Business Traveller Middle East - June 2023

BECKONS BAHRAIN

16 REBOOTING TRAVEL

All the updates from the 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai last month

26 MAKING THEIR MARK

Hear from some of the winners of the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023

34 SENSORY EXPERIENCES

Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, is con dent about growth in the Middle East

44 TERM INAL VELOCITY

A look at some major airport upgrades from around the globe

50 BEAU TIFUL BUDAPEST

e Hungarian capital is ideal for a weekend break

An exclusive interview with Bahrain’s Minister of

Bahrain is the smallest of the six GCC countries, but don’t equate its size to its ambition to attract visitors. is island country already has three culturally-extravagant UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recently opened one of the Middle East’s biggest exhibition centres – Exhibition World Bahrain – to attract MICE visitors, and also has a roster of ne hospitality brands from Four Seasons and Jumeirah to e Ritz-Carlton and InterContinental to capture leisure tourists. By its own estimates, it expected to receive 8.3 million visitors in 2022, but ended the year with 9.9 million. It, therefore, looks well set to hit its target of reaching more than 14 million annual visitors by 2026. Shaping and sharpening that strategy is Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism, Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Saira , who spoke to Business Traveller exclusively for this month’s cover story (pg20).

Also in this issue, we spoke with the CEO of Six Senses, Neil Jacobs, (pg34) whose brand will become

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

much more present in the Middle East including the UAE and Saudi Arabia over the coming months, beyond its iconic property in Oman which has been operational for the last decade-and-a-half.

If the 2023 edition of the Arabian Travel Market le you breathless with all the high-pro le updates that emerged from it, we’ve rounded up some of its most important announcements (pg16) across the hospitality, aviation and tourism sectors, and interpret the interplay among them.

Finally, it’s been a couple of weeks since we held the 22nd edition of our annual Business Traveller Middle East Awards, but the fervour it has drummed up among the winners has anything but died down. Turn to our winners’ feature where some of the biggest names from the industry (pg26) re ect on what receiving these prestigious accolades meant for them and the brands they lead.

Enjoy the issue.

Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd

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businesstraveller.com

SENSORY EXPERIENCES

e CEO of Six Senses is focused on the Middle East (Page 34)

TERMINAL VELOCITY

Major aviation infrastructure projects around the world (Page 44)

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BEAUTIFUL BUDAPEST

Hidden gems within the Hungarian capital (Page 50)

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Varun Godinho, Editor

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Delight yourself in the Middle East this summer and get up to 10,000 bonus points per stay, from now until 11 September 2023.*

Redeem your points for free nights, flights, unrivaled Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ and so much more. From distinctive luxury to smart conveniences, find your ideal stay at thousands of extraordinary hotels and resorts participating in Marriott Bonvoy®

ECO-LUXURY AZULIK ALULA RESORT PLANNED FOR SAUDI ARABIA

THE ROYAL COMMISSION FOR ALULA will develop a new eco-luxury resort within Saudi Arabia that will be operated by Mexican luxury brand AZULIK and designed by Roth Architecture. The AZULIK AlUla Resort will be located within the Nabatean Horizon District of AlUla’s Journey Through Time masterplan, and is slated to open by 2027. It will feature 76 luxury villas of six di erent configurations, a spa, a VIP club, welcome lounges, all-day dining concepts, and a SFER IK museum.

Emirates Group reports record annual pro t

THE EMIRATES GROUP has reported its highest-ever annual pro t of US$3 billion for the year 2022-2023. at gure is in stark contrast to the US$1 billion loss it posted the previous year. For the nancial year ended March 31, 2023, the Emirates Group reported revenue of US$32.6 billion, an 81 per cent increase year-on-year. In 2022-23, the group collectively invested US$2 billion in new aircra , facilities, equipment, companies and technologies.

260

Fleet size

150

Number of destinations in network

Emirates introduces world’s first robot check-in assistant

TRAVEL AND TOURISM SECTOR IN

UAE

Dhs180.06 billion

The amount it is forecasted to contribute to the country’s economy this year

7,000

The number of jobs it will create in 2023

Dhs235.5 billion

Expected contribution to GDP by 2033

43.6 million

Number of passengers carried in 2022-2023

EMIRATES INTRODUCED the world’s rst check-in robot assistant which it calls Sara. e airline chose to debut the robot not at its Dubai International airport (DXB) base, but instead at its all-new City Checkin and Travel Store which it opened a few weeks ago in ICD Brook eld Place in Dubai International Financial Centre. As a remote check-in centre, passengers can not only check in for ights there, but also drop o their luggage as early as 24 hours and up to four hours before their ight. Sara, the portable robotic check-in system, can match faces with scanned passports, check passengers in, and guide them to the luggage drop area at the centre too.

10.2% Estimated percentage of UAE’s GDP by 2033

872,000

The number of people it will employ over the next decade

*According to research by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) carried out in partnership with Oxford Economics

Wynn Al Marjan Island to welcome its first guests by 2027

WYNN AL MARJAN

ISLAND in the UAE is expected to open by 2027. Located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, it will also be Wynn’s first-ever beachfront resort and its first opening in the Middle East. The estimated cost of this project is approximately US$3.9 billion.

The resort which is being developed by Wynn in collaboration with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding will feature approximately 1,500 keys across a mix of rooms, suites and villas. Significantly, the new resort will also have a gaming area, 24 dining and lounge experiences, a high-end shopping esplanade, an advanced events centre and even a theatre capable of hosting large production shows.

AMAN ANNOUNCES TWO PROPERTIES FOR DIRIYAH

LUXURY HOSPITALITY COMPANY, Aman Group, has con rmed that it will open two properties within the US$63.2 billion Diriyah development in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. ese include Aman Wadi Safar and Janu Diriyah from Aman’s sister brand Janu which is set to open its rst property in Tokyo later this year. Aman Wadi Safar will feature 78 keys, as well as up to 34 fully-serviced Aman branded residences and amenities such as an Aman Spa along with several dining experiences. Janu Diriyah meanwhile will be located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif. It will include 120 hotel rooms, a Janu Wellness o ering and a number of dining concepts too.

Elsewhere within Saudi Arabia, the Aman Group has already con rmed an Aman Hotel and Branded Residences in Hegra, alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Site within AlUla and an Aman tented camp too.

Eurowings to start ights to Dubai

EUROWINGS WILL launch flights to Dubai from both Stuttgart and Berlin later this year. Stuttgart-Dubai will launch on October 28 with twice-weekly flights, while Berlin-Dubai will commence on November 1 with an initial two flights a week, which will increase to fourweekly services from the end of November. There are currently no other airlines operating nonstop between Berlin and Dubai. Eurowings says the new routes are made possible by inducting Airbus A321 neo aircraft that provide a longer range. Eurowings’ parent Lufthansa serves Dubai from both its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as via Zurich on Swiss.

Accor agrees slew of new hotel openings across Saudi Arabia

HOSPITALITY GROUP ACCOR has reached agreements for several hotel openings across Saudi Arabia with various partners. It has agreed a deal with Saudi-based Erth Real Estate Company to open a 230-key Ra es hotel, a 250-key So tel Serviced Residence, and a 60-villa MGallery resort in Riyadh.

Separately, Accor revealed plans to open three properties in an upcoming project in Madinah by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company which will include a 142-key Fairmont hotel with a 120 Fairmont branded residences component to it, in addition to a 466-key Swissôtel and a 328-key Novotel property.

Also, Accor signed a master development agreement with Saudi startup Amsa Hospitality to develop and franchise 18 hotels across the kingdom’s second-tier cities such as Ha’il, Jubail, Taif, Tabuk and Jazan over the next ten years. Amsa will develop a range of Accor’s economy and midscale brands including ibis Styles, Mercure, and Novotel, among others.

ROTANA TO OPEN FIVE PROPERTIES

IN RIYADH

ABU DHABI-HEADQUARTERED HOTEL management company Rotana has signed agreements with Memar Development and Investment for five new properties in Saudi Arabia. These include four under its Edge by Rotana brand which was launched last year and one Rayhaan by Rotana property, all of which will be located in Riyadh. The five new properties will add 618 keys to Rotana’s portfolio. Rotana aims to triple the number of rooms it currently operates in the kingdom to 6,000 over the next four years.

Air Canada strikes codeshare with flydubai

DUBAI-BASED CARRIER, flydubai, has struck a new codeshare arrangement with Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada. Subject to final regulatory approvals, Air Canada’s marketing code will be placed on nine routes operated from Dubai by flydubai. The nine routes include Bahrain, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah and Muscat in the GCC, as well as flights to Colombo and Karachi. Additionally, through an interline arrangement, Air Canada’s passengers will be able to connect in Dubai to more than 60 destinations that flydubai flies to in the Middle East, East Africa and South Asia.

TURKISH AIRLINES HAS introduced new economy and business class inflight menus across its domestic and international services. The carrier worked with Turkish Do&Co to create new menus featuring local and seasonal cuisine, including grilled fish, homemade mezzelune pasta and Adana kebab cooked over charcoal in business class.

Premium passengers will also be o ered new mocktails and detox drinks, and a third dish has been added to the current twocourse breakfast service. In economy, a revamped breakfast menu includes egg dishes, homemade muesli and cheese varieties, while on mealtime flights passengers will be o ered “regional appetisers served alongside freshly prepared pasta and grilled options”.

IHG confirms 12 Holiday Inn Express hotels for Saudi

IHG HOTELS AND RESORTS has signed a master development agreement with Tashyid for Hotel Operations to develop 12 hotels, totalling 2,500 keys, under its Holiday Inn Express brand across Saudi Arabia. e rst of these, the 300-room Holiday Inn Express Jeddah hotel, will open in June 2025. Globally, Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s fastest-growing brand with over 3,000 operational hotels worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, IHG currently operates 39 hotels, with another 30 in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to ve years.

e Mere in the UK to be rebranded into a Fairmont property

FAIRMONT HOTELS AND RESORTS

has partnered with Dubai-based real estate development and investment rm, Select Group, to open Fairmont Cheshire e Mere in the UK.

e agreement involves redeveloping e Mere in Cheshire which at present is a 157-acre resort that o ers 81 guest rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course and wellness facilities.

On completion of an extensive restoration, redesign and expansion programme, Fairmont Cheshire e Mere will open in Q3 2024 with 120 bedrooms, including 27 suites. e resort will retain its championship 18-hole golf course, and host several wellness and culinary concepts too.

FIVE DEBUTS OWN PRIVATE JET CHARTER SERVICE

DUBAI’S FIVE HOTELS AND RESORTS has introduced a new private jet charter service using its own jet. The aircraft, 9H-FIVE (pronounced Nine-Hotel FIVE) will be based in Dubai. It has a flying range of approximately 12 hours which means that it can fly nonstop to the whole of Europe from Dubai, and also to the majority of destinations in Africa and Asia. The ACJ TwoTwenty jet was developed by Swiss aviation company Comlux. It features 16 seats, a dining table for eight passengers, a master suite with a king-sized bed, an on-board shower and a kitchen.

FOUR SEASONS TO ENTER NEOM WITH RESORT ON SINDALAH

FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS will open a new luxury resort on Sindalah island in Saudi Arabia. The island, part of the kingdom’s NEOM project, is spread across 840,000 sqm and is located in the Red Sea. The new Four Seasons resort will feature 225 rooms and suites with terraces overlooking the beaches of the Red Sea, as well as 52 villas with one- to four-bedroom configurations with plunge pools and beach views. The property’s architecture is being led by Luca Dini Design and Architecture, while the interiors for its guest room and public areas are being designed by RBTA and LW Design respectively. An onsite diving centre will also allow guests to explore the destination’s surrounding marine ecosystem.

SAUDIA and Kuwait Airways sign codeshare

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) and Kuwait Airways recently announced a new codeshare agreement. Both airlines will display the marketing codes of each other on ights operating between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Kuwait Airways operates six daily ights between the two countries, and SAUDIA operates four daily services. e codeshare will also bene t other routes around the world including Tunis, Addis Ababa, Riyadh, Los Angeles and Washington. e two carriers will expand their interline agreement too this summer. Furthermore, they are currently working on integrating their respective frequent yer programmes into the codeshare arrangement.

QATAR AIRWAYS TO RESUME ULTRA-LONG HAUL SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND

STARTING SEPTEMBER 1, Qatar Airways will re-introduce a direct Qatar to Auckland flight, which will operate seven times a week. The flight will be one of the world’s longest at 15 hours and 55 minutes on the outbound and 17 hours and 15 minutes on the inbound. Qatar Airways will be operating an Airbus A350-1000 on the route. The oneworld carrier plans to launch seven new destinations in 2023, including Chittagong, Juba, Kinshasa, Lyon, Medan, Toulouse and Trabzon.

An oasis of calm

The Alwadi Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection has several accommodation options, F&B offerings and diverse amenities to appeal to a wide range of discerning travellers

Alwadi Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection became the first MGallery property to open in the Qatari capital a few years ago. Located in the sustainable Msheireb Downtown Doha district, it is only a 15-minute drive from Hamad International Airport and 10 minutes from West Bay. Its location and amenities have resulted in the property being favoured by both business as well as leisure travellers.

The hotel’s design is a celebration of local culture and heritage. Reminiscent of the concept of a wadi (valley), it serves as a meeting point for different cultures. Msheireb Downtown Doha is positioned as a “sustainable downtown regeneration project” and features retail, leisure facilities, hotels, museums, and an eclectic collection of cultural and entertainment venues. The hotel’s design, therefore, imbibes the neighbourhood’s aesthetics and features intricate Mashrabiya design of wooden windows, among several other design cues.

The hotel has a total of 213 rooms and suites. There are 106 Superior king and 44 Superior Twin rooms that can accommodate up to three guests and have either one king-size bed or two single beds, respectively. There are 19 Deluxe king rooms and 11 Executive king rooms – the latter is 55 sqm each and can accommodate up to four guests. The 12 Deluxe suites meanwhile have a separate living area and bedroom, while the 20 Souq suites have a terrace with direct views over Souq Waqif. The most high-end accommodation at the property is the Imperial suite, of which there is only one. It is a generous 200 sqm suite that has a dedicated kitchen space, a dining area, living rooms and two bedrooms. In a significant move, the hotel has 10 of its rooms built specifically to be easily accessible for physically-challenged guests. Additionally, all the rooms and suites have a minibar, up to 55-inch flatscreen TVs, a Bose sound

system, a Nespresso machine and complimentary high-speed wifi.

The hotel has three restaurants, two lounges and a lobby lounge. For breakfast, you could head to Le Colonial which serves a lavish buffet which includes both local traditional fare as well as international favourites. CILA has a menu inspired by Levantine cuisine from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq and has a bold mix of fusion preparations that dare to be different. The hotel’s poolside restaurant and lounge, O’Glacée, is open throughout the day and offers fusion tapas, light bites and healthy options too. The rooftop lounge, Infinity, is themed around the novel Around the World in Eighty Days and hence features a range of signature drinks from 28 countries, as well as dishes that represent a total of 35 countries. The lobby lounge, AtTEAtude, is a great space to meet with colleagues or friends and has a terrace area too which would be great to use on cool evenings. For those who wish to remain in their room itself, there’s a 24-hour in-room dining service.

There are plenty of leisure amenities here. M|Spa has five treatment rooms (four single, and one double), a steam room, a sauna and a relaxation room. The outdoor pool is temperature controlled which makes it perfect to use even in the colder months. If you want to keep up your fitness regime even when travelling, as you should, then M|Fit with its Technogym equipment will help you to do just that.

This hotel has excellent meeting facilities and event spaces too. Alwaha Ballroom can host up to 415 guests and hence makes it an ideal space for large corporate gatherings, gala events or even weddings. The property’s meeting rooms meanwhile, namely Baladi, Souq, Harir, Baraha and Mashrabia, can each accommodate up to 32 people. The adjoining rooms can be combined to raise the capacity in case there are a greater number of guests that need to be accommodated in the meeting rooms.

Alwadi Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection, is the perfect place for creating ‘memorable moments’ that last a lifetime. Whatever your reason for checking in, you’ll find exactly what you came looking for by the time you’ve checked out.

alwadihoteldoha.com; mgallery.accor.com

Emirates unveils US$200 million aviation sustainability fund

Emirates has committed US$200 million to fund research and development (R&D) projects focused on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation. e airline said that it is “the biggest single commitment by any airline on sustainability” and added that the funds will be disbursed over three years.

Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, said, “Our US$200 million fund is earmarked for R&D, and not for operating costs like the purchase of SAF or carbon o sets to tick regulatory boxes –activities we consider business-as-usual. We are ring-fencing US$200 million to invest in advanced fuel and energy solutions for aviation, which is where airlines currently face the biggest impediment in reducing our environmental impact. We looked long and hard at the reality we face in commercial aircra and engine technology, the fuel supply chain, and our industry’s regulatory and eco-system requirements. It’s clear that with the current pathways available to airlines in terms of emissions reduction, our industry won’t be able to hit net zero targets in the prescribed timeline.”

0.1%

The amount of SAF currently being produced as a percentage of the total fuel requirement by airlines worldwide

HILTON WINS SUSTAINABLE STAND AWARD AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET

HILTON RECEIVED the firstever Sustainable Stand Award at the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held in Dubai last month. An independent panel of judges commended Hilton’s decision to engage a local supplier in the creation process of its stand, and also the hospitality group’s commitment to repurposing as many materials as possible over the next three years. Additionally, Hilton measured the environmental footprint of its stand with a carbon calculator and simultaneously took steps to mitigate the impact of its catering activities over the duration of the show.

LUFTHANSA TO OFFER UNSOLD INFLIGHT FOOD AT DISCOUNTED PRICE

LUFTHANSA HAS LAUNCHED a new “Onboard Delights Last Minute” initiative, where passengers on European flights to Frankfurt and Munich are now o ered the chance to purchase unsold fresh food at a discounted set price of €3.50.

Additionally, Miles & More members can now earn and redeem miles when purchasing food and beverages from the Onboard Delights menu, with “at least” one mile being credited per Euro spent. Lufthansa is targeting a 50 per cent reduction in food waste on short-haul flights by 2025, compared to 2019 levels.

AZURE BEACH DUBAI UPCYCLES SINGLEUSE GLASS WASTE

IN FEBRUARY, AZURE BEACH DUBAI, managed by Sunset Hospitality Group, introduced an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of singleuse glass waste. Azure Beach purchased a glass crusher that pulverizes glass bottles into ‘sand’ thereby eliminating the need for them to be sent through a lengthy recycling process, or worse still to a land ll. e resulting ne and medium sand particles are used on the property’s beach itself and therefore reduces the need to import new sand. e larger particulates meanwhile from the glass crusher are repurposed and used to create coasters and owerpots, among other items. One glass bottle can on average produce ve coasters.

“We will consume more than 50 tonnes of single-use glass this year,” said Eric Ballard, general manager of Azure Beach. “I hope this [initiative] inspires others to see certain ‘waste’ as raw material.”

Etihad achieves 26 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per RTK

ETIHAD AIRWAYS has published its annual sustainability report. In 2022, the airline achieved a 26 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometer (RTK) to 482g, compared to a 2019 baseline. It noted that it achieved its emission reductions by way of a combination of “in-sector measures, aligning with industry voluntary roadmaps and frameworks, collaborating with UAE industrial ecosystems, remaining proactive about sustainability issues, and continually developing a strategic roadmap for targets.” It has also signed the Neste Airline Collaboration Agreement to facilitate cooperation between corporate organisations looking to o set their Scope 3 emissions using SAF credits.

The G7 contributes to expanding renewable energy globally and bringing down costs by strengthening capacity including through a collective increase in o shore wind capacity of 150 gigawatts by 2030 based on each country’s existing targets and a collective increase of solar (photovoltaic) to more than 1 terawatt by 2030”

G7 climate, energy and environment ministers’ communique at the 49th summit in Hiroshima

1 United to grow San Francisco-Hong Kong route

United Airlines will increase the frequency of the current daily Hong Kong–San Francisco service to 12 flights weekly from August 3, and will later expand it to 14 flights weekly as a twicedaily service in late October. It will utilise its Boeing 777-300ER widebody aircraft.

2 New St Regis property debuts in Chicago

The St Regis Chicago has opened in a 101-storey tower in the city’s Lakeshore East neighbourhood. Designed by Jeanne Gang, it is the world’s tallest building by a female architect. The hotel features 159 rooms and 33 suites. There are more than 50 St Regis properties worldwide.

3 Banyan Tree con rms rst European property

The first European Banyan Tree property is expected to open by 2026. Banyan Tree Varko Bay will be located in Greece’s western Aitoloakarnania region and will feature an all-pool villa concept, with 116 villas and 45 branded residences, as well as three restaurants and a beach club.

4 IHG to open two hotels in Cairo

IHG Hotels and Resorts has confirmed that it will open the InterContinental West Cairo 205 in January 2028, and the voco West Cairo 205 Suites by June 2026 in Egypt. Both hotels will be a part of the 1 million sqm mixed-use 205, an Arkan Palm Development in West Cairo.

5 SIA Group posts record net pro t

The SIA Group reported a net profit of S$2.157 billion for FY 20222023, after having posted a loss of S$962 million in the previous year. It was the highest-ever net profit in the airline’s 76-year history. As of March 31, the group had 188 passenger aircraft and a network of 109 destinations in 36 countries.

6 JW Marriott opens in Xi’an, China

JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an has opened in the city which is home to six UNESCO World Heritage cultural and historic sites. Designed by HBA Hong Kong, the hotel features 333 guest rooms, including 13 suites. Guest rooms are situated on the 25th to 37th floors of the hotel.

7 Philippine Airlines orders nine A350-1000s

Philippine Airlines has signed an MoU with Airbus to purchase nine A350-1000s. Under the Philippine carrier’s Ultra Long Haul Fleet project, the A350-1000 will be operated on nonstop services from Manila to North America, including to the East Coast of the US and Canada.

8 Rosewood announces Seoul property

Rosewood Hotel Group is set to open its first South Korean property. The 250-room Rosewood Seoul will be housed within The Parkside Seoul development and is slated to open in 2027. Features will include seven restaurants and bars, and an indoor golf facility.

9 Etihad to launch Osaka service from Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has said that it will begin flying to Osaka five times per week from October 1. The airline will operate its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the route from Abu Dhabi. Etihad will be the second UAE carrier to serve Osaka following Emirates, which flies Dubai-Osaka daily.

10 Air New Zealand introduces new locallysourced skincare products

Air New Zealand has partnered with Aotea to debut skincare products inspired by Maori herbal practices in its on-board amenity kits for its business and premium economy class. It includes ingredients such as Kawakawa, Harakeke and Mānuka.

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

Rebooting travel

The 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market held last month in Dubai brought together several tens of thousands of participants. Here are some of the biggest updates that emerged from it

There were multiple markers of success at the 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which was held from May 1-4, 2023, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Take, for example, the 40,000 attendees, including 30,000 visitors that showed up at the exhibition. That represents a 29 per cent increase in the number of attendees compared to 2022, but more importantly, it was a 5 per cent climb over the pre-pandemic year’s attendance figures in 2019.

The show’s ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ theme saw more than 2,100 exhibitors and trade representatives converge from over 150 countries at this mega exhibition. “The fact

that we witnessed record attendance at ATM 2023 is extremely encouraging and a strong indication that the Middle East’s travel industry is once again in excellent shape,” said Danielle Curtis, exhibition director for the Middle East at Arabian Travel Market. Reinforcing Curtis’ assessment are figures of Saudi Arabia clocking 93.5 million visits to the kingdom in 2022 and emerging as one of the world’s biggest investors in tourism by committing a staggering US$550 billion to new destinations by 2030. Bahrain beat its own forecast of the number of visitors by 20 per cent after finishing 2022 with 9.9 million visitors (read our exclusive interview with Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism on pg20), and Oman has already revealed plans of creating 500,000 jobs in its tourism sector by 2040.

There were several big announcements made at the event. On the aviation front, one of the biggest surprises was that of an expanded interline agreement between two major UAE airlines – Etihad Airways and Emirates. Customers of each airline can now

purchase a single ticket to fly into either Dubai or Abu Dhabi and return via the other airport. The ‘open jaw’ arrangement is expected to give visitors to the UAE the ability to explore both the emirates without having to spend time travelling to the other just to catch their flight out.

Another UAE carrier, flydubai, meanwhile used the ATM platform to unveil the design of its new ‘The Business Suite’ product which has been designed exclusively for single-aisle aircraft and will offer a lie-flat bed along with direct aisle access for all passengers. The new product is expected to be rolled out onto its first aircraft by November, and will then be available on up to six aircraft by the first quarter of next year.

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) also unveiled its business class suites at the ATM. The carrier is fitting Thompson Aero’s VantageSOLO product onto its forthcoming fleet of Airbus A321 XLR aircraft which it will press into service on routes including Milan, Barcelona, Rome, Brussels, Dakar and the Maldives.

The Qatar Airways pavilion at the ATM meanwhile featured an F1 simulator that visitors could drive (in a nod to the fact that the airline signed a five-year deal as the Global Partner and Official Airline of Formula 1 earlier this year). At the ATM, Qatar’s national airline announced the addition of a new route to Tabouk in Saudi Arabia, as well as the resumption of its flights to Yanbu in Saudi.

There were a number of major updates from the hospitality sector too. Abu Dhabibased Rotana said that it intends to reach 120 operating hotels spanning 28,000 keys by 2030. It added that Saudi and Egypt would be its biggest focus market regionally. Hour after the ATM began though on

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Saudi pavilion; Rotana’s presence at the ATM; The Business Suite from flydubai which was revealed at the ATM; Emirates and Etihad expand their ties; The Dubai pavilion won the Best Stand for Doing Business Award

day one, Rotana revealed its plans to open its first two UK properties. It includes a 70-apartment Centro New Malden scheduled to open this year, followed by the 31-apartment new-build Centro Kingston on Coombe Road by 2024. It said that it plans to develop up to 1,500 keys under its Centro brand in the greater London area.

Another UAE brand, the Dubai-based Rove Hotels, said at the ATM that it was venturing into the branded residences and serviced apartment sector with the launch of Rove Home. Rove Home Aljada, a residential development in Sharjah, will be its first project. Ranging from one- to threebedroom apartments, residents will have the option to avail of add-on services including housekeeping, laundry, and in-room dining, among others, when buying their apartment.

Apart from companies showcasing their latest products and services, and revealing their growth plans, the ATM also served as a thought leadership space with several panel discussions held along the sidelines of the event. These included sessions such as ‘Hospitality debate: What more can big data unlock?’ with panel participants including the likes of Sandeep Walia, COO of the Middle East at Marriott and Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, among others. While the panel mostly agreed on the power of big data in hospitality, Walia also sounded the cautionary tales of the technology when saying that big data, combined with AI can help to identify options best suited for a customer. “But ultimately, guests have to connect with us to make the booking, so the balance between AI and the human touch is equally important and can’t be forgotten,” noted Walia.

At a separate panel discussion, ‘Sustainable luxury: At what cost?’, the panel members discussed ways that luxury travel needn’t be mutually exclusive from the goals of sustainability. “Luxury and sustainability have not always gone hand in hand, but this is changing. We are encountering a new generation of travellers who want highend experiences that do not compromise sustainability. This is why airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tourist destinations are thinking about how sustainability can be integrated into their existing services, and how it can be used to attract more customers,” said Nadia Ibrahim, member of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact.

In line with the ATM’s ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ theme, another panel discussion gathered aviation experts to discuss ways that the sector could orient itself towards a net zero future. “There are approximately 24,000 planes in the air today and that number is going to double in the next 20 years. These will be conventional aeroplanes, and to decarbonise and get on the trajectory to net zero by 2050, airlines will have to fly on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), so our priority is to make sure that our planes are 100 per cent SAF capable. It is vital that we invest in the here and now,” observed Brian Moran, vice president of Global Sustainability Policy and Partnerships at Boeing.

Another major participant at the ATM apart from airlines and hotels, were tourism boards and they seized the opportunity to announce collaborations with each other. Emirates, for example, struck agreements with eight tourism boards from countries including Indonesia, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Zambia to help promote their destinations. IHG Hotels and Resorts signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Tourism

Authority to more fully integrate the hospitality giant’s operations with the vision of the kingdom’s tourism goals. IHG indicated that it is not only looking at hiring 6,000 Saudi nationals across its portfolio in the kingdom by 2030, but also plans to add more than 10,000 additional rooms in the kingdom over the next two-three years. Many of the tourism boards were long-time participants of the exhibition including Tourism Malaysia who returned to the ATM for the 29th time and Munich Tourism which did so for the 25th year.

As the ATM wound down, the exhibition’s independent panel of judges decided to deliver the inaugural Sustainable Stand Award to Hilton which committed to repurposing as many materials as possible from its stand over the coming three years, and also used a carbon calculator to calculate the environmental footprint of its presence at the show. Hilton’s overall activities at the ATM were however muted following the passing away of JochemJan Sleiffer, Hilton’s former president for the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye region, a few days before the start of the ATM.

Among the other awards, SAUDIA bagged the Best Stand Design Award (over 150 sqm) for the second consecutive year with the judges noting the impactful combination of its digital screens and reflective flooring, while Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) with its three-storey exhibition space received the Best Stand for Doing Business Award.

Overall, the attendee numbers at the 30th edition of the ATM surpassed the 2019 event – and some may rightfully make a case that so did the calibre of the participants and the sheer significance of the key announcements that came out from the floor of this year’s show.

FROM TOP: A panel discussion on the role of big data in the hospitality sector; SAUDIA won the Best Stand Design Award

MASTERING MANAGEMENT

Krystel Irani , newly appointed to the role of hotel manager for Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, has to ensure a flawless chain of operations

INTERVIEW VARUN GODINHO

You started as a management trainee at the Four Seasons in Paris two decades ago. How confident were you back then that you would one day reach this current position? In life, we cannot predict the future, yet we can set clear intentions that guide us on our way. Whilst my intuition and intentions were clear, I was able to set myself apart with loads of perseverance, hard work and passion. I was picky about the roles I accepted, persevering to represent agship properties and I also selected destinations that excited me and helped me develop. When every step you take is geared towards self-improvement and learning, your path will naturally lead you towards representing the greatest of brands. In my case, I’ve landed my dream leadership job with Four Seasons.

What is it about this specific hotel that makes it stand out from other luxury properties in Dubai? Four Seasons Hotel DIFC is connected to one of Dubai’s most thriving social and business districts. Guests can step out into Gate Village where the city’s best dining and art scene resides. e bold, playful and artful personality of the hotel is also a vivid re ection of DIFC. Even more importantly though, the property is brought to life by its passionate and empathetic sta

whom the hotel guests tend to know by name, and vice versa. Our boutique size allows us to extend an admirable standard of personalised service.

What is the scope of culinary o erings available here? When it comes to unique cuisine, MINA Brasserie certainly steals the show, and the Toque awarded by Gault & Millau UAE stands as a testament to this. MINA Brasserie serves brasserie-style European

dishes with subtle touches alluding to award-winning chef Michael Mina’s Middle Eastern upbringing. As far as dazzling nightspots go, Luna Dubai takes the crown with its glittering Burj Khalifa views and a cra ed cocktail menu inspired by the galaxies. Luna’s Asian-inspired nibbles are designed for sharing both on the table and on social feeds. A ernoon tea lovers will appreciate the delicate creations at Penrose Lounge, served amidst vibrant interiors and on a charming terrace overlooking the world’s tallest building.

What are some of the sustainability measures undertaken across the property? We are committed to preserving and regenerating the environment and leaving a positive, enduring impact on our local community. On the culinary front, we source local ingredients, where possible, and have implemented programmes to limit food waste. When certain items are not available locally, sustainable certi ed partners are selected to minimise the footprint of any imports. e hotel is also singleuse plastic free, with a portion of our energy generated by solar power too.

Are there any plans for expansions at the hotel? e expansion which has recently been revealed is the anticipated launch of Kygo, a Japanese Omakase restaurant by Fundamental Hospitality – the group behind some of Dubai’s most celebrated restaurants such as Gaia and Shanghai Me. Foodies can expect further exciting announcements soon.

What do you need to achieve to eventually term your role here as a hotel manager a success? I link my success as a hotel manager to the satisfaction of our guests. Essential to this, is the satisfaction of my team, since employee and guest satisfaction are two metrics that endlessly tango. ese are the fundamentals that form the base for commercial success, which we would quantify by studying our guest loyalty, channel mix and market share amongst other focuses.

TOP: Krystel Irani BELOW: Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

BAHRAIN BECKONS

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

Back in 2021, Bahrain embarked on an economic reform plan that set out to invest around US$30 billion in strategic projects, boost employment among its citizens and attract US$2.5 billion by way of foreign direct investment by 2023. e path to growing its economy and steering it away from a dependence on oil has begun to reap rich rewards. In 2022, for example, Bahrain’s economy grew 4.9 per cent – the highest rate since 2013. But the highlight of that performance was a notable 6.2 per cent increase in its non-oil real gross domestic product.

A signi cant driver of that has been the island nation’s tourism sector. “ e economic recovery plan created a very clear roadmap for initiatives to entice investors to invest more in the kingdom and also to streamline all the government initiatives to aid Bahrain in reaching [the goals of] its scal balance programme that was launched

RIGHT: Bahrain received 9.9 million visitors in 2022

BELOW: Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Bahrain’s Minister of Tourism

OPPOSITE PAGE: Bahrain World Trade Centre

US$2.6 billion.

back in 2018. Part of the economic recovery plan was to initiate the tourism strategy that spans from 2022 to 2026,” Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaafar Al Saira , Minister of Tourism for Bahrain, told Business Traveller Middle East in an exclusive interview. at ve-year tourism strategy which kicked o in 2022 was conceived with the goal of reaching 14.1 million visitors annually by 2026. One of the core objectives of that strategy was to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s GDP to 11.4 per cent by 2026. ose e orts are o to a healthy start with tourism revenues in Bahrain estimated to have reached US$3.98 billion for 2022 – approximately 50

per cent over the projected target gure for the year. “Tourism in Bahrain was an exceptional sector in 2022. When we set our [tourism] strategy, we set ourselves up against very ambitious key performance indicators, one of them being the tourism revenues. We set a target for tourism revenues for the year 2022 to reach about US$2.6 billion. What we actually achieved was about US$4 billion, and that just gives you an indicator that Bahrain is really moving forward when it comes to diversifying its economy. And if we go back to the KPIs of the economic recovery plan, you will notice that the contribution of the non-oil sector in Bahrain has reached over 83 per cent,” says Al Saira .

We set a target for tourism revenues for the year 2022 to reach about

What we actually achieved was about US$4 billion

THE BACKBONE OF GROWTH

Key to driving tourism in the kingdom is its hospitality offerings. Nearly a decade ago, the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay opened in Manama, which also happens to have the second-largest spa in Four Seasons’ global portfolio. More recently, Four Seasons partnered with Bahrain-based real estate firm Bayside Developments to build the Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay which will feature 112 bespoke homes and will be linked by a private pedestrian bridge to the main hotel. In November last year, the Jumeirah Group opened the 196-key Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa which has a strong focus on wellness by way of its amenities and programmes.

“Historically, tourism has accounted for about 6.5-7 per cent of the GDP. But I’d want to focus on the

growth rate when it comes to hotels and restaurants, which are a major investment in Bahrain. The growth rate in hotels and restaurants is the highest among all industries in the kingdom. We’re looking at the growth rates that were announced in 2022 of around 14 per cent,” notes Al Sairafi.

“Hospitality has always been one of the projects that Bahrain has worked on very closely with the private sector. As we speak, we are looking at over 130 hotels and resorts in Bahrain. For a small island, you’re looking at quite a significant number, which obviously is going to increase over the next few years. It’s one of the key initiatives of our tourism strategy.”

At present, the government is focused on developing Hawar Island which will include a wildlife sanctuary and is a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland. On the Hawar Island, is

Bahrain Bay; Mantis

Bahrain Hawar

Island Hotel and Resort; Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir; Jumeirah

Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Four Seasons Private Residences

the upcoming Mantis Bahrain Hawar Island Hotel and Resort. For it, Accor has partnered with Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company), the real estate arm of Mumtalakat Holding Company which is the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain. “We’re working very closely with the Mantis resort which is due to open in 2023. It will create an eco-tourism industry that many people can come and enjoy as part of [the kingdom’s] leisure tourism offerings,” says Al Sairafi. The 72-key property will include overwater villas as well as five dining concepts, and will be adjacent to the wildlife sanctuary which features sand gazelles and Arabian oryx on land, besides colourful coral reefs and endangered dugongs within its marine ecosystem.

Eco-tourism is gaining a steady foothold in Bahrain, and there are already three UNESCO Heritage Sites: Dilmun Burial Mounds; Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy ; and Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun.

Parallelly, there are other avenues of tourism such as sports tourism being developed in the kingdom, with the highlight being the annual F1 race that speeds across the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Now, the country is also keen to attract business travellers. To that end, in November last year, the kingdom opened the Exhibition World

Bahrain. It is the country’s largest exhibition and conference centre and features 95,000 sqm of floor exhibition space, a grand hall that can seat 4,000 participants, a total of 10 exhibition halls, 94 meeting rooms and 25 F&B and retail outlets. “Exhibition World Bahrain is the biggest exhibition centre in the Middle East. One of the main reasons why we launched the project is because we wanted to position Bahrain as a MICE hub in the region and attract more international conventions, exhibitions and events, thereby taking advantage of visiting business travellers and having them increase the length of stay so that they can enjoy Bahrain as a leisure tourism destination as well,” says the tourism minister.

STRATEGIC DELIVERY

Bringing visitors into the kingdom is the country’s national carrier – Gulf Air – which is one of the oldest GCC airlines, having commenced operations in 1950. Significantly, with the kingdom having signed onto the Abraham Accords in 2020, Gulf Air began operating flights to Tel Aviv in Israel more recently. It is aware that its fleet of around three dozen aircraft won’t allow its route destination network to grow rapidly and hence it has entered into strategic partnerships with regional airlines including Emirates (it launched a codeshare last November), Oman Air and Etihad.

Gulf Air’s base of Bahrain International Airport hosted 6.9 million passengers in 2022, a 125 per cent increase over the 3 million passengers it welcomed the previous year. Last year, the country also officially opened its new 210,000 sqm terminal which will increase the airport’s capacity to 14 million passengers.

“One of our major partners is our national carrier, Gulf Air. We work very closely with them to promote Bahrain as a tourism destination. As part of our strategy, we have identified 14 key target markets that we’re going to focus on over the next 14 years to attract more tourists,” says Al Sairafi. “We looked at countries that have a very high aptitude for business and leisure travel. We worked closely with Gulf Air to identify those markets and to attract more tourists from there. The target markets that we’re looking at include all the countries in the GCC, as well as some in Europe – mainly Italy, Spain, Germany, and the UK – as well as India and Egypt. Focusing on those target markets, we went a step further to sign with over 100 tour operators internationally, so that we can market and position Bahrain as an international tourism destination.” A country within Europe that is of particular interest as a source market for Bahrain, says the minister, is Spain. However, GCC traffic is going to remain the biggest feeder market into Bahrain. Bahrain is the smallest among its GCC neighbours, but is positioned

advantageously geographically. It shares a road border with Saudi Arabia, while a flight to Dubai from Manama is around 1.15 hours and to Doha is only 45 minutes. “Our biggest source market is the GCC. The GCC countries have realised that we’re all interdependent. And if we want to increase the footfall in our countries, the best way to do it is to copromote our countries as one tourism destination, instead of promoting our countries independently.

“We’ve started working on that with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where we have created packages that promote Bahrain as a unified destination along with its neighbouring countries. For example, a tourist can get a package where they can visit Bahrain for four days and continue their journey to Saudi Arabia, and stay there for another four days. And this has

shown signi cant revenues for most of the countries in GCC when we copromote our destinations.”

During Al Saira ’s visit to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai this year, she met with His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy, to explore ways to further strengthen tourism ties between the two

countries. Already, the number of Bahraini travellers to the UAE last year stood at nearly 100,000, a 33 per cent increase compared to the 75,000 visitors in 2021. At present, there are 60 ights between the two countries per week. Dubai-based carrier Emirates alone serves Bahrain with 21 weekly ights. At the ATM, Emirates signed an MoU with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to broaden Bahrain’s appeal among its key target markets including Spain, Japan, Korea, Hungary, and Poland, as well as grow awareness of Bahrain as a weekend getaway for travellers from Israel and the UAE. Saudi Arabia meanwhile is also working closely with Bahrain to build tourism ties. With Saudi Arabia aiming to

attract 100 million visitors annually by 2030, the prospect of an even a few percentage of those tourists crossing the King Fahd Causeway into Bahrain, if even for a day, could lead to signi cant advantages for Bahrain’s tourism industry.

Al Saira says that while the government is providing legislation and determining operating practices for the tourism industry, the private sector is also being engaged to drive forward the kingdom’s tourism development. One of the major areas where the private sector is being asked to step in is with waterfront development projects. “When you look at the F&B scene in Bahrain, a lot of private investments have happened on that front to ensure that tourists coming to Bahrain for leisure or business have o erings that they can enjoy while they’re on the island,” says Al Saira . She also points towards the Golden Licence scheme which was announced early this year to encourage the private sector to invest more extensively in the kingdom. Companies eligible for the licence need to create more than 500 jobs or have over US$50 million in investment during the rst few years of their operations. Eligible companies stand to bene t by way of prioritised land allocation, streamlined processes for licensing and obtaining government permits, and access to institutional funding for projects.

Eventually, Al Saira says, the KPI of the country’s tourism machinery is to increase the number of visitors and also increase those visitors’ per capita expenditure. “Initially, the KPI that was set for the number of visitors to Bahrain for 2022 was 8.3 million. e actual number that was achieved was 9.9 million, around a 20 per cent increase,” says Al Saira . Similarly, the KPI for the daily tourist expenditure for 2022 was set at BHD69.1, but the actual amount that was achieved was BHD76. As the kingdom attempts to move rmly away from a dependence on oil, its tourism sector shows a promising way for it to do so e ectively and sustainably.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bahrain participated in the Arabian Travel Market 2023; Bahrain International Airport; Bahrain National Museum; Exhibition World Bahrain

Our biggest source market is the GCC... the best way is to co-promote our countries as one tourism destination

Making their mark

There were 40 award categories at our Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023. In our May edition, we brought you all the news about this year’s winners. Now, it’s time to hear directly from a few of them on what these awards have meant for them and the brands they lead

Alexander Lee, chief commercial officer of Jumeirah Group

“As a leading luxury hospitality group, we are proud to be recognised as the ‘Best Luxury Hotel Brand in the Middle East’. This accolade is a testament to our continued commitment to delivering world-class service and follows a period of expansion for Jumeirah in the region, with the opening of new resorts in Oman and Bahrain over the past 12 months. To see our ability to deliver service beyond expectations recognised at the BTME Awards reaffirms that our guests can consistently expect exceptional experiences, and that our brand promise remains steadfast.”

Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports

“All of the team at Dubai Airports are both surprised and delighted to receive the prestigious accolade of not just one, but two Business Traveller awards for best airport in both the region and in the world. It is particularly rewarding knowing the readers of Business Traveller have nominated Dubai International (DXB) based on their experiences travelling through our airport. It’s good to know that, in the opinions of our customers, DXB is not only the biggest international airport in the world, but also the best.”

Mark Willis, chief executive officer of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts

“On behalf of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, I would like to sincerely thank Business Traveller Middle East for their exemplary efforts at the 22nd Business Traveller Middle East Awards, where we were awarded the prestigious title of ‘Best Hotel Brand Worldwide’, among considerable recognition for our portfolio of regional properties. These accolades underscore our commitment to delivering unapparelled guest experiences and world-class hospitality that transcends the ordinary. I am honoured to lead our remarkable team, whose dedication, passion, and hard work remain an inspiration. Fairmont Doha’s win and Fairmont Nile City’s Highly Commended distinction are a testament to our uncompromising pursuit of excellence. We appreciate Business Traveller Middle East’s role as an industry leader, providing a platform to celebrate and foster growth within the travel and hospitality sector and we pledge to uphold the high standard of quality these awards have come to represent.”

GRANDEST Experience the ESCAPES

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Contact your travel professional or visit Fairmont.com/Doha.

Haitham Mattar,

director of India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels and Resorts

“We are grateful to all those who voted for InterContinental Hotels and Resorts as the Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East and are delighted to receive awards across many other categories. Globally, InterContinental has been pioneering luxury travel for over 75 years and was one of the first international hotel brands in the Middle East. This recognition is a testament to the loyalty of our guests and to the dedication and hard work of our team members, who strive every day to provide guests and customers with exceptional experiences and service that go above and beyond. IHG Hotels and Resorts has brands across different segments that cater to different guest profiles – from those looking for luxurious experiences to others opting for smart, efficient stays – and we are proud to be part of the global hospitality industry that inspires us to continue bringing the best-in-class hospitality to the region and raising the bar for excellence.”

At Emirates, we are committed to investing, innovating and reshaping the way people think about and enjoy air travel and are proud that this was recognised with four accolades at this year’s 2023 Business Traveller Middle East Awards, including ‘Best Airline Worldwide’ for the tenth consecutive year. It’s a true reflection of our teams’ commitment, who consistently work hard to deliver on our ‘Fly Better’ promise through the best-in-class service and products. Industry awards, especially those hosted by a leading travel publication like Business Traveller Middle East, set the benchmark of excellence, driving us, as well as our peers, to consistently build a better experience, on-ground and on-board, for travellers.”

“With the opening of Grand Hyatt Kuwait less than 12 months ago, it’s an incredible achievement for the property to be recognised and we are extremely honoured to win the Best Business Hotel in Kuwait at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2023. I couldn’t be prouder of our fantastic hotel leaders and colleagues who have truly brought the Grand Hyatt brand to life for guests and World of Hyatt members visiting Grand Hyatt Kuwait over the past year. Business travel is at the core of the industry, and hospitality brands play a fundamental role in travellers’ experiences. These credible awards are an excellent way to celebrate the teams’ hard work and provide them with the recognition they deserve, while giving us all a boost of morale to continue making the industry a very special place.”

managing

Adil Al Ghaith, senior vice president of Commercial Operations for the Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia for Emirates Airline

Stuart Deeson, vice president of operations for the Middle East and Africa at Hyatt

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways

“Etihad’s special guests and clients tell us time and time again of the great service and hospitality they experience when they travel on Etihad. This award is a testament to the hard work, consistency and commitment of our cabin crew who always go the extra mile for our guests. On behalf of everyone at Etihad, I would like to sincerely thank our cabin crew, and thank our guests and the public for voting for Etihad. These awards are an excellent way to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the entire industry who together are boosting tourism and business travel for the benefit of us all.”

Olivier Louis, managing director of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm

“I am so proud to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Such an achievement can only be the result of a close collaboration with thousands of colleagues who also dedicate their lives to delight our guests, day in and day out. Through these years, I served as a teacher, a coach, a mentor to all, transferring my experience to contribute towards their growth.

Following 25 years at the helm of One&Only Royal Mirage and One&Only The Palm, I am proud to have established, with the help of many, these unique and distinctive properties as two of the very best beach resorts not only for Dubai but for the region. It has been a long journey of faith, resilience, inspiration, and service which we have traversed on the path to success and these resorts stand tall as true legendary hospitality references. For my wife Isabelle and our children, Dubai has been our home ever since and will always remain fondly close to our hearts.”

Kiran Jay Haslam, chief marketing officer at Diriyah Company

“It was a pleasure to be at the Awards representing Diriyah, The City of Earth and being a part of this fantastic event. What an amazing publication. It’s a publication which is a standard and sets the benchmark and an expectation. It delivers to a readership that expects the very best of what business travel has to offer the world over. It is incredible to have the opportunity to sponsor this fantastic event and be a part of the evening. The publication continues to go from strength to strength with more than 20 years since it was established. Everybody who has been receiving awards has so duly deserved it. Long may it last, and long may we be a part of Business Traveller Middle East.”

Tim Cordon, chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa at Radisson Hotel Group

“These awards are a testament to our teams’ commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences to our guests. Winning the ‘Best Lifestyle Hotel Brand in the Middle East’ with our Radisson brand sets a  benchmark for the brand and raises the standard for delivering outstanding hospitality services. With these achievements, the Radisson Hotel Group demonstrates its unwavering dedication to its guests, employees, and stakeholders, solidifying its position as a top player in the hospitality industry. Notably, with the opening of two new Radisson Resorts in the Middle East over the last year, the brand’s presence continues to expand, cementing its reputation as a premium hospitality provider in the region.

The Business Traveller Middle East Awards is a respected platform recognising excellence in the industry, and it motivates us to strive for excellence continually. We are proud to receive these awards and are grateful for their recognition of our company and its brands.”

Sandeep Walia, chief operating officer for the Middle East at Marriott International “We were honoured to celebrate multiple wins at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards. It was a proud feeling to see Marriott Bonvoy hold onto its position as the ‘Best Hotel Loyalty Programme in the Middle East’. It was also exciting to celebrate wins for The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah and Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and special recognition for Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah and Amman Marriott Hotel. These awards represent the hard work and commitment of our teams, and I could not be prouder of everything that they do. Business Traveller Middle East has always been an important platform for us. The awards offer an incredible opportunity to recognise excellence across the travel industry while celebrating and spending time with our teams and industry colleagues.”

Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of Dubai Duty Free

“Winning the Business Traveller Middle East Award for ‘Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East’ is very significant and showcases the dedication of our team of staff at Dubai Duty Free who continue to do an excellent job. As an industry benchmark for excellence, the Business Traveller Middle East Awards is a celebration of the region’s best, providing businesses with recognition and validation for their continued hard work to achieve success.”

SENSORY EXPERIENCES

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

The Six Senses brand has had a conservative expansion strategy over the past nearly three decades of its existence, but that’s now all set to dramatically change

In 2019, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) made a bold move when it acquired Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas in a US$300 million cash deal. Six Senses joined IHG’s top-tier luxury brands including Regent, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants (which IHG acquired for US$430 million in 2014).

Four years after it was acquired, and the pandemic notwithstanding, Six Senses isn’t short on firepower. “We have a pipeline today of over 40 projects, of which around the low twenties are under construction, or in development. We will likely be close to 50 operating hotels within four years from now,” declares Neil Jacobs, chief

executive officer of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, in an exclusive interview with Business Traveller Middle East.

“The growth has been substantial, and also global. We started life very much as an Asian company, but that’s no longer the case.”

Today, Six Senses has approximately 23 operational properties and around 1,100 keys worldwide. And while it is well spread across a handful of key Asian and Pacific countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji and Bhutan, Jacobs acknowledges that India, China and the Americas represent vast untapped potential for the brand. In India, the first Six Senses resort opened in Rajasthan in 2021. The Six Senses Fort Barwara is located close to the Ranthambore National Park and is a 48-suite resort. Six

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea; Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman; The lobby at Six Senses Zighy Bay; Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas

Senses Vana opened more recently in the Himalayas and is a wellness-focused retreat located close to Rishikesh which is where yoga originated. Jacobs explains that in India, there are several enquiries for new openings, but the brand is being deliberatively selective in its partners and who they do business with.

In the Americas, Six Senses doesn’t have any operational properties yet. In China, it currently has only one outpost – the Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain – which was the first Six Senses non-beachfront property when it opened in 2015. But Jacobs outlines extensive plans for these two regions. “In China, we have other projects that we aren’t able to announce yet. In the Americas, other than one in Hudson Valley in upstate New York that was already

announced, there are probably 10 projects that we’re looking at very closely. We are also opening next year in the Caribbean and will open in Grenada late this year or early next year. We have a project in Costa Rica, and we are starting construction in the Galapagos too,” says Jacobs.

Here in the Middle East, Six Senses is expected to become the first hotel to open within the mega Red Sea development in Saudi Arabia this year. The inland Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea property will feature 46 villas and a 36-key hotel. “We feel the pressure being the first one [to open in the Red Sea]. There’ll be a big lens looking at us. We’re hoping to open [Southern Dunes] in late summer this year. We also have a signed agreement for another hotel in Diriyah Gate,” says Jacobs in reference to the US$63.2 billion Diriyah mixed-use development which is under construction in Riyadh. “That hotel [in Diriyah] is probably two-and-a-half years away from completion. And we also have one more signed deal in Saudi Arabia, but we have not yet announced it.”

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Six Senses has a longestablished presence in Oman having opened Six Senses Zighy Bay back in 2008. It has villas, suites and beachfront

retreats, each with its own private pool, and Jacobs refers to it as one of Six Senses’ “legacy hotels that continue to do extremely well for us”.

Apart from building the Middle East as a prime destination market, Jacobs is also aware of its potential as a source market. As he points out, the Middle East is not currently one of its biggest source markets, but customers from this region are generally high spenders. “The Middle East, like India, is a growing source market for us. Travellers from both these markets operate at the very high end of the industry. They prefer the large suites and villas. They often travel in large groups – we can get bookings of up to 10 people, which include their entourage, nannies and helpers. And we’re therefore designing hotels now with much bigger units, and multi-bedroom accommodations as well.

“However, probably 65-70 per cent of our business comes from five major source markets: UK, France, Germany, US and China, but not necessarily in that order. China still has not recovered to where it was pre-Covid, but it will. The US goes between number two and three for us, but we think the US will ultimately be our number one market as we open properties there.”

A sixth sense

Five years ago, Six Senses decided to introduce the concept of an Earth Lab at each of its properties. These labs were meant to educate guests, and actively engage in wide-ranging issues including reducing consumption, encouraging local production and supporting nearby communities and ecosystems.

“We insist, contractually, that half a per cent of a property’s total revenue is committed to sustainable regenerative practices focused on communities outside of the hotel. So, it’s not just about spending on sustainability in the hotel, it’s about going outside of the hotel. It includes bringing access to clean water in Maldives or education in Thailand…we’re involved in all kinds of initiatives that are contextual to where the properties are located.”

Other initiatives include Six Senses Laamu protecting 115,000 sqm of seagrass meadows – the equivalent of 16 soccer fields – and creating a protected nesting site for endangered green sea turtles in the Maldives to allow the local marine ecosystem there to thrive. Six Senses Rome meanwhile renovated the façade of the adjacent San Marcello al Corso Church, while Six Senses Zighy Bay supports local women via the Dibba Women Association.

Six Senses said that in 2022, across its global properties, it provided enhanced access to education and skills training to 8,528 students and also created 113 jobs outside of its hotels within local communities.

Jacobs adds that sustainability is now no longer a nice-to-have component to a major hospitality brand’s operations, but an absolute necessity. “Our industry as a whole has, unfortunately, not been a leader in sustainable practices. The good news is that it’s changing. Our [building] standards are LEED Silver as a minimum. And if we don’t get that commitment from our owners and developers, we will not do a project.

“Every hotel has a sustainability director. That’s not the same as having a green team that meets once a month. This person touches every single department of the hotel and sits on the executive committee of the hotel. That just elevates the importance of the function within the organisation at the hotel level.”

One of the most ambitious targets that Six Senses had set for itself was to eliminate single-use plastic from its properties by the end of 2022. Jacobs explains that it has reached around 86-87 per cent of its plastic-free target, and that involved a mammoth effort in working internally on its operations, as well as with its external partners across its supply chain. Internally, it meant measures such as insisting that cooks don’t rely on sous vide preparation methods and use natural packaging solutions in the kitchen, while externally it meant programmes such as working with local fishermen who deliver the day’s daily catch to the hotel and insist that they no longer use plastic bags to transport their haul to the hotel. Instead, Six Sesnes decided to supply these fishermen with metal crates.

LEFT: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea is expected to open later this year

BOTTOM: Six Senses Residences The Palm, Dubai

Turning a page

Apart from its resort offerings, an area that Six Senses is now focusing on is its branded residences. Its Six Senses Residences are available for purchase in several of its properties including Con Dao in Vietnam, Courchevel in France, Fiji, Seychelles, Ibiza and Türkiye, with planned offerings in Austria, Switzerland and London, among other locations.

An upcoming Six Senses property in Dubai located on the Palm Jumeirah will feature 61 hotel rooms and 162 branded residences. The residential offering there will include penthouses and duplex ‘sky villas’ too. Nine fivebedroom beachfront signature villas will each have their

own infinity pool and private garden as well. “The reality is that one in two projects that we undertake these days has a branded residential component to it. Dubai has it, as does [the Six Senses property in] the Red Sea, among others. We feel a branded residential component allows us to really spread the word to a larger audience. The hotel helps the residences, and the residences help the hotel,” says Jacobs.

Building on the success of the Six Senses brand and expanding its ecosystem to non-hotel guests, Six Senses Place will serve as its club concept that is going to be rolled out in major global locations over the coming months. “We will be launching our club concept in London next year. In London, we have several residences, and the buyers will become members of the club – it is included in the price of their unit. We will also be doing a Six Senses Place in Dubai,” reveals Jacobs.

With Six Senses having opened two properties earlier this year, both in Europe, the next is going to be in the Red Sea development, besides the brand’s second opening in the Maldives, the Six Senses Kanuhura resort, which will likely open this September, and also its first property in London is scheduled for a 2023 debut. As Jacobs notes, Six Senses has ongoing projects in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Lisbon, Umbria, and Spain. Interestingly, Six Senses is working on three projects in Japan, with the first one slated to open in Kyoto. “We’re looking at every hotel, strategically and opportunistically, and every new hotel has to be as good as the rest in the portfolio – maybe even better – to ensure that we maintain brand integrity and don’t lose the plot as we grow,” says Jacobs. With the current state of affairs, he needn’t worry about that happening in the near term.

ABOVE: Six Senses Rome opened earlies this year

BOTTOM: Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain in China

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The road to a sustainable culinary future

e F&B industry is consciously incorporating sustainability and environmental responsibility practices into its operations. But there’s room to do more

Industries across the globe are continuing to see a rapid shi towards environmental consciousness, and sustainability is a practice increasingly woven into their daily operations. is new wave includes carefully thought-out mandates designed in tandem with the framework of governments and regulatory bodies. e culinary and hospitality world is no exception to these new developments, and a lot of stress is being laid on revising practices that were earlier common in kitchens and hotels, and nding ways they can be improved.

In a responsible kitchen, 70 per cent of the overall quantity of food produced is consumed, 10 per cent is repurposed, and 20 per cent gets binned

As a chef who has led many kitchens, I have understood the pivotal role we play in determining the amount of waste a kitchen produces. A chef who runs their kitchen in a wasteful manner is the strongest deterrent to sustainability practices, and chefs across the world are beginning to unlearn old practices to undo the damage. Currently, in a responsible kitchen, 70 per cent of the overall quantity of food produced is consumed, 10 per cent is repurposed, and 20 per cent gets binned as le overs and trimmings – numbers that are not perfect, but they are getting better.

When you think of novel ways to make culinary operations more sustainable, several ideas come to mind, many of which include rethinking existing concepts. Replacing bu ets with plated meals, incentivising sta

for reducing waste, on-site farms, indoor farming, local farms, hydroponic farms, optimising the supply chain in terms of quality and longevity of produce received, and zero waste dinners are just a few innovative ways to approach the subject. Fortunately, technology can be used to reduce cooking time, manpower and waste too. Modern o erings such as Winnow and LeanPath’s food waste prevention solutions are very useful technologies that cut food waste signi cantly and reduce labour and operational costs, making kitchens more pro table and sustainable.

In light of successfully achieving these goals, it’s necessary to eliminate

ANDREAS KRAMPL SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CULINARY FOR EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA AT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

roadblocks that come in the way of making culinary operations more sustainable. ese include ongoing e orts around guest education, improvising dining styles that can create wastage – such as lavish bu ets – and replacing them with sustainable alternatives, and also creating awareness amongst sta members.

As a senior culinary director, I can say with con dence that there’s a lot that can be done to push forward the conversation around sustainability in culinary operations in the MENA region. As one of the world’s largest and most diverse F&B scenes, we could stand as an example to other geographies for how operations, even on this scale, can run while keeping the planet’s best interests in mind. By amplifying the already ongoing sta and customer education attempts, along with awareness campaigns held in collaboration with the relevant authorities, a signi cant impact can be made.

Ne’ma Abu Dhabi (National Food Loss and Waste Initiative), for example, is a government body working towards building a UAE-wide social norm around responsible and sustainable consumption. ese initiatives also allow stakeholders and communities to connect and share learnings and best practices with each other.

e road to a sustainable F&B future requires the combined e ort and consciousness of owners and operators, consumers, and regulators alike. While a lot has already been done in this direction, the coming years will likely hold a promising future for sustainable practices within the culinary world, with signi cant and tangible changes to follow.

ELE TOR PITCH

A place where ideas are born has arrived with the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center. The hotel brings the unconventional to Riyadh, with contemporary spaces that enable entrepreneurs and enterprises of all sizes to convene and create their next big idea.

With cafés and conference spaces designed to inspire concepts and conversations, daring architectural choices, and a prime location at the heart of a buzzing city, this hotel is set to be the place to convene and brew up the next cool start-up and unicorn company.

The Camel Step Café is the perfect example of how the hotel is set to become a magnet for entrepreneurs and freelancers, offering a touch of hygge to add a sense of comfort while at work. The café serves a variety of specialty coffees from local roastery, Camel Step, whose vision is to improve the coffee quality locally and regionally. Camel Step Café also offers daily rates for startup founders and freelancers looking for a quiet place to work and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. The daily rates include unlimited coffee and snacks, business centre services, high-speed wifi, valet parking, complimentary printing and the use of the meeting room for one hour.

This Radisson Blu hotel is attached to the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, a modern international exhibition complex consisting of four halls offering 20,000 sqm of indoor and outdoor space. The hotel also offers nine distinctive meetings and events spaces, including the 400 sqm Najd Event Hall, and an outdoor venue called The Garden which is perfect for social events and weddings. Each meeting room is equipped with technology to support video conferencing and other facilities to aid in conducting business. The hotel is also planning to create a podcast room which will be available to rent and will be fitted with state-ofthe-art audio equipment.

The hotel has 223 luxurious guest rooms and suites designed to provide a haven of relaxation. From the sleek decor to the plush bedding and highend amenities, every aspect of the rooms and suites is designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and convenience.

One of the hotel’s unique amenities is its comprehensive wellness facilities. Guests can take advantage of the fully-equipped fitness centre, sauna, and steam rooms. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool and a sun deck, perfect for taking a break from either business meetings or time spent exploring the city.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center welcomes everyone to this exciting new venture. With true Arabian hospitality, the entire team is excited and proud to not only welcome our guests, but also support entrepreneurs, creatives, and enterprises in growing their businesses and passion projects. The aim is to build genuine relationships with guests and create memorable moments in a place that can be called their ‘home away from home’. With the aim of providing unconventional services and experiences to its guests, this hotel is the perfect venue for both leisure and business travellers.

Business Traveller Middle East gives Aldert van Zyl, general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, five minutes to pitch his property to prospective guests

“Camel Step Café offers daily rates for start-up founders and freelancers. It includes unlimited coffee, business centre services, and the use of the meeting room”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Camel Step Café; The hotel has 223 rooms and suites; Co-working spaces within the property; Aldert van Zyl

AIR MILES WITH

Naila Kiani

Pakistani mountaineer and Dubai resident, Naila Kiani, became the rst international climber in 2023 to summit Mount Everest. e mother of two young children aims to conquer all 14 8,000-plus-metre peaks by next year

We started in Istanbul and drove down to Pamukkale which had the most amazing bright white mineral-rich thermal waters owing down white terraces on a hillside. en, we travelled to the south of the country with notable memories such as swimming in the crystal-clear rock pools of Antalya, paragliding in Ölüdeniz, visiting the quaint town of Kaş, and enjoying the energy of Bodrum. Leaving the best for last, we headed to Alaçatı which had an incredible vibe to it.

What’s the one travel experience you’d rather forget? My visit to New York when I was pregnant with my rst daughter in the freezing cold winter. I was ve months pregnant and was limited with options of the countries we could go to because those in Africa and South America had risks of the Zika virus. We settled for New York which in hindsight was a bad move considering my morning sickness and the very chilly weather.

Was there any point during the Everest expedition where you came close to turning back? At no time did I think about going back, despite thinking several times that I was going to die. For instance, just a er Hillary Step, a nearvertical rock face near the summit that requires di cult climbing, I realised I was very low on oxygen. Completely exhausted, I had a panic attack as I knew I had to get to the summit and down to camp 4 before I could replenish my stock. However, being so close to the summit, I just couldn’t allow myself to go back.

Which are some of your other mountaineering triumphs? In total, I’ve summitted six of the world’s 8,000-plus-metre peaks including Everest, K2, Annapurna, Lhotse, GI and GII. Annapurna and K2 are personally the most ful lling as these have an estimated fatality rate of between 20-35 per cent.

You took up mountaineering only two years ago. Why and how did you make the transition? I went on a trekking trip to K2 basecamp a few years ago and I remember being in awe of the mountaineers there. A er having my second daughter, I thought it would be years until I have any chance

of climbing mountains. I then had a light bulb moment of thinking that anything is possible, and so with the support of my husband, Khalid, who held the fort, I le to take on my st 8000-metre mountain seven months a er my baby’s birth.

What is the most rewarding travel experience you’ve had until now? My road trip across Türkiye with my husband and a couple of friends was a really memorable experience.

What are the three things that you always pack in your suitcase? My Garmin device, lipstick and a travel towel. My Garmin device lets me stay in touch with family and send emergency messages; a girl needs her lipstick; and a travel towel is light, uses up hardly any space, and serves as a nice blanket when it gets cold.

Which destination is currently on your bucket list? Bhutan. It is simply stunning with its natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, snowcapped mountains, lush green forests, and pristine rivers. Also, what I love about Bhutan is its measure of success is ‘Gross National Happiness’, which emphasises the importance of wellbeing, spirituality, and community over material wealth.

How do you spend your air miles? Usually, I spend it visiting family in the UK and Pakistan. I spend a lot on holidays and ying to mountaineering destinations.

What’s next on your mountaineering agenda? I want to climb the world’s remaining eight 8,000-plus-metre peaks by next year. I plan to climb Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak in Pakistan in June and July this year. Next year, I want to climb Manaslu, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kangchenjunga, Dhaulagiri and Shishapangma. I’m sure a er that my husband and daughters, currently only two and four, will be ready to have me back for good.

WORDS TAMSIN COCKS

Terminal velocity

Travel might have slowed down for passengers in the last few years, but development on airport infrastructure has been full steam ahead

According to market research rm GlobalData, there is currently US$700 billion worth of airport construction projects underway around the world. e Asia-Paci c region claims the highest levels of development, with US$240 billion worth of projects, followed by the Middle East and Africa (US$200 billion), the Americas (US$150 billion) and Europe (US$130 billion). Here we look at some major airport upgrades around the globe.

John F. Kennedy International airport, JFK

New York’s biggest airport is undergoing a huge revamp totalling US$19 billion that will create four main terminals with a north and south hub. e rst changes were unveiled last year, with British Airways moving into a revamped Terminal 8 alongside American Airlines and launching the co-branded Bridge Bar in the Greenwich Lounge (see businesstraveller.com). T8 will eventually host eight oneworld carriers, with Japan Airlines expected to move there imminently.

e US$1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4 is due to be nished this year, and has become the consolidated home for Delta’s operations. A new 1,300 sqm Sky Club on Concourse A

THIS PAGE: Future vision of King Salman International airport, a giant new airport scheduled to be built in Saudi Arabia

will open this summer, followed by an exclusive Delta One Club in 2024 for business class passengers.

Work began on Terminal 6 in February, which will connect seamlessly to the current Terminal 5. Passengers can expect bright and spacious arrivals, local artwork and more than 9,000 sqm of updated shopping and dining options. Advanced technology will update passenger touchpoints, including automated TSA security lanes and biometric controls, plus a new taxi plaza. In addition to JetBlue, the improved terminal will be home to the Lufthansa Group.

Finally, the largest development will be the New Terminal One, worth around US$9.5billion, which will occupy the sites of the current T1 and T2 (to be demolished this year) and former T3. It will include new dining and retail options championing local, female and minority-owned businesses, plus new lounges, indoor green space, public art, entertainment and family-friendly amenities. The arrivals and departures hall, and 14 new gates are expected to open in 2026, with the terminal’s final nine gates opening in 2030.

Chicago O’Hare International airport, ORD

The O’Hare 21 initiative is a multibillion-dollar upgrade of the world’s fourth busiest airport that has already seen increased runway capacity and a new automated people

mover completed in 2021. It also includes the US$1 billion expansion and renovation of Terminal 5, which is due to complete this year, with ten new gates, more airline lounge space, improved security, immigration and screening facilities and a new baggage handling system. A new six-storey car park will also be created adjacent to T5, with an expanded curb-side drop off. Improved shopping and dining facilities will feature local favourites such as Butcher and Burger as well as Bar Siena, with mobile ordering and the option of gate-side delivery available throughout the terminal.

Work has also begun on the new O’Hare Global Terminal, a US$2.2 billion facility that will double the size of the current Terminal 2. Passengers can look forward to the co-location of domestic and international arrival gates and a more streamlined approach to airline alliances. There will also be more public amenities,

a modern baggage system and new immigration and customs facilities. Two satellite concourses, also opening this year, will handle capacity while the new terminal is constructed.

Los Angeles International airport, LAX

Los Angeles International airport is midway through a major US$14 billion upgrade, which affects all nine terminals.

Terminals 7 and 8 were upgraded in 2019, providing a fresh home for United Airlines, complete with a new Club lounge plus automated screening lanes, while Terminal 1 was modernised in 2018 and the new Terminal 1.5 opened at the end of 2021.

Still to come is the huge US$5.5 billion Automated People Mover project, due to open in 2024, which will provide ease of movement between terminals and connect to

TOP TO BOTTOM: A rendering of the New Terminal One facilities at John F. Kennedy International airport; Work is underway at Chicago O’Hare International airport

the regional transport system and a new car rental facility.

Terminals 2 and 3 are also undergoing a US$2.3 billion upgrade, which will replace the T3 concourse with new gates, more seating with charging capabilities, upgraded shopping and dining, and a secure connection to Tom Bradley International terminal. The new Delta Sky Club at Terminal 3 opened last year, with an indoor/outdoor bar and upgraded restrooms with shower facilities. Meanwhile, Terminal 4 is being redeveloped by American Airlines to the tune of US$1.5 billion.

King Salman International airport

Saudi Arabia is ploughing enormous sums of money into a new era of international tourism. To that end, a new mega airport has been proposed for Riyadh. The King Salman International airport will

become one of the largest airports in the world, with a site of 57 sq km that will be built on top of the current King Khalid International airport. It’s worth noting that Saudi Arabia already holds the title of largest airport in the world in terms of overall size, with the 776 sq km King Fahd International in Dammam, 400km east of Riyadh.

The new airport is planned to feature six runways capable of hosting up to 185 million passengers by 2050. Foster and Partners, the architecture firm leading the project design, has dubbed it an “aerotropolis”. It is scheduled to launch in 2030, with capacity for 120 million passengers in the first phase and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo.

Hamad International airport, DOH

Last November, Doha’s Hamad International airport completed the

first phase of its airport renovation and expansion project. The newly renovated airport can now accommodate 58 million passengers annually and features additional lounges, retail and F&B options, a new transfer hall and a 6,000 sqm indoor garden, the Orchard, that bears some resemblance to Changi’s Jewel. The Oryx Garden Hotel has opened in the north plaza, with 100 rooms, alongside four new lounges, including the Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden; Gold and Platinum lounge; Oryx Lounge and Al Maha Lounge. The second phase of the airport’s expansion will commence this year and increase capacity to over 70 million passengers. It will also involve the construction of two new concourses.

New Central Polish airport

The New Central Polish Airport (also Solidarity Transport Hub, or Centralny Port Komunikacyjny CPK in Polish) is one of the largest infrastructure projects currently being planned in Europe, with a

total investment of around US$8 billion. While still in the design stage, the mega air-road-rail transit hub is expected to be complete by 2028 and will be located 45km west of central Warsaw. Initially the new airport will be expected to handle up to 40 million passengers, rising to 100 million on completion, and connected by high-speed rail to the capital and other major cities.

TOP TO BOTTOM: The rainforest-like indoor garden The Orchard at Hamad International airport; Projected image of the new $5.5 billion dollar Automated People Mover at LAX

Helsinki airport, HEL

Finavia has almost completed an extensive €1 billion upgrade of Helsinki Airport that began in 2014. The terminal has been expanded by 45 per cent, with a focus on keeping everything easily accessible. Departures has been given a new Finnish design with a wooden ceiling and large windows, while next-generation technology at security means there is no need to remove electronics or liquids from bags for scanning. New shops featuring popular Finnish brands from Moomins to Marimekko have opened, with a new food court in arrivals, and another opening in the gate area this summer. A new baggage hall will also be completed this summer with more carousels.

Singapore Changi airport, SIN

Consistently voted as one of the best airports in the world, Singapore’s Changi airport is set to almost double in size with the construction of its Terminal 5 project. The new terminal, due to be completed in the mid 2030s, will be capable of handling 50 million

passengers a year (the current four terminals combined have a capacity for about 80 million). The airport will focus on contactless technology and enhanced ventilation, plus areas that can be used for testing operations or the segregation of high-risk passengers.

Sustainability will also play a major role in its design, with solar panels, district cooling systems and thermal energy storage, plus the capability to deploy sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Increased technology will see the deployment of autonomous vehicles to support baggage and cargo transport, as well as robotics for baggage handling and other AI services. For those who love Changi’s

unique lifestyle features, more can be expected, with the plan being “to create a social space that people living in the city are excited to visit”.

Meanwhile, Changi has also been steadily unveiling improvements to its Terminal 2, with more space, a refreshed design focused on nature and improved F&B facilities, due to be completed by 2024.

Hong Kong International airport, HKG

A major US$18.5 billion upgrade of Hong Kong International airport is due to complete in 2024, with numerous upgrades having already been unveiled. This includes the opening of the third runway and a new 200-metre-long Sky Bridge that enables passengers to travel between Terminal 1 and the Satellite Concourse (T1S). It is the world’s longest airside bridge and, at 28 metres tall, allows aircraft such as the A380 to pass under its glass floor.

The SkyCity development has also been opening in phases, and is set to “transform HKIA from a city’s airport to an airport city”. A key

TOP TO BOTTOM: The new Luoto nature diorama welcomes passengers arriving in Finland; The glass bottom Sky Bridge at Hong Kong International airport (HKIA)

element is the 11 SKIES complex, Hong Kong’s largest retail, dining and entertainment facility with 800 shops and 120 dining concepts, due to open in 2025. Recently opened is the 1,208-room Regala Skycity Hotel.

Shanghai Pudong International airport, PVG

One of China’s biggest airports has begun work on a huge expansion, totalling almost US$50 billion, that includes a new passenger terminal, transport centre and aircraft catering facilities. The new Terminal 3 marks the fourth expansion phase of the airport that will serve an additional 50 million passengers each year, bringing the airport’s total capacity to 130 million. Features will include nearly 100 aircraft stands for international and domestic flights and a new transport centre linked to the airport express line, metro, and Shanghai East Railway Station. Work began last year, with a completion date expected by the end of 2030.

Long Thanh International airport

A new airport has been proposed in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to relieve pressure from the existing Tan Son That international airport. The city’s main airport is designed to handle 15 million passengers, but pre-pandemic was dealing with 26 million, leading to heavy congestion and delays.

With a budget of US$16 billion over three phases leading up to 2050, Long Thanh International airport will be the most expensive infrastructure project in Vietnamese history.

The first phase is expected to be complete by 2025, featuring a 4,000-metre runway and capacity for 25 million passengers. This will then be doubled to 50 million passengers on completion of a second runway, with the final phase catering up to 100 million passengers by 2050. The new airport is an hour’s drive east of the current airport.

In the meantime, Tan Son Nhat International airport is also being expanded, with a new terminal that will add an additional capacity for 40 million passengers. This will feature 90 counters, 20 automated bag drop counters, 42 check-in kiosks and 25 security gates.

UK SNAPSHOT Manchester airport, MAN

The £1.3 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Programme was announced in 2015, with the first phase unveiled in 2021 featuring an expanded Terminal 2 now home to carriers including Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. The final phase will see a £440 million renovation begin this year, which will double the size of the departure lounge and create more retail space with 27 new shops and F&B outlets. A new security hall will also be constructed with 3D scanners, spacious boarding gates and

an improved baggage system capable of processing 5,000 bags per hour. Terminal 1 will be closed when the project is completed in 2025.

London City airport, LCY London City airport began work on a £500 million upgrade in 2017, that has so far seen eight new aircraft stands, a parallel taxiway, new e-gates at immigration and a new baggage facility. Other recent improvements include new CT scanners added in March, which means the 100ml rule has been scrapped and passengers no longer need to remove liquids or laptops at security. In October, the airport announced a £12 million upgrade of its existing departure lounge facilities, with 30 per cent more seating, upgraded washrooms, and new retail and F&B facilities, including Juniper restaurant and a new “Champagne Cave”.

London Luton airport, LTN

The owners of Luton airport have proposed a new terminal that would see it almost double its 19 million capacity to 32 million. The Planning Inspectorate has accepted the application for review. In March, the airport unveiled its new £290 million Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) system to transfer passengers from Luton Airport Parkway station to the airport in four minutes, so passengers can get from London St. Pancras to the airport in half an hour.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Manchester airport is set to welome 27 new shops; London City airport is midway through a £500 million upgrade

STRADDLING THE MIGHTY

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a fascinating destination that with a rich history, breathtaking architecture and a vibrant cultural scene, should be on your bucket list. Originally Buda (on one side of the Danube) and Pest (on the other), the city blends old-world charm (on the Buda side) with modern sophistication (on the Pest side). Known for its grandiose neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Baroque buildings, with highlights including the magni cent Hungarian Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Buda

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

Castle district, you won’t be short of Instagram opportunities, plus the city’s historic thermal baths, such as the famous Széchenyi and Gellért baths, are architectural marvels in their own right.

If cultural immersion is your thing, there are plenty of museums, galleries, and theatres to explore –the Hungarian State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Hungarian National Museum – are just a few, while foodies are indulged with a range of culinary delights ranging from goulash to chimney cakes. Here’s a round-up of what to do, eat and explore while in Budapest.

Beautiful Budapest

DANUBE RIVER AND NESTLED IN THE HEART OF EUROPE, THE HUNGARIAN CAPITAL HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR AN ACTION-PACKED WEEKEND BREAK

ABOVE: Széchenyi Baths

LEFT: Buda Castle

OPPOSITE PAGE: Budapest straddles the Danube

BOTTOM: A cruise on the Danube

Buda Castle

The Buda Castle district, also known as Castle Hill, dates back to the 13th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Buda side of the river, it is home to several famous historic buildings, including the Royal Palace, the Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and Medieval houses. It’s a steep walk up cobbled streets, but if you are pushed for time or need to give your legs a break, you can also take the funicular railway or one of the Buda Castle buses. Start at Holy Trinity Square, the heart of the district, for panoramic views of the Danube, and then, take a guided tour to get the full rundown on the history of Buda and the city. There are some interesting museums too, including one dedicated to Hungarian-American escape artist, Harry Houdini, and Labyrinth, the location where Count Dracula was once imprisoned. The district is also packed with restaurants, cafés, and shops, so you can make as many pit stops as you like.

Thermal baths

Often referred to as the ‘City of Spas’, Budapest is renowned for its thermal baths, which have been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike for centuries. The warm and mineral-rich waters are said to relieve stress, ease muscle tension, and improve overall health, so after walking the streets of Budapest sightseeing, it’s the perfect

place to relax and rejuvenate. Some of the most famous thermal baths in Budapest include Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas, which all offer a variety of pools, saunas, and massage services. The stunning architecture and historical significance of these baths add to the ambience.

Danube cruise

The Danube, the second longest river in Europe, is the lifeblood of Budapest – a waterway connecting the Hungarian capital to other major European cities and lined with historical attractions. Jumping onboard a river cruise, therefore, is one of the best ways to view the landmarks that call the Danube’s banks home, including the Parliament Building, the Buda Castle district and the Chain Bridge. You will also cruise past Margaret Island, popular with local runners thanks to its jogging tracks, and home to an Art Nouveau water tower, the ruins of a 13th-century Dominican convent, as well as thermal spas and swimming pools. In the summer, pop-up bars and restaurants, as well as live music, bring the island to life. There are many river cruise options on offer and most stop at Margaret Island. You can cruise by day, or by night, with dinner thrown in for good measure as the city lights up.

Food and drink

Authentic cuisine is a Budapest highlight and traditional dishes like goulash, a hearty soup made with beef, paprika, and vegetables, and langos, a deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese, are a must-try. If you are on the go and fancy a sweet treat, follow the smell of cinnamon and you will nd a kiosk or café selling chimney cake or kürtőskalács, a spiral-shaped pastry coated in sugar and cinnamon – like a Hungarian doughnut. For Hungarian dishes with a modern twist and made from high-quality local ingredients, book in at Retek (pictured above), not far from the Chain Bridge and just behind the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. is is a very popular eatery, so make your reservation well in advance. A er dinner, check out one of Budapest’s ruin bars, located in abandoned buildings and courtyards throughout the city. With a casual and creative atmosphere, quirky decor, live music, and a range of drinks and snacks, it’s a nightlife experience unique to Budapest.

Shopping

e Budapest shopping options cater to all tastes and budgets. One of the most popular destinations is Váci Street, a pedestrianised area with high-end shops, cafés, and restaurants, while designer brands can be found on Andrássy Avenue and Fashion Street. For quirky and a ordable

fashion, head to Ráday Street or Király Street in the hip District VII. For the mall experience, visit Westend Shopping Centre which is one of the largest shopping malls in Budapest. e Grand Market Hall is worth a visit, especially for foodies, with stalls selling fresh produce and local specialities including paprika, as well as Hungarian souvenirs.

An architectural ode to Europe’s Belle Époque era, the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel in the city’s historical downtown, immerses guests in oldworld glamour

GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND

Getting to Budapest is fuss-free with carriers including Wizz Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and flydubai operating regular services. Transport options in Budapest are plentiful – choose from the metro, trams, buses, and trolleybuses, as well as taxis and bike rentals. The Budapest Card o ers unlimited public transport, discounts on attractions, and free entry to some museums. Budapest is also very walkable, a great way to explore the city’s many attractions – and admire its architecture.

When the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel opened its doors to guests last year, it marked the revival of one of the city’s major historic landmarks. Originally opened in 1894 as the opulent European headquarters for the New York Life Insurance Company, this Belle Époque palace was designed by Alajos Hauszmann, a famous AustroHungarian architect, and drew on Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau in uences. Like many buildings in Budapest, it su ered signi cant damage in the two World Wars, but today, as part of the Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas portfolio, it has returned to its former glory.

Located on the ‘Pest’ side of the Danube, Anantara New York Palace blends old-world glamour with contemporary luxury.

Positively palatial

e arrival experience: Budapest International airport (BUD) is approximately a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Anantara can arrange a meet-and-greet with a private hotel transfer. As you pull up outside the hotel, you will notice the grand palatial exterior of the building, with its marble façade, meticulous carvings and ornate clock tower. Step inside and it is just as grand, with impressive columns, chandeliers and frescoes, and the ‘Atrium’ lobby lounge with a glass apex, oods the area with light.

e rooms: Anantara New York Palace features 185 rooms and suites, some with a terrace, and many pair antiques with modern details. Our room had warm brown furnishings and a hint of ai contemporary style, true to Anantara’s roots. It was located in the new modern wing of the building and featured a comfortable king bed with great quality linen, a sofa with a co ee table, a vanity desk with a chair, and a TV on which we could cast our own content. e bathroom was extremely spacious and featured a large bath with a rain shower plus high-end Acqua di Parma amenities.

e dining experiences: If you were wondering where the New York reference hails from, it’s because the hotel is home to the world-famous New York Café. is historic and iconic venue, known as the “most beautiful café in the world”, features opulent décor, including marble columns, ornate Venetian glass chandeliers and impressive frescoes on the ceiling. Its grand settings are only enhanced by live performances from expert pianists and violinists. Fortunately for hotel guests, there are exclusive areas reserved for their dining needs, including the Deep Water Breakfast Room where a generous bu et breakfast, paired with à la carte o erings is served. For a special occasion, try ‘Breakfast by Design’, served on the White Salon balcony overlooking the café and

breakfast room and best explained as an a ernoon-tea-style start to the day. It’s a white-glove-service breakfast with fruits, meats, cheeses and smoked salmon displayed on tiered plates while your personal host or hostess serves fresh pastries, breads, berries, juices, co ee and dishes of your choice from the à la carte menu.

In the ne-dining White Salon Restaurant, executive chef András Wolf uses locally-sourced ingredients to create inventive four- and seven-course degustation menus. We were lucky enough to experience duck liver with brioche for the appetizer, followed by the Hungarian Korhely sh soup, a main course of Mangalica chop, topped o with a dessert of Kaiserschmaarrn – an Austrian pancake dish with sour cream ice-cream and jam.

NEED TO KNOW

■ Located in the historical downtown of Budapest

■ Easy access to the metro, tram and bus

■ 185 rooms and suites

■ Palatial events space for up to 500 guests

■ Pet friendly – dogs and cats are allowed

e wellness o ering: e luxury spa re ects the location of the city which is built on mineral springs, and also the ai roots and wellness heritage of the Anantara brand. Situated on the lower ground level and designed like an ice cave, you feel cocooned and cosy as you step down into the entrance and lobby. ere are ve single treatment suites and one couples’ treatment suite, a sauna, steam room, tea lounge and relaxation area, and a lap pool inspired by air, water and stones. I was treated to the Hungarian ermal Mud

Remedial (60 minutes), drawing on a traditional Hungarian therapy using the healing powers of the thermal Lake Héviz. e ritual started with a ai-inspired foot ritual, followed by a back exfoliation, warm thermal mud application, and an intensive back massage to relieve muscle tension. I nished with a warm tea in the relaxation area. Pure Budapest bliss.

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The marble façade is adorned with ornate carvings and a clock tower; The Deepwater Breakfast Room; The contemporary Thalion Spa reception; A Deluxe Terrace room with city views

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Summer breeze

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Golf Digest Middle East’s Play & Stay is coming to Abu Dhabi Yas Island

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

Overnight stay for two at Crowne Plaza

Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

One spot in nine-hole tournament (individual stableford format) at Yas Acres

Golf & Country Club with 5pm shotgun

Welcome drink

Evening brunch for two with house beverages at Stills

Terms & conditions apply

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

Breakfast for two at Jing Asia - Crowne Plaza

Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

One spot in -18hole tournament (individual stableford format) at Yas Links Abu Dhabi with 1pm shotgun

Welcome drink and prize presentation

Late-check-out and facilities use at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi - Yas Island for non-playing guests

For full itinerary and to book: GolfDigestME.com/PlayAndStay

JA Palm Tree Court, Dubai

BACKGROUND JA Palm Tree Court is one of three five-star hotels at the mega JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, managed by UAE’s JA Resorts and Hotels, and is a destination in its own right with 25 restaurants and bars, and several leisure facilities including seven pools, a marina and more. Its 212 Beachfront Villa suites have undergone a complete transformation, with new-look interiors revealed at the end of last year.

WHERE IS IT? It is located in Jebel Ali, around 15 minutes from Expo City and Dubai Marina and 35 minutes from Dubai International airport. However, with so many facilities and the comforting feeling that you are ensconced in a lush oasis paradise, there is no desire – or need – to leave.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The villa suites are housed in the hotel’s low-rise buildings, creating a coastal retreat atmosphere, particularly since they are close to the new private swimming pool – and its 20 new beach cabanas, exclusive to suite and residences guests – expansive green area and the 800-metre beach. It feels a million miles away from the city, surrounded by landscaping with swaying palms and lush foliage where you will often spot one of the splendid resident peacocks. The refurbishment is sophisticated and stylish – think contemporary beachside chic with pastels and tropical accents.

ROOMS I stayed in a 120 sqm Sea View

One Bedroom suite, which was incredibly spacious and featured a living room and dining area, a large bedroom with a king

bed, and two bathrooms with luxurious amenities by skincare brand Elemis, as well as a desk, and two terraces with outdoor furniture. There was plenty of wardrobe space, robes and slippers, complimentary tea and co ee, and the resort’s own water in glass bottles, part of JA’s Dubai-leading sustainability e orts. Guest benefits include in-room check-in, a nightly turndown and an exclusive butler service.

FOOD AND DRINK Guests can dine at any resort restaurant, but the new al fresco venue of Tamar Terrace is reserved for JA Palm Tree Court guests. It o ers an all-day dining à la carte menu with plenty of healthy

Think contemporary beachside chic with pastels and tropical accents

BEST FOR A beachside escape

DON’T MISS

A spa treatment followed by dinner at Kinara

PRICE

Internet rates for a midweek stay in June start from Dhs2,900 per night for a Sea View One Bedroom suite on a half-board basis

CONTACT

JA Golf Resort, Exit - 13 Sheikh Zayed Road, Mina Jebel Ali, Dubai; +971 4 814 5555; jaresortshotels.com

options made from local, organic and seasonal produce. I stayed for one night, so for dinner, I had to choose my restaurant carefully, and I wasn’t disappointed. I jumped on a golf buggy to JA Lake View Hotel, home to Kinara by the internationally renowned chef with Michelin-star acclaim, Vikas Khanna, recognised for revolutionising modern Indian cuisine. Dining alone limited me, especially since it’s a sharing concept, but every dish I sampled was a delicious triumph –from the melt-in-the-mouth amuse bouche and chicken makhani to the pickled red chilli seabass and baingan bharta.

BUSINESS There are extensive meeting and conference facilities, but where better to woo clients or challenge colleagues than on the nine-hole golf course? For incentives, there’s a shooting academy too. It’s part of the GHA Discovery loyalty programme, so if you are a member, you can earn and spend your Discovery Dollars at the resort.

LEISURE Described as “Dubai’s largest experience resort” with “one million square metres of thrilling activities”, there are simply too many experiences to list them all. New enhancements include a splash park next to the Pirates and Mermaids kids’ club. I enjoyed a blissful relaxation experience at the appropriately named Calm Spa, starting with a ritual for the feet and followed by a one-hour de-stress massage – one of the best I’ve had in a long time.

VERDICT Best visited for rest and play, without the work, or at least as a weekend break as part of a business trip. If you’re a Dubai resident, it’s worth popping there just for the spa, Kinara dining experience, or to take the family for some fun in the sun.

Gemma Greenwood

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

BEST FOR

An ultra-luxury stay in one of the grandest hotels in the UAE

DON’T MISS

A meal at the One Michelin Star restaurant Talea by Antonio Guida

PRICE

Internet rates for a midweek stay in June start from Dhs1,870 for a Deluxe Sea View room

CONTACT

West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi; +971 2 690 9000; mandarinoriental.com/ abu-dhabi

BACKGROUND Emirates Palace regularly hosts major dignitaries and heads of state visiting Abu Dhabi. It was operated by Kempinski from 2005 until 2020, which is when Mandarin Oriental took over. After an extensive rebranding operation, it o icially launched as the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi in February this year.

WHERE IS IT? As you make your way down Corniche Road, you’ll reach the intersection with the The Founder’s Memorial tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on your right and the ADNOC headquarters to your left. A few metres further on will land you at this hotel.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Double-width pillars, di erent shades of marble, gold leaf inlays, grand chandeliers, and plush carpets are some of the features that will catch your attention the moment you enter. There are 114 domes throughout the property. The

grandest of these is the central dome just past the lobby which rises over 70 metres high and which is where the hotel’s suites are found.

ROOMS The hotel is separated into two wings – Mandarin and Oriental. We stayed in the Deluxe Sea View room in the Mandarin wing which is more suited for families, while the Oriental wing is aimed at adults. There were fresh orchids in our room, and beautiful furniture including an ornate standalone bamboo cabinet that housed the minibar, a velvet sofa, and a curved marble desktop. The bathroom had a full-sized marble tub as well as a separate shower cubicle, besides being stocked with Diptyque products. There was a dedicated butler assigned to our room too who was very responsive throughout our stay.

FOOD AND DRINK There are 11 F&B concepts in the hotel. Only three

restaurants in all of Abu Dhabi have a Michelin star, and two of these – Hakkasan and Talea by Antonio Guida – are found within this hotel itself. We dropped by for dinner at the elegant Talea by Antonio Guida. There was meticulous attention to detail spent on every dish that came to our table – from the bruschetta that was topped with anchovies sourced from the Cantabrian Sea to the Milanese cutlets and the tiramisu which was assembled tableside. This is a restaurant that’s truly earned its One Star. The daily bu et breakfast is served at Vendome, while you can drop by the Episodes Lobby Lounge or the pool restaurants during the day for a snack.

BUSINESS There are 44 meeting rooms within the property. Its events spaces include a 3,000 sqm Auditorium that can accommodate 1,100 guests (and which we’re told is being readied to eventually host high-profile theatre shows such as Cirque du Soleil) as well as a 2,183 sqm Ballroom that can seat up to 2,400 guests and is dominated by a 2.5-tonne chandelier. For outdoor events, a 3,000 sqm al fresco space can be used for large events.

Two of the three Michelinstarred restaurants in Abu Dhabi are in this hotel

LEISURE There are two outdoor pools – one has a mini waterpark built into it. There’s a long stretch of private beach, 6.4km of jogging tracks, while a full-fledged spa is also being built (a temporary spa, The Hideaway, has been created on the first floor near the lobby). Those signed up for the hotel’s members’ club programme, the EP Club, have a dedicated centre for their breakfast, private check in and check out facilities, and also direct access to a stretch of beach that cannot be accessed by the other guests of the hotel.

VERDICT

An absolutely majestic hotel, this property spread across 222 acres truly deserves the title of a ‘palace’ in its name. With sta from various Mandarin Oriental properties globally having been brought in, the transition to MO has been smooth with similar levels of service and attention to detail that the brand is reputed for worldwide. Varun Godinho

The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, Singapore

BACKGROUND The 40-room boutique hotel is located on the site of a former military barracks, housed in two conserved colonial buildings that date back to 1904. These blocks served as a British artillery outpost during the Second World War. The hotel opened in 2019 and is part of the Far East Hospitality group, which has 26 properties in Singapore.

WHERE IS IT? On Sentosa, an island resort o the city-state’s southern coast, this hotel is located on Gunner Lane in the Palawan area within beautifully manicured grounds. Singapore’s central business district is a 12-minute drive away and Changi airport is a 25-minute drive by taxi.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel has a calming ambience, in part owing to the design, which favours open-air spaces and symmetry. In the Living Room, guests can pick up drinks and snacks from a pantry area, order cocktails or enjoy afternoon tea.

The site’s artillery heritage is hinted at throughout and the hotel o ers complimentary guided tours by army veterans who used to stay at the military barracks, and a self-guided audio version on request. Nearby is military museum Fort Siloso, which served as a coastal defence outpost during the Second World War.

ROOMS The hotel’s 40 rooms and suites all have a similar design, featuring dark wood furnishings, shutters, brass and leather

accents, sumptuous king size beds and sizeable balconies (or patios on the ground floor). There’s plenty of heritage decor, with framed antique maps and black-and-white imagery nodding to the military age, while modern amenities include a 55-inch smart TV, Marshall speaker, a safe, iron and ironing board. Minibars, disguised in a studded trunk-like cabinet, feature a Nespresso machine, Pryce Tea blends and a cocktail shaker with recipes and the corresponding liquors and mixers, along with soft drinks and complimentary water.

Bathrooms are beautifully designed, with marble floors, a standalone bathtub and rain shower, as well as amenities by Atkinsons.

While the hotel is designed more as a retreat from work, it’s still possible to hunker down and get stu done thanks to a comfortable desk area, complimentary high speed wifi and free local calls.

My Premier room (39 sqm) was located on the second floor. One downside was a lack of windows, though this was o set by high ceilings and a private balcony. Premier rooms on the ground floor, along with the 79 sqm Suite rooms, have patios and direct pool access. Garden suites (89 sqm) have a garden patio space and dining table area. Larger groups can book the 118 sqm Duplex suite, which houses up to five adults.

FOOD AND DRINK Included in your stay are complimentary refreshments and snacks in the Living Room, as well as cocktails and canapés from 4.30-7.30pm.

Breakfast is served here and runs from 7-11am. There are two-course set menus (Western or locally-inspired), but you have to book a time slot and choose your option by 12pm the day prior, so plan ahead.

Guests can also dine at nearby Native Kitchen (Village Hotel Sentosa) and 1–Altitude Coast (The Outpost Hotel Sentosa) and charge the bill to their rooms.

MEETINGS

The hotel’s events centre is located in a heritage building once part of the British artillery barracks, with over 1,300 sqm of indoor and outdoor space.

LEISURE The hotel has two 30-metre-long pools on either side of The Living Room. Guests also get access to facilities at the three nearby sister properties (Oasia Resort Sentosa, Village Hotel Sentosa and adultsonly The Outpost Hotel Sentosa) which include a 24-hour gym and spa.

VERDICT The Barracks is a peaceful hideaway in Sentosa, with friendly service and design that nods to the city-state’s colonial history. Hannah Brandler

BEST FOR Tranquil stays in Sentosa with plenty of privacy

DON’T MISS

Getting to know sta and fellow guests over complimentary cocktails and canapés

PRICE

Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in June start from S$785 for a Premier Room including taxes and fees

CONTACT

2 Gunner Lane, Palawan Ridge, Sentosa Island, Singapore; +65 6722 0802; thebarrackshotel.com.sg

The hotel o ers free guided tours by army veterans who used to stay at the barracks

Leonardo Gordon Beach, Tel Aviv

BEST FOR

The location. Stepping out of the hotel and onto the beach is an absolute delight

DON’T MISS

Sunset at the pool bar is where you can get a great view of the buzzing beach life which Tel Aviv is famous for

PRICE

Internet rates for a midweek stay in June start from NIS1,520 for the Gordon suite

CONTACT

Eliezer Peri St 14, Tel Aviv; +972 3 521 1777; leonardo-hotels.com

BACKGROUND Opened in the last quarter of 2022, the hotel is part of the Fattal Hotel Group, one of Israel’s homegrown brands with properties around the country and abroad. One of its biggest properties in the city, Leonardo Gordon Beach has broken away from the brand’s usual style and turned out as the brand’s ‘pink hotel’.

WHERE IS IT? On Tel Aviv’s popular Gordon Beach and marina, the hotel could not be better situated for beach lovers. Near north Tel Aviv, it’s also just a short drive to Herzilya, known as the high-tech capital, and several of the city’s major business centres and recreational o erings. The hotel is close to the Tel Aviv Port too, which is a lively district full of dining spots and a weekend market.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The hotel is colourful and quirky, decorated with feathers and vintage-style furniture – a breakaway from the traditional style of hotels of similar size in the city. Each corridor is decorated in a dark pink colour. Part of the hotel’s theme is art, with 200 pieces from local artists displayed around the property.

kitchenette, 1.5 bathrooms and a sofa bed in the living room, with a desk and lounge seating set-up. The windows are fairly small, so it felt quite dark, and the property is in an old building that was renovated and revived for the hotel opening.

FOOD AND DRINK Only breakfast is available in the hotel’s restaurant which o ers sea views. But for Israelis, breakfast

is the most important meal of the day. That’s obvious at the Leonardo Gordon Beach where guests have a huge amount of variety. From classical Israeli sweet temptations such as halva and cheesecake, there is also a vast array of healthy options from fresh fruits to salads. Cheeses, antipasti, an egg station, fresh baked goods and much more make it a great meal to set you up for the day. Snacks and drinks are also available at the pool.

BUSINESS Gordon Hall o ers conferencing facilities for up to 150 guests, and seating arrangements can be changed according to specific needs with audiovisual equipment that can be used for seminars and conferences. The rooftop venue can also be booked for business gatherings or private events.

LEISURE The hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool and bar which is a perfect spot to enjoy the sun set over the Mediterranean. There is also a small gym to keep up your fitness regime. Downstairs, guests can step outside the hotel to find an outdoor Olympic-size pool which is open to the public, and of course, the glorious beachfront to go walking or jogging. The spa has a sauna and spa bath, and o ers beauty and body treatments too.

ROOMS There are 156 rooms and suites, and I stayed in the 55 sqm Gordon Suite which was very well equipped with a

VERDICT The hotel is quirky, aiming more at the Instagram traveller than the loyalty card points traveller. Bright pink walls and feathers aren’t to everyone’s taste, but it’s a breath of fresh air to see local brands trying something new in a city where for years, the big-name brands dominated.

Melanie Swan

The hotel is colourful and quirky, decorated with feathers and vintagestyle furniture

The Fontenay, Hamburg

BACKGROUND The Fontenay opened in 2018 as a new luxury landmark in Hamburg, with sculptural architecture designed by Jan Störmer. The property is a a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

WHERE IS IT? Perched on the banks of Lake Alster, it is near some of Hamburg’s most sophisticated neighbourhoods. Dammtor station is a ten-minute walk away.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? A grand circular driveway, lined with Porsches and BMWs, makes for an impressive entrance. Inside, the aesthetic is extremely elegant. The lobby immediately announces the hotel’s luxury credentials, with a number of private check-in desks with chairs so guests can be checked in comfortably.

ROOMS The hotel features 130 rooms and suites. I stayed in a spacious Fontenay Deluxe room that was immaculately dressed in neutral tones, with light wood fixtures and fine parquet flooring. The large space (with a 2.85-metre ceiling) was easily able to accommodate a separate lounge area and a seven-foot bed and work desk. Chic designer furniture, rugs, and lots of lamps created the feeling of an upmarket yet welcoming European home.

The bed was very comfortable, with bedside tables on either side featuring lamps, reading lights, phone, notepad and power sockets with USB outlets. There are

master control panels for the lights, blinds, air conditioning and TV. I had an excellent sleep, the silence broken only by the faint honking of geese on the nearby lake.

The spacious work desk was positioned by the window, providing lovely lake views, equipped with a notepad and pen, phone, concealed European plug sockets, USB and ethernet ports, plus a desk lamp. The 43inch HDMI LED flat screen TV was slightly awkwardly positioned above the desk, and o -centre from the bed.

A walk-in wardrobe o ered plenty of space to hang clothes, store luggage, and keep amenities such as the in-room safe, cushions for furniture on the gorgeous outside terrace and a full length mirror. There was no iron

All-day dining is available at the bright and airy Parkview Restaurant on the ground floor and there’s an al fresco terrace for the summer months.The Fontenay Bar on the sixth floor o ers almost 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline, with innovative mixology and live music four nights a week. There is also a library with a day bar and an indoor smoker’s room.

MEETINGS The hotel has a range of four light-filled function rooms, plus a 200 sqm round foyer with access to a garden patio.

or ironing board, but these were promptly delivered upon phoning reception.

Sliding doors led the way into a large bathroom, decked out with light natural stone, heated floors, two flu y robes and a separate vanity table. A high-tech toilet and large rain shower were in di erent cubicles, with La Biosthétique amenities.

The minibar, containing a selection of soft drinks, chocolate bars and juice, was neatly concealed in a light wood cabinet, along with a Nespresso machine.

FOOD AND DRINK Located on the top floor is the fine-dining Lakeside restaurant, with an expansive outdoor terrace o ering views over the city skyline. I enjoyed a spectacular wine-paired menu with dishes that were as beautifully presented as they were impeccable to taste. The elegant dining room had ambient lighting and wellspaced tables. Service appeared almost choreographed, with swift, attentive sta who were extremely knowledgeable about all the dishes and vintages served.

LEISURE The Fontenay Spa adds to the hotel’s city resort feel, with a range of treatments including facials, massages and body treatments starting from around €150 per hour. In addition, guests can enjoy the Finnish sauna, quartzite steam bath and 20-metre indoor/outdoor pool with sun terrace. There is also a fitness centre or guests can try the 7.5 kilometre jogging route around Lake Alster.

VERDICT This stunning lakeside hotel epitomises modern luxury with a focus on quality, tranquility and exceptional service. A highly recommended option in Hamburg. Tamsin Cocks

The Fontenay Spa adds to the hotel’s city resort feel with a range of treatments

Our guide to…

new and forthcoming start-up airlines

WORDS MARK CASWELL

Over the last three years the aviation industry has experienced turmoil, with Covid-19 and travel restrictions grounding airlines’ fleets worldwide, which led to huge bailouts and several carriers going out of business.

Pent-up demand and gaps in the market resulted in opportunities for new airlines to emerge, only for the conflict in Ukraine, the closure of Russian airspace and soaring fuel costs to put several spanners in the works.

Nonetheless, the list of potential start-up carriers continues to grow, and here we round up some of the contenders. As we have learnt with the airline industry, nothing is ever certain and some of these carriers may never see the light of day. This print feature is correct at the time of writing, but we will keep the online version up to date to reflect the situation.

BONZA

Plans for Australia’s newest airline were unveiled in February 2022, with Bonza targeting an initial route network of 27 domestic routes across 17 destinations operating from bases at Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast airports.

Bonza said that 93 per cent of its planned routes are currently unserved and that 96 per cent are not currently served by a low-cost carrier. Unlike most airlines, customers can only book flights via the Fly Bonza app, with the carrier reporting that 100,000 tickets had already been sold by late March.

The start-up carrier has taken delivery of four B737 Max 8 aircraft (named Shazza, Bazza, Sheila and Malc) with four more on order. The airline launched flights from the Sunshine Coast to Whitsunday Coast in January, and will have rolled out all 27 routes by the end of May.

CANADA JETLINES

Canada Jetlines launched last year, nearly a decade after plans for the low-cost airline were first unveiled.

The Canada Jetlines brand was first founded as far back as 2013, and Business Traveller reported on the start-up carrier in 2019, when it billed itself as “Canada’s first true ultra-low cost carrier”, with plans to o er flights to destinations in Canada, the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

The airline launched A320 flights from Toronto to Las Vegas last February, and has since started routes to Melbourne Orlando International in Florida and Cancun in Mexico.

FLYPOP

Business Traveller first reported on plans for start-up carrier “Pop Airlines” back in 2016, but it took until 2021 for Flypop to sign a lease agreement for A330-300 aircraft, and announce London Stansted as its launch base. It has since unveiled its livery, which features multicoloured dots on the tailfin.

The low-cost airline had targeted the launch of passenger services late last year, with potential destinations including Amritsar, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Chandigarh. But delays have led to Flypop beginning life as a cargo operator, and its website still details passenger flights as “coming soon”.

GREATER BAY AIRLINES

Plans for a new Hong Kong-based airline were announced in 2020, with the owner of Shenzhen’s Donghai Airlines looking to compete with Hong Kong Express on key domestic and regional routes.

In February 2022, Greater Bay Airlines was

granted a licence by the Air Transport Licensing Authority to operate more than 100 routes from Hong Kong, and launched flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok in July 2022.

Greater Bay Airlines is an all-Boeing carrier, operating a fleet of three leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft with flights to Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Osaka. The airline also confirmed an order for five 787-9 widebodies and 15 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft in March 2023, with the latter to form the backbone of its future fleet as it seeks to operate more flights between Hong Kong and major cities in Asia and Mainland China. The airline also plans to bring in several additional 737-800s to meet its expansion needs before the arrival of the Max 9s.

HANS AIRWAYS

UK start-up carrier Hans Airways was unveiled in the summer of 2021, with plans to fly between the UK and secondary Indian cities.

In September 2022, the airline moved a step closer to the launch of flights, with the completion of route proving and familiarisation flights, and was awaiting the granting of its UK Air Operator’s Certificate. It hoped to launch flights between Birmingham and Amritsar in northern India last October using a two-cabin (premium economy and economy) A330-200, but reports pointed to fresh delays as the firm sought further investment. In a statement at the end of February 2023, the carrier said “Fulfilling the rightly

stringent financial criteria required by the UK CAA to commence scheduled operations continues to hinder our launch plans. This is despite satisfying all technical (AOC) aspects of long-haul airline operations and maintaining a solvent start-up business since our inception in 2019. In light of this we are pursuing a number of options. This includes the relinquishing of our first aircraft and stepped up dialogue with prospective new investors and lessors. We maintain close and cordial dialogue with the CAA.”

IPS AIRWAYS

Plans for a new airline linking the UK and Pakistan were unveiled in 2021, with IPS Airways originally targeting a launch date of summer 2022.

However, the inaugural service between Leeds Bradford and Islamabad was cancelled and it’s not clear when a revised launch date will be announced. IPS Airways told Business Traveller: “Our start-up is still in progress and we will soon announce our launch date and the type of aircraft we will be flying,” though the website mentions the use of A330 aircraft, with “flatbed luxury” in business class.

The carrier’s website is promoting potential routes from East Midlands, Manchester and Leeds Bradford airports to destinations including Lahore and Islamabad.

The airline is therefore putting its transPacific flights on hold, launching a shorter inaugural route from Ontario International airport (ONT) in California to Las Vegas (LAS) on June 2, with one-way fares from US$69.

The airline will operate a fleet of B757-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration (business and economy).

Northern Pacific also made a filing with the US Department for Transportation last year to fly from the United States to Mexico. Northern Pacific is a subsidiary of Float Alaska, which also owns regional carrier Ravn Alaska.

NORSE ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

Plans for this transatlantic start-up were unveiled in March 2021, following Norwegian’s decision to abandon its long-haul network.

The airline launched its first route between Oslo and New York JFK in June 2022, and has since begun flights from Gatwick to JFK, Orlando International and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. The airline is set to increase this to seven US destinations this summer, with flights launching to Washington DC (June 1), Los Angeles (June 30), San Francisco (July 1) and Boston (September 2) from Gatwick.

The airline also flies from Berlin and Paris CDG to New York JFK, with Rome’s Fiumicino set to join on June 19, and from Berlin to Fort Lauderdale.

Norse has also partnered with easyJet, Norwegian and Spirit airlines to provide more than 600 weekly connections across European and US hubs.

PRAGUSA.ONE

UK-based Pragusa.one unveiled plans to operate nonstop flights from the Croatian city of Dubrovnik to

New York Newark and Los Angeles (LAX) in May 2021.

The launch of flights was targeted for June 2021, but the carrier has yet to open its website for bookings – though you can sign up to alerts for each destination. The website shows planned destinations from Dubrovnik and Prague to Beijing, Tokyo, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Johannesburg, LA and New York.

The airline plans to operate a fleet of A350 aircraft, configured with 228 seats across business and premium economy cabins.

REALLY COOL AIRLINES

Bangkok-based Really Cool Airlines hopes to launch A350 flights between Thailand and Australia, Europe, and popular Asian destinations. The start-up is the brainchild of Patee Sarasin, a previous CEO of Thailand-based low-cost carrier Nok Air.

The website states: “Yesterday, our future was uncertain. Our economy, in turmoil. Today, the dark clouds have passed. And we can take back to the skies. We were not ready for the turbulence that came before. Never again.”

The start-up hopes to take

delivery of A350 aircraft by the end of the year and promises to announce its first routes by June. Let’s hope it lives up to the name.

SENTRA AIRWAYS

Sentra Airways announced plans to launch long-haul routes out of Manchester airport in April 2022.

At the time the paper airline said that it was targeting destinations in both Africa and the US, and had agreed lease terms on a used A330-200 aircraft, configured with 36 business class seats and 209 economy seats.

NORTHERN PACIFIC AIRWAYS

This Alaska-based long-haul airline was announced in summer 2021 and has plans to o er flights between “a range of points in the United States and select cities in East Asia through Anchorage”.

However Northern Pacific ran up against di iculties including the crisis in Ukraine, which led to airspace closures and airlines taking longer routes to Asian destinations.

The carrier’s website currently states that bookings are “coming soon”, with the launch route being between Manchester and Ghana’s capital Accra. The website also states that more direct connections are being planned from Accra to locations such as Toronto and New York. Flights are not yet on sale, but readers can register their interest online.

The world’s largest ocean restoration project planned for Dubai

You’re looking at what is known as “Dubai Reefs”. It is a concept for an unprecedented marine restoration and ecotourism project in Dubai, as imagined by URB. Unprecedented, because as the world’s largest ocean restoration project, it aims to create an artificial reef that covers 200 sq km which can in turn house more than one billion corals and also 100 million mangrove trees. Additionally, it will feature floating residential, hospitality, educational, retail and research facilities – all of which will be powered 100 per cent by solar and hydropower energy. It also envisions the creation of wave farms that will supply clean energy to Dubai, besides regenerative ocean farming programmes that will deliver sustainable food production techniques. The project is expected to create 30,000 jobs in the green economy, and will – if realised – play a significant part in the UAE’s goals to cut its carbon emissions.

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