our infrastructure. Typically, we’re looking for brands that have maybe a minimum of 5-10 hotels,” says Hartley. He adds that hotels that have standard commoditized mass offerings aren’t typically the best fit for GHA. Instead, he says that experiential brands work best for the alliance, while citing the example of JA Resorts in Dubai which delivers on that front. JA Resorts is an entity that is widely known among UAE residents, but isn’t as popular in European or Asian markets and hence benefits from tying into the GHA ecosystem for added visibility. While the big multi-brand hotel companies are obvious competition to GHA, Hartley says that he finds GHA actively competing against third-party sites such as Booking. com too. “Two-thirds of GHA hotels are either owned or leased by the companies we’re working with. The cost of third-party booking sites – around 20 per cent – is very high for hotels. Maybe you’d care less if you’re a franchise, but if you’re the owner of the asset, that 20 per cent is expensive and so the solution is to enable more direct booking,” states Hartley. Hartley’s view of the evolving nature of hospitality franchise brands, especially the bigger ones that have several hundred hotels within their scope, is that they are becoming marketers and distributors, rather than operators. The independent brands that GHA works with are primarily owner-operators. “Over the last 20 years, the hospitality industry has massively consolidated – but it’s still only consolidated with around 50-60 per cent of hotels now belonging to one of the mega chains. “However, there’s a whole swathe of maybe 30-40 per cent of hotel ownership that is fiercely independent. I think there are more brands that in the future would see remaining independent as a goal,” says Hartley. And it’s those brands that will likely find it the most advantageous to comfortably slot themselves into the alliance. M AY 2 0 2 3

SPONSORED

The elements of luxury The all-suite Raffle Doha property located in Katara Towers is operating at the very top end of the luxury hospitality space

affles is one of Accor’s ultraluxury brands, and also one of its most exclusive by way of its global distribution. There are less than two dozen operational Raffles properties worldwide and therefore each new opening of the brand is a celebrated moment. Recently, Raffles opened its first property in Qatar called the Raffles Doha. It is located in the iconic 37-storey Katara Towers. It is situated in the Lusail District which is home to the famous Lusail Stadium where Argentina was recently crowned world football champions. Here’s what to expect when you check in at the Raffles Doha.

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The suite life

Raffles Doha is an all-suite property and features 132 keys. Guests staying in each suite are attended to by private butlers who undertake personal requests such as converting the suite balcony into an outdoor gym or even the living room into a private movie theatre. There are several suite categories. The 101 sqm Urban Suite can accommodate up to four adults and has separate living and dining areas. The Crescent Suite overlooks the city, the sea and the inner curves of Katara Towers. The two-bedroom Parisian Suite which occupies the entire 30th floor resembles the interiors of a Haussmann apartment

in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement in Paris. The Designer Suite is spread across the entire 31st floor, includes a spa bathroom and sauna, and features an art gallery too. The Raffles Suite on the 32nd floor pays homage to the Qatari national bird, the falcon, and as such features interior design elements that resemble a falcon’s gilded cage, and also winged-themed works of art. This suite also has its own study, cigar room, barber corner and private theatre. The hotel’s most luxurious suite, the duplex Royal Suite, is spread across the 33rd and 34th floors, and has double-height domed ceilings, a game room, a cinema, a personal spa with a hammam and even its own plunge pool.

Flavours of the world

There are five dining options at Raffles Doha, including the first international outpost by three Michelin Star chef Enrico Crippa. Alba by Enrico Crippa at the Raffles Doha features stunning interiors which include white marble arches with intricate gold finishes, dark green velvet sofas and deep red curtains. Expect the

the lounge has a collection of spy and detective books. Its fifth dining venue, Acoustic Music Penthouse, on the 36th and 37th floor, has live acoustic music sets played in a setting that includes arresting sights of a vertical garden of fresh herbs as you make your way to the venue’s vast terrace located on the second level.

Meet and celebrate

Raffles Doha features 3,837 sqm of event spaces. The pillarless Katara Hall is Doha’s largest events space and features a 21-metre arched ceiling. Meanwhile, business facilities include six executive boardrooms, each of which act as selfcontained suites, complete with its own kitchen and washroom. There is also a 44-seat VIP cinema auditorium on the property. The Aqua Urban Deck provides a combination of indoor and outdoor pool lounge spaces and is well-suited for expos, congresses, and special entertainment events. As is the case with its accommodation suites, the hotel’s meeting and events facilities are attended to by a dedicated set of Meeting Butlers who cater to the tailored requirements of guests.

Refresh and reboot

The Raffles Spa has nine treatment suites, each with its own swimming pool. Some of the suites also have a private outdoor terrace and plunge pool. The spa has male and female hydrotherapy areas with steam, a sauna, and warm and cold plunge pools too. The hotel also provides beauty treatments by Dr Burgener Switzerland, and a manicure and pedicure salon by Bastien Gonzalez. Other amenities include two swimming pools, one of which is surrounded by cabanas and the other being the Aqua Urban Deck infinity pool.

Be entertained dishes here to complement Crippa’s nickname as the ‘multicoloured master of the vegetable’, accompanied by theatrical meat carving and truffle shaving. L’artisan is open throughout the day and offers a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience with offerings such as a signature veal tomahawk for two. Malaki Lounge, which extends across the atrium, lounge area and garden on the ground

floor, is reputed for its afternoon tea, decadent patisseries, and gourmet bites. Blue Cigar, also located on the ground floor, has a collection of 6,000 literary classics – which is believed to be the largest book-buying project in the world – and includes 200 first-edition books. Guests at the lounge can also request for a Reader who will recite passages of stories, while the Secret Library at

Mega shows are regularly held in Katara Hall, while more intimate performances are staged in the hotel’s auditorium. Guests can drop by to watch live music gigs at the Acoustic Lounge too. The hotel partners with top art and cultural institutions to host internationally renowned shows and entertainers. At Raffles Doha, there’s never a dull moment. raffles.com/doha

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A place to remember HERE ARE SOME OF THE STUNNING HOTELS SET TO OPEN THIS YEAR ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST

WORDS AKANKSHA MAKER Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve is slated to open in 2023 in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development. It will be one of the most exclusive offerings from Ritz-Carlton in the region, and only the fifth Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the world. It is being designed to blend seamlessly with the environment and resonate with the Red Sea’s theme of regenerative tourism. It will house 63 one- to four-bedroom water and beach villas. Additionally, it will also include 18 Ritz-Carlton Reserve branded residences. Some of the luxurious amenities and services will include multiple swimming pools, a high-end spa, several culinary destinations and a Conservation Centre too. marriott.com M AY 2 0 2 3

Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay

This upcoming property in Qatar has started accepting reservations for stays from September 1 onwards. With easy access to some of Doha’s main attractions, including the Doha Corniche, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the Souq Waqif market, Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay is situated in a prime location. For those travelling to the city on business, this property is only 1km from the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The hotel is housed in a 43-storey tower in the West Bay area, featuring 311 hotel rooms and 25 apartments. It offers a variety of dining options, including a fine-dining restaurant and a rooftop lounge. Its leisure amenities include a spa, fitness centre, and outdoor pool. hilton.com

HOTELS

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai is also scheduled to open this year. It will feature 303 rooms, 84 suites as well as 82 one-, two- and three-bedroom glamorous serviced residences which will be set in the middle of private manicured gardens. All rooms and suites will have sea views. The aim of the resort according to Jumeirah is to “transform the nautical glamour of a bygone era into a haven of modern living”. Amenities will include integrated wellness and leisure destinations and a noteworthy list of signature restaurants – one of them will include a new concept that brings together four restaurants in one. jumeirah.com

The St Regis Al Mouj Muscat

The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat is scheduled to open by the end of this year. It will be a part of Al Mouj Muscat, a mixed-use development that includes residential properties, commercial spaces, and a marina. The hotel will feature 269 rooms and suites, all of which will be elegantly decorated and furnished with modern amenities. Several of the rooms offer breathtaking views of the sea. The resort’s high-end restaurants include Novikov for pan-Asian cuisine, Em Sherif Restaurant for Lebanese offerings and Hakkasan for Cantonese fare. The property will also include 169 residences which will range from apartments to villas. srresidencesalmouj.com M AY 2 0 2 3

HOTELS

Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort

Scheduled to open this year, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort will feature 174 rooms, suites and overwater villas. In addition to the Anantara Spa, a discovery and eco-learning centre, meeting spaces, outdoor swimming pool and beach and pool bar, it will also include a speciality Asian lagoon restaurant and a seafood beach and pool restaurant. Located in the emirate which thrives on adventure tourism in the UAE, this resort offers a plethora of experiences for those looking to indulge. You can charter a yacht and sail off into the sunset or hike across the nearby mountain range. anantara.com

One&Only One Za’abeel

One&Only One Za’abeel will open towards the end of 2023 in the One Za’abeel development, beside a second hotel from the owning company Kerzner called Siro. One&Only One Za’abeel is set to become one of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, and is expected to attract a large number of tourists and residents alike. Envisioned by the internationally acclaimed Denniston Architects, the 229 rooms and suites will feature earthy tones and curated artwork along with floor-to-ceiling windows. There will also be a total of 94 private residential units. The hotel is expected to house 11 new restaurants and bars, including four celebrity chef restaurants. oneandonlyresorts.com

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The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai

Dorchester Collection and OMNIYAT, the real estate development group, have announced that their new luxury landmark designed by Foster + Partners will be called The Lana. It is slated to open in November 2023 and will feature 225 rooms and suites designed by Gilles et Boissier. Expect its design to feature a combination of traditional and modern elements. The hotel will pride itself on unique F&B concepts which will include a patisserie and a signature evening restaurant on the 18th floor. Expect stunning views from the property’s rooftop pool and bar. Apart from the hotel itself, Dorchester Collection will also manage 39 residences which will feature floor-toceiling windows, double-height spaces and vast terraces. dorchestercollection.com

Four Seasons Resort and Residences At The Pearl-Qatar

Four Seasons has indicated a “mid2023” opening of its second hotel in Doha, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences At The Pearl-Qatar. Featuring fully-furnished apartments designed by Wimberly Interiors, it

will feature full kitchens, ensuite laundry and living areas including outdoor terraces. Additionally, several apartments would also be available for purchase. Located on a private beach at the end of Porto Arabia Drive, the resort will feature a Loulou Spa, a 25-metre indoor lap pool overlooking

the sea, as well as salons. Some of the other amenities will include seven restaurants and bars including one by Joël Robuchon, a supervised indoor and outdoor Kids For All Seasons facility and large-scale meetings and event spaces too. fourseasons.com M AY 2 0 2 3

E L E VATO R P I TC H

ELE

THE

TOR PITCH

Business Traveller Middle East gives Tom Roelens, senior vice president of operations and general manager of Atlantis The Royal, five minutes to pitch his property to prospective guests

Igniting the next chapter of the Atlantis legacy, we are delighted to now be welcoming business travellers to our ultra-luxury experiential resort, Atlantis The Royal. Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, this is a destination where everything has been designed to challenge the boundaries of the imagination. Eight years in the making, the resort delivers a curated array of aweinspiring experiences, inviting guests to swim amongst the clouds in sky pools, be dazzled by fountains that breathe fire or dine at more celebrity chef restaurants than anywhere else in the world. Atlantis The Royal opened earlier this year on January 22, with a starstudded Grand Reveal extravaganza to celebrate the launch of the resort and Dubai’s newest icon. The threeday celebration featured lavish meals created by the world’s best chefs, parties hosted by celebrities including Kendall Jenner, and a show-stopping performance by 28-time Grammy Award-winning superstar Beyoncé – her first live show in four years. The Grand Reveal Weekend firmly positioned Atlantis The Royal as an instant icon around the globe – not M AY 2 0 2 3

ABOVE: The luxurious Atlantis The Royal in Dubai LEFT: Tom Roelens

only as a recognisable silhouette of the Dubai skyline, but also amongst the world’s top hotels and resorts. Throughout the resort, much of the interiors are designed around the notion of water and water-based moments. The original design brief was inspired by the oldest inhabitants of the Arabian desert, the Bedouins. Known for their resourcefulness and hospitality, the tribes would traverse thousands of miles across the sand dunes using water wells, the lifeblood of the desert, to navigate

“Atlantis The Royal opened earlier this year on January 22, with a star-studded Grand Reveal extravaganza to celebrate the launch of the resort”

their route. The precious commodity of water is celebrated within the property, with water features and sculptures throughout. Guests can take a moment to admire Droplets, the focal piece of artwork in the centre of Atlantis The Royal’s lobby, representing the first cool drop of rain in a dry desert, or they can pay a visit to Resonance by Heston Blumenthal to sip on an expertly-crafted drink by the world-famous chef. Coined by some as “the world’s most ultra-luxury resort”, Atlantis The Royal heralds a new dawn in travel. It subverts the stereotype that luxury equates to gold and opulence, moving the very definition to something that is hyper-personalised, something that is so special, it has to be experienced to be believed. Ultimately, it’s the people, our Atlantis The Royal colleagues, who deliver luxury and intuitive service. Guest interactions with our Atlantis colleagues are our focus, and the greatest measure of success is to now already see many return bookings. Business travellers are warmly welcome to Atlantis The Royal, and we look forward to treating them to an experience that will completely redefine their perspective of luxury.

AIR MILES

AIR MILES WITH

Jeremy Jauncey The CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations is harnessing the influence of social media to showcase stunning locations from around the world to the channel’s tens of millions of followers

INTERVIEW VARUN GODINHO

ow did the idea for Beautiful Destinations come around? We began as an Instagram account, but quickly grew into a media brand and content agency, largely thanks to Dubai Tourism and Burj Al Arab – our first clients – who gave us an opportunity way before the tourism industry saw the power of social media.

How do you spend your air miles? I’d say companion flights. Luckily, my wife Pia is a big traveller too, so miles are shared in our family.

into the mountains and spent an afternoon with the babies and their families – without doubt, my most memorable moment.

What is your routine on-board? I know it’s old school, but I love not connecting to the wifi and keeping flight time one of the few times I can really switch off.

What is the scale of the business at Beautiful Destinations? We don’t share our financials, but our scale on social is over 50 million people across all the major social platforms. We work with tourism boards, hotels, airlines, real estate developers, attractions and tourism investors across the world.

Which is your most memorable travel experience to date? In 2019, I visited Rwanda as I was invited by the government to name a baby gorilla at the Kwita Izina festival. The increasing birth rate of gorillas reflects the health of Rwanda’s tourism as wildlife is preserved versus killed by poachers. After the ceremony, we went up

The one travel experience you’d rather forget. Just after a trip to Africa, I caught a nasty flesh-eating bug that caused my elbow to blow up to the size of a tennis ball. A colleague noticed it in a meeting and urged me to go to the hospital. Seven days later, I was still there in intensive care.

How actively engaged is BD with content creation in the Middle East? Very – I moved here with my family last summer, joined the board of the UAE Marketing Society and have been working with local creative talent ever since. I see a huge opportunity to champion Middle Eastern creatives who haven’t yet had the global recognition I think they deserve.

The one destination that is on your bucket list. No single destination, but definitely a desire to see more of the Middle East. I love the region and feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface of its cultures and experiences.

What is your earliest memory of a holiday growing up? It is of trips to the Scottish Highlands with my family. I still love going back there and try to do it at least once a year. I love getting back to my roots, [enjoying the] clean fresh air and Highlands’ hospitality. How often in a year do you travel and what are your top packing tips? I used to travel most weeks and got packing light down to an art form. A small Rimowa carry-on with freshly pressed T-shirts, smart shoes and a pair of jeans is all I need. With our changing world of business/leisure travel, I think a few smart casual essentials are all you need nowadays. M AY 2 0 2 3

OPINION

How many pilots fly a plane? Our undercover pilot explains why a minimum of two pilots are still needed to fly a plane, and why there may be four…

L 38

et’s start with one of the most iconic planes in commercial air travel – the classic Boeing 747. When it first launched in February 1969, this aeroplane required two pilots at the controls plus a flight engineer on the flight deck to monitor the equipment. With the development of more modern computer systems, the role of the flight engineer was gradually replaced by technology. With computers even more advanced today, why do we still need two pilots? This is the trajectory of modern aviation – and a question airlines and aircraft manufacturers are actively discussing. But for now, a minimum of two pilots are required on commercial aircraft. FLYING AND MONITORING On a typical short-haul flight, from say London to Paris, you will be escorted to your destination by a captain and a first officer. One is designated Pilot Flying (PF) and one designated Pilot Monitoring (PM). These designations will change depending on the airline, but the roles are the same. The PF pilot will make the decisions, direct the manipulation of the automatics and computers and, when required, manually handle the aeroplane (such as for landing and take-off ). They also monitor the weather ahead and assess things like where to land in an emergency. The other pilot, PM, will handle communicating with air traffic control (ATC) over the radio and support the PF by monitoring the situation from a ‘big picture’ point of view, updating paperwork and performing fuel checks. In the event that there is an emergency, the roles become much more separated, with the PF focusing on aircraft operation and the PM dedicated to the management of the emergency.

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UNFORESEEN INCIDENTS Not to mention, when most people get to In addition to the basic operation of the the end of a long day, they’re ready to clock aeroplane, we also need to think about back off. For a pilot, the most intense period up. If anything should happen to one pilot, (during normal operations) is right at the who would land the aeroplane? Pilots are end: the approach and landing. The not permitted to eat the same inflight meal aeroplane is now descending into a busy as each other in case of food poisoning airport, with lots of other aircraft getting incapacitating both at the same time. And ready for their morning departures. Pilots when one pilot needs to take must be on high alert for the a bathroom break, a cabin operation to be conducted crew member usually in a safe, efficient manner. Pilots are not swaps places and remains Imagine tackling the permitted to eat the on the flight deck. This is most strenuous part of to help open the door or same inflight meal as your day and having to call for help if the other make clear-minded each other in case of pilot has any unforeseen decisions after you’ve been food poisoning incidents, such as loss awake all night. A third of consciousness. pilot offers relief to the Since an aeroplane can operating pilots so they be flown with two pilots, can be fully alert for the why do we sometimes see three, approach and landing. or even four pilots in the cockpit? One possibility is STAYING ALERT that training is taking place So, that explains three pilots. (don’t worry, all commercial But why four? Ultra-long haul. pilots are qualified and have a Flights from Asia to North America, licence!) but every year, all specifically the East coast, ( JFK, YYZ, pilots undergo mandatory EWR) can be over 16 hours. For those of performance testing. They might also be you that fly routes like this, ask yourself: undergoing training for a promotion. could you stay alert for the full 16 hours and Alternatively, it could be a long-haul feel confident about closing an important service, for instance from London to New business deal on arrival? Having relief York with a flight time of eight hours. This is support is crucial to safe operations. a long time for anyone to be concentrating, Technology is constantly evolving and so a third pilot helps to monitor the flight there are roles on the flight deck that can be deck while the other pilot rests. monitored or even performed by computers. Many of you reading this will no doubt be Could we reduce the number of pilots used to working long hours – perhaps you’re required while still allowing adequate rest? even scoffing at the idea of eight hours being Perhaps a better question is, how happy a long day. But let’s remember, flight times would you be knowing your pilot was are not very often during normal office concentrating alone, in the dark, on the hours. Instead, your shift starts at 8pm and wrong time zone, for 12 hours – with just a ends in the early hours of the morning. computer for back up?

OPINION

Is this the year of personalised luxury travel? A closer look at what customers booking high-end bespoke tours, across both business and leisure verticals, are currently seeking from their travel management operators

uxury travel in 2023 is on the rise. While the global luxury travel market was valued at US$640 billion in 2021, it is projected to reach US$1.7 trillion by 2031. People are increasingly opting for premium class flights, luxury accommodation, and bespoke experiences. This growth has undoubtedly been accelerated by the global pandemic which changed travel behaviours. After years of travel restrictions, many people have re-evaluated their travel priorities. Those who found that they had accumulated savings during the pandemic are now choosing to spend it on travel. Also, those who had put their travel plans on hold are now seeking bucket list experiences, with 43 per cent of travellers (according to research carried out by Booking.com) planning to spend more lavishly to make up for missed travel opportunities. Travellers are increasingly prioritising personalised experiences by seeking out professional travel advisory services to curate travel itineraries. They are willing to spend significant amounts of money to ensure that their long-awaited trip meets, and even exceeds, expectations. From husky sledge expeditions in Switzerland to private shopping experiences in Paris, travellers are seeking unique luxury experiences. This demand for luxury experiences is not only restricted to leisure trips; there is also a rise in luxury travel requests for business trips, especially among those choosing to combine business with leisure. The growing popularity of so-called ‘bleisure’ travel has also been spurred on by the pandemic as the

ROB ARROW HEAD OF ALMOSAFER CONCIERGE

lines between work and leisure became on-site highly-trained therapists to promote increasingly blurred, not in the least because health and well-being for their guests. of the shift to working from anywhere across Travellers are increasingly seeking out the globe. wellness retreats at resorts such as SHA Last year could be characterised as the Wellness Clinic in Spain, Bürgenstock Hotel year of return – a return to travel, a return and Alpine Spa in Switzerland and Zulal to family and friends, and a return to Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som in Qatar. well-known destinations. Many travellers The growing demand for premium from the Middle East are opting for firm experiences is driving a whole host of luxury favourite destinations offerings that are coming to including London, Paris, market across the globe Switzerland, Maldives, There is also a rise in this year. In the region, we Egypt and Saudi Arabia. luxury travel requests have several luxury hotels This year, however, is and resorts recently for business trips, gearing up to be a year of welcoming their first guests especially among exploration for travellers (or gearing up to do so over those choosing to from the region to the next few months) combine business less-travelled destinations, including Atlantis The with leisure including Japan, Eastern Royal in the UAE, Four Africa, the Caribbean Seasons Resort and islands and Mexico, as Residences at The many are choosing to splurge on once-in-aPearl-Qatar and Six Senses lifetime trips. Southern Dunes within The This year, we are also seeing a Red Sea development in growing appetite for wellness Saudi Arabia. And there are travel, one of the industry’s even more in the pipeline, from fastest-growing sectors which the Mandarin Oriental is projected to reach US$1.3 announcing a new luxury hotel in trillion by 2025. The Kuwait set to open in 2028 to a luxury pandemic placed health and nomadic glamping resort by Roam that will well-being at the front and open in Saudi Arabia. centre of people’s minds, and travellers are The pandemic has taught us not to put off now incorporating wellness in their travel these once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to plans, from luxury retreats to healthy eating prioritise health and wellness in all aspects to holidays in nature. of life including travel, and to seek out truly The luxury segment of wellness travel is unique experiences that will create pivoting towards exclusive wellness resorts long-lasting memories. With travel well and that offer fitness programmes, meditation truly back, 2023 is expected to be the year sessions, speciality waters, detox massages and of personalised luxury travel. M AY 2 0 2 3

A D AY I N . . .

RIYADH WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

The next time you visit this fast-evolving capital city, you’ll find that there’s much to explore by way of its gastronomy offerings, historical sites, stunning skyline views, cultural programmes, and more

s Saudi Arabia booms off the back of its socio-economic transformation strategy, Vision 2030, business trips to the kingdom are at an all-time high, providing the ideal opportunity to tag on a day or two to explore the country. When in Riyadh, there’s no excuse not to get to know this fascinating city, and if you book with destination management company Discover Saudi (discoversaudi.sa), which is part of Almosafer, it couldn’t be easier. Discover Saudi offers a wide range of experiential tours and packages to ensure you make the most of your free time. To get a real flavour of Riyadh life, past and present, opt for a guided tour; you won’t be disappointed. Here’s the action-packed bespoke itinerary Discover Saudi arranged for me, including a private chauffeured car and a local Saudiborn guide, the knowledgeable Dr Emad.

1 MASMAK FORT

Start your day admiring one of the most prominent national monuments, Masmak Fort, built during the reign of Imam Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud as M AY 2 0 2 3

his residence and at that time, the centre of power and wealth. Located in the city’s old quarter, it was the scene of the famous 1920 battle to restore Riyadh by His Majesty King Abdulaziz – and you can still see a spearhead mark from the battle in its door as evidence. Today, the fortress is a museum dedicated to the story of the unification of the kingdom and is well worth the visit to better understand the transition of rule in the kingdom. It’s open daily from 8am-9pm.

2 SAUDI NATIONAL MUSEUM

From the pre-historic to the modern ages, the halls of the Saudi National Museum take you on a fascinating story through time with more than 3,700 artefacts illustrating the kingdom’s evolution. There are eight galleries to explore, starting with the origins of the universe and the solar system, as well as natural factors contributing to Saudi Arabia’s development over millions of years. You then gain insight into civilisations that existed from the 4th millennium BC to the 2nd century AD. Highlights also include a documentary on Saudi Arabia’s unification, as well as the Hajj and Two Holy Mosques Gallery, which exhibits the

urban development of Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi. The museum, located in the Al Murabba neighbourhood near King Abdulaziz Palace, is open from 9am-8pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and 2pm-10pm on Thursday and Friday. It is closed on Sundays.

3 NAJD VILLAGE

Perhaps one of the most immersive cultural experiences is to dine as the Saudis do. If you can’t visit someone’s home, the next best thing is Najd Village (najdvillage.com), not only for its authentic Najd cuisine, but its traditional setting emulating the kingdom’s ancient lifestyle. To set the scene: imagine a garden courtyard with a central majlis seating area, surrounded by secluded booths and private dining rooms – comfortable and homely, with a serene atmosphere. Najd is the highlands region of central Saudi Arabia and expert chefs, under the supervision of Najd food specialists, prepare delicious dishes such as Kabsa, Jareesh, Qorsan, Al Tatali, Al Hunaini and more. I tried the hearty vegetable broth with meat to start; followed by rice cooked in broth and milk, served with a succulent halfchicken and melt-in-your-mouth slow-cooked lamb (‘Sleeq’), with a side salad; and for dessert, ‘Wild boy pie’, best described as mini Saudi pancakes, dates and of course, Arabic coffee. There are several Najd Village branches in Riyadh and if you haven’t got time to leave your hotel, there is a takeaway delivery service.

DISCOVER SAUDI

2 4 SKY BRIDGE AT KINGDOM CENTRE

After lunch, if you don’t mind heights, head 300m into the Riyadh sky for panoramic views of the city. The Sky Bridge at the Kingdom Centre (kingdomcentre.com.sa) is an icon, this distinctive skyscraper that can be recognised from afar also houses the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh hotel. Weighing some 300 tonnes and 65 metres in length, the glass-panelled bridge gives you a true perspective of this fast-growing city. You reach it by two elevators. The first takes you 180 metres to the transfer level, which is also home to the world’s highest mosque, as recognised by the Guinness World Records. Kingdom Centre is also the place to shop, home to luxury brands, and some more affordable ones too. For a quick bite or a night at the movies, there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and a Vox cinema. The Sky Bridge is open from noon-10.30pm, Saturday to Thursday, and 4pm-10.30pm on Friday, priced at SAR69 for adults, SAR23 for kids under 10 and free for children under two.

5 DIRIYAH AND BUJAIRI TERRACE

End your day on a high note, watching the sun slowly set over At-Turaif, the jewel in the crown of historical Diriyah (diriyah.sa).

Discover Saudi curates itineraries and ‘must-visit’ packages to ensure visitors experience the real Saudi Arabia. Part of Almosafer, Discover Saudi can also help to arrange airport transfers, visas, accommodation, domestic flights and other services. The company organises bespoke tours for individual travellers and groups, as well as MICE activities in stunning locations across Saudi Arabia. For those planning to perform a religious pilgrimage, Mawasim, the company’s Hajj and Umrah tourism provider, offers end-toend travel arrangements.

One of the five Saudi sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and showcasing the spectacular Salwa Palace, where the affairs of the first Saudi state were managed, At-Turaif has not only been restored, but a contemporary museum has been expertly and sensitively integrated within its walls. As a physical monument embodying the history of the Saudi nation and undisputedly the kingdom’s most important heritage site, At-Turaif is a must-visit. Diriyah opened the Bujairi Terrace last year, a sophisticated dining district overlooking At-Turaif and the perfect place to end your day in Riyadh. Choose from 20 restaurants and cafés ranging from home-grown brands serving authentic Saudi cuisine, to Michelinstarred restaurant brands such as Chez Bruno, Hakkasan, Long Chim and Tatel. I dined at Chez Bruno, a French fine-dining restaurant specialising in dishes infused with truffles. Not only was every course delicious, but the sunset views of At-Turaif from the restaurant’s fragrant Bougainvillea-line terrace were breathtaking.

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AV I AT I O N

The A380 superjumbo update As demand for flights soars post-pandemic, the giant bird is back. In this round-up, Business Traveller has the latest on A380 fleets across all 14 operators

he A380 was initially conceived back in the 90s, when hub-to-hub travel looked to be gaining prominence. Able to carry up to 853 passengers if configured in all-economy, the plane offered attractive economics to airlines looking to maximise limited slots at busy airports. Roomy interiors and a novelty of engineering

also made it particularly popular with passengers. The first A380 aircraft was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2007, and there have been 14 customers for the double decker superjumbo. Emirates is the biggest operator, having taken delivery of just under half (123) of the 251 superjumbos built. However, as the aircraft came to market, an industry shift towards lower-capacity,

WORDS FELICITY COUSINS

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direct routes, coupled with the aircraft’s expensive running costs, meant it quickly fell out of favour. In February 2019, Airbus began to wind down production of the aircraft, and Emirates took delivery of the final A380 in December 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global travel slowdown led many A380 operators to either place their superjumbos in storage or retire

them completely. It looked like that was it for the giant aircraft. However, as demand for flights rebounds after the pandemic at the same time as delivery delays of new aircraft, airlines are starting to take another look at the A380, and existing fleets are gradually coming back into service. Here we round-up the latest situation regarding the A380 fleets across all 14 operators.

THIS PAGE: Emirates has more A380s than any other airline M AY 2 0 2 3

AV I AT I O N

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: British Airways has 12 A380s, Emirates has 123 and ANA has three

Air France

How many A380s did Air France order? Ten. How many have been delivered? Ten. The first A380

entered service on October 30, 2009 and made its maiden passenger flight that November with a flight from Paris to New York.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? No. In

2019, Air France announced plans to gradually retire its A380 fleet. This process was accelerated by the Covid-19

crisis, with the carrier confirming in May 2020 that its superjumbos would not return to service.

All Nippon Airways

How many A380s did ANA order? Three. How many have been delivered? Three between

2019 and 2021, with the first flight operating in May 2019 between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu in Hawaii.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes, ANA

is currently flying three A380s.

DIRK GROTHE

Where are they flying to? All to Honolulu. Configuration: 520 seats across

four classes – eight in first class, 56 in business class, 73 in premium economy and 383 in economy. M AY 2 0 2 3

Interesting fact: The livery of

ANA’s fleet of A380s depicts the sea turtle, or “Honu” – considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hawaii.

Asiana

How many A380s did Asiana order? Six. How many have been delivered? Six, with the first

flight taking off at the end of 2013 and operating on routes to Los Angeles and New York.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes, Asiana

is currently flying three A380s.

Where are they flying to?

Los Angeles and Bangkok. Configuration: 495 seats across three classes – 12 in first class suites, 66 in business class and 417 in economy.

British Airways

How many A380s did British Airways order? 12. How many have been delivered? 12, with the first

entering service in 2013.

class suites, 97 Club World (business class), 55 World Traveller Plus (premium economy), 303 World Traveller (economy).

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes, BA is

China Southern

Where are they flying to? Boston, Chicago, Dallas,

Southern was the first Chinese carrier to take delivery of an A380 aircraft.

currently flying 11 of the A380s.

Dubai, Johannesburg, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco and Washington DC. Configuration: 469 seats across four classes – 14 first

How many A380s did China Southern order? Five. China

How many have been delivered? Five, in the

autumn of 2011. The aircraft made its maiden flight from

TOP TO BOTTOM: Etihad has ten A380s and Lufthansa has 14, but none are in operation

flight taking place in June 2011 on the Seoul Incheon-Tokyo Narita route. Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes,

Korean Air is flying five A380s.

Where are they flying to? Bangkok and New York. Configuration: 407 seats across

three classes – 12 in first class, 94 in Prestige Class (business class) and 301 in economy.

Lufthansa

How many A380s did Lufthansa order? 14. How many have been delivered? 14. The first A380

entered service in June 2010 with a maiden flight between Frankfurt and Tokyo.

the Toulouse Airbus base to Hamburg in March of that year. Is the airline currently operating the A380? No.

China Southern has retired its entire A380 fleet.

Emirates

How many A380s did Emirates order? In total the

carrier ordered 162 superjumbo aircraft, although 39 of these were cancelled as part of Airbus’ decision to cease production of the aircraft.

How many have been delivered? 123. The first

Emirates A380 entered service on August 1, 2008, with the final superjumbo being delivered to the carrier in December 2021. Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes,

to Glasgow, Casablanca, Beijing, Shanghai, Nice, Birmingham, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. Configuration: Emirates has a total of seven different configurations across its A380 fleet. The carrier is currently in the process of retrofitting 67 of its superjumbos with premium economy, as part of what it says is the “largest known fleet retrofit” project. Interesting fact: In 2021, Emirates announced plans to recycle and upcycle its first retired A380 superjumbo, with the aircraft’s onboard bar being transformed into a piece of bespoke furniture.

Etihad Airways

Emirates is flying around 90 A380s.

How many A380s did Etihad Airways order? Ten. How many have been delivered? Ten. The first

network. By summer, the A380 will be reintroduced on services

Is the airline currently

Where are they flying to? Routes across the carrier’s

flight was in December 2014 on the Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow route.

operating the A380? No. Etihad’s fleet of A380s is currently grounded, but the carrier recently announced that it would bring four of its superjumbos back into service in summer 2023.

Korean Air

How many A380s did Korean Air order? Ten. How many have been delivered? Ten, with the first

Is the airline operating the A380? No. Lufthansa

has sold six of its A380s, with the remaining eight currently in storage as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The carrier has announced plans to return up to six of its superjumbos into service by 2024, but has confirmed it does not see a long-term future for the fleet. M AY 2 0 2 3

AV I AT I O N

TOP TO BOTTOM: A Singapore Airlines A380 takes off; a Qantas A380 on the runway

Malaysia Airlines

How many A380s did Malaysia Airlines order? Six. How many have been delivered? Six. The carrier’s

superjumbo first operated in May 2012 and its flagship route was Kuala Lumpur to London. Is the airline currently operating the A380? No.

It announced plans to retire its A380 fleet in 2021.

Qantas

How many A380s did Qantas order? 12. How many have been delivered? 12, with the first

delivered in September 2008. Two have since been retired. 46

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes,

Qantas recently brought its sixth A380 out of storage.

Where are they flying to?

Singapore, London Heathrow and Los Angeles. Configuration: Qantas recently refurbished its A380 aircraft, which now offers 485 seats – 14 in first class, 70 in business class, 60 in premium economy and 341 in economy.

Qatar Airways

How many A380s did Qatar

Airways order? Ten. How many have been delivered? Ten. The carrier’s

superjumbo made its maiden flight from the Airbus base in Toulouse to Hamburg in September 2013.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes,

Qatar Airways is flying eight A380s. The airline grounded its A380 fleet during the Covid-19 pandemic, but has gradually been bringing its superjumbo fleet back into service, both to cover for its grounded A350 aircraft, and to fulfill demand during the recent FIFA World Cup.

Where are they flying to? Bangkok, London, Perth

and Sydney.

Configuration: 517 seats –

eight in first class, 48 in business class and 461 in economy.

Singapore Airlines

How many A380s did Singapore Airlines order?

24. Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A380, with the aircraft entering service on October 25, 2007, flying from Singapore to Sydney.

How many have been delivered? 24, although 12 have

since been retired, leaving 12 superjumbos in SIA’s fleet.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? Yes,

Singapore Airlines is flying ten A380s.

Where are they flying to? Worldwide destinations on

Singapore Airlines’ network including London, Sydney, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Mumbai, New Delhi and New York. Configuration: 471 seats – six suites, 78 in business class, 44 in premium economy and 343 in economy.

Thai Airways

How many A380s did Thai Airways order? Six. How many have been delivered? Six. Thai Airways’

first A380 entered service on September 26, 2012.

Is the airline currently operating the A380? No.

Thai Airways’ A380s are inactive and as a spokesperson for the airline told Business Traveller, the aircraft “are currently under resumption studies”. It was announced in Thai media recently that two of the airline’s A380s are up for sale.

See reviews of several of these products at businesstraveller.com M AY 2 0 2 3

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Rolex

Oyster Perpetual

There were so many major announcements from Rolex at Watches and Wonders this year, that it was genuinely difficult to decide which one warranted the most attention. Was it the all-new Perpetual Collection with the very classy Perpetual 1908 model, or the 40mm GMT-Master II statement pieces in yellow gold and Rolesor (both offered with a jubilee bracelet)? Surely, there’s no overlooking the Daytona which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and which introduced a new calibre – the 4131 – after a gap of nearly 23 years, or even the ultralight titanium Yacht-Master. But we’re going to perhaps go against the grain here and select the new Oyster Perpetual (available in 31mm, 36mm and 41mm) with colourful dials that showcase a playful side to Rolex as our favourite. It has a selection of bubbles in five colours – candy pink, turquoise blue, yellow, coral red, and green. The 31mm features the Calibre 2232 and the other two versions have the Calibre 3230 – both of which are Superlative Chronometer certified calibres. This is fun and serious watchmaking all rolled into one package – we’re certain we made the right choice.

Vacheron Constantin

Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date

Here’s a roundup of ten outstanding timepieces from the recently concluded Watches and Wonders exhibition held in Geneva

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

The Overseas, which first entered the collection back in 1996, has this year incorporated a retrograde display for the first time. This Hallmark of Geneva-certified watch spent nearly three years in development and is powered by the self-winding Calibre 2460 R31L/2. The 41mm case has a handsome six-sided bezel and a fluted crown. For those wondering why there is a ½ near the number 29 on the moon phase display on the dial, remember that the moon makes a full rotation around the earth every 29 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes. Furthermore, that moon phase display requires a one-day correction only every 122 years. Let the grandchildren concern themselves with that.

WATC H E S

Patek Philippe

Calatrava Travel Time Ref 5224R-001

One of the most hallowed Swiss watch brands, and an independent one at that, unveiled its new Calatrava Travel Time Ref 5224R-001 which features a 24-hour display. While the handapplied rose gold numerals and indices look stunning, it’s what you can’t see – the new calibre 31-260 PS FUS 24H – that has elevated this watch and enabled a novel operating mechanism. Now, the two time zones can be adjusted with the new patented crown itself (rather than by using pushers). In a touch of class, the rose gold case and blue dial are complemented by the elegant design of the three hands which are centrally mounted and display the two time zones. For a sportier travel time watch, Patek also debuted a new Calatrava Pilot Time Chronograph Ref 5924G that has a flyback chronograph, date and dual time zone function.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Rolex Oyster Perpetual RIGHT: Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time Ref 5224R-001 BELOW: A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph BOTTOM: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date

A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus Chronograph

When the Odysseus first broke cover in 2019, it was the first stainless steel series produced watch from the German watchmaker and the first steel Lange with an integrated bracelet. This year’s Odysseus gives us something more from Glashutte – the watchmaker’s first automatic chronograph movement, the L156.1 Datomatic. While integrating the new chronograph function, Lange has preserved the visual identity of the original Odysseus dial and so the minutes of the chronograph is indicated by the lozenge-shaped lume-tipped hand, while the red hand is the chronograph seconds hand. For a swift restart of the chrono, a returnto-zero reset function is activated via a pusher in the case located at 4 o’clock. The integration of the chronograph movement means that the case too is now slightly larger at 42.5mm. The movement has a power reserve of 50 hours and in addition to the chronograph also supports the day and date function. There are only 100 of these watches that will be made. M AY 2 0 2 3

Cartier

Santos-Dumont Skeleton Micro-Rotor

The Cartier Santos, born in 1904, is regarded as the world’s first pilot’s watch. Its iteration today isn’t that of a tool watch, but instead one that prides itself as a dress watch. It would explain the fact that the new Santos-Dumont is available in three variants: rose gold, steel and a combination of yellow gold with blue lacquer. The latter is limited to only 150 pieces, while the other two are not limited-edition pieces. Powering this timepiece is the new automatic winding Caliber 9629 MC which Cartier says was two years in the making. The skeletonised movement has the rotor shaped in the form of Demoiselle – the lightweight aircraft made by aviator Alberto-Santos Dumont (for whom Louis Cartier made the very first Santos wristwatch). The skeletonised dial allows you to look on with reverence at the mechanics of the wristwatch including the barrel at 1 o’clock and the balance wheel at 1 o’clock.

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Cartier Santos-Dumont Skeleton MicroRotor; Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000 Limited Edition 290; Panerai Radiomir Annual Calendar Platinumtech Experience PAM01432; Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph; Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Hijri Perpetual Calendar; IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

IWC

Parmigiani Fleurier

The Ingenieur is the only collection in IWC’s portfolio that has been continuously in production since its debut in 1955. For a specific collection to remain relevant for nearly seven decades, it requires a little design magic – and that was sprinkled on it abundantly by Gérald Genta who worked on the collection in the 1970s. This year, IWC uses its new Ingenieur collection to pay homage to those iconic design codes from Genta. The five functional screws on the bezel should be all the convincing you need that this is a piece that has Genta written all over it. The integrated stainless steel bracelet with polished centre links subtly trains your attention towards the dial – this year, they’re available in four colours including black, silverplated, aqua and grey.

In 2011, Parmigiani restored a pocketwatch that dated back to around the 18th or 19th century and which featured a Hijri calendar. A few years ago, it miniaturised that mechanism to fit into a wristwatch. That watch – the Hijri Perpetual Calendar – went on to win the Innovation prize at the 2020 edition

Ingenieur Automatic 40

M AY 2 0 2 3

Tonda PF Hijri Perpetual Calendar

of the Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Genève. This watch goes far beyond just displaying Arabic numerals and calligraphy on the dial. Instead, its innovation lies in the fact that the Hijri calendar has either 29 or 30 days – depending on the phase of the moon – across 12 months, and hence the mechanism in this perpetual calendar has to be specifically adapted to that. This year’s Hijri edition has the same remarkable calibre as the 2020 winner, but is now offered in a platinum case and knurled bezel, which is also the metal used in the integrated bracelet on it. Also, this year, Parmigiani is offering the Hijri Perpetual Calendar as a set with two other platinum timepieces – the Tonda PF Gregorian Calendar and the Tonda PF Xiali Calendar (which tracks the immensely complex Chinese Traditional Calendar.) Only three collectors in the world will be able to purchase a box set comprising the trio of watches, each of which keeps track of three very different calendar cycles.

WATC H E S

Montblanc

1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000 Limited Edition 290

If you haven’t already seen the riveting Netflix documentary, 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, make the time to do so. It chronicles the amazing feat of Nepali mountaineer Nimsdai Purja summiting 14 of the world’s highest peaks – all above 8,000 metres – in seven months. That superhuman effort was successfully undertaken in 2019. Last year, Purja put his limits to the test once again and climbed three of those 8,000-plus-metre peaks in less than nine days – and without any supplementary oxygen. Fittingly, Montblanc responded to its brand ambassador’s triumph with this timepiece wherein the movement – the automatic chronograph worldtime calibre MB 29.27 – has been encased without any oxygen inside it and instead replaced with nitrogen. The caseback is engraved with a drawing of the 14 peaks, the names and height of each, and a colourful assortment of flags flapping in the wind. All eyes are on what Purja does next as he’s likely far from done breaking mountaineering records.

Panerai

Radiomir Annual Calendar Platinumtech Experience PAM01432

The new movement – the P.9010/AC – that features in this timepiece marks the first annual calendar complication for Panerai. While the Radiomir Annual Calendar PAM01363 has a blue sun-brushed dial paired with a

blue alligator strap, the 45mm case is made from Goldtech – a material developed by Panerai that combines gold with platinum and copper. However, the PAM01432 Radiomir Annual Calendar swaps the Goldtech case for a platinum one, and the blue alligator strap for a black one, with a burgundy sun-brushed dial to match. Panerai calls the PAM01432 the Experience edition, because included in the price of the watch is a Paneraiorganised tour of Rome that the watchmaker says includes “events that combine artisanal know-how, culture and tours of historical sites.”

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph

There were a couple of new Reverso models showcased at Watches and Wonders ranging from the uncomplicated Tribute Small Seconds to the mechanically complex juggernaut of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179 and even the Tribute Duoface Tourbillon. But it’s the Reverso Tribute Chronograph that we’ve picked here as it offers two stark personalities in one timepiece. On one face you have a refined and subtle time-only display, while the moment you flip it over, you’ll find a sporty open-worked dial with a chronograph function. The latter face even has a 30-minute retrograde chronograph minute indication. The all-new JLC 860 manual-winding movement features a column-wheel chronograph, with the added bonus being that this is a chronometer-certified timepiece. M AY 2 0 2 3

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M AY 2 0 2 3

the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TR IED AND TE S TED F LIGHT

Japan Airlines Boeing 777-300ER (business class) London-Tokyo

TR IED AND TE S TED HOTEL S

SMAR T TR AVELLER

Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Dubai

One&Only Cape Town 62 SO/ Paris

Our guide to... tourist tax

TRIED & TESTED FLIGHT

Japan Airlines Boeing 777-300ER business class LONDON-TOKYO

B A C K G R O U N D Japan Airlines operates three daily flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda, served by Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 777 aircraft. This is a review of the latter service, operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured with 244 seats across four cabins: JAL Suite (first class), JAL Sky Suite (business class), JAL Sky Premium (premium economy) and JAL Sky Wider (economy).

MOTO ISHIKAWA

C H E C K - I N Japan Airlines operates from Heathrow’s Terminal 3, with check-in at Zone D. I arrived at the airport at 3pm for the 5.45pm departure on JL044 (note, this departure slot has changed to 7.20pm for the summer season). There are several desks for economy class and a separate desk for first and business class passengers. Cabin baggage labels were affixed to my luggage, and I was told that I would have to pick up my luggage at Tokyo Haneda before connecting to Kansai airport. This is because it is the first point of entry into Japan and you have to clear customs. Business class passengers can use the fast-track security lane, and I was airside by 3.35pm. L O U N G E Japan Airlines is a Oneworld carrier, meaning that business class passengers can use British Airways’ lounges at Heathrow. At Terminal 3 this is the BA Galleries Club Lounge at Zone F, along the corridors leading to gates 13-22. M AY 2 0 2 3

The B/E Apex seats are staggered and feature sleek deep blue leather upholstery B O A R D I N G Boarding was scheduled for 5.25pm. An announcement was made to apologise for the delay, which was quite humorous as it commenced only five minutes late. Once on the plane however, we sat for a while.

T H E S E A T Business class is fitted with 49

fully flat seats in a 2-3-2 configuration (AC-DEG-HK), with row 5 located to the left when you board (behind first class) and the remaining rows 7-12 to the right. The B/E Apex seats are staggered and feature sleek deep blue leather upholstery, a beige suede shell with wooden furnishings and a huge 23-inch LCD monitor. All include direct aisle access, meaning that you won’t be disturbed by other passengers. There is also a retractable privacy screen between seats, although, as it’s staggered, you can’t see the passenger unless leaning forward. A tray table is hidden within the right-hand side of the shell, which you lift up and

pull out. This slides back and forth, and also swivels to the right, so you can get out easily when it’s open and can also recline your chair and work comfortably on your laptop. The machinery is easy to use, with a seat illustration accompanied by buttons to adjust the recline, perform massage functions and to operate the privacy screen. There is also a touchscreen remote for the monitor and, below this, a panel with a USB port, a plug socket and a headphone jack. When the seat is fully flat, it combines with the footrest under the TV, and has a comfortable mattress. It felt very wide with lots of space for me to move around while sleeping. There is a Maison Kitsuné amenity kit, comprising a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, tissue, lip balm and a moisturising face mask, plus noise-cancelling Sony headphones, slippers, duvet and pillow at the seat. I was in seat 12H at the back of the cabin and close to the galley and toilets (though there is a curtain). I was concerned that this would be noisy during a night flight, but it was not a problem. The downside is that you are last to be served food, which is not ideal if you want to get a decent sleep. There is plenty of storage at each seat, with a

and two sakes. There were also Japanese whiskies, shochu and non-alcoholic beverages such as cooled green tea and coffee from JAL’s line with coffee master Kawashima Yoshiaki.

cabinet on the right-hand side for aisle passengers (behind the headrest of the window seat) where you can store magazines and a bag. The window and centre seats instead have some netting on the top of this cabinet where you could put some magazines but not much else.

B E S T S E A T Seats in the front section of

the cabin, just behind first class, are recommended as these are more private and closer to the business class washrooms. The middle seat in the centre of the aircraft is less desirable as, although you have privacy screens on either side, you might feel a bit boxed in. It still has direct aisle access, as you can exit from the front and to the side. Window seats are recommended for those who want sky views (many have three windows to one seat) while aisle seats offer more storage space.

T H E F L I G H T The flight was full as Japan had only just reopened to tourists when I travelled in November. Friendly cabin attendants offered business class customers a bottle of water along with a glass of sparkling wine. The aircraft took off around half-an-hour late, after a safety video. The cabin’s lighting changed throughout the flight, with a calming purple hue during the night hours. I had a few hours’ sleep and watched a film, but the IFE content isn’t that wide-ranging – a shame as the screen is huge.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Business class

passengers get a choice between a Japanese or western menu for dinner, and there’s an ‘anytime’ menu which can be ordered up until 2 hours and 30 minutes before arrival. We were offered a warm towel at 7.20pm to prepare for the dinner service, and our tables were set with a placemat. My order was taken shortly after but took a long time to arrive (to the point that I thought they

The Japanese set menu included a bento box starter and main of yellowtail may have forgotten). I peeked my head into the economy cabin and saw that some passengers had already finished their meal. My starter arrived at 9.05pm and a main course at 9.40pm. The Japanese set menu included a bento box filled with various colourful products for the starter, followed by a main of simmered yellowtail and white radish alongside grilled chicken with lotus root plus rice, miso soup, and Japanese pickles. Dessert was lime leaf and coconut panna cotta. Everything was beautifully presented, but quite watery and tasteless. It also took a long time for the staff to remove dishes, which delayed those that wanted to sleep. Wines included a Maison Burtin Besserat de Bellefon Rosé Brut NV Champagne, three whites, two reds, two Japanese brands

A R R I V A L Ahead of arrival, passengers

were provided with a customs form and an immigration form. We arrived at 5pm local time, with a very smooth landing and quick disembarkation.

V E R D I C T Japan Airlines has comfortable

seats in business class that provide privacy, plenty of storage space and an impressive monitor. The service, while friendly, was very slow and the food was disappointing given its excellent reputation. Hannah Brandler

FLIGHT TIME 14 hours 5 minutes (longer than usual due to the closure of Russian airspace)

C ONFIGURATION 2-3-2

SE AT WIDTH 20 inches

BED LENGTH 74 in/188 cm

SE AT RECLINE Fully flat

PRICE Internet rates in May for a one-way London-Tokyo Haneda flight start from £3,458

CONTACT jal.co.jp

M AY 2 0 2 3

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong

B A C K G R O U N D This upscale property began life as Hotel Vic on the Harbour, owned by Sun Hung Kai Properties. In 2019, it was rebranded as the first Hyatt Centric in the Greater China region, with a grand opening in early 2020 – very unfortunate timing as the pandemic hit soon after.

AJL PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

W H E R E I S I T ? Right on the waterfront in Hong Kong Island’s North Point district, it is between Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay. Next door is the Harbour North shopping and leisure complex, the MTR station is steps away, as is the North Point Ferry Pier (with ferries to Kowloon) and a well-connected bus terminus. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The 665-room hotel comprises East and West towers, connected by a glass-roofed corridor on the second floor. It’s a pet-friendly hotel and there is also a dog-walking area on this level.

M AY 2 0 2 3

R O O M S There are three room types and two suite types. I was in a 31 sqm Harbour View Deluxe King room on the 22nd floor. It actually felt much bigger because of huge windows on two sides, with panoramic views over Ocean Terminal (where Kai Tak airport used to be) and Tsim Sha Tsui. All rooms have harbour views to some degree. The room décor is a mix of greys and light wood. A frosted glass partition behind the bedhead features a stylised map of the North Point area. There’s an air-purifying UV filter in the corner of the room and two bins, with one marked for recyclable items. The wallmounted, 49-inch TV is at a slight angle to the bed, which has USB ports on both sides.

Asian fusion restaurant Cruise has an outdoor roof terrace with fantastic views A circular coffee table and low easy chair are in the corner by the window, with two USB ports and sockets, and a standing lamp. These are more for relaxing than working, although I managed to use my laptop for short periods (the complimentary wifi was faultless). This room is well stocked with useful amenities, including electric blackout blinds for the huge windows, a Marshall Bluetooth speaker, a Nespresso coffee machine (these are in all rooms), a Chinese-style kettle, comfortable double-lined robes and a shoe-shining kit. The bathroom is tiled in black-and-white marble, with a separated section containing a rainforest shower and bath with a small TV built into the wall if you don’t want to look out over the harbour while you soak. Refillable containers reinforce the hotel’s sustainability message, and there’s a box of locally designed bathroom amenities too.

F O O D A N D D R I N K On the 23rd floor of the West Tower is Cruise, an excellent Asian fusion restaurant with an outdoor roof terrace offering fantastic views. On the second floor is all-day restaurant The Farmhouse, where an extensive buffet breakfast is served, and the Farmhouse Deli for hot drinks, pastries and cakes. Access to the Victoria Harbour Lounge on the 22nd floor is only available to guests staying on the 22nd and 23rd floors. M E E T I N G S There are no dedicated

meeting spaces at the moment, however a section of Victoria Harbour Lounge can be booked for eight people, and three guestrooms on the 23rd floor can be booked as Meeting Suites for up to eight hours.

L E I S U R E On the top floor of the East

Tower is a 25-metre outdoor infinity pool, and a 24-hour gym with two virtual reality exercise machines (pre-booking required). There are also steam and sauna rooms but they were closed due to government Covid regulations when I visited.

V E R D I C T With fantastic views from all

rooms, this is a surprisingly attractive hotel at its price point, boasting elements worthy of the luxury sector. An impressive overall package. Jeremy Tredinnick

BEST FOR Superb views and a high-end feel at a great price

DON’T MISS Dinner or drinks on Cruise’s outdoor terrace

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in May start from HK$2,900 including taxes and fees for a Harbour View Deluxe King room

CONTACT 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point, Hong Kong; +852 3762 1234; hyatt.com

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Dubai B A C K G R O U N D When Jumeirah Mina A’Salam opened in 2003, it was one of the earliest hotels to do so in the Madinat Jumeirah complex. Twenty years on, the Mina A’Salam has undergone a massive refurbishment where every single one of its 291 rooms and suites has been renovated, as has the resort’s lobby, restaurants, and events spaces. W H E R E I S I T ? Situated on Jumeirah

Beach Road, it’s very close to the iconic Burj Al Arab – also a Jumeirah property – and the upcoming Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab hotel. Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are only a few minutes away, while to get to Downtown Dubai, it’s not more than a 20-minute drive in the opposite direction.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? A world away

from the soaring skyscraper hotels that are characteristic of Dubai’s hospitality scene, this seven-storey hotel resembles the traditional local architecture styles of Dubai. The refurbishment hasn’t altered the external façade of the hotel and instead focused on the interiors. The lobby exudes that sense of heritage with the image of an 1851 map of the Arabian Gulf region placed on the ceiling.

R O O M S We stayed in the Arabian Deluxe room. A passage at the entrance has a spacious closet at one end, and is adjacent to the bathroom which has a marble bathtub and a separate rain shower cubicle too. Besides the large king-sized bed, the sofa was also extended and converted into a full-sized bed. Add to it a centre table and a unit below the TV which housed the mini bar – and there was still plenty of space to

move freely about the room. Additionally, a full-sized balcony had unhindered views of the Burj Al Arab. The design palette included a beautiful Arab architectural motif featuring arches and lattice work on the wall above the headrest of the bed and a soothing beige vibe around the room. In a push towards sustainability, all the bottles of complimentary drinking water available during our stay were bottled on-site itself.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There are five restaurants in the hotel and we’d recommend trying the Saturday afternoon brunch at Zheng He’s which has an excellent Dim Sum trolley featuring an exhaustive selection including black truffle with mushrooms and lobster dumplings.

A massive refurbishment has seen every single one of its 291 rooms and suites renovated

Make sure you watch the chef in action as he kneads, twists and pulls the dough to make fresh handpulled noodles in a theatrical display during the brunch. For breakfast, we headed to Hanaaya and discovered a lavish buffet. From sushi and masala omelettes, to croque monsieur and falafels – whatever you wished you would find in the breakfast buffet before going to bed the previous night, is probably what you’ll find here in the morning.

BEST FOR Its long stretch of private beach with uninterrupted views of the Burj Al Arab

DON’T MISS An abra tour around Madinat Jumeirah

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in May start from Dhs1,760 for an Arabian Deluxe room

CONTACT Jumeirah Street, Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai; +971 800 623 4628; jumeirah.com

B U S I N E S S As part of the refurbishment programme, the Majlis Al Salam and Majlis Al Mina ballrooms were renovated as well. For larger events, the Madinat Jumeirah conference and events centre is a couple of metres away. At Mina A’Salam, there are four main executive meeting rooms. You’ll find one more eightseater boardroom in the renovated Amal Club Lounge on the second floor of the property too. L E I S U R E There’s a 2km stretch of private

beach. There are shared facilities between the different Jumeirah properties here too. Mina A’Salam guests can use the Talise Spa in the nearby Jumeirah Al Qasr property, while the latter’s guests need to come over to Mina A’Salam if they want to use the gym. There’s a 3km lagoon built within Madinat Jumeirah. You can use the hotel’s complimentary abra service to make your way between the different properties. If you’re travelling with kids, a great option is the complimentary access to the nearby Wild Wadi Waterpark.

V E R D I C T A hotel with brilliant business and leisure facilities, its renovation programme has given the property a contemporary facelift, though ensuring that it doesn’t disregard the heritage appeal of a property that in many ways reflects the emirate’s roots. Varun Godinho M AY 2 0 2 3

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

One&Only Cape Town

B A C K G R O U N D One&Only debuted in

W H E R E I S I T ? The main entrance is on Dock Road in the city’s marina, a short stroll to the V&A Waterfront where there are plenty of retail and dining areas. The resort is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport, though traffic is heavy at peak times. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel has a calming resort feel, with a series of canals passing through the property frequented by small boats and paddleboarders. A bridge connects the main building (Marina Rise) to two islands (spa and main island). The view as you enter the open-plan lobby in the Marina Rise building is astounding, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the majestic Table Mountain. We were blessed with beautiful blue skies

R O O M S Rooms are spacious, starting from 63 sqm, and the majority are located within the Marina Rise building, with 40 (known as Island rooms and suites) on the main island. All include terraces or balconies, flooding the rooms with natural light and allowing guests to enjoy the natural surroundings.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby offer majestic views of Table Mountain Interiors feature an earthy colour palette with an emphasis on organic materials. There are also several nods to the Mother City’s ties to gemstones: rooms include a painted artwork depicting a shattered Tiger’s Eye gemstone, while gemstoneshaped shields by artists in the Eastern Cape add sparkle to the interiors. Cultural elements include the use of a Namji Doll serving as a ‘do not disturb’ figurine and beaded pots by Zimbabwe-born artist Richard Madongwe. The king beds are comfortable, and large bathrooms include a standalone bathtub and rain shower, along with fluff y bathrobes, slippers and wardrobes. If you need to get some work done, there is a desk with USB and plug sockets with a

European outlet. Further features include a TV, safe and minibar.

F O O D A N D D R I N K There are four dining venues which include Japanese-Peruvian fare at Nobu, all-day dining at Vista Bar and Lounge and breakfast at Ochre in the Marina Rise building, along with light meals at poolside Isola on the Main Island. The hotel also has its own wine studio, a sophisticated glass-walled space where guests can choose from almost 700 references. We had a delicious four-course dinner with wine pairings, tutored by the charistmatic head sommelier Luvo Ntezo. M E E T I N G S The property has various

event spaces in the Marina Rise building.

L E I S U R E The hotel has its own mini island for spa facilities with 12 treatment rooms and a lush garden for post-treatment relaxation. On the same island is a yoga studio and beauty salon StudiO. The main island has an infinity pool (and some resident otters), and the Marina Rise building has a fitness centre on the first floor. There are also plenty of activities. We enjoyed a challenging but stimulating 6am hike up Table Mountain.

V E R D I C T The hotel’s stylish refurbishment connects it to the Mother City, featuring locally inspired design and an array of experiences that make the most of the heritage and natural surroundings. Hannah Brandler BEST FOR Serene stays in the waterfront area with African design and hard-to-beat views of Table Mountain

DON’T MISS Learning about wine from sommelier Luvo

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in May start from R13,090 for a Marina Harbour King Room

CONTACT Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa; +27 21 431 5888; oneandonlyresorts.com M AY 2 0 2 3

RUPERT PEACE

the South African legislative capital in 2009. The hotel completed a refurbishment of its 133 rooms and suites and public spaces last year, inspired by the city’s natural beauty and landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Table Mountain.

and the scene resembled a movie set – grabbing a drink at the Vista Bar and Lounge to soak it all in is recommended. Around 90 per cent of the renovation has been completed by local designers, artisans and suppliers, offering a real sense of place. Notable is Kenyan artist Stanislav Trzebinski’s Watchers sculpture, which acts as a centrepiece at Vista Bar and pays homage to Table Mountain’s creation myth. The first floor mezzanine, meanwhile, has a contemporary African Art Gallery. Check in is from 2pm, with check out at 11am. Note that the resort operates as normal during loadshedding (planned power outages, common in South Africa since 2007) as it has multiple backup generators.

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

SO/ Paris B A C K G R O U N D SO/, part of the Ennismore group, is a collection of hotels rooted in fashion, and its newest edition, SO/ Paris, marks the brand’s debut in the French capital. It’s housed in a former 1960s municipality building on the banks of the Seine river. W H E R E I S I T ? It is located in the 14th arrondissement on the banks of the Seine, between the chic Bastille and Marais districts and across the river from the Arab World Institute and dynamic Left Bank. Less than 1km from the Notre-Dame Cathedral. W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? SO/’s signature fashion edge and Ennismore’s commitment to design, innovation and collaboration come together at SO/ Paris, a property with avant-garde elegance. There are 122 art works featured throughout the hotel, each with a QR code that guests can scan to explore its story and history, while the 15th and 16th floors house an immersive installation. The Seine, the original island location of the hotel, and the origins of Paris inspired the architecture and interior design, with nods to the building’s marine heritage celebrated throughout. The brightly lit lobby features large tulip columns, amber mirrors and a marble floor with a traditional peacock’s tail motif. The hotel’s emblem is designed around the lighthouse theme, while Guillaume Henry, artistic director of fashion house Patou, brings the hotel’s history to life in striking staff uniforms, from funky striped sailor sweaters that guests can buy, to sailor berets with pom poms, ponchos and more. At SO/ Paris, fine art and fashion collide. R O O M S There are 162 rooms and suites spanning floors 7 to 14 and ranging from

25 to 87 sqm, all with striking views of the Seine and the capital’s landmarks. The interiors are dominated by coppers, ambers and terracotta shades that emulate Parisian rooftops, as well openwork wood in a nod to the building’s wood-storage heritage. But this is not a case of style over substance. Practicalities include a Nespresso machine, complimentary tea, coffee, and water, an ‘Aerobull’ dog-shapred speaker, a Chromecast TV for guests to screen their own content, plenty of hanging space and wifii. There’s attention to detail. the hotel’s symbolic infinite wave motif inspires the mirror layout, the high-quality glassware and copper chinaware are stunning, and the candy boxes have sailor’s beret-like lids. Bathrooms have a bathtub or like mine, a huge walk-in rain shower with mosaic tiling. The hotel is paper and plastic free, so bathroom amenities by French cosmetics house CODAGE are contained in refillable, eco-responsible bottles. The beds are extremely comfortable and there is a table and two chairs, plus a small armchair for taking in the views.

F O O D A N D D R I N K A new social hotspot

in Paris, with panoramic city views that are hard to beat, Bonnie is the hotel’s restaurant and bar, as well as an exclusive club by Paris Society. With wraparound windows and in the restaurant, chrome and mirrors that reflect the Seine view below, diners are immersed in Parisian chic, and in summer,

the outdoor terrace is open. Bonnie serves inventive Parisian cuisine, including signature classics with a seafood touch. An inspiring place for breakfast, guests choose from a good range of à la carte options and can help themselves to the ‘baguette buffet’, serving up the bread and pastries for which France is famous. SO/’s version of a lobby lounge is a café counter bar, ideal for grabbing coffee and treats on the go, and there’s room service too, choosing from the Bonnie menu – from roast chicken and cheeseburgers, to lobster and foie gras.

B U S I N E S S There are four meeting spaces with natural daylight and accommodation for up to 100 guests on the seventh floor. The rooftop bar and club are available for private hire too.

SO/ Paris is where fine art and fashion collide L E I S U R E SO/ is a wellness haven, with the Maison CODAGE Spa featuring two treatment rooms and a Hamman and offering specialist skin treatments and more. Guests have access to the Ô Zenhit sports club with cardio and weight training rooms, four fitness studios for yoga, HIIT and indoor cycling, and a 20-metre pool. Personal trainers are available on request. With the only glassed-in rooftop club in Paris, an edgy social scene is on your doorstep too. SO/ is also pet-friendly and pushbikes are available to rent. BEST FOR A blended travel trip

DON’T MISS Drinks with panoramic city views at Bonnie

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in May start from €1,350 for a Iconic Paris Skyline View room

CONTACT 10 Rue Agrippa d’Aubigné, Paris; +33 1 78 90 74 00; soparis.com

V E R D I C T If you want a taste of modern, fashionforward Paris in all its stylish glory, SO/ is the spot, and you won’t find better views of the city unless you climb the Eiffel Tower. With a central location, good-sized rooms with a unique design edge, and amenities to suit your lifestyle, it certainly perks up a business trip or even better, a ‘bleisure’ one. Gemma Greenwood M AY 2 0 2 3

Our guide to…

tourist tax

CHANYARITA / GETTY IMAGES

M AY 2 0 2 3

SMART TR AVELLER

hile tourism is certainly lucrative, it can also have a detrimental impact on both the environment and the lives of locals. Various countries have introduced a “tourist tax” (a levy on overnight visitors) to manage crowds, improve infrastructure and invest in public services. Here we review European countries that charge an overnight fee, which is typically collected through hotel room rates and airline fares. Airbnb has also signed agreements with governments in select locations to handle taxes on behalf of hosts. Amsterdam is one of the most expensive, at €3 per person per night plus 7 per cent of your room rate, which easily racks up to almost €100 per week. Malta meanwhile won’t charge more than €5, no matter how long you stay, and Venice is planning to adjust its daily fee depending on how busy the city gets. AUSTRIA Salzburg and Vienna levy 3.02 per cent on accommodation costs per night. Children under 15 years old are exempt. BELGIUM Varies by region – Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp charge €2-€3 per person per night. Under-18s are exempt. CROATIA Over-18s are charged €1.33 (£1.17) per person per night during peak season (June to September). CZECH REPUBLIC Prague charges CZK50 (£1.70) per person per night. FRANCE The taxe de séjour is charged per person per night and ranges from €0.20 to €4.20 depending on accommodation. Note that under-18s are exempt. A stay in Paris incurs an additional tax of 25 per cent. GERMANY The kulturforderabgabe (culture tax) or bettensteuer (bed tax) costs up to €5 per person per night depending on the

location and accommodation. Berlin charges 5 per cent of the accommodation cost per night. GREECE Athens charges from €0.50 to €4 per room per night depending on the standard of accommodation.

ROMANIA The taxa hoteliera locala (local hotel tax) is priced at 1 per cent on nightly accommodation fees. SLOVAKIA The tourist tax, or city tax, is up to €1.70 per person per night.

HUNGARY In Budapest a 4 per cent nightly tax is added to the price of a room.

SLOVENIA Varies by region. Ljubljana charges approximately €3 per person per day.

ITALY Varies by city. Rome charges between €3 and €7 depending on your accommodation, and Florence up to €5 per person per night. Venice has a tax of €1 to €5 which depends on the season and type of accommodation. The city had planned to charge day visitors €3-€10 per day, depending on how busy the city is, from January 2023 but the launch date has been postponed. Travellers staying the night would be exempt from this entry fee as they already pay a tourist tax.

SPAIN The Catalonia region charges €0.60€3.50 per person per day; the Balearic Islands up to €4 per person per day; Valencia charges €0.50-€2 per person per night, depending on the type of accommodation, for a maximum of seven nights.

LITHUANIA In Vilnius tourists are charged €1 per person per night.

COMING SOON

MALTA Under the Eco Contribution Act, a fee of €0.50 per person per night is levied, capped at €5. MONTENEGRO Varies by region, but typically costs €1 per person per day. THE NETHERLANDS The toeristenbelasting (transient occupancy tax) is charged per person per night but varies across the 400 municipalities. Amsterdam charges €3 per person per night, in addition to the 7 per cent tax on the room price per night. Cruise passengers are also charged €8 per day. PORTUGAL Lisbon and Porto charge €2 per person (provided they are over 13 years old) per night up to a maximum of seven consecutive nights.

SWITZERLAND Varies by region, but typically costs SFr 2.50 (£2) per person per night.

EDINBURGH The proposed tax would see overnight visitors pay a £2 charge on their accommodation per night. It is estimated that the levy could raise approximately £15 million per year, which could be used to invest in sustainable tourism and manage the impact of tourism on the city. MANCHESTER Guests staying overnight will pay an extra £1 per room per night on their accommodation from this month, with 74 hotels and short-stay serviced apartments already signed up to the scheme. The levy will be used to fund the new Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), which aims to “improve the visitor experience” and “support future growth of the visitor economy” over the next five years. NORWAY Officials are considering introducing a tourist tax in 2024. M AY 2 0 2 3

POSTCARD

Step aside superyachts, it’s time for the terayacht. This wildly imaginative ‘floating city’ takes the concept of gigantic yachts to the next level and is the brainchild of Lazzarini Design Studio. Although strictly a concept at the moment, Lazzarini outlined a remarkably well-detailed plan for its design. It will feature shopping centres, sports centres, parks, ship and aircraft ports, and several other facilities, besides accommodating up to 60,000 people. Shaped as a turtle, Pangeos will be 550m long and will measure 610m at its widest point — the wings. No existing shipyard in the world is currently capable of building this terayacht and hence Lazzarini envisages the imagined Terashipyard infrastructure that is at least 650m wide and 600m long with direct access to the sea to be built in Saudi Arabia – a country where giga infrastructure projects are already being built. Lazzarini estimates the cost of the project at US$8 billion (US$1.5 billion will be needed to build the shipyard infrastructure itself ), and the terayacht will take approximately eight years to build – if it does ever get the green light. M AY 2 0 2 3

IMAGE: URB

Enter the world of the terayachts

NEW EXPERIENCES

NEW BLU Stylishly designed rooms and suites boast spectacular views over Riyadh.

radissonhotels.com/blu

Enrol in Rotana Rewards Select and save 10% off room rates Book a stay at any Rotana hotel or resort in the region and receive 10% off all public room rates with flexible cancellation, 10% off dining, as well as access to exclusive VIP amenities, late check-out and more. Book now via rotanarewards.com or call our toll free numbers below: Bahrain: 8000 4039 | Egypt: 0800 7777700 Qatar: 800 4929 | U.A.E: 800 7744 Or call our office at +971 (0) 2 811 9777