Business traveller india august 2016

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AUGUST 2016 `150

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The sushi story Evolution of Japanese cuisine in India 8 9 06 0 7 5 3 5 0 07 6




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CONTRIBUTORS

INDIA

EDITORIAL Editor Neha Gupta Kapoor Assistant Editor Akanksha Maker Art Designer Aloysius Dsouza Proofreader James Mathew Contributors Valerian Ho, Alex McWhirter, Rashida Jasdanwala

VALERIAN HO is a reporter for Business Traveller Asia-Pacific and Business Traveller China. Based in Hong Kong, he focuses on trends in aviation, hospitality and lifestyle. In this issue, he looks back at the 1939 opening of the world’s first private aviation lounge — American Airlines’Admirals Club in NewYork LaGuardia (see page 82).

PUBLISHING Managing Director & CEO Ravi Lalwani Executive Director Meena Lalwani Business Head Khursheed Mistry Marketing Head - North India Asha Augustine Production Anthony Mark Pereira PANACEA PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL Managing Director Julian Gregory Global Editor-In-Chief Tom Otley CONTACT Editorial tel +91 (0)22 4220 2127 Email editorial@panaceapublishing.co.in twitter.com/bt_ind facebook.com/BusinessTravellerIndia Advertising tel +91 (0)22 4220 2128 Email info@panaceapublishing.co.in

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Business Traveller UK’s consumer editor ALEX MCWHIRTER has more than 40 years’ experience in the business travel industry, including over 30 years as Business Traveller’s consumer champion. In this issue he analyses the changing trends in minimum connecting times between flights (see page 32).

The sushi story Evolution of Japanese cuisine in India 8 9 06 0 7 5 3 5 0 07 6

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Business Traveller India is published by Panacea Publishing Pvt Ltd, by arrangement with Perry Publications Limited. It is printed at Thomson Press India Limited, New Delhi. It is published 10 times a year at our address above. The magazine is entirely independent of all commercial interests within the travel industry. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be accepted for publication. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers, who cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

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INDIA

CONTENTS

40

ON THE COVER: 76 THE SUSHI STORY Japanese food in India

shi The Su y r o t S

Taste

evolution

of Japanese

cuisine in

AUGUST 2016

India

ins the Mumbai introducing Maker expla Morimoto se cuisine,” says Wasabi by to of Japane we set up to the world the restaurant caters this evolved (and India) India has understands Until today, s y scene in out choice Chef Sadik. clientele that keenly that are priced he culinar gs s decade. Eating a select s. “The its offerin in the past ten years ago; Indian tional only cuisine and contemporarie nly conven exquisite were limited play it safe with than its (now) Wasabi is a commo ant to Chinese much higher and after preferred this restaur “Indian of before ants. on to d restaur incepti food-scene culinary a, adapte or Indian ology. The ne in the Chinese ted in Kolkat n sauce (popularly used termin ant milesto “Most guests at that origina ient. g Sichua d an import cuisine” adds. ingred makin he old marke how to eat buds, househ of India,” sauce) a . They know Indian taste metros chronology Schezwan ay last year now. Today, well-travelled known as different Wasabi are Morimoto told Mid-D his views when tional fineis much and interna high. Concept The story Wasabi Sadik echoed sushi,” Chef home to homegrown visit. Chef the set the bar boast of come back during his menus are abroad. “In ants, that they taste and quirky that his clients on ts and dining restaur food said he precisi fusion the ced by reques an Japanese restaurants, millennials. predicted expecting greatly influen . I’ll give you for reneurs who menu is d for nt guests usual fare fact, our and entrep h in sesame be credite by our freque for spinac Chefs, hotels Indian palate, can suggestions guest requested appreciated of the n not only —a evolution in our dish was example Mediterranea menon. time. This Lebanese, ream permanently their this pheno s such as sauce one featured from mainst also got While cuisine have gained narrate tales very carefully.” se food that by him but fusion is Japane guests often them y. and Indian recent times, it the adapt to menu. Our in countr and in the open in listen on to are popularity niche audience different travels. We Morimoto went se dishes its is not very tic Japane placing has found more Wasabi by Delhi’s audience for authen to get — ning is a t. And 2008. Ingredients ive but also hard of ng, fine-di capital in number price bracke expens ai’s. If anythi the high in the upper Leela not only understand from Mumb considering there. The restaurants concept restaurants when Japanese individuals) r trendsetter in accepted dine at these ly comes to mind i by net-worth anothe gs. guests who instant ary Wasab HNIs (high Resorts, F&B offerin name that Hotels and The is the legend its luxury that. One Palaces, Japanese Mumbai. known for of this cuisine is Delhi’s Palace ng ry, “iron at The Mahal speaki the indust 2012, giving ce of the . “MEGU at The Taj MEGU in 50 the guidan ing option Morimoto outpost It opened s in Asia’s set up under . iasts a discern only Indian te the restaurant aru Morimoto featureBusiness Media food enthus New Delhi is the Reed was to replica Delhi, been chef” Masah Leela Palace brand. The goal New ants by William s has always heart of best restaur and Palace New of the global experience in the with its iconic ed for in , Resorts at “Taj Hotels in the culinary scene same dining ant had been acclaim). The vision Sadik Khan erland g Before sous chef, a trendsetter that the restaur executive exception. Gstaad (Switzguests where strikin Dubai or F&B,” says restaurant was no Taj Mahal Palace our and for York, cuisine a space This nium, The that were Japanese Wasabi. was to create to all the of the millen se food promotions at the highly curated ge to appeal the dawn cuisine, team ambience, a, chef de The F&B began Japane service conver country. Mumbai States of personalised Chef Takanori Fukud new in the says and the United New Delhi. relatively trends. Chef senses,” ed to Japan culinary Leela Palace of perfection that hotel travell himself in tand latest MEGU, The a level to unders Morimoto 73 certainly for two 2016 by Chef America There is AUGUST training mentored “In 2004, meticulous Sadik was restaurant. underwent the He Tokyo. inaugurating months before

Akanksha

TOCK SHUTTERS

T

om traveller.c Visit business m raveller.co Visit businesst

72 AUGUST

2016

12 UPFRONT Airline and hotel news worldwide

18 INBOX Your letters and online posts

20 TRIED & TESTED The Leela Palace; Hyatt; Air New Zealand

24 FLY HIGH An overview of Indian skies

36

32 DOWN TO THE WIRE Understanding minimum connecting time at airports

36 THE BIG 15 Hotel openings in Asia

40 MEET IN HYDERABAD The business of MICE

24

46 MAGNETIC METROPOLIS Pune’s foreign appeal

52 LOYALTY Reward and redemption news

6 AUGUST 2016

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INDIA

CONTENTS

AUGUST 2016

66 56 NEWS Your global downtime hotlist

58 WHAT’S ON Events worldwide this month

60

60 RIVIERA LIVING The best of Southern France

74

66 DESIGNED TO STUN Explore Stockholm’s museums and districts

72 THE RIGHT FOOT FORWARD Understanding men’s footwear

74 GET A MOVE ON Luggage picks for short trips

81 BUY & FLY Tax-free airport shopping

82 SNAPSHOT World’s first airport lounge 8 AUGUST 2016

72 Visit businesstraveller.com


BRAND SPEAK

Luxe in the air

Experience true opulence with Oman Air’s business class

L

uxury takes to the skies each time you fly business class with Oman Air. With easy accessibility and improved connectivity to destinations including London, Paris, Munich, Zurich, Milan and Frankfurt via Muscat, Oman Air business class combines practicality with opulence and comfort for frequent corporate travellers. Before taking off, relax at its Business Class Lounge located on the first floor of the departure terminal at Muscat International Airport. An extensive buffet offering an array of snacks and full-dining dishes will spoil you for choice. The complimentary spa service offered at the lounge will rejuvenate all your senses and revitalise your mind. Whether you feel like a drink or some quiet time at its business centre, this oasis of complimentary wifi, shower-rooms fitted with Amouage perfume, and HD satellite television will de-stress you, before you embark. The airline’s livery boasts of the best of Airbus and Boeing. Pick its business class service on its Airbus A330-300, A330-200 or Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft, for a smooth travel experience. Magnificence takes over as soon as you enter the sophisticated cabin designed in rich shades of tan and off-white. Begin your sojourn up above with a traditional Omani welcome alongside Arabic dates and coffee. Understanding your need for privacy, the airline has designed its award-winning* business class offering with just 20 seats in the 1-2-1 seatconfiguration. Oman Air doesn’t believe comfort should be haggled for. The electrically controlled backrest, leg-rest and seat-depth of the business class seat make sure effortless convenience is achieved.

Deep slumber is not so elusive on-board while flying Oman Air business class; its 77.5-inch long, fully-flat seat is carefully created to give your body that much needed rest while cruising a few thousand feet above ground. There is also enough to spoil those who prefer being productive while flying. Headset compartments, a literature pocket for books and magazines, two USB plugs for electronic devices, Ethernet plug and PC power outlet, and a 17-inch Gen. III monitor in the front create an office-like environment for you to wrap up that important presentation before you land. And while you wake up or take a break from all that work, Oman Air’s in-flight food service is waiting to pamper you. A range of modern and traditional fine-dining dishes have been curated to enthral your tastebuds. Pick Arabic signature dishes for that quintessential exotic escapade or indulge in quality European dishes picked for the discerning business traveller. The feast of choice is served on bespoke chinaware to complete your sumptuous meal experience. A bit of bubbly must always accompany food, we reckon; and the airline’s award-winning champagnes and wines have been selected to complement your choice of meat. An array of fine-teas, coffees and non-alcohol beverages are also offered to suit different palates. *Oman air wOn the “wOrld’s Best Business Class airline seat” By skytrax (2014, 2015) FOr mOre inFOrmatiOn please Call: 022 43229029


CHECK-IN

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e’ve gone live! On businesstraveller.com, you can get daily updates on the hospitality and aviation industries, participate in online forum discussions and polls, and post your views on stories published on the website. Our city guides have got a makeover too. If you’re relying on them, it will be easy to manoeuvre around the city with the help of imbedded interactive Google Maps. There is a whole lot more you can enjoy — log on to view benefits of Business Traveller Plus (BT Plus), which allows members full access to the site and a host of added benefits. There is selective content online as well, just for BT Plus subscribers. As for Business Traveller India in print, we have traced the burgeoning of Japanese cuisine in the country. Until a few years ago the oriental cuisine was available only to those with deep pockets. Pages 76-80 explain how its “evolution” has come about. In other news, Indian airlines are spreading their wings (page 24). Boeing’s Current Market Outlook for India predicts that the country will require 1,850 new aircraft valued at US$26 billion over the next 20 years. In fact, Airbus and Boeing, both aircraft manufacturing giants, deem India as an important market. On receiving its 20th aircraft in June, GoAir is considering Asian and Middle Eastern cities as options for its first international destination. It has signed an order of 144 aircraft with Airbus. Vistara isn’t hiding its glee about being able to serve international routes once its fleet grows to 20 aircraft by June 2018. It has a pending order of nine aircraft with Airbus. We’re awaiting a similar announcement from AirAsia India who would rather talk about its domestic expansion for now. Indian aviation is at an all time high; thanks to the increase in domestic passenger traffic — up by 21 per cent from last year. Does this mean that airfares will be controlled? Perhaps so. Jet Airways is offering “Fare Choices” where, for example, you can give up your lounge access for a cheaper business class ticket. Vistara’s “Fly Early” service let’s passengers switch to an earlier flight for just `1,500. Air India has priced tickets as low as train fares for certain flights out of New Delhi (until September 30). And budget airlines announce sales periodically. Ironically, it is a whooping contrast to airline tickets and hotel bookings that are cashing in on the long weekend — two to three times the average price. We hope you planned well in advance for a break from business travel. India is definitely flying high; Happy Independence Day!

Neha Gupta Kapoor Editor

10 AUGUST 2016

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UPFRONT Neha Gupta Kapoor compiles the latest news from businesstraveller.com

Star Alliance introduces new checkin concept at Tokyo Narita

STAR ALLIANCE has completed its rollout of a new check-in concept in the south wing of Tokyo Narita Airport Terminal 1, which it says reduces the space required by 20 per cent. The layout of the check-in area at the terminal has changed with check-in desks now designated by airline rather than by travel class. According to the alliance, the new layout complements the installation of new self check-in machines, which can issue boarding passes and print baggage tags. There are a total of 116 self check-in kiosks, and these can be used by customers flying with any of the 17 Star Alliance member carriers operating out of Terminal 1. Passengers with hand luggage can proceed directly to the gate after checking themselves in, while those with checked baggage can obtain tags from the kiosk before dropping them off at the bag-drop counters. “Our initiative in Narita is part of our global strategy of reducing operational complexities and striving for standardisation with the aim of providing customers with a better travel experience,” says Mark Schwab, chief executive of Star Alliance. “Initial statistics show that the majority of travellers are already making use of the new self-service option.” Air India is a member of Star Alliance and flies four times a week between Tokyo and Delhi. Flight AI307 takes off from Delhi at 2115 and lands in Tokyo at 0845 (Sunday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday). Return flight AI306 leaves from Tokyo at 1115 and lands in Delhi at 1700 (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday). staralliance.com

Jet Airways adds a new flight and will shuffle existing schedule

Jet Airways has launched a Bengaluru-Mangaluru service with effect from August 1. An ATR-72 aircraft flies this route. Flight 9W2782 takes off from Bengaluru at 1540 and lands in Mangaluru at 1650. Return flight 9W2404 departs from Mangaluru at 1715 and arrives at Bengaluru at 1825. The airline will reschedule flights between Mangaluru and Mumbai from August 7. The one hour 35 minutes flight 9W438 that takes off at 1725 will, as per the new schedule, depart from Mangaluru at 1900 and

12 AUGUST 2016

Singapore Airlines offers bid-to-upgrade service

Singapore Airlines has introduced mySQupgrade, an invitation-only service that allows economy-class customers to upgrade to premium economy. An email will be sent to select customers seven days before their scheduled departure, inviting them to bid for an upgrade. Minimum and maximum bidding amounts will be displayed on the page along with a “strength metre” that gives customers an indication of how likely they are to receive the upgrade. Successful bidders can expect an email notification 48 hours before departure. Their credit cards will be charged accordingly, and they will receive a new flight itinerary detailing the upgrade. Seat selection can be done by logging into the “Manage Booking” section on the airline’s website. Those that wish to modify or cancel their bids may do so up to 50 hours prior to the departure of their flights. singaporeair.com

land in Mumbai at 2035. Currently, a connecting flight takes off from Mangaluru at 0705, lands in and takes off from Bengaluru at 0755 and 0855 respectively. It reaches the final destination, Mumbai at 1040. This will change from August 7. Connecting flight 9W2400 will take off from Mangaluru at 0815 and reach Bengaluru at 0920. After a two hours layover, it will finally land in Mumbai at 1300. Flights from Mumbai to Mangaluru have been rescheduled/ cancelled as well. Flight 9W435 that takes off from Mumbai at 2030 will be terminated from August 7. Jet Airways will fly two flights in its place that will take off from Mumbai at 1730 and 2100. The connecting flight service via Bengaluru that takes off at 1600 will no longer fly from August 7. There will be no replacement for this service. jetairways.com Visit businesstraveller.com


Ginger Hotels opens second property in Noida

Air India aims to increase occupancy with cheap tickets GOVERNMENT OWNED AIR INDIA is aiming to up its seat occupancy from 80 per cent to 100 per cent on its key routes: Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Bengaluru. The strategy involves luring government-owned Indian Railways’ passengers with cheap air fares that compete with AC first-class train tickets. Air India’s last minute tickets on above mentioned key routes will drop to as low as 50 per cent of the normal price and match Indian Railways’ Rajdhani Express’ AC tier II ticket price. For example, while a regular one-way economy Air India ticket from Delhi to Mumbai costs anywhere from `4,000 to `7,000, an AC tier II Rajdhani express ticket on the same route is priced at around `2,500. The move is the opposite of the trend followed by other Indian airlines who increase last minute ticket prices by up to three times of the regular fare. Air India’s chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani says,“Our objective is to fill these remaining (20 per cent) seats as well. This can be achieved with such affordable fares. It would also help us increase our passenger revenue and provide relief to passengers from last minute sky-rocketing fares.” This is in addition to Air India’s “Super Fares” scheme introduced last month and will run until September 30, 2016. It especially benefits waitlisted passengers of Indian Railways who can book a one-way Air India economy seat for a price that matches the Rajdhani Express AC first class fare. The discounted domestic air tickets are available up to four hours before flight departure on 11 routes: Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Kolkata, DelhiBengaluru, Delhi-Ranchi, Delhi-Ahmedabad, DelhiHyderabad, Delhi-Bhubaneswar, Delhi-Goa, Delhi-Patna and Delhi-Raipur. The “super fares” appear on entering promo code SPOT at the time of booking. airindia.com Visit businesstraveller.com

Etihad opens first class lounge in Abu Dhabi Etihad Airways has opened a new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi airport’s Terminal 3. The 1,700 sqm lounge incorporates Etihad’s “Facets of Abu Dhabi” branding, including an a la carte restaurant, bar, cigar lounge, spa, “relax and recline” area, fitness room, barber service, and a dedicated space for The Residence guests, which is served by a Savoytrained butler. etihad.com

Ginger Hotels, a budget chain of 3-star hotels by Tata Group, has launched its second property in Noida, Ginger Hotel — Noida East after Ginger Hotel — Noida. Ginger Hotel — Noida East is within proximity to Noida Expo Centre, Electronic City, Corenthum Business Park, Pragati Maidan, Buddh International Racing Circuit and Delhi Expo Mart. As for tourist interest points, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Akshardham Temple and the Old Fort are not far from the hotel. Ginger Hotel Noida — East has 96 rooms, free wifi, a multicuisine restaurant, all-day coffee shop, gym, and meeting and banquet rooms. Rahul Pandit, MD and CEO, Ginger Hotels says,“This is an extremely proud moment for us as we launched our second hotel in a city that is continuously evolving as a business district and IT hotspot. Ginger is the largest chain of branded budget hotels in India. We assure travellers of a delightful experience with us.” gingerhotels.com

Zone by The Park launched in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels launched its fourth Zone by The Park property in India, in Raipur (Chhattisgarh). The 72-room hotel is located at VIP Junction, driving distance from the Central Business District. It offers the largest banquet space in the city that sprawls across 1,207 sqm. The hotel’s F&B offerings include Bazaar (signature restaurant), Playa by Zone (pool-restaurant), Urban Spice Box (Indian grill) and Z Disc (nightclub). “Raipur is an emerging city that is enthusiastic about having a trendy lifestyle. This is our fourth property and we are planning to expand its footprint in South, North and West India,” says Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. The hotels group plans to launch properties in Mahabalipuram, Bhubaneswar and Jodhpur this year. It will have 17 properties by 2020. theparkhotels.com

AUGUST 2016 13


UPFRONT

HOTEL NEWS

GoAir places one more order with Airbus GoAir signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Airbus at the Farnborough International Airshow for 72 aircraft. The airline had placed a similar order with Airbus for 72 A320neo in 2011, making the entire order add up to a total of 144 aircraft. Two aircraft have been delivered in June this year. “The new A320neo provides us the competitive edge to achieve our growth targets and helps us strengthen our presence in the wider region. The new aircraft will help us in unlocking new domestic routes while providing a springboard for continued international network expansion in the years to come,” says GoAir CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer. “This further commitment by GoAir is a testament to the reliability, passenger popularity and unbeatable operating economics of the A320 family. I congratulate GoAir,” says Airbus’ chief operating officer customers, John Leahy. With this induction, GoAir will also expand its network and improve connectivity in the coming future. It recently launched an evening flight between Delhi and Srinagar and started a non-stop daily flight between Mumbai and Leh. GoAir flight G8 229 takes off from Delhi at 1650 and arrives in Srinagar at 1810 while the return flight G8 228 takes off from Srinagar at 1840 and arrives in Delhi at 2005 Flight G8-386 takes off from Mumbai at 0400 and arrives in Leh at 0640. The return flight takes off from Leh at 0710 and arrives in Mumbai at 1125. These are routed through Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir. goair.in

VARUN BEACH BHEEMLI RESORT in Andhra Pradesh’s port city Visakhapatnam, opened to public last month. The property is owned by Indian conglomerate Varun Group and is managed by AccorHotels India. Varun Beach Bheemli Resort is the second AccorHotels property in Andhra Pradesh after the 225-room Novotel Visakhapatnam. THE FAIRFIELD, a medium-tier brand by Marriott International launched in Lucknow in July. It has the largest inventory of 222 rooms in the city. Its rooms offer high-speed internet connectivity, a 42-inch LED television, tea/coffee maker and an an ergonomically designed workspace. The hotel has two restaurants, and three meeting rooms. It is the second Marriott property in Lucknow after the opening of Renaissance Lucknow in September last year. W HOTEL, a trendy upmarket brand by Starwood Hotels and Resorts is scheduled to open in Goa on September 29. The first W property in India, it is spread over 25 acres, overlooks the Vagator beach, and has 160 rooms and villas.

SpiceJet to operate special Hajj flights from Indore and Gaya SpiceJet will fly from Indore and Gaya to Jeddah and Medina between August 4 and September 3. It will carry around 8,000 pilgrims for the grand annual Islamic pilgrimage Hajj in Mecca from the two Indian destinations. The return journeys are scheduled to Indore from September 30 and Gaya from September 17. The entire activity will conclude by October 16. The budget-airline will service this route on its two A320 aircraft. “It is a great privilege for us to be a part of this grand holy ritual and we eagerly look forward to serve our nation on this occasion. Hajj is a lifetime experience and SpiceJet will make every effort to ensure a hassle-free and delightful travel experience to all its customers. We extend our appreciation to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Hajj committee for choosing us and wish all our pilgrim customers a wonderful stay at Mecca this year,” says G P Gupta, chief administrative officer and accountable manager, SpiceJet. spicejet.com

14 AUGUST 2016

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AccorHotels acquires FRHI Hotels and Resorts On July 12, AccorHotels completed its acquisition of Canadian-based hotel management company, FRHI Hotels and Resorts and its three luxury brands: Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel. A vast majority of the newly acquired 154 hotels and resorts, of which 40 are under development, are operated under long-term management contracts. They now fall under the management of AccorHotels and include iconic properties such as The Savoy in London, Raffles Singapore, Fairmont San Francisco, New York’s The Plaza, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City and Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris. The acquisition has helped the group increase its footprint in North America that AccorHotels terms as the “world’s largest and most influential consumer market”. Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of AccorHotels says, “Today is a great day for our Group. The acquisition of these three emblematic luxury hotel brands is a historical milestone for AccorHotels. It will open up amazing growth prospects, lift our international presence to unprecedented heights, and build value over the long term.” Speaking at a briefing in Dubai, Jean-Jacques Dessors, CEO HotelServices for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa, acknowledged it will have to “exaggerate” the qualities of each brand, particularly in the now-crowded five-star and luxury segments (now over 450 hotels), and each market will have to look at how they are positioned. “Maybe some of the Sofitel Legends will move over to Fairmont or Raffles,” he said. A dedicated luxury structure, headed by CEO Chris Cahill (formerly of FRHI), will be introduced to drive the luxury business. On loyalty integration, Dessors said it would look to pair the recognition strengths of FRHI with the more distribution-led, earn-and-burn nature of Le Club, AccorHotels’ loyalty programme. accorhotels.com, frhi.com

AIRLINE NEWS

AIRASIA INDIA introduced a third service between Delhi and Guwahati on July 17. With this addition, there is at least one service on the route, daily. Flights I5-783, I5-785 and I5-791 fly out of Delhi at 0720, 1810 and 0605 respectively. The return services depart from Guwahati at 1245 (I5-784), 2100 (I5-786) and 0850 (I5-792). AIR INDIA has started service between Bengaluru and Hubbali. Flight AI 9509 operates the ATR-72-600 aircraft three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) departing Bengaluru at 1545 and arriving in Hubbali at 1705. Return flight AI 9510 departs from Hubbali at 1725 and arrives in Bengaluru at 1835. INDIGO has launched a daily connecting service between Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad via Hyderabad. Flight 6E879 takes off from Ahmedabad at 0625 and lands in Hyderabad at 0815. It leaves Hyderabad at 0845 and reaches Visakhapatnam at 0955. Flight 6E883 departs Visakhapatnam at 1800, lands in Hyderabad at 1920, and after a layover of 30 minutes it lands in Ahmedabad at 2130.

Delhi-based MBD Group collaborates with Germany’s Steigenberger Hotels MBD Group, education and hospitality company based in Delhi, partners with German hospitality group, Steigenberger Hotels. The 51 per cent (MBD Group):49 per cent (Steigenberger Hotels) joint venture will open 20 luxury hotels in the next 15 years in the country. Business development, management and franchising of hotels, marketing, pre-opening and post-opening assistance will be handled by MBD Group. Whereas, marketing support, international sales, training and brand standards to be integrated in the region will be offered by Steigenberger Hotels. The flagship property called Zephyr Bengaluru will offer 184 rooms with prices beginning at `12,500. “Work on the Bengaluru hotel, which will require an investment of `300 crore excluding the cost of land, has already begun and will be ready in mid-2019,” says Sonica Malhotra, managing director of MBD Group. “Similarly, we will identify pockets that will cater to the needs of luxury travellers, both business and leisure, in other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, Pune and Indore, to set up our hotels.” German-based Steigenberger Hotels operates 117 hotels across 12 countries. mbdgroup.com; steigenberger.com Visit businesstraveller.com

AUGUST 2016 15


UPFRONT

DGCA lists compensations for cancelled/delayed flights

AirAsia orders 100 A321neo at Farnborough

AirAsia has signed a firm order for 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft. The deal, valued at US$12.6 billion at list prices, was announced at the Farnborough Airshow. It is the first order for the largest model of the A320 family by the lowcost carrier. Furthermore, it boosts the number of A320 aircraft ordered by AirAsia to 575, cementing the carrier’s position as Airbus’ largest customer in the single aisle product line. Seating up to 236 passengers in a single-class layout, the A321neo offers over 50 more seats than AirAsia’s existing fleet of A320-200s. The airline’s group chief executive Tony Fernandes says, “[The A321neo] will allow us to bring higher passenger volumes with the same slots, therefore providing immediate benefits to the airports. We will also continue to maintain our 25-minute turnaround with two- or three-step boarding where permitted to ensure on-time performance.” airasia.com

Vistara considers South Asia for launch of international services Vistara’s chief strategy and commercial officer, Sanjiv Kapoor has announced that the airline is “reviewing and refining” its plans to launch international flights. Up until June 2016, the 5/20 rule restricted airlines to fly domestically for five years before serving international routes. It has now been amended to 0/20: airlines aren’t required to fly domestically for five years, but they still need to operate a fleet of at least 20 aircraft or reserve 20 per cent of the fleet for domestic routes, whichever is higher. By June 2018, Vistara will have a fleet of 20 aircraft. It currently has 11 A320 that flies to 17 Indian cities. It will receive two more A320 this year, followed by seven A320neo aircraft over the next two years. Kapoor says, “The first set of routes that we will launch internationally, will be the routes that can be flown by our existing aircraft, the A320s, which will be routes within three to three-and-a-half hours from India; essentially regional routes and SAARC countries.” airvistara.com

16 AUGUST 2016

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued guidelines for compensation paid to passengers by domestic airlines in case of flight cancellation or denied boarding. With effect from August 1, airlines will compensate its passengers with up to `10,000 for flight cancellation or delay beyond two hours, and up to `20,000 for disallowing a passenger to board the flight. Until last month, passengers were given `4,000 compensation for flight cancellation and denied boarding. Under the new regulations, in case of cancelled/delayed flights with a block time of one hour, the passenger will be paid `5,000 compensation or booked one-way basic fare, airline fuel charge and ticket refund, whichever is lower. Block hours are calculated from the time the aircraft closes doors for departure to when it opens doors after landing. Block time includes taxing-out to the runway and taxing-in to the arrival gate plus flight duration. The industry uses these variables to compute an airline’s utilisation and on-time performance. In case of cancelled/delayed flights with a block time of over one hour but under two hours, the passenger will be paid `7,500 compensation or booked one-way basic fare, airline fuel charge and ticket refund, whichever is lower. In case of cancelled/delayed flights with a block time of over two hours, the passenger will be paid `10,000 compensation or booked one-way basic fare, airline fuel charge and ticket refund, whichever is lower. DGCA also mandates that airlines inform passengers of a cancelled flight, at least two weeks prior to its scheduled departure, and offer a refund or alternative flight option. Should airlines inform passengers less than two weeks but over 24 hours before the cancelled flight’s scheduled departure, airlines must offer an alternative flight that takes off within two hours of their originally booked departure time. Failing these conditions, airlines must compensate passengers as per the amounts listed above. As for denied boarding in case of overbooked flights (unless passengers are offered a seat on a flight scheduled to depart within one hour of the originally scheduled departure), DGCA has listed the following compensations: a) An amount equal to 200 per cent of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, subject to a maximum of `10,000, in case the airline arranges an alternative flight that is scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the booked scheduled departure. b) An amount equal to 400 per cent of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, subject to a maximum of `20,000, in case the airline arranges an alternative flight that is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after the booked scheduled departure. c) In case the passenger does not opt for an alternative flight, refund of full value of ticket and compensation equal to 400 per cent of booked one-way basic fare plus airline fuel charge, subject to maximum of `20,000. Compensations will be paid in cash, by bank transfer or with the signed agreement of the passenger in the form of travel vouchers. dgca.nic.in

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Mumbai airport keeps noise pollution in check Mumbai International Airport (MIAL) has installed systems to keep its noise levels in check. This comes after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked Indian airports, in January 2015, to maintain noise under a certain level so as not to inconvenience the surrounding residential and commercial settlements. The induction of new airlines flying in and out of the country and the increased air traffic have resulted in an increase in noise pollution at airports. MIAL has installed Noise Desk, controlled and monitored by Brüel & Kjær’s Operations Centre, for this purpose. The software also helps in observing the air traffic radar, track flights and get updates on the weather. It is the first of its kind in India. MIAL says: “We have successfully set up and implemented a comprehensive noise monitoring system, which is based on the specifications of DGCA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to analyse aircraft noise impact on communities. It is simple to use and seamlessly connects with other data sources such as flight tracks and weather systems. “The innovative web-based subscription system costeffectively processes infringements, noise complaints, background noise and aircraft and community noise events. When a loud event occurs or a complaint is received, one push of a button presents information about the most likely cause of the disturbance and enables the airport to promptly respond to issues and transparently share information about the occurrence.” csia.in

Portable check-in devices inducted at IGI airport Portable devices that enable check-in for all flights at domestic and international terminals have been inducted at IGI airport. Airport officials will walk around with the handheld device, assisting passengers to check-in and directly walk to security. The facility says that this will reduce queues and congestion at Delhi airport. “This would make passenger check-in a very smooth affair at the country’s busiest airport. This digital initiative would ensure better queue management at the airport, especially during peak hours, winters and monsoon, when weather causes irregular operations due to flight delays and disruptions,” says I Prabhakara Rao, CEO, DIAL. The gadget is based on ARINC v MUSE platform. The devices were being used on trial-run by Jet Airways and Vistara at Terminal 3 of Delhi airport until mid-July. “DIAL has been actively promoting various self-service digital initiatives at IGI airport with an intention to leverage technology for passenger experience and operational efficiency. These include self check-in kiosks at the airport, mobile app-flyDEL and flap gates, among several others,” says a DIAL spokesperson. newdelhiairport.in

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AUGUST 2016 17


INBOX Get in touch at mail@panaceapublishing.co.in or businesstraveller.com/discussion

POST rferguson DATE May 2, 15:26

openfly May 2, 15:54

MrMichael May 2, 17:44

BA TO INTRODUCE BUY-ON-BOARD (BOB) ON SHORT-HAUL? I would quite happily put a wager on BOB being introduced. I’ve been told by a senior figure that the green light has been given for buy-on-board refreshments for short-haul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick.

An interesting prospect and it would be a bold decision by BA. To start buy-on-board would mean an extra crew member per flight to absorb the extra work in collecting money, plus the extra expense that would incur. I’m not sure BOB needs more crew. Iberia has had it in economy for years and I have not noticed extra crew to manage it. I guess fewer people buy, and so there is less to serve. I figure the rumour is likely to be true — it will bring BA into line with the rest of IAG.

rferguson May 2, 18:07

There would be no extra crew overall for BOB but the cost would wipe out any savings — especially on legacy-fleet short-haul.

openfly May 2, 19:55

Flying from London to Amsterdam last week, the crew only managed to serve half the economy cabin. What would happen if they had to collect money as well?

SimonS1 May 2, 20:14

I’ve never understood why airlines bother with catering on a 40-minute flight. On my last Easyjet flight I would say about one in five people bought something, so I’d be surprised if service took any longer than it does now.

Edski777 May 2, 21:35

POST IanFromHKG DATE May 12, 02:19

18 AUGUST 2016

BA would probably keep their ticket price the same. The difference between BA and Easyjet or Ryanair is quickly disappearing, except for the fact that Ryanair is most likely less expensive

have two weeks to accept. Does anyone have any insights into the technical problem, and thoughts on whether I should fight this?

Stephen London May 12, 09:19

The fact that they are willing to offer €200 in voucher form says they know they owe you an EU261 claim but are trying to mitigate the payout. I’d take it further and aim for your €600 cash payment.

MartinJ May 12, 11:29

Aircraft technical faults are not extraordinary circumstances. I’d use one of the no-win no-fee agencies and pocket €450 in cash (€600 minus their fee) rather than €200 in vouchers.

philsquares May 12, 12:27

On the ground, an APU will provide pneumatic air to the air cycle machines, and provide electrical power to the aircraft. It is also used for pneumatic air to start the engines, and is designed to provide another source of electrical power during “extended operations” (ETOPS) flights in case of an engine failure or electrical problem. The APU might have been required for flight but it can be deferred and the flight re-routed on a non-ETOPS plan. For the airline to make such a statement is utter rubbish. The fact the aircraft was five months old has no bearing on your claim at all

POST Window-seat DATE May 10, 13:37

TEL AVIV SECURITY

cotswoldsw May 10, 15:58

I’ve never had any issues flying into Tel Aviv, which has always been painless and pretty streamlined. Leaving, however, is a different matter. Your taxi will be stopped entering the airport perimeter and then you will probably be stopped again before entering the terminal and subjected to questioning and a search.

EU261, ‘EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES’ AND NEW PLANES I had my compensation claim for a lengthy delay (worth `600) on a certain European airline rejected. Bullfrog Although the airline stated that this was due to a technical fault — “broken” auxiliary power unit (APU) May 10, 17:01 bleed bellows, requiring replacement — they went on to say that the A350 aircraft was only five months old, so the failure was “most probably caused by a nibbler mistake in manufacturing or design/ engineering process”. Therefore, it falls within the “extraordinary May 10, 17:27 circumstances” exception to EU261 (flight delay regulations) and no compensation will be paid. They have, however, offered a voucher for `200, which I

I’m travelling to Tel Aviv soon for work. I have heard rumours about security there taking many hours. I am flying BA in business — any advice on how long you need to get through the airport?

So long as you have nothing suspicious and answer questions honestly, it should be straightforward. The security teams are clued up with what they are looking for. A letter from the company you are visiting can help to make exiting easier. Worst case for me was three hours at security; another time, the hand-baggage check had a priority queue so was far smoother. Visit businesstraveller.com


Business Traveller lifestyle News I 69

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FEBRUARY 2016


TRIED&TESTED Hotels

The Leela Palace Udaipur

BACKGROUND Established in 1986, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts operates nine awardwinning properties in major business and leisure cities across India. It currently has a marketing alliance with US-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts and is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, Geneva, Switzerland. The group’s Udaipur property opened in 2010. WHAT’S IT LIKE? Royal. Arriving at the hotel by boat, I was welcomed amidst traditional Rajasthani customs. Its imperial reception designed in a circular pattern branches out into a lounge on the left, the elevators straight ahead and its restaurants to the right. The furniture is adorned with artwork created by original techniques of Rajasthan such as tarkashi and thekri. Attention to detail is fundamental; hues of gold are infused with patterned monochrome flooring amidst curios of the state. Picture intricate chandelier lamps, majestic domes and elephants in silver. The candlelit inner courtyard near the restaurants hosts customary performances every evening. Walking through the hotel is like exploring a museum of design and culture. WHERE IS IT? Situated on the banks of Lake Pichola alongside other luxury hotels, The Leela Palace’s location is iconic. Guests can access the property by a 20 AUGUST 2016

dedicated boat service that drops you in the city. The hotel also has a back entrance that leads to the banks of Lake Pichola and the old-city. Udaipur’s airport is about a 45 minute ride from the port. ROOM FACILITIES All the 72 rooms and eight suites of the hotel face Lake Pichola. The room (45-58 sqm) categories are Grand Heritage Lake View rooms and Grand Heritage Lake View rooms with Balcony; while the types of suites are Luxury suites (89 sqm), Duplex suites (118 sqm), Royal suite (167 sqm) and Maharaja suite (333 sqm). The hotel has two wings namely Palace wing and Lake wing, which are separated by a pathway embellished with miniature art that will make you stop and stare. The partially carpeted Grand Heritage Lake View room (45 sqm) that I stayed in was embellished in contemporary furniture alongside artefacts and paintings. The wardrobe and bathtub area are on the right and the marble washroom is on the left of the pathway, that leads to the desk placed in-front of the bed. Designed in a vertical fashion, the bed adjoining the lounge area is right in front of the window that opens to a stunning view of the outer courtyard and Lake Pichola. An LCD television (Sony Bravia, 40-inches) is mounted besides

the window along with a BluRay player. Bedside charging points are convenient while lighting in the room can be controlled as per preferred brightness level. RESTAURANTS AND BARS Breakfast is laid out at The Dining Room, which also serves a range of world cuisines. Sheesh Mahal, its fine-dining restaurant, is idyllically located by the lake. I enjoyed a quintessential Rajasthani dinner here that included some delectable laal maans (meat curry), gur ki roti (jaggery flatbread) and traditional kebabs. The hotel’s Library Bar furnished in wood is a private space for casual corporate meets. The Leela Palace also offers destination dining at various venues of the property. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES This is a befitting property for discerning corporate events. Its Marwar (120 sqm) and Mewar (158 sqm) conference halls on the ground-floor can accommodate 60 and 100 people respectively. In addition, it has a Royal Boardroom (50 sqm) on the second-floor and rooms namely Payal (37 sqm), Bindiya (49 sqm) and Kangan (51 sqm) on the first floor. LEISURE FACILITIES Keeping up with the rest of the group’s properties, the Udaipur hotel also focuses on its leisure facilities. The hotel’s spa by ESPA is a tented space with a luxurious ambience. It houses opulent suites with private pools that face Lake Pichola. The hotel also has a fitness centre with Technogym equipment and an outdoor pool designed beautifully featuring a patterned monochrome flooring. VERDICT Unparalleled luxury for intimate corporate affairs. From arriving at the property by boat to the exotic tryst with the culture of the state amidst a modern setting, this is an experience more than just a stay.

TESTED BY Akanksha Maker

HOW MANY ROOMS? 80 — 25 Grand Heritage rooms, 47 Grand Heritage rooms with a balcony, four Luxury suites, two Duplex suites, one Royal suite, and one Maharaja suite

HIGHLIGHTS Palatial architecture, iconic location and complimentary wifi.

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in a Grand Heritage room in September started from `17,680.

CONTACT Lake Pichola, Rajasthan; tel: +91 0294 670 1234; theleela.com

R R R R R R R R

FREE WIFI MINIBAR 24hr ROOM service 2 RESTAURANTS 1 BAR 24 hr GYM POOL 6 MEETING ROOMS

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Hyatt Amritsar

BACKGROUND It used to be Ista up until 2013, when Hyatt took over. The premium hospitality brand is one amongst six Hyatt (sub-brand) properties in India, and one of the first 5-star deluxe properties in Amritsar. The other five are in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Raipur. WHAT’S IT LIKE? It faces the city mall and has the same entrance. At the gate, vehicles go through a security check by designated guards. To enter the lobby, you walk through a metal detector and pass your bag through a screening machine. The lobby has an outdoor feel to it. Your first view is that of a landscaped display of flora enclosed behind a glass wall. In the evenings, fire fountains come to life amid this display, giving it a very primal feel. To the right is the reception and bakery, and to the left is the business centre, way to the restaurant and the lift that leads to the rooms. WHERE IS IT? The dome of the Golden Temple is visible from the top floors of the hotel. As distances aren’t much in Amritsar, the airport isn’t a long drive either. ROOM FACILITIES The rooms are smaller – 27.5 sqm to 119 Visit businesstraveller.com

sqm – than the usual Hyatt sizes as they were designed by the property’s previous owner, Ista. Open the room door and you’re already at the foot of your bed. To make up for the lack of space, rooms have large windows with a seating area for two, receiving plenty of natural light. Fortunately the bathrooms are comfortably sized with a shower in all 238 rooms, and an additional bathtub in the ten suites; the brand of toiletries is Biotique. A well-sized work desk by the window, 32-inch LCD TV, tea/ coffee maker, minibar, free wifi, a cupboard big enough to hold a full-sized suitcase, and an iron and ironing board are available in all rooms and suites. Creative towel art adds a happy vibe to the already bright room. Bedside panels make it convenient to control the room’s lighting. Unfortunately, the only socket that worked for me was the one by the work desk, taking away the luxury of hitting snooze on my phone’s alarm when still in bed. Nonetheless, it was a cosy sleep with ergonomically designed beds and a choice of pillows for comfort. RESTAURANTS AND BARS Collage is the multi-cuisine restaurant where the breakfast,

lunch and dinner buffets are served. The à la carte menu has local options, of which the tandoori chicken is the most delectable. ThaiChi is more formal with a mix of Thai and Chinese preparations. Each month it has a special menu in addition to the usual one. The Lounge Bar has a good mix of wines and cocktails. Happy hours from 5pm to 8pm offers a 25 per cent discount. The Pastry Shop by the reception has a handsome display of confectionery. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The meeting rooms have a capacity of six to ten people. A corridor with high-end boutiques of artefacts and shawls leads to the banquet area from the lobby. Istana can be divided into two as per requirement, and the outdoor garden area is also available for events. Together they can accommodate 600 people. LEISURE FACILITIES The 24-hour gym overlooks the mall’s parking lot. The outdoor swimming pool deck sometimes hosts early morning yoga sessions. The spa has eight treatment rooms and a salon. VERDICT The rooms are cosy, especially during winter as the heating isn’t suffocating. The business centre is convenient with a receptionist to assist, internet, and a printer and scanner to use.

TESTED BY Neha Gupta Kapoor

HOW MANY ROOMS? 248 — 238 guest rooms and ten suites

HIGHLIGHTS Towel art.

PRICE Internet price for a midweek stay in September started from `4,480.

CONTACT MBM Farms, G. T. Road; tel: +91 183 2871234; amritsar.hyatthotels. hyatt.com

R R R R R R R R

FREE WIFI MINIBAR 24hr ROOM SERVICE 2 RESTAURANTS 1 BAR 24hr GYM POOL 3 MEETING ROOMS AUGUST 2016 21


TRIED&TESTED Flight

Air New Zealand B777200ER Premium economy Hong Kong–Auckland

CHECK-IN The check-in counters for Air New Zealand are in section G of Hong Kong International Airport – premium economy ticket holders can check in at the two Premium counters, which were empty when I arrived at 1630 for my 1755 scheduled flight. LOUNGE Premium economy passengers do not have lounge access, but those with Star Alliance Gold tier status can use the Thai Airways lounge near gate 40. BOARDING The flight was called on schedule, but I sat back and waited until 1740 before approaching the gate, thus missing the queues. I was allocated seat 24D in the middle row (2-4-2 configuration), but as there was no one else in that row I moved to 24E. I was greeted and given a hot towel; the plane left the gate at 1758, and took off at 1816. THE SEAT Air New Zealand finished upgrading their premium economy offering on these aircraft in 2015 – the B777-200 now sports the same seats as those on the Dreamliner. Upholstered in black leather, they are well padded and comfortable, with headrest wings, a leg-rest and foot bar, good recline and plenty of space for your legs (reputedly the largest seat pitch in class) – access to the aisle from the central seats in the 22 AUGUST 2016

middle row does not require your next-door passenger to stand up. The 11-inch touchscreen monitor is excellent, and USB and circular ports underneath it light up for easy use. An in-seat power outlet is down at shin level under the armrest. A sealed amenity kit contains toothbrush, eye mask, socks and ear plugs, as well as Antipodes-branded paw-paw lip balm. WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? There are 40 premium economy seats across five rows (23-27) in a separated section of the aircraft. The galley and toilets are in front, while at the rear the economy seats begin straight behind a dividing wall – my preference would be one of the window seats on either side towards the back, as far from the galley and toilets as possible. THE FLIGHT Soon after take-off we were offered orange juice, water or champagne, and dinner was served within half an hour. Premium economy passengers share the same menu as in Business Premier class, though with less choice, and a different selection of New Zealand wines (all cooking uses fresh, natural New Zealand produce). My smoked salmon with beetroot salad and dill mustard starter was tasty, and the selection of bread was broad. There was a choice of three mains – red wine

beef tenderloin, pan-seared sole or Hainan chicken – I chose the latter, which came with choi sum, chicken, rice and tofu, with a ginger spring onion sauce. The meat was tender and had an authentic taste, and the sauce was piquant enough to enhance the dish. A dark chocolate mousse cake with vanilla cream finished off an excellent meal nicely. After dinner I worked for a while – however the table, which comes up and out of the armrest, was quite bouncy and made using a laptop tricky. Later, I put the seat into relaxation mode, fully reclined with leg rest up, and watched a movie. The IFE boasts 580 hours of content, as well as neat “in-house” programmes such as Seat Chat and Screen Share. The foot rest fully extended did not support me comfortably as I have long legs. So I lowered it slightly until my feet rested lightly on the floor; I found a good position easily enough and, with the help of a thick, supportive pillow, managed to get five hours’ good sleep. We were woken about two hours before landing, and were served a two-course breakfast of cereal/fruit/yoghurt followed by three choices of hot breakfast. My scrambled eggs were fine, if unexceptional. ARRIVAL We landed at 0920 and were at the gate five minutes later, 25 minutes ahead of schedule despite leaving just over 20 minutes late from Hong Kong. Auckland Airport is compact and efficient – it was not far to immigration, which was empty, and my bags came quickly. VERDICT Air New Zealand consistently wins global awards for best premium economy seat and service, and my experience bears that out. The seat is quite new, is well designed and has a quality feel. However, the extra friendly – though still efficient – service is what makes this airline stand out from the crowd.

BUSINESS PREMIER PREMIUM ECONOMY PACIFIC ECONOMY

TESTED BY Jeremy Tredinnick

DEPARTURE TIME 1755

JOURNEY TIME 10 hours 55 minutes

CONFIGURATION 2-4-2

SEAT PITCH 106cm/42in

SEAT WIDTH 49cm/19in

SEAT RECLINE 22cm/9in

PRICE Internet rates for a midweek return premium economy class flight from Hong Kong to Auckland in September start from HK$15,271 (`1,32,237) including taxes and surcharges.

CONTACT airnewzealand.com Visitbusinesstraveller.com



Inside Aviation

Fly High India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world. Several players means it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. Neha Gupta Kapoor gives an overview of how Indian airlines have evolved in their offerings and continue to strategise to be ahead in the game

24 AUGUST 2016

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T

hat the aviation industry makes millionaires out of billionaires, is not quite a joke for India’s airline barons. The country’s aviation industry has seen its downs with SpiceJet almost throwing in the towel and Kingfisher’s CMD Vijay Mallya absconding after ringing up an unfathomable debt. However, 2016 reports say that notwithstanding turbulent times, the industry has emerged stronger than ever (and even got SpiceJet back into the game). Here is why: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reveals that 151.31 lakh passengers flew domestic skies in February 2016, a 23.41 per cent growth from last year. In fact, March 2016 was the fifth consecutive month to show a 20 per cent increase from the preceding month in air passenger traffic. (Consolidated second quarter reports for this year weren’t published yet at the time we went into print.) A study by FICCI-KPMG evaluates the growth of the Indian aviation industry to climax into being the world’s third largest aviation market by 2020 after China and USA. “Enormous growth in domestic passenger traffic, substantial strengthening through government initiatives, decrease in global crude oil prices and airlines showing profits, indicates a significantly positive transformation for the Indian civil aviation market,” says Harshavardhan Neotia, president, FICCI. The statement was made before the 2016 Union Budget, which announced a six per cent hike on excise duty levied on aviation turbine fuel (ATF). However, this is only a paltry instrument affecting the growth of the industry. From the current 185 million passengers, of which 80 per cent constitute domestic flyers, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates the number to collectively touch 378 million by 2020. Airlines have passed on part of their benefits from earlier reduced air turbine fuel prices to their customers in the form of cheaper tickets. Further, increased railway fares have reduced the cost difference between economy flight and first class train tickets to roughly `700-`800, thus making flights affordable to India’s new middle class since about five years. Up until 2005, there weren’t many domestic flight options for Indians: government-run Air India that is the oldest in the country since 1947, and Jet Airways since 1992. Kingfisher Airlines came in with much pomp and deluxe service: it was the first to introduce inflight entertainment (IFE) on domestic routes, and flying with the airline at a premium cost was some sort of social status. However, being unable to pay for the fancy facilities it offered, Kingfisher Airlines plummeted to its death in 2013. Visit businesstraveller.com

Comparatively, Jet Airways was sensibly patient. Expansions were made gradually. The airline took off as an air taxi operator, flew commercially with a fleet of four Boeing 737-300 aircraft in 1993 and launched international operations in 2004 with a flight to Colombo from Chennai. At the time Air Sahara was the only other private airline, which Jet Airways eventually bought in 2007 for `1,450 crore, taking its fleet of 62 aircraft to 89, thus earning it a 32 per cent share of the domestic aviation market. (SpiceJet, IndiGo, GoAir, Kingfisher Airlines and Air India formed 68 per cent of the market share). Ahead of its time, JetLite (erstwhile Air Sahara) was operated as a 100 per cent all economy subsidiary of Jet Airways. In addition to this, the airline introduced a budget service — JetKonnect — that pretty much ran on the exact lines of a budget carrier. The only difference is that JetKonnect was not an airline, but a subsidised service that was also offered to Jet Airways passengers on a few routes, on certain days, through cheaper than usual tickets. On buying such a seat, you would forego all privileges enjoyed on a full-service airline. The service on JetLite, which was already a budget airline, automatically fell under the JetKonnect label. A few years later, Jet Airways decided to focus on one type of service and two years ago dissolved the JetKonnect service and JetLite airline. It still needs to erase logos of the dissolved brands from a few of its services though. In June a Business Traveller India staff travelled on a Jet Airways flight that had the JetKonnect branding on its boarding pass and aircraft. However, the service was operated by full-service Jet Airways — the only flight offering by the airline today that flies to 48 domestic and 20 international destinations with a fleet of 116 Boeing PASSENGERS CARRIED IN MAY 2016 BY LEADING DOMESTIC AIRLINES (IN LAKH) AirAsia 1.90 Air India 13.49 GoAir 7.01 IndiGo 33.37 Jet Airways 13.94 SpiceJet 10.96 Vistara 2.21 Source: DGCA

NUMBER OF CITIES ON THE DOMESTIC ROUTE MAP (AS OF JULY 2016) Air India - 54 AirAsia India - 10 GoAir - 22 IndiGo - 35 Jet Airways - 48 SpiceJet - 35 Vistara - 17

AUGUST 2016 25


Inside Aviation

and Airbus aircraft. In 2013, Jet Airways sold a 24 per cent stake to Etihad, with whom it has an ongoing codeshare agreement. This means Jet Airways passengers flying out of India have a wider reach through connecting flights. All this while Jet Airways has reigned as the leading carrier in India until budget airline IndiGo pushed it to the second position in 2012.

Above: Jet Airways’ A330 premiere class Right: SpiceJet’s SpiceMax seats 26 AUGUST 2016

BUDGET CARRIERS In spite of JetLite having been around, Indians weren’t entirely familiar with the concept of budget airlines until SpiceJet entered the field in 2005, closely followed by GoAir, and a year later by IndiGo. AirAsia India (budget) and Vistara (full-service) joined later. Travellers happily welcomed budget carriers as they didn’t care about the absence of inflight meals as long as they were given an option to fly cheap and on time to smaller cities. Sweating it out in trains on metro to non-metro routes was now Plan B. Hence all three low cost carriers (LCCs), hoping to cash in on this opportunity, strove to outdo the other. While IndiGo and GoAir have managed to operate smoothly for the most part of their existence, SpiceJet hit turbulence headlong in 2014. Problems started much before that, after it shifted focus on earning more by giving more. It defied the MBA jargon: maximise profits from fewer services. Instead, by 2014 it was deploying 58 aircraft to as many destinations as possible in a bid to outdo competition with a busier route map. And the ripple effect was disgruntled passengers due to a slack in customer service, which seemed unorganised at the time. By 2010, SpiceJet had already started accumulating debt with unpaid bills from oil companies and the Airport Authority of India, besides losing interest of

passengers. Sensing the urgency to please flyers, in 2013 it increased its free check-in baggage allowance to 20kg, while the other two stuck to the standard 15kg. Adding to this, SpiceJet often threw in flash sales — the year 2014 alone saw 25 flash sales. Of course, none of it earned the airline enough to cover its `1,031 crore in losses. After Kingfisher Airlines’ exit was confirmed in 2013, because of an unpaid debt of over `7,500 crore, it was easy for sceptics to state that SpiceJet was hopelessly going down Kingfisher style. However, things took a decisive turn for SpiceJet when the management changed in early 2015. Chairman and managing director, Ajay Singh’s focus was to “go back to the basics”. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the national newspaper, he had stated that frequently rescheduling and cancelling flights made flyers lose confidence in the airline. “From a customer’s perspective,” Singh said, “one of the things that we needed to do was to say to people that book tickets in advance, because we will fly, and we will make sure that your flights will not get cancelled. For that we had to get capacity, and we got planes on wet lease.” Wet lease means the lessor supplies the aircraft including cockpit and cabin crew, maintains the aircraft and pays for its insurance. The company that wet leases the plane pays the lessor as per the hours it is operated. SpiceJet has reduced its fleet to 34 aircraft, and has erased three domestic and two international destinations off its map. It focussed on on-time delivery to begin with. In May 2016 its total on-time performance was 79.2 per cent as computed by the DGCA from data collected at Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai airports. By December 2015, the airline made a profit of `238.40 crore, revenues rose by 11.3 per cent, and expenses fell by 21.9 per Visit businesstraveller.com


MARKET SHARE: FIRST QUARTER OF 2016 (IN PERCENTAGE) Air India

Jet Airways

Go Air

Indigo

SpiceJet

AirAsia India

Vistara

Others

2.3

2

4

15.4

13

18.2

37 Source: DGCA Visit businesstraveller.com

8.1

cent. The biggest relief came in the beginning of 2016 when air turbine fuels (ATF) costs dropped by 29.5 per cent, which make up about 40 per cent of an airline’s operating cost. (On June 1, ATF price rose by 9.2 per cent.) If you have flown SpiceJet recently, the inflight announcement categorically acknowledges that despite having other choices available to you, you chose to fly with SpiceJet, and it thanks you for doing that. Recently the carrier launched SpiceLounge to which passengers can buy access (`600 for domestic and `1,200 for international passengers) for a maximum duration of two hours. This includes: a buffet, bar, hot shower (international departures only), a selection of local and international newspapers, computer kiosks and wifi. In Guwahati, Varanasi and Jaipur, SpiceLounge is available only in the domestic departure area, and Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi have separate lounges for domestic and international passengers. To keep passengers interested, SpiceClub, another add-on service that translates into free tickets is offered at `599. On recharging the SpiceClub card, one accumulates “additional usable credits which convert to usable currency [rupees] on the card.” Further, SpiceMax counters at airports upgrade tickets for `500-`1,000 (depending on route and aircraft) for extra legroom and free on-board meals. Being a budget carrier, its aircraft aren’t configured into classes, but have the first three rows, wing exit rows and emergency exit rows fixed with more legroom. Selection from remaining seats is free. Other add-ons are the self-explanatory “Bag Out First” for `100; and “Fly For Sure”, which for `299 guarantees you a flight within 24-hours of the airline rescheduling or cancelling your earlier booked flight. About the increased 20kg free check-in baggage allowance, SpiceJet has gone back to 15kg — passengers don’t need to be coaxed into flying with it anymore, and lighter aircraft means burning less fuel. While SpiceJet has a bevy of add-ons, GoAir, which is just six months younger, hasn’t felt the need to “improvise”. The GoBusiness seats on the first two rows are slightly more expensive, depending on the route, because you’re paying for one and a half seat. This means, GoBusiness seats (available on select rows) are either the aisle or window seats. The middle seat is not sold, thus allowing more elbow room in addition to extra legroom. GoAir has played cautiously since its launch, sticking to what it was meant to do — flying passengers from Point A to Point B with no frills attached. “We are not rushing to deliver marvellous results and then getting into trouble. Let’s grow step by step and be here for the next decade or so,” AUGUST 2016 27


Inside Aviation

Giorgio De Roni, ex-CEO, GoAir had told Economic Times in 2013 when quizzed about its slower growth rate in comparison to IndiGo. GoAir has been following the rules for operating an LCC to the last letter. It doesn’t allow seat selection during ticket purchase and online check-in. One must pay from `200-600 to get a seat of one’s choice. Middle seats are free. While others fly their aircraft for about 11 hours a day, GoAir uses its planes for 13 hours daily. This, Roni had termed as “asset sweating”, which has, evidently, proved to be a better utilisation of its fleet. Further, the no-frill airline whose passengers are predominantly males, has a large female crew, which it says is unintentional but helps keep the aircraft weight low. Measures to save fuel also include turning off one of the two engines when taxiing on the runway. 28 AUGUST 2016

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Clockwise from top left: A cockpit of an IndiGo aircraft; Airbus’ A320 aircraft; GoAir CEO, Wolfgang ProckSchauer accepts delivery of A320neo from Airbus’ EVP strategy and marketing, Kiran Rao (left); IndiGo celebrating its first A320neo Visit businesstraveller.com

In comparison to IndiGo and SpiceJet that fly to 36 and 42 domestic destinations respectively, GoAir flies to 22, and is taking its time to expand its route map. To abide by the government’s rule to fly a certain percentage to poorly connected tier II cities and towns, instead of deploying its own aircraft on what may be loss-making routes, GoAir has opted to buy seats from regional airlines flying to such airports. While its competitors fly to Gulf countries, GoAir’s focus has remained on the domestic market. Besides, it didn’t have permissions to fly internationally under the 5/20 rule, until only recently. The much debated 5/20 rule made it mandatory for airlines to fly domestically in India for five years and have a fleet strength of at least 20 aircraft before serving international routes. Mid-June this year, India’s Civil Aviation Ministry changed the 5/20 policy. While airlines don’t need to complete five years of domestic operations, they do need to deploy 20 per cent of fleet capacity to domestic routes or have a fleet size of 20 aircraft, whichever is higher. In 2012, GoAir had placed an order for 72 A320neo aircraft worth `32,400 crore, deliveries of which will be a game changer for the airline. It received its first A320neo in June, taking its fleet strength to 20 aircraft, enabling it to fly internationally. Last month it placed an order with Airbus for another 72 A320neo. At the time we went into print in July, GoAir had proposed, to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a list of cities with focus in Asia and the Middle East, as its first international destination. This would require many operational changes as its fleet consist of narrow-body aircraft, not suitable for long-haul flights served by wide-body aircraft.

In the meantime GoAir’s vision for the next five to seven years is to wax its presence with a wider network (focus remains on India), bigger passenger number, and more daily services. Perhaps a wider network and more services will boost GoAir’s market share that was last calculated by the DGCA at 8.1 per cent in May, due to a comparatively small fleet — IndiGo has 109 and SpiceJet has 34 aircraft. IndiGo is due to receive 430 more aircraft, all A320neo, in the coming years — the largest number of this model by any airline worldwide. It also holds the largest domestic aviation market share in India. The airline that began as a budget carrier in August 2006 remains the same to date with on-board services — in-flight meals are sold to passengers and there is no in-flight entertainment. As for what it does offer: by paying anything from `200-600, you can select a preferred seat at any time after purchase of the ticket. Online check-in is available 24 hours before flight departure, and seat selection is free during these 24 hours. IndiGo offers a single class of economy service that allows its aircraft to have the maximum seating capacity of 180. It holds same for IndiGo’s international flights too. Not having different cabin classes takes the load off the airline to provide special or added services for its “privileged” few. The airline continues to use the A320 with which it began operations — today its fleet size of 109 is made up of 105 A320 and four A320neo. Unlike most other airlines, IndiGo has maintained the practice of placing bulk orders with the aircraft manufacturer as it has proved to earn it a better deal. IndiGo says that using the same type of aircraft has not only helped keep expenses in check, but has also kept operations simple. “If you have two types of aircraft, you need to have different facilities for maintaining them and for training the crew.” Maintaining an average fleet age of a little over three years, ensures that much isn’t spent on maintaining ageing aircraft as they demand more attention than the younger ones. Further, the on-time performance (OTP) for IndiGo is much better than its contemporaries. DGCA collected data from Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai airports and reported IndiGo’s OTP for May 2016 as 83.1 per cent. SpiceJet and GoAir (excluding Hyderabad airport) showed 79.2 per cent and 75.7 per cent OTP respectively. AirAsia India reported the highest OTP at 90.2 per cent, but its result doesn’t include data from Hyderabad and Mumbai airports.

NEWBIES Part owned by Tata Sons that is in a joint venture AUGUST 2016 29


Inside Aviation

Top and bottom: AirAsia India’s route map; Vistara’s lounge at the Delhi airport 30 AUGUST 2016

with Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia, budget airline AirAsia India is the newest entrant to join the LCC players in June 2014. Its focus is on offering affordable travel, which is emphasised in its tag line “Everybody can fly”. True to the nature of a low cost carrier, AirAsia India offers nothing other than the very basics of flying to its customers. The option for seat selection at the time of booking or during online check-in is offered from `100-800. Meals are sold on-board, but a hot meal can be prebooked when buying tickets for an additional price, depending on what’s been selected. AirAsia’s add-on is the Premium Flex package that falls between `1,500 and `2,500, depending on the sector. Included are: baggage allowance of 20kg, free seat selection, express boarding, extra legroom, a hot meal that otherwise needs to be purchased, and flexibility in travel plans wherein a ticket holder can make up to two changes in flight schedule without an additional cancellation fee. This saves the traveller `3,000 as each cancellation costs `1,500. The package is probably more suitable for a traveller whose plans aren’t definite and whose flight duration is two hours or more. The other Tata Sons joint venture, with Singapore Airlines is Vistara. It launched as a full-service carrier and flew its inaugural flight in January 2015. When asked how the airline plans to compete against India’s trending budget airlines, Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO, Vistara says, “India is yet to witness a real full service airline and we are here to set new industry benchmarks, both in terms of service and operational excellence. We have introduced many firsts in our offerings, which include being the first to introduce premium economy in India.” Just under four months into its launch, the fullservice carrier also announced that inflight wireless streaming will be available on-board. It is yet to launch the IFE service though. This will be the first attempt after Kingfisher Airlines to offer IFE across all cabin classes. While the budget airlines have shown more than 90 per cent occupancy for extra legroom seats, Vistara finds that premium economy is not a loss-making cabin for them. Yeoh says, “I think we have hit a sweet spot. There are a lot of economy passengers who want to be treated differently, treasure personalised service and are ready to pay extra for that service.” Vistara’s 11 aircraft have 24 premium economy seats, in addition to eight business class and 126 economy class seats. Economy class passengers not willing to pay more than 60 per cent for a business class seat, may consider a 20-30 per cent (on an Visit businesstraveller.com


average) more expensive premium economy for facilities such as priority check-in, bigger seats, and five kilos extra free check-in baggage allowance than the standard 15kg. Business class passengers additionally have wider on-board meal options, Samsung tablets with preloaded content for its IFE, 30kg free check-in baggage allowance and lounge access (currently the only lounge is at Delhi airport). Unlike its budget contemporaries, Vistara is looking to expand rapidly into India and offer “better facilities” as an added attraction. In its press release announcement in March, Vistara said that it was working on increasing its weekly flight operations by 25 per cent. From then to now it has added five more cities to its route map taking the total to 17 destinations. Plans for rejigging operations came when Vistara’s passenger load factor (PLF) as per DGCA reports for the last quarter of 2015 was 64 per cent, the lowest of them all. Low frequencies, fewer destinations and cabin configuration were reasons for low passenger traffic. As Vistara’s network grew, in May the PLF leapt to 80.1 per cent, close to Air India (84.7 per cent) and Jet Airways (82.6 per cent). To further help in its expansion, the carrier is awaiting delivery of two A320 and seven A320neo so it can continue to add services between new and existing destinations, and increase frequency on existing routes. Vistara says: “By June 2018 [with the new deliveries], we will have a fleet of 20 Airbus aircraft including seven A320neo.” This would also qualify the airline to fly internationally. Under the 5/20 rule, and with Airbus working on completing deliveries of 520 aircraft to its Indian PENDING ORDERS FROM AIRBUS IndiGo: 430 A320neo GoAir: 144 A320neo Vistara: two A320 and seven A320neo

customers, India may soon see Vistara and GoAir join Jet Airways, Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo in international skies. As for AirAsia India, we do know that it wishes to fly international as it was one of the carriers that strongly argued against the 5/20 rule that has now been amended to 0/20. Until then, it has a long wait with a fleet of six A320 aircraft flying to ten Indian cities. In the next couple of years, we may see more competition in the sky amongst Indian budget carriers, making international travel now a reality to India’s new middle class. ■ Visit businesstraveller.com

AIR INDIA LOOKS UP The national carrier has been making losses since a few years until Mahesh Sharma came on-board as the minister of state for civil aviation in 2014. He lists a number of factors that has put Air India in the red: interest cost and airport charges, increasing competition, available choice of budget carriers, and depreciation of the Indian rupee. Being asked to fly loss-making routes as part of the “Connect India” programme, could be an added factor. In a letter to the Lok Sabha in April, he wrote that Air India is likely to suffer a total net loss of `2,636 crore in this financial year. It is half of what it suffered in the last financial year — `5,859.91 crore. He went on to state that the airline is expected to earn a “modest operating profit” too, a first since the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines in 2007 that operated separately as international and domestic airlines respectively. Air India’s new success can be partly due to the earlier drop in fuel prices to begin with, and the membership with Star Alliance (SA) that has helped keep its quality of practice in check. Besides, frequent fliers of SA are more likely to fly member airlines for connections and mileage, all working in the benefit of Air India. The airline has also replaced some of its old aircraft with newer ones. And lastly, the Finance Ministry’s equity infusion of `30,231 crore up to 2021 in Air India, against certain conditions and goals set out for the airline, adds to cushioning its losses. Sharma’s plans to turn the airline around with new uniforms, better customer service, more routes and increased services look, as of now, promising for Air India’s future. Air India also operates a low cost subsidiary — Air India Express that launched in 2005. It mainly operates from South India to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

AUGUST 2016 31


Flight connections

Down to the wire

As the competition for transfer traffic at airports becomes fiercer, minimum connecting times for passengers are being eroded, says Alex McWhirter

32 AUGUST 2016

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T

he subject of minimum connecting times is one that is endlessly discussed by frequent flyers. Just what does the minimum connecting time (MCT) mean when transferring between flights? Most people assume that it’s the standard connecting time and that they have no need to worry. They also assume, wrongly in many cases, that if their flight is late the connection will wait. Some believe it’s the time you need to allow when changing planes, even if you are travelling with separate tickets. Others think that it’s the guaranteed connecting time and should their connection be missed, they can blame the airline. In fact, all four assumptions are incorrect. According to trade body IATA’s definition: “A minimum connecting time interval is the shortest time interval required to transfer a passenger and his/her luggage from one flight to a connecting flight. MCT intervals are also referred to as ‘official’ or ‘standard’ MCTs.” It adds: “MCTs must be observed by all ticketing and reservation outlets worldwide and also are used as input for automated reservation systems.” However, airlines are free to deviate from MCTs in a given airport if necessary, it says. All well and good. So why do missed connections and delayed luggage problems occur from time to time? It’s because MCTs are devised for optimal travel conditions, so the unexpected can cause a lot of disruption.

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Our online forum (businesstraveller.com) has seen much debate about the best and worst airports for connections. Much will depend on individual experience, but what comes through clearly is that when bad weather slows down an airport’s operations and causes delays to flights, the knock-on effect can result in tens of thousands of passengers missing their connections. So why can’t airlines and airports extend their MCTs to allow for weather, operational delays and so on? It’s a sensible question but, sadly, something that is unlikely to happen as carriers, airline alliances, hub airports and regions compete aggressively for traffic. When competition was less fierce, transfer carriers such as KLM or Swiss would time their connections so that passengers had longer gaps between flights. But today, airports and airlines want to offer the speediest connections and shortest overall journey times. London Heathrow is a Oneworld hub so it will compete against Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle (both Skyteam) and Frankfurt (Star Alliance). Having short MCTs means airports and airlines can offer passengers the shortest flight routings, and gain a better position on airline websites and GDS systems, such as Amadeus and Galileo. MCTs can therefore be considered a marketing tool in the battle for passengers. There’s another reason, too. Previously, it was European airports competing against one another. Now it’s Europe against the Gulf. Hubs such as Abu

AUGUST 2016 33


Flight connections

No airline or airport could ever guarantee a connection – aviation is too uncertain for that Dhabi, Doha and Dubai are attracting more and more of the long-haul passengers that Europe, not so long ago, would have considered its birthright. It means Europe wants to offer speedy transfers to Indian travellers flying between Delhi and North America, to Chinese nationals en route from Beijing to Latin America or Africa and to passengers from South East Asia going between Singapore or Bangkok and the US East Coast. But recent years have seen Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways become more established in these regions. As a result, MCTs are being reduced to the bare minimum. In the most extreme cases, the margin for delays is just a few minutes. It is true that within Europe, airlines pad schedules to allow for setbacks. For example, a London-Paris flight time (terminal to terminal) 35 years ago was 50 minutes, whereas today it can be 90 minutes. But air travel is so unpredictable that allowing extra time is not always the solution. Airports say they sit down with their airline customers and work out feasible MCTs. Many have connection guides for passengers on their websites. Many airlines will have similar advice, too. But no airline or airport could ever guarantee a connection – aviation is too uncertain for that. Some years back, two readers flew business class

34 AUGUST 2016

Chicago-London-Lyon with BA and had a one-hour connection. Their flight pulled up at Heathrow T5’s pier five minutes early, but the connection was still missed as a systems glitch at the Chicago check-in meant they had been unable to obtain their LondonLyon boarding pass. In these cases, BA staff are supposed to meet passengers at the gate with their passes, but on this occasion, they failed to turn up. BA says: “We always recommend leaving sufficient time when connecting between flights. We provide our customers with connecting time information on ba.com to help plan their journeys. We keep this information under review and listen to feedback from our customers.” Vienna airport boasts a 25-minute MCT for Star Alliance carriers. That’s achievable when things run well but not otherwise. Business Traveller forum contributor Tramor01 used this short MCT in 2014 when flying with Austrian Airlines from London to Bangkok via Vienna. The connection had run smoothly on three previous occasions but this time, it failed and he was forced to stay in an airport hotel and be re-routed with Star Alliance carriers the following day via Frankfurt. Austrian continues to offer a tight, 30-minute connection for its LondonVienna-Bangkok flights. It should also be pointed out that the hubs of

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WHY MCTs VARY

Timings depend on factors such as: ■ Whether you are using the same carrier or alliance when connecting ■ Airport size and layout ■ Whether you have to change terminals ■ Connecting to a flight where additional security checks may be necessary ■ Domestic-international connections ■ Arriving in the US and facing customs and immigration delays

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have all come under pressure, mostly from the sheer weight of traffic, although bad weather, most commonly fog, can cause delays. Qatar now enjoys a new hub in the form of Hamad International. Although Dubai has the new Al Maktoum International airport to look forward to, there are no immediate plans for Emirates to move its operations there, while Etihad is waiting for its new Midfield Terminal to open in 2017. The Middle Eastern hubs do have advantages, however. Unlike their European counterparts,

If you are using separate tickets, allow extended connecting times of several hours to be on the safe side they have fewer short-haul flights connecting with long-haul services. The long-haul flights have more opportunity to regain time en route should they suffer a delay on departure and, in addition, the Gulf hubs are open 24 hours. On a final note, if you are using separate tickets, allow extended connecting times of several hours to be on the safe side. (Remember that with separate tickets an airline is not obliged to through-check you or your luggage, so you may have to clear Customs or security and check in again.) With low-cost carriers you have no alternative because they do not interline. ■

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AUGUST 2016 35


Hotels Asia

The Big Valerian Ho rounds up 15 new properties to check out in Asia

1

SOFITEL SINGAPORE CITY CENTRE

Opening: late 2016 This 223-room property is part of the Tanjong Pagar Centre, which will include the city-state’s tallest building at 290 metres, and an “urban park” with a capacity of 2,000 delegates. sofitel.com

2

INTERCONTINENTAL BEIJING SANLITUN

Opening: September 2016

The food and drink offering at the 303-room property will include Chinese, Japanese and tapas restaurants, plus a bar specialising in whisky and beer. The Sanlitun district itself is full of dining and drinking venues. ihg.com 36 AUGUST 2016

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W GOA

3

Opening: September 2016

This 21-acre property will be located on Vagator Beach in North Goa. The hotel will have 160 guest rooms, suites and villas. The usual W offerings will be included, such as a WET pool, AWAY spa and interesting F&B options. w-goa.com

TAJ MEGHAULI SERAI NEPAL

4

Opened: April 2016

The Chitwan National Park in the Terai region of Nepal’s lowlands, is now home to this luxury safari Lodge. The Meghauli Serai Jungle Lodge includes 13 Meghauli Rooms, 16 Rapti Villas and the famed Presidential suite facing the Rapti river. Must-do activities include the Jeep safari, canoeing and interacting with the elephants. tajhotels.com

GRAND MERCURE MYSURU

Opened: March 2016 Situated on the New Sayyaji Rao Road, the Grand Mercure Mysuru is located in the heart of the city, minutes away from Brindavan Gardens and Mysuru Palace. The 146-room property houses a swimming pool, two restaurants, one bar, a rooftop terrace and a 24-hour fitness centre. accorhotels.com

5

Left: W Goa; Taj Meghauli Serai Nepal Above: Grand Hyatt Chengdu Visit businesstraveller.com

6

SHANGRI-LA AT THE FORT, MANILA

Opened: March 2016

The 576-room hotel is housed in a mixed-use complex that includes Kerry Sports Manila, offering more than 8,000 sqm of fitness facilities across two floors. shangri-la.com

GRAND HYATT CHENGDU

Opened: February 2016 Inspired by the great French mansions of the past, situated on the tenth to 39th floors of the Chicony Square building, the Grand Hyatt Chengdu features a floral theme throughout, most notably in its several tranquil gardens, which reflect the four seasons through carefully selected plants with colours depicting spring, summer, autumn and winter. An open garden, Putao, on the 15th floor is a lovely place to relax, while the Maze Garden on the terrace is a romantic location surrounded by tall, verdant plants.

7

grand.hyatt.com

PARK HYATT GUANGZHOU

Opened: December 2015 Located in Zhujiang New Town, next to the Pearl River, this 208-room hotel has a 25-metre pool

8

AUGUST 2016 37


Hotels Asia

and spa. The 70th-floor bar – the highest in the city – offers classic cocktails, vintage wines and champagnes along with live entertainment.

houses one of the largest ballrooms of the NCR region. The hotel also has a health club and an outdoor pool. novotel.com

park.hyatt.com

THE ST REGIS MUMBAI

NOVOTEL NEW DELHI AEROCITY Clockwise from top left: Grand Mercure Mysuru; Hilton Tokyo Odaiba; Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru; Ritz-Carlton Macau 38 AUGUST 2016

9

Opened: November 2015

Well-located for Indira Gandhi International airport, the 250-room Novotel is a nine-minute walk to the Aerocity metro station. The 250-room property features 11 meeting rooms, five boardrooms and

Opened: November 2015. The country’s tallest hotel tower, at 39 storeys, this 395-room property offers superb views over the city and Arabian Sea. It features some discerning F&B offerings including By The Mekong, Yuuka and Seven Kitchens. It is also a preferred property for events

10

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13

SHANGRI-LA HOTEL BENGALURU

Opened: September 2015 Situated between the CBD and residential suburbs, this luxury property offers 397 rooms, including 30 suites swathed in shades of gold, plum and green. Its meeting and function spaces are spread over two levels, and the 739 sqm grand ballroom is one of the largest in the city. A hotel representative meets guests at the airport to help ensure a smooth arrival. There are also eight dining options and a rooftop bar. shangri-la.com

RITZ-CARLTON MACAU

Opened: May 2015 This luxury all-suite hotel is part of the Galaxy Macau development, an integrated resort offering premium shopping, fine dining, a 3D cinema complex, casino, spa, swimming pools and meeting spaces. The property’s 239 suites are located on the top floors of the resort. The design incorporates Azulejo tiles, a form of Iberian ceramic synonymous with the décor found in Macau’s heritage buildings. Hotel facilities include two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor pool, an ESPA health club, as well as a 750 sqm ballroom and meeting spaces. ritzcarlton.com

14

since it houses 3,900 sqm of meetings space across 13 rooms. starwoodhotels.com/stregis

ZONE BY THE PARK CHENNAI

Opened: November 2015 Zone by the Park is Indian group, Park Hotels’ midmarket brand. Located in the Chennai ORR (outer ring road) area, the 40-room hotel has an open-plan lobby with a restaurant, free wifi and work pods. Rooms have flatscreen TVs and desks, and there’s a rooftop pool. zonebythepark.com

11

HILTON TOKYO ODAIBA

Opened: October 2015 This property is located in Odaiba, a popular waterfront district built on an artificial island facing central Tokyo. Its 453 guest-rooms include 17 suites with private balconies, most offering views of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge. The Royal Garden Room features a jet bath, grand piano, bar and private garden. There’s also a ballroom and spa. hilton.com

12

Top and bottom: Fairmont Jakarta; The St Regis Mumbai Visit businesstraveller.com

FAIRMONT JAKARTA

Opened: January 2015 The 380-room Fairmont has one of the largest hotel lobbies in the city, with three separate entrances. It also features 3,500 sqm of meeting space, including a 1,200-sqm ballroom. The 22nd-floor K22 bar offers panoramic views, and there are Indonesian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants. Located in the Senayan district, the hotel is close to the Jakarta Convention Centre and the Indonesian Stock Exchange, and linked to the Plaza Senayan shopping and office complex.

15

fairmont.com AUGUST 2016 39


MICE In Hyderabad

40 AUGUST 2016

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Conventions Central The business of MICE booms in Hyderabad, finds Akanksha Maker

T

he inception of the state of “Telangana” completed its second anniversary on June 2. This also marked the end of one the most long-lasting movements of the people of South India, the Telangana movement that resulted in the truncation of Telangana from its original state of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad, the current shared capital of the two states will remain so for no more than ten years. There was a sense of celebration in the air, as I arrived at the ultra-

accompanied by a brief rainfall and the scurry of denizens who were happy to welcome a downpour after two years. Crossing the mighty Google office, that is its largest Indian campus, we made our way to HITEC City (Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy City) that houses headquarters of bigwigs such as Facebook, Microsoft and Tech Mahindra. Home to around 1,300 IT firms and the maximum number of SEZs (special economic zones) in any Indian city, Hyderabad finds base for

modern Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on this momentous date. Purple and pink lights embellished maps of the new state that were proudly displayed. Indeed, a fascinating day to be here, I thought to myself, as we drove past the Express Highway towards the Jawaharlal Nehru Outer Ring Road. The city is an interesting mix of technology and culture. Telangana’s rich heritage infuses immense patriotism in the people of the region, especially post the bifurcation. Our drive into the city was Visit businesstraveller.com

giants such as Apple, Amazon and IBM as well. Along with being the Information Technology hub of the country, Hyderabad is also regarded as one of the foremost convention destinations of India (it lags behind Delhi). My visit to Hyderabad was dedicated to delving into this title. And as luck would have it, Left to right: Hyderabad International Convention Centre exterior and interior AUGUST 2016 41

NOVOTEL HYDERABAD CONVENTION CENTRE

“The provision of the Convention Centre and hotel in one location has made it the hub for MICE and business travellers”


MICE In Hyderabad

Top to bottom: Pillar-less hall of HICC; Banquet Class meeting room of HICC; Cyber Towers at HITEC City 42 AUGUST 2016

I was welcomed at the joint properties of Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) amidst festivities commemorating the “Telangana State Formation Day”. Government officials thronged in with their families to be a part of the celebration that was underway at HICC. The sheer scale of the event in progress was overwhelming, and I was told that this wasn’t even the Convention Centre in all its glory. Its sprawling 6,480 sqm pillar-less hall can be partitioned into six smaller halls, and is equipped with a 16-feet built-in rear projection screen. The Convention Centre also boasts of 37 meeting rooms, boardrooms, VIP lounges, 16 registration terminals, speaker preparatory rooms, state-of-the-art sound

systems, translation booths and a balcony area that projects additional seating. After a tour of the massive HICC, we sat down at the hotel’s café, Le Café, for some insight from Gorav Arora, director, sales and marketing at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre over coffee. He took us back to 2004 in South Korea, when the Asian Development Bank announced that its 39th conference would be held in Asia. The Indian government was keen to host it in the country, but lacked a space that could accommodate a conference of about 3,000 delegates. “The former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, handed over the responsibility to former Chief Minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu to build a convention facility in the city. A public-private partnership between the government (minor share) and Dubai-based Emaar Properties (major share) was formed to build this ambitious project.” Fast forward to two years later, the two entities HICC and Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre unveiled together as a solid combination that was ready to welcome global conventions. The property is managed by AccorHotels and spearheaded by its General Manager, Neil Paterson, whose two decades worth of experience in hospitality adds significant value to HICC and inbound MICE travel. “Together the hotel and the Convention Centre form an important spoke in the progressing wheel of Brand Hyderabad,” says Paterson. “The provision of the Convention Centre and hotel in one location has made it the hub for MICE and business travellers. The city hosted 18 prestigious meetings in 2014. The significant contribution of HICC is highlighted by the fact that 13 of these 18 meetings were hosted here. Over the past two months, HICC has hosted and managed two international events, six medical conferences and several larger corporate gatherings catering up to 9,000 delegates,” he adds. Being the largest and the most technologically advanced convention venue in not just Hyderabad, but all of India, HICC hosts around 800 conferences each year that range from international and national conferences, to association conventions and social Visit businesstraveller.com


gatherings. Events at HICC are also associated with the proximally located HITEX Exhibition Center that hosts outdoor corporate exhibitions and tradeshows. The facility spread across 100 acres works in tangent with HICC to offer a complete package to corporate managers. The 5-star property, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre further adds an advantage of hospitality for residential events. A convention centre, an exhibition centre and a fivestar hotel all in the premises of HITEC City is an unparalleled offering that isn’t available anywhere else in the country. The influx of inbound MICE travel can be credited to the joint efforts by Hyderabad Convention Visitors Bureau (HCVB), HICC and Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport along with other hotels and convention centres. It is interesting to note that Hyderabad is the only city in India to have its own convention bureau. “The Bureau was born out of a vast study conducted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) that gauged all its resources from the global MICE industry data and other variables and pointed out that the city (Hyderabad) is poised to account for a much larger share of the MICE industry,” says Gary Khan, CEO of HCVB. “The Bureau was formed in April 2011 by a troika of three mega entities — Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport and the state government. The innovative thinking and far-sightedness of the above mentioned “big three” rendered the formation of the only local convention bureau in the country. The sole philosophy of the Bureau is ‘Taking Hyderabad to the world and bringing the world to Hyderabad’.” The easy accessibility to Hyderabad from the rest of India and South East Asia is one reason why it’s such a viable MICE destination. Khan adds, “Not only does the City of Pearls (Hyderabad was historically known as the pearl and diamond trading centre) have the best airport in India and central Asia (titled by SkyTrax) but it also has the biggest state-ofthe-art Convention Centre in India (HICC).” Hyderabad’s reachability, along with its rich culture, a plethora of international and homegrown hotels, a versatile culinary scene and modern infrastructure make it an attractive destination for conventions. When the Bureau pitches for conventions, it’s not just the convention centres but the entire city that is promoted as a complete offering. Paterson explains how they compete with other international cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Sharjah and Doha. “We spend a lot of time and money to sell all those other things, be it tourism, shopping or culture that Hyderabad has to offer. Over the last few years, we hosted more international conventions than Visit businesstraveller.com

Mumbai and Bengaluru, because of the infrastructure we have got, cooperative approach and because we know where to go to get this business. In India, we are only behind Delhi, which has an advantage of having the headquarters of a large number of national associations that host their international counterparts. There is no reason why Hyderabad cannot be in the top 50 destinations of the world if we continue to market ourselves well.” It’s safe to say that the entire city experiences the macro financial outcome of conventions and not just the hotels and convention centres. When a MICE movement takes place, a number of participating players economically gain from their visit. This experience entails expenses on airfare, tourism, restaurants, accommodation and retail. As a ratio, if the hotel (and convention centre) earns `1, the city in totality earns `20 — indirectly benefiting the economy of Hyderabad. There is no doubt that inbound MICE travel is becoming growingly important in India, and Hyderabad pilots the way for this industry. Paterson adds, “Industry predictions indicate that the MICE sector is on an upward trend. Recovering after the recession, the MICE market is now springing back, stronger than ever. The demand for meetings is on the rise and though companies are not splurging, luxury venues are not being ruled out either. Infrastructure development and India becoming an attractive business destination, have created opportunities for hotels to develop their MICE offerings and match the standards set by their global counterparts. Over the years, Hyderabad has emerged as the convention capital of India. Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) and Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) have helped promote the MICE business in the country, and the fact that among all the significant events that the city has hosted, most of them were conducted here at HICC, and this has helped cement Hyderabad’s status as India’s favoured MICE destination. The future looks strong! n OTHER CONVENTION CENTRES IN HYDERABAD Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre Size of convention centre: 2,809 sqm Tank Bund Road, Opposite Hussain Sagar Lake; marriott.com JRC Conventions & Trade Fairs Size of convention centre: 4,214 sqm Survey No-4, Narne Road, Film Nagar, Adjacent to Whisper Valley, Jubilee Hills; jrcconventions.com RD Convention Centra Size of convention centre: 3,809 sqm Kompally, Hyderabad; rdconventioncentre.com

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MICE In Hyderabad

SITES TO VISIT

Clockwise from top: Buddha Statue of Hyderabad; Charminar; Qutb Shahi Tombs; Taj Falaknuma Palace 44 AUGUST 2016

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GETTING AROUND The underway Hyderabad Metro Rail project will be operational by 2017, connecting 66 stations across three lines. Prebook using Ola Cabs, Uber or TaxiForSure, unless the iconic rickshaws tempt your adventurous streak. Make sure you are charged by the meter.

WHERE TO EAT Food is taken very seriously in this part of India. While Hyderabad has always been known for its traditional cuisine that was developed by the muslims during the rule of the Nizams (governors) of the princely state, it has today turned into a modern metropolis that boasts of all kinds of specialised cuisines. Popular restaurant chains such as Mamagoto (pan-Asian cuisine; Banjara Hills; mamagoto. in), SodaBottleOpenerWala (Irani cuisine; Jubilee Hills) and Glocal Junction (Indian fusion cuisine; Jubilee Hills) have popped up in the last six months. The city is also known for its “drive-ins” that house stalls of multiple restaurants in the same space. A few noteworthy ones that serve food beyond midnight are Syala drive-in (Jubilee Hills), District drive-in (Vittal Rao Nagar) and Suburb drive-in (Green Hills Road). These are particularly famous for their takeaway style dining concept that has picked up in the city. Hyderabad also has an upcoming cafe culture and boasts of home-grown patisseries that exude an old-world charm. Pick between Conçu (Jubilee Hills), Eclaire (Banjara Hills) or The Gallery Cafe (Banjara Hills) for an informal evening over coffee and cake. For a break from all the modernity, head to Cafe Niloufer & Bakers (Red Hills) to bite into their traditional Osmania biscuits, that are dubbed so after the last ruler of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, along with its caramelised Irani chai. For some indulgence, Taj Falaknuma Palace’s Adaa features an exotic Chef’s Choice set menu and for some good old Hyderabadi biryani, head to either Ulavacharu (Jubilee Hills) or Ananda (Banjara Hills).

about 10km from the Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station. With five restaurants, a Hookah lounge, Taj’s signature Jiva Spa, swimming pool and a library, it boasts of numerous leisure facilities. Complimentary unlimited wifi is provided in the rooms for up-to two devices. tajhotels.com Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre Connected to Hyderabad International Convention Centre and a 45-minute driving distance to the city’s international airport, the

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre is a prominent property, especially known for its large-scaled corporate events. Its 287 rooms range as: Superior rooms, Junior suites, Executive suites and Deluxe suites. Complimentary unlimited internet, a 24-hour gym, two restaurants, one bar and a business friendly location (it’s close to Gachibowli Financial District) make it the ideal property for the frequent corporate traveller. novotelhyderabad.com Park Hyatt Hyderabad With 185 rooms, 24 suites and 43 serviced apartments — the hotel offers the business traveller a secretarial service,

WHERE TO STAY Taj Falaknuma Palace Taj Falaknuma Palace is set in a restored 19th century palace. The hotel resonates with luxury with a large staircase, grand fountains, and Venetian chandeliers. Its magnificent ballroom also hosts discerning corporate events. The room categories are: Luxury rooms, Palace rooms, Historical rooms, Royal suites, Grand Royal suites and a Grand Presidential suite. It is conveniently located at about 3km from the Charminar and

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foreign exchange facility, 24-hour laundry service, valet parking, 24-hour gym along with the finest in-room amenities. Long-stay corporate travellers can choose to stay at the serviced apartments equipped with facilities designed to offer a very homely experience. Situated in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Banjara Hills, Park Hyatt is about 10km from HITEC City, the IT hub of the city. The hotel also houses a spa, a temperature-controlled swimming pool, salon services, three restaurants, two bars. Park Hyatt has an extensive meetings and events space that is hired for weddings and corporate affairs frequently. hyderabad.park.hyatt.com

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Spotlight On Pune

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Magnetic Metropolis U

Pictured: A Pune University building Visit businesstraveller.com

p until two decades ago, Baner was underdeveloped and on the outskirts of Pune. Now with the number of shops, cafes, colleges and housing societies on either side of the main road, it is hard to believe that life here sprouted up only recently. Chances are, the growth is a result of the educational institutes that have come up in the last 20-30 years, in and around the area. Most colleges in the vicinity are affiliated with Pune University (or Savitribai Phule Pune University), which is a 15-minute driving distance at the most from Baner. Pune University, one of the first in the city, ranks amongst the top ten in the country. Internationally, Times Higher Education (THE), a UK-based global database on the education industry, positioned it at 16 under the “World’s Best Small Universities Ranking 2016”. Pune University has 612 affiliated colleges, of which 368 are in the city alone. Founded in 1949, it is because of the evident growth in the number of its academic and research institutes that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru dubbed the whole city as the Oxford of the East. Pune’s expansion began from there. Riding on the city’s popularity with young learners, MIT Group of Institutions, another affiliation (for select colleges) of Pune University, has founded India’s first accelerator exclusively for edtech startups — Edugild. It sees the edtech industry in India as a US$40 billion opportunity and Pune as its suitable base. “Pune is a stone’s throw from Mumbai, where all the High Networth Individuals (HNI), Angel Networks, Private Equity institutional investors and social impact foundations are present,” says Rishi Kapal, chief executive, author and transition management specialist of Edugild. “Most of these institutions have started considering a presence in Pune. Alongside, with high profile institutes, we also

have consultancy firms and data-sharing platforms for HNIs and companies such as GREX, Kaizen, Sterlite Fund, bringing senior leadership to Pune. Other investors like Indian Angels, Mumbai Angels, ah! Ventures and USF travel into Pune, which makes the approach to funds easier.” During the 16-week mentorship at Edugild that is based out of the MIT campus, shortlisted participants enrol themselves in interactive workshops, connect with industry experts, beta test their product/ solution, learn how to calculate risks associated with their innovation, and meet with potential investors. On pushing for an answer to why Pune, and not India’s startup capital Bengaluru, was chosen as the base for Edugild, Kapal responds, “Bangalore (sic) has got too much too soon and competition fragments the availability of resources, business opportunities, investor relations and marketing/PR. Pune still has more demand than supply and hence will be fast-tracked more than Bangalore’s edtech ecosystem.” He goes on to say that since MIT is based in Pune, the city is an obvious choice for Edugild. The influx of academic institutions in and around Pune are not only viable business opportunities for edtech startups, but also make the city a rich source of research. In addition to the locals and Indians from other states, especially North India, Pune receives thousands of international students annually, mainly from Africa and the western parts of Asia, amongst other countries. “Each year, more than 900 international students from 85 countries enrol themselves in Symbiosis. They come from all over: Zambia, Syria, Palestine, Bhutan, Bahrain,” says Amruta Ruikar, executive — International Promotions and International Students Relations at Symbiosis Centre for International Education. It’s not that Pune offers a specialised course to attract the student crowd. “Their [international students’] AUGUST 2016 47

SHUTTERSTOCK

Pune is attractive to indirect foreign investors in the form of students, working expats, and spiritual tourists. Neha Gupta Kapoor talks about what adds to the city’s appeal


Spotlight On Pune

Top and bottom: Osho International Meditation Resort; an aerial view of Pune 48 AUGUST 2016

choice of subjects is vast: management, computer studies, engineering, nursing, medical technology, law, agri business management, economics, banking finance, international business.” And this is just at one of the many institutes in the scholastic conurbation on the Deccan plateau. In fact, as if to punctuate Pune’s status as a student city, the D Y Patil Vidyapeeth University dramatically emerges into view as you approach Pune from the expressway that connects to Mumbai. It is another one of India’s deemed universities in the city that offers a large bouquet of specialised courses. “Education is cheaper here than in the UK or the USA with as good quality of education. It is also

better than in most other Indian cities, and on the international level, better than in some countries too,” a Nigerian national and a student of D Y Patil tells me as we enter into a conversation at one of Pune’s many coffee shops. Besides having multiple choices of colleges and universities, Pune has other qualities too that appeal to students. This is apparent from the number of street-food vendors who find it lucrative to line the footpaths of Senapati Bapat and other such roads within proximity to colleges. Their customer base is largely under-grad and post-grad students who relish lunches at `20 to `25 on an average, earning the roadside-chefs roughly `1,500 a day. The bigger, yet humble eateries are small coffee shops and fast-food joints with about six tables for groups of four, occupied, again, mostly by these students. Further, distances in Pune are short, which translates into affordable local transport — autorickshaws whose meters start at `22. The journey from one end of Baner to the other in Koregaon Park is a little over an hour and costs about `250 during peak hours. As real estate is only now starting to boom, land prices aren’t soaring just yet. Plenty of inexpensive options to rent on a sharing basis, as well as paying-guest accommodation are easily available. Perhaps this is why, as Ruikar states: “Even though we offer hostel facilities to international students, they prefer staying on their own.” Word of mouth and social media supply enough information on accommodation for the youth. Not just students, these reasonable rates please the working expats too or the multinationals who bring them to the city. Pune has been welcoming them for a while now. Some are returning students and others are here on a job transfer or to start a new job. Engineering and chemical industries are booming in Pune. Tata Motors of the Tata Group is the oldest and largest company there. Mercedes Benz Pune is one of the best units of Daimler World globally. India’s `20,200 crore forging industry is encouraged by the Pune-based Association of Indian Forging Industry. German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp also has its Indian head office in Pune. The city’s IT industry is evaluated at US$10 billion and employs more than two lakh people annually across 2,000 companies. And finally, medical tourism is beginning to flourish with international standards of treatments at affordable prices in world-class hospitals. Loveena Leonardo, founder of housing brokerage firm Everything Expats says, “As far as I know, about 20 expats easily enter Pune each month. And this is only an estimate figure of which I’m aware. There could be more.” Her firm works with employees of multinational companies who have got transferred Visit businesstraveller.com


to the city. “I find that most come to Pune with an open mind,” adds Leonardo. “Plus, Pune has a good nightlife and there is enough to do here in the evenings.” Recreational resources in this once industrial city has burgeoned rather quickly with multiple-brand malls, cinema halls, pubs and mid-range to fine dining restaurants and lounge bars — all of which began to percolate into Pune around the mid-‘90s. Leonardo says, “As an expat myself, I can easily say that the city is now diverse enough to cater to the needs of different groups and budgets.” Sure enough, to name a few, there are The Burger Barn Cafe for greasy American food (`700 for two; open 11am-11pm; Sanas Corner, Lane No. 5, Koregaon Park), Mahlzeit - Berlin Street Food for the meat-lovers (`1,200 for two; open 12pm3pm and 6pm-10:30pm; malzeitindia.com), and Brazil’s favourite cachaca cocktails at Boteco for a fun evening (`2,000 for two, open 6pm-11:30pm; facebook.com/BotecoIndia). This diversity is also a manifestation of the third segment of migrants who flock to Pune, dozens from the west on a daily basis who have a strong spiritual side or are intrigued by the idea of it. The cause of this is Osho International Meditation Resort (OIMR) in Koregaon Park. OIMR has been in existence since 1974 when spiritual guru Osho or Acharya Rajneesh bought six acres of land, in this once quiet neighbourhood, to hold discourses. His death in 1990 moved Osho’s followers to transform the space into a meditation resort where visitors can participate in various programmes and learn more about his philosophies. “Last year people who visited us had arrived from 119 countries,” says Amrit Sadhana, member of the OIMR management team. “The highest number of visitors are usually from Germany, USA, Russia, China, UK and Italy.” Not just overseas visitors, but Pune’s expats, Sadhana says, also visit often, as do locals and Indians from other parts of the country. “We offer a special weekend meditation programme for Pune-based workers and for those from across India, which is very popular.” In a month, OIMR receives about a thousand visitors who check into the resort. Walk down the main Koregaon Park road and you will see a number of Osho followers in their trademark maroon robes roaming about. Through them, locals have found a means of earning by selling rubber-sole slippers made from dry straw

“As far as I know, about 20 expats easily enter Pune each month. And this is only an estimate figure of which I’m aware. There could be more.”

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with velvet straps. Popular amongst Osho visitors and informally termed as “Osho Slippers”, they are a cheap fashion statement for students too. Being a small city, this community is easily recognised in Pune, and many cafes in the area have tried to tweak their recipes to match European taste buds. Acknowledging the volume of foreigners entering the city, and the demand from industries for better connectivity, Pune airport plans to expand its operations worldwide — either by adding more international routes or by increasing services to more airport hubs. The airport has two runways, and only one is available to Airports Authority of India. It manages 70 take-offs and landings a day and Boeing 747-800 is the largest aircraft it can handle. “It’s a civil enclave,” the airport says. “We are controlled by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and managed by Airports Authority of India. The second runway is for the IAF.” This means, Pune is a defence airport and any changes require a green chit from the military. “There are plans to increase flights to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, but we can’t say when,” Pune airport authorities say. Of the three international destinations it connects to, one flight each flies to Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi, and two to Dubai. Within the country, Pune Airport is connected to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Jaipur. Airlines that operate out of here are: Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, SpiceJet, GoAir, Lufthansa, AirAsia, and Vistara. When airports think on the lines of expansion, it is an indication of a blossoming economy. Pune is second on the list of smart cities published by the Government of India earlier this year. Soon the city may see a hub for urban innovation where the denizens can synchronise their ideas for a brighter city. At Pune TiECon 2016, Kunal Kumar, Pune’s municipal commissioner announced: “In order to create an eco-system to bring in collaboration to the smart city movement we have created a forum where everyone can plug and play. People in academia, start-ups, and government can work together on a virtual platform as well as in person [towards Pune’s snagging issues].” Pune Smart City Development Corporation, which was formed in March in a 50:50 partnership between the State Government and Pune Municipal Corporation, will receive `194 crore from the Union Government to kickstart the project. Kumar has asserted that the second half of 2016 will see the implementation of the first five-year plan that will positively affect Pune — making it more attractive than it already is. n AUGUST 2016 49


Spotlight On Pune

GETTING AROUND

WHERE TO STAY

To hail an auto-rickshaw is easy, but if you’re strapped for time, simply book an Uber through its app downloaded on your smartphone. Alternatively, hire a car for a day as there are a number of options available on the internet.

Conrad Hotels and Resorts An upscale brand of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Pune is the first in the country. Corporate travellers being important clientele for them, the hotel’s spa offers bespoke services to meet varying needs, and the gym is available to guests 24-hours. Executive rooms have lounge access with complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails. Shower and bathtub facilities are offered in these rooms too. conradhotels3.hilton.com

WHERE TO EAT Ku Kooch Ku They have been around since decades and found fame through their famous tandoori or grilled chicken (`440 for a full chicken). The menu has expanded with gravy dishes, various preparations of chicken and a few vegetarian options as well. They have tables in a humble open-air setting, but locals prefer getting takeaways. Open 6pm to 11pm; tel: +91 9822426301; JM Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Next to PMT Bus Stop, Shivaji Nagar. Vaishali This is another city-landmark on Fergusson College Road. Situated within walking distance from the college, after which the road was named, it is packed with students at any given hour. Expect to wait for five-minutes at-least when it’s not peak hours. The specialities there are South Indian dishes such as masala dosa (`130), onion uttappa (`80), and idli wada (`60). Open 7am to 11pm, tel: +91 020 25531244; vaishalihotel.in Malaka Spice (pictured below) Pune got its first Malaka Spice in 1997 in Koregaon Park, and since then it has multiplied into Baner and Phoenix Mall. The concept is to bring Asia’s best street food to your table, some with a twist. The randang fish in a banana leaf (`475), sausage satay (`340), kari kapitan (`495) and roti kanai (`105) are a must-try. Open 11:30am to 11:30pm; tel: +91 020 30162009; malakaspice.com

JW Marriott It is centrally located between Pune Airport and the Mumbai-Pune expressway. Free wifi, large desks, and shower and bathtubs are available in all rooms. Rooms with a mountain view are better options than those with a city view. The property offers 3,717 sqm of meeting space — there are 12 event rooms and eight breakout rooms. Marriott’s Meeting Services app allows easy organisation of events. marriott.com Westin Hotels and Resorts It is within proximity to Pune’s flourishing IT park, and in the upmarket residential area of Koregaon Park. A shower and bathtub is available in all 277 rooms and suites, as well as tea/coffee maker, 24-hour room service, and a well-sized work desk. Executive rooms have lounge access that offers free breakfast, cocktail hour and refreshments through the day. westinpunekoregaonpark.com

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AUGUST 2016 `150

Meet in Hyderabad MICE in the city

Magnetic Metropolis

INDIA

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Riviera Living Touring Southern France

Get A Move On

Cabin baggage picks

The sushi story Evolution of Japanese cuisine in India


LOYALTY Rashida Jasdanwala rounds up airline and hotel scheme news and promotions

Hilton Worldwide will introduce digital keys in India

Hilton Worldwide has announced that next year it will introduce mobile apps as room keys for its Indian properties to members of HHonors. Already having personal and credit card details of the members in its database helps Hilton Worldwide make digital keys a possibility. With this facility, HHonors members will be able to check-in and receive their room key through the app, thus skipping formalities at the reception. Hilton’s vice president (development, India) Kaushik Vardharajan says, “We already have digital checkin and room selection.” Digital check-in was made available in 2014 through the Hilton HHonors app wherein guests can check-in digitally and choose a room and floor as per their booking. They still have to visit the reception to get their keys though. “Now we are going to have digital keys where HHonors members can use their smartphones to directly go to their room without going to the front desk to get a room key. Using Bluetooth and pressing their phone against the doorknob will open the door. We will have this facility in India at all our hotels from next year.” hilton.com

Starwood Preferred Guest partners with Club ITC

Ritz-Carlton introduces “Rewarding Journeys” offer

Ritz-Carlton has launched its summer promotion called “Rewarding Journeys”. This tiered offer allows members a chance to earn up to 1,00,000 points. Members can earn: 10,000 bonus points by staying for four nights, 20,000 bonus points (cumulative bonus 30,000) by staying for six nights, 30,000 bonus points (cumulative bonus 60,000) by staying for eight nights and 40,000 bonus points (cumulative bonus 1,00,000) by staying for ten nights. Members must register for the promotion by September 30, 2016. ritzcarlton.com; marriott.com

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Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the loyalty programme of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has extended its relationship with Club ITC, the loyalty programme of India-based ITC Hotels. Under the new arrangement, Club ITC members will be able to redeem their points for nights across 1,300 Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Further, members of Club ITC who are also SPG members will be able to transfer their Club ITC Green Points to Starpoints, within a limit of 30,000 each year. SPG members visiting India will be able to enjoy redemption benefits at Wills Lifestyle (a brand of ITC that owns ITC Hotels) and avail of ITC Hotels’ dining certificates. “The alliance of SPG and Club ITC will open an unparalleled access to a world of new possibilities. This combined initiative will offer an array of privileges to our respective loyalty members. Starwood Hotels and Resorts is constantly striving to create new platforms offering a variety in not only our brands but also to achieve Loyalty beyond Reason,” says Dilip Puri, managing director India and regional vice president South Asia of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. This news followed the renewal of the partnership between ITC Limited and Starwood Hotels and Resorts for 12 ITC hotels under The Luxury Collection and Sheraton brands in India. clubitc.in; spg.com/redeem Visit businesstraveller.com


Changes to Hyatt Gold Passport award categories announced

Hyatt Gold Passport is the loyalty programme of Hyatt Hotels, which allows members to earn and redeem points for stays based on a seven-tier category system. The hospitality group recently announced major changes to the Hyatt Gold Passport award chart, which will see 56 hotels move to lower categories and 50 hotels bumped up. The changes will take effect on August 1. Reservations made until then will continue to be based on the current award chart. Members that use their points for stays after August 1 will receive a refund for the point difference if their hotels have been moved to lower categories. For example, Hyatt Regency Guiyang is currently a Category 2 property but will become a Category 1 hotel. This means members who booked a standard room for after August 1 will be entitled to a 3,000 point refund. Noteworthy hotels that are to be downgraded include: Grand Hyatt Mumbai, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, and Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort. Meanwhile, hotels due to be upgraded include Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Grand Hyatt Incheon and Grand Hyatt Chengdu. hyatt.com

Vistara partners with Axis Bank to introduce Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

The card comes in three variants namely: Infinite, Signature and Basic. These are embedded benefits of the airline’s loyalty programme Club Vistara. Joining fee, privileges and benefits: Axis Vistara Basic Credit Card Joining fee and annual fee: `1,500 Welcome privileges: Complimentary economy ticket*, complimentary Club Vistara membership Ongoing Club Vistara Benefits: Customers can earn two Club Vistara points for every `200 spent on Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card Axis Vistara Signature Credit Card Joining fee and annual fee: `3,000 Welcome privileges: Complimentary premium economy ticket*, complimentary Club Vistara Silver membership Ongoing Club Vistara Benefits: Customers can earn four Club Vistara points for every `200 spent on Axis Bank Vistara Signature Credit Card Axis Vistara Infinite Credit Card Joining fee and annual fee: `10,000 Welcome privileges: Complimentary business class ticket*, complimentary Club Vistara Gold membership Ongoing Club Vistara Benefits: Customers can earn six Club Vistara points for every `200 spent on your Axis Bank Vistara Infinite Credit Card * Taxes and Surcharges Apply airvistara.com

Marriott Rewards offers “You Can Fly” promotion

IHG Rewards Club offers DoubleUp Miles

IHG Rewards Club’s new Double-Up Miles is a delight to those yearning for airline miles. This offer allows members to earn double air miles, on stays until August 31. Members can earn points only after completing the first paid stay or qualifying stay. Participating airlines include Etihad, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Malaysia Airlines. The limit of miles that can be earned through this promotion is 10,000. ihg.com/rewardsclub Visit businesstraveller.com

Marriott Rewards has partnered with select airlines to offer its new members the chance to earn up to 35,000 bonus miles. The offer is valid for three months after the new member has signed up. The earning begins at 1,500 bonus miles for the first and the second stay, 2,000 bonus miles from third stay, and continues onward for up to 35,000 bonus miles during the promotional period. Partner airlines include Jet Airways, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and British Airways. Existing Marriott Rewards members are not eligible. marriott.com/rewards AUGUST 2016 53


INDIA

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TIME OUT, TECH & TREATS 56 NEWS 58 WHAT’S ON 60 RIVIERA LIVING 66 DESIGNED TO STUN 72 THE RIGHT FOOT FORWARD 74 GET A MOVE ON 76 THE SUSHI STORY 81 BUY & FLY 82 SNAPSHOT

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AUGUST 2016 55


BUSINESS TRAVELLER LIFESTYLE News

LUXURY

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) partners with Seawings Lifestyle

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) partners with Seawings Lifestyle to introduce exclusive luxury packages at select hotels. The discounted packages include private air transfers from the Dubai Creek, where guests can begin their sojourns flying across the panoramic skies of the Arabian Gulf. Two-nights’ stay packages are offered at DoubleTree by Hilton, The Cove Rotana Resort, Banyan Tree Al Wadi, and the allinclusive Rixos Bab Al Bahr. Day-trip spa packages are also available. A chauffeured land transfer will bring guests back to Dubai. “We’ve always enjoyed curating the very best of the emirates for the luxury traveller. By developing this unique collection of seaplane staycations, Ras Al Khaimah can be a favourite to new audiences and ensure more visitors can enjoy its unique charms,” says Stuart Wheeler, CEO of Seawings. Packages can be found and booked at seawingslifestyle.com; rasalkhaimahtourism.com

SPA

Wellness retreat opens in Maharashtra

Atmantan, a first of its kind, wellness destination opens in Maharashtra. Its philosophy lies in integrating traditional Indian healing methods with international practices. Based on this concept, this 106-room retreat-only wellness centre offers a choice of eight scientifically researched wellness programmes to its guests. The Wellness Pavilion at Atmantan houses the Atmantan spa, fitness centre as well as consultation facilities. In addition, the facility has 23 therapy rooms, a physiotherapy wing, an indoor salt pool, a salon and a wellness retail outlet. The Dining Pavilion at Atmantan offers guests three restaurants that serve “spa cuisine” cooked from ingredients sourced from the in-house organic farm. All 40-acres are spread amongst the Sahyadri Mountains and overlook Mulshi Lake. Atmantan can be reached by a three-hour drive from Mumbai. atmantan.com

LUGGAGE

Louis Vuitton creates bags for BMW i8

Following the launch of 2017 BMW i8, the German manufacturer collaborates with luxury French fashion-house Louis Vuitton to design luggage. Created using a range of carbon fibre, the four exclusive bags are designed to fit comfortably in the BMW i8. With semi rigid thermoformed cases, the soft and flexible bags are named: Weekender GM i8, Weekender PM i8, Garment Bag i8 and Business Case i8. bmw.com; louisvuitton.com 56 AUGUST 2016

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JEWELLERY

WATCH

NIRAV MODI will exhibit in Europe OMEGA creates timepieces inspired by Rio 2016 Olympic Games

OMEGA creates three exclusive timepieces as a tribute to Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The watches symbolise “the glory, triumph and unbreakable unity” that bring the world together. The third model of this collection — The Speedmaster Mark II “Rio 2016” — takes inspiration from the 1969 model of the OMEGA Speedmaster Mark II. The 2,106 pieces of this model feature a matt black dial with a 30 minute recorder, 12 hour recorder and a seconds sub-dial at 3-, 6and 9-hours embellished with a bronze ring, a 18K yellow gold ring and a 925 silver ring respectively. It is powered by the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 3330 and has a 42.40 mm stainless steel case presented on a matching bracelet. This watch is priced at `3,59,100. omegawatches.com EXPERIENCE

The eponymous Indian jewellery brand NIRAV MODI will present its High Jewellery collection at La Biennale des Antiquaires fair in Paris this September. This event will host 121 exhibitors from 14 countries at the Nave of the Grand Palais in Paris, that is the largest glass ceiling in Europe. The collection on display includes the Emerald Maharani Necklace featuring over 870 carats of emeralds and 146 carats of diamonds, The Constellation Necklace and The Ainra Cut Waterfall earrings. niravmodi.com

AIRLINE

Emirates offers “My Emirates Pass” for travellers in Dubai

The Department of Economic Development and Emirates partner to offer “My Emirates Pass” to travellers flying on Emirates to Dubai (or stopping over) until August 31. Travellers can use their boarding pass and a valid identification form to avail of discounts and special offers at Dubai’s popular hangouts. These include 65 restaurants, hotel dining outlets, ten leisure experiences ranging from desert safaris, golf course packages and helicopter tours in addition to a range of spa experiences. emirates.com

Mandarin Oriental offers “Paris by Marx” for a Parisian experience

Mandarin Oriental, Paris offers its guests “Paris by Marx” package that includes jaunts recommended by the hotel’s Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx. On signing up, guests can visit twelve artisans and specialist retailers, recommended by Marx himself, while strolling through the streets of Paris. The list features the likes of a Parisian coffee roaster and vinyl records shop. A minimum one-night stay is required at Mandarin Oriental Paris. It also includes a nine-course meal at the luxurious Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx — a haute couture way of dining. Additional benefits of the package include: a VIP welcome at the twelve outlets selected by Thierry Marx, and daily breakfast served in-room or at the hotel’s famous Camélia restaurant. It is priced at `1,10,000 per night, for two people sharing. mandarinoriental.com Visit businesstraveller.com

AUGUST 2016 57


WHAT’S ON August

ASIA-PACIFIC Kandy, Sri Lanka August 8-10

AMERICAS South Dakota, USA August 8-14

STURGIS MOTORCYCLE RALLY The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is a lot more than a week-long gathering of Harley Davidson enthusiasts partying and having a merry time; it stands as a journey of discovering oneself, independence and embracing individualism. “Pilgrims” embark on a journey to a place considered sacred in an attempt to embrace the world by associating with people from different communities. The most common ritual of this festival is a “drive-through” the main streets of Sturgis. sturgismotorcyclerally.com

ESALA PERAHERA Esala Perahera is celebrated in Kandy, as a tribute to the Sacred Tooth relic of Lord Buddha and guardian gods: Natha, Goddess Pattini, Vishnu and Kataragama. The “sacred tooth” is carried around the city during a glorious parade on each night of the festival. Rapid drum rolls and dance performances with elephants are an integral part of the celebrations. The highlight is a Water Cutting ceremony also known as the “Diya Kepeema”. daladamaligawa.org Tokyo and Osaka, Japan August 15-16

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SUMMER SONIC The Summer Sonic Rock Music festival is a two-day music festival held simultaneously in Chiba, near Tokyo, and in Osaka. Music lovers get the perfect opportunity of soaking in diverse rhythms with Japanese and international musicians like Alesso, Fergie, The 1975, Charlie Puth and Radiohead expected to take the spotlight this year. Bands playing in Tokyo on day one will perform in Osaka on day two and vice versa. summersonic.com

Black Rock Desert of Nevada, USA August 28September 5

BURNING MAN A culmination of tribal tradition of the Sun King translated to modern-day life, Burning Man showcases the ritual of burning a large wooden effigy of a man. It usually takes place on the Saturday of the event period. The festival encourages every participant to artistically express oneself through demonstrations, objects or speech. burningman.org/event

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AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

EUROPE Kerry Country, Ireland August 10-12

Dubai, UAE June 21August 29

PUCK FAIR The annual Puck Fair can be traced back 400 years. The main attraction is the coronation ceremony during which a wild mountain goat, referred to as King Puck, is felicitated with an ornamental crown. He is sent on a parade around the city that ends at the town square. Concerts, storytelling, comedy shows, music and dance workshops, fireworks, and a lot more add to the fun of the three-day festival. puckfair.ie West Sussex, England August 26-28

THE BIG KAHUNA FESTIVAL The Big Kahuna festival is an opportunity for all to groove to good old English classics, jazz, and house beats. Adding to the vibrance, there are workshops and interactive activities. Camping accommodation facilities are in close proximity to the main festival area. bigkahunafestival.co.uk

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DUBAI SPORTS WORLD Dubai Sports World is a dream for every sports enthusiast in the city. For starters, you can rent one of the available indoor pitches or courts to play an outdoor sport, escaping the scorching heat. Situated at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this sports festival has numerous courts for football, tennis, basketball and many more such activities. dubaisportsworld.ae Northam, South Africa August 5-7

OPPIKOPPI FESTIVAL Oppikoppi festival is a platform for different genres of music like EDM, soul, rock, jazz, and acoustic Kwaito music, a South African version of house music. Over the years many South African bands and International artists have performed there owing to the growing success of the festival. The setting is at the foot of a hill where there is a large bar that turns into a party zone towards the later half of the festival. oppikoppi.co.za

AUGUST 2016 59


Escape To South France

60 AUGUST 2016

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Riviera Living Azure coasts, sophisticated streets and intriguing museums; Akanksha Maker experiences the best of Southern France

Clockwise from left: the Croisette, Cannes; InterContinental Carlton Cannes; roses at Forville market in Cannes Visit businesstraveller.com

AUGUST 2016 61

KELAGOPIAN/FABRE/AKANKSHA MAKER

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t was there that Grace Kelly met her husband Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Welcome to the InterContinental Carlton Cannes, where glimpses of Hitchcock’s 1955-film To Catch A Thief flashed by as I walked past its daunting white pillars, down its stairs. Monochrome turned to colour as I approached Promenade de la Croisette, only a few metres away. A Lamborghini Huracán zipped across, tearing the wind apart like a ghost, and it had only been a split second. The Croisette was as charming as the French can get. A glamorous setting to say the least; picture elegant French women with their pocket-sized pooches throbbing out of their designer purses strutting swiftly as content, aged couples of miscellaneous origins silently devour some “crepes sucre”. Fancy the latest bracelet from the Cartier boutique at the opposite boulevard to complement that white sauvignon blanc from Bordeaux you sip at the Carlton bar? You’re in luck. Comparatively modest and not half as bad was my stroll on the Croisette towards the Palais des festivals et des Congrès (the venue for the Cannes Film Festival) with an espresso in hand. Reaching the venue, I reminisced my last time there when I visited during the Festival. Flashing lights of the paparazzi competed with dresses of haute couture at this very point. The French commune was comparatively relaxed this time, but still breathed the same panache it did during my last visit. The avenue of Alleys of Liberty is a short-walk from there and considering it was the weekend, I headed to the antiques and art flea market (open Saturday-Sunday 7am-5:30pm) being hosted. The art was edgy and the cascading plane trees quietly drew attention — not a bad place to pick some quirky collectables to take back home. Cannes is not that vast in terms of size and its foremost shopping area — rue d’Antibes — is only a short-walk from the Croisette. This high-street is a fashion haven with labels that cater to all kinds of budgets and styles. Lined with eminent international brands, it also prides itself on an array of local


Escape To South France

boutiques that retail homegrown fashion. A break from all that “mode” was the winding cobbled street of St Antoine that sloped above to the oldest part of Cannes — Le Suquet. The walk upwards was bordered by intimate cafes and restaurants that couldn’t accommodate more than five to ten guests at a time. As I went higher, the modernity of the French commune seemed afar and I arrived at the original quarters of Cannes perched atop a hill. A series of stairs led to the Musée 62 AUGUST 2016

(museum) de la Castre (open 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm; €6.50/`489) located in the ruins of a medieval castle. Known for its primitive art, antiques and landscape paintings from the Middle East, Europe and the Mediterranean islands, the museum is a contrasting break from the chic Croisette. There is an antique stone-tower situated in the terrace of the museum and a dilapidated staircase inside took me to a breathtaking view of the bay of Cannes. From the mountains hiding beneath a sheath of clouds to the Lérins Islands in the distance, the view was postcard worthy. On the way back through St Antoine, the horde of restaurants nestled in this quaint street spoiled me for choice. An early supper at the lovely La Mirabelle, set in a storey below in what could have been a cave was a charming conclusion to the eventful day. I tried the house truffles’ salad and olive risotto that was as heartwarming as the restaurant’s owner who stopped by. The view of the sun kissing the clouds above the azure Mediterranean Sea woke me up next morning. These hours of the day are ideal for visiting the Forville market (open 7am-1pm on all days of the week except Mondays; marcheforville.com), known for its fresh produce including fish, fruits and flowers, and that’s exactly where I headed. The market came alive with the aromas and colours of new harvest; lavenders blended with powdered yellow peonies amidst lush strawberries and plump grapes. While the Forville market is more of a locals’ stopover, I quite enjoyed walking through the plethora of vegetables — a treat for all my senses. Do try the chickpeas pancake called “Soca” prepared at a live kitchen in the market, for some interesting local flavour. That evening was spent on the bigger one of the Lérins Islands — Sainte-Marguerite Island — that can be accessed by a 15-minute boat ride from the Cannes port. The infamous legend of the “man in the Visit businesstraveller.com


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KELAGOPIAN/FABRE/AKANKSHA MAKER

Clockwise from top left: Cannes harbour; islands of Cannes; alley of Saint-Tropez; wall in Saint-Tropez; Alleys of Liberty in Cannes; vineyard of Château des Marres

iron mask” finds its resting place at the former prison on Sainte-Marguerite Island. Legend has it that this prisoner arrested in the reign of Louis XIV hid his face during his imprisonment, leading to various theories on his actual identity. My interest in this mysterious folklore and history was gratified at the Maritime Museum (open 10am-1pm, 2pm5pm; €6.50/`489), that also depicts archaeological finds from the time when the Romans inhabited this island. The island’s pathways are marked with pine-trees and other plantations that make it an interesting trekking site for adventure lovers and families. For a picturesque dip in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, head to Sainte-Marguerite Island’s pebbled shore. Next morning, along with some croissants and expresso at the open-air Carlton restaurant that faces the sea, I soaked in the grandeur of Cannes yet another time before I departed further south. It was my first time in the little French town of SaintTropez, located about 90km from Cannes and 100km from Nice. It bears resemblance with its French cousin Cannes, especially with regard to its inherent love of yachts and all things posh. This is evident at its pier that charges €1,400/`1,07,362 a day just for parking. Needless to say, it’s nothing less than a status symbol that says “you have arrived”, to have your boat stationed at this port. As I walked from Hotel de Paris (where I stayed) towards the pier, boutiques of luxury fashion houses tucked into old-fashioned buildings enveloped the route from both the sides. There was something charming yet classical about this town painted in shades of ochre and orange. Smaller in area compared to Cannes, it isn’t difficult to get used to its streets and winding cobbled alleys. Purple wisteria bloomed alongside fragrant jasmine that decorated facades of fashion boutiques and art-galleries. I stumbled upon an atelier by the very interesting artist Ivon Hor, who specialises in nautical artwork he crafts with paper. Ivon, wearing his hat and vintage glasses, sat in his studio experimenting with his creations, as we engaged in brief conversations about his unique talent. Saint-Tropez prides itself on many artists like him who create avant-garde work in their studios set in the alleys of this settlement. A short-drive from the centre got me to Pampelonne beach, situated about 5km from SaintTropez. While this beach isn’t really in the town, it is still considered to be a part of St. Trop (as it’s casually called). The Mediterranean Sea glistened with hues of azure I had never seen before and the sun generously shone in the pastel sky. The deputy mayor of tourism in Saint-Tropez, monsieur Henri Prévost-Allard, joined us for lunch


Escape To South France

Top to bottom: painting in Maritime Museum at SainteMarguerite Island; BELAIRFINEART in Saint-Tropez 64 AUGUST 2016

and conversation began to flow as easily as the rosé. It was interesting to learn that Allard is a descendant of Saint-Tropez-based General Jean-François Allard, who served in Napoleon’s army during the 19th century. Henry explained, “It was in 1822 when General Allard was sent to Punjab, India to join the service of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh empire in India. The two went on to become accomplices. During General Allard’s time in India, he fell in love with and married the princess of Chamba, Bhannu Pan Dei, and returned to France in 1835 with her and their children.” This romance has created a deep-rooted connect between India and

The original residence of the princess and wife of Jean-François Allard, Bhannu Pan Dei in Saint-Tropez has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel called Pan Deï Palais. A part of the Relais & Châteaux group, the hotel has only 12 exclusive rooms and suites that have been designed keeping in mind Indian royalty and heritage. pandei.com Visit businesstraveller.com

KELAGOPIAN/FABRE/AKANKSHA MAKER

Saint-Tropez, and it was endearing to see Henry’s eyes light up as he spoke enthusiastically about the iconic love-story. To learn more about this historical saga, head to the museum of l’Annonciade (open 10am-1pm, 2pm-6pm; €6/`450), that depicts stories and paintings from the life and time of Jean-François Allard. The museum must also be visited for aweinspiring works of art by neo-impressionist artist Paul Signac, known for his pointillist-styled paintings of this part of France. A sojourn in France is incomplete without a winetasting experience of the region you’re in. After a rendezvous with the art and history of Saint-Tropez, I headed to the family-run vineyards of Château des Marres (chateaudesmarres.com) for a tryst with some vino from the French Riviera. Situated in Ramatuelle, close to Saint-Tropez, it stretches across a lush 27 hectares. I closely observed the grapes on vines as Florent of Château des Marres explained how the family converted their passion of creating fine wine into a business in 2004. Just like the rest of the Provence region, this vineyard also finds its expertise in rosé. Do try their Prestige and 2S rosé varieties that aren’t too overpowering and have a pleasant finish. As I made my way back to Hotel de Paris, I stopped by the patisserie called La Tarte Tropézienne (latartetropezienne.fr/en) in Saint-Tropez to pick up its famous Tropizienne cake. A creamy brioche, its smooth texture and generous sugar content makes it quite a delight — a must try when there. Walking past the coast, I noticed a boat by the name of Brigitte Bardot, that reminded me of And God Created Woman, the 1956-movie starring the actress that was filmed right here in Saint-Tropez. The actuality of this town was pretty much as depicted in the movie. Fancy, yet not over the top. Elegant, yet simple. A subtle sophistication. It was time to depart, and I reeled back to retrospect my experience in all of Côte d’Azur; and colour turned to monochrome once again. n


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Timeout In Stockholm

Designed To Stun Stockholm is a beautiful city, rich with history, nature and food. Neha Gupta Kapoor talks about her short stay in the Swedish capital

66 AUGUST 2016

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Left and below: Djurgården; Vasa at the museum

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Vasa Museum

Sweden must be the first country in the world to glorify its failure. Over half a century ago, divers and historians put together wreckage of a 64-gun warship, Vasa that sank no sooner than it left the shores in August 1628. Despite its tragic history, the reconstructed hull, preserved at the museum’s entry level, does look majestic. A short film talks about Vasa, from its construction to deluge. The top floors have recreated

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AUGUST 2016 67

JEPPE WIKSTROM/ KAROLINA KRISTENSSON, THE SWEDISH NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUMS

ngenuity is an inherent quality of this Nordic population and creativity comes easy to them. Such is their acuity that the country has even learnt to make its mistake sound like a saga (read, Vasa Museum). Success outweighs Sweden’s failure by a wide margin though. It’s a land that is recognised for sleek design – the world thanks the country for Ikea, a “build-it-yourself” furniture store. And in most outlets, people even visit simply for the meatballs served there. The Michelin Guide recommends 61 of Stockholm’s restaurants that are worth their salt. Apart from that there are seven restaurants with one Michelin star each and three restaurants with two Michelin stars each. In spite of being Sweden’s financial hub, Stockholm remains as one of the cleanest cities in the world. The Swedish capital, culturally and politically more advanced than most countries, is a delight for cyclists, historians, food lovers, party animals and the design aficionado. It has something for everyone.


Timeout In Stockholm

Clockwise from left: Södermalm; a magic potion shop at Skansen; cardamom buns at Johan & Nyström; Gamla Stan

a full-scale model of Vasa’s upper deck where objects found onboard are displayed. On loop is a video that talks about naval warfare from the 17th century and what Vasa would have endured, had she not sunk. Other floors share reasons for Vasa’s drowning, how she was restored, her preservation, tales of people who had occupied her, and her symbolism. A visit to the museum does give an insight into an important part of Swedish history. Free 25-minute guided tours are available every two hours. n vasamuseet.se; entry SEK 130/`1,055; open 8:30am-6pm until August 31, until 8pm on Wednesdays.

Skansen Museum

This is very well an introduction to Stockholm. Built in 1891 as the first, and now oldest open-air (lifestyle oriented) museum, you are literally transported back five centuries to a Swedish village. Unlike a typical museum with exhibits explained through literature, the log-buildings and farmsteads at Skansen literally show you how they functioned during historic times. 68 AUGUST 2016

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Djurgården

It once used to be a game park where royalty amused themselves by hunting deer, reindeer, elks and other herbivores in the 16th century. Today it’s a beautiful island in central Stockholm with monuments, galleries, and museums — ABBA Museum, Vasa Museum, Skansen Museum, and Nordic Museum among others. It is at the Isbladskärret lake on the island where birdwatchers spend hours with their cameras. During summer, joggers enjoy scenes of this green patch at all times of the day. Djurgården is popular amongst cyclists too, especially routes that pass by the boathouses and through the green parks.

Södermalm

It’s a hip district because of the student population that hangs out there. Walking out of the Mariatorget station means walking into the midst of activity. Florists try to charm you into buying a stem or two, local artists flash their creations in hopes of impressing you, and as you walk up the cobblestone slope towards the cafes and boutiques, you will be tempted to shake a leg with students showing off their moves. About 11 minutes later is the Johan & Nyström (johanochnystrom.se; open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm) coffee house. Its coffee is Visit businesstraveller.com

delicious no doubt, as is the cardamom bun; but its claim to fame remains that it has served its brew at the Nobel Prize dinner from 2012 to 2015. This is only one of the many cafe-styled eateries in the locality known for good food. It really depends on what kind of cuisine you desire. Södermalm was once a neighbourhood for Stockholm’s working class living in buildings preserved since the 16th century. In recent years it has evolved into a trendy location where the local youth wants to be seen. The fashionable crowd is attracted to the nouveau-vintage boutiques with eccentric styles and design studios in the Götgatsbacken area of north Södermalm. A bunch of these can be found in Bruno Galleria (brunogotgatsbacken.se; open Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat until 6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm), a shopping centre that houses trendy studios. If it is designer brands that you’re looking for, head to SoFo district in eastern Södermalm. But don’t leave without visiting Gilda’s Rum (gildasrum.se; open Mon-Fri 7:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-10pm). The kitschy interiors are a delight to sight. Red is the dominant theme in this little tea house. While you’re here, try the much indulged in Swedish cakes. Expect to be served a huge slice enough for two, and tea or coffee in larger-than-normal sized cups — because more is better, right?

Gamla Stan

The old city was laid down in the 13th century and not much has changed in its appearance since then. It is easily a historian’s playground. The Stortorget square is where the dreadful Stockholm Bloodbath took place in 1520. Danish king Christian II had executed more than 100 members of the Swedish noble families for four continuous days there. Merchants’ houses from the early 17th century form the periphery of this busy tourist area. Ground levels of the buildings now have cafes from where one can enjoy street performances. The Nobel Museum (nobelmuseum.se, SEK 100/`800; open 9am-8pm until August 31) that has detailed writings on its laureates since the first year of the award is also situated within Stortorget. Gamla Stan is filled with structures of historic significance and political importance. Deep within the old city is the baroque-styled Royal Palace (royalpalaces.se; entry SEK 150/`1,215; open 8:30am-7pm until August 31) from the 18th century, part of which is still functional for official use. Next to the palace is the Church of St. Nicholas or Storkyrkan of Swedish Brick Gothic architecture and has been in existence since seven and a half centuries. The other church that is by the Finnish, opened in 1725 and is more of a landmark. Behind it is AUGUST 2016 69

JEPPE WIKSTROM

A visit to a soldier’s cottage gives a glimpse into home-sizes and their layouts from the 1800s. Low turf ceilings, log walls, compact rooms of roughly 25 sqm and creaking wooden floorboards are what sheltered the common man. Adding to the authenticity of the experience, candles light the house that has no electricity. A wood burning stove stands in the corner of the living room. On the dining table is a “licencesign” on parchment paper that states the cottage has been allotted to our host — Soldier No. 91. The neighbourhood smells of fresh bread; it comes from a bakery manned by a woman and her helper. She slaps the dough with a large flat wooden spoon and flattens it with a spiked rolling pin before tossing it into a stone oven. An iron master’s farmstead, a printer’s workshop, a spice shop, a farm labourer’s cottage, a post-office, a milkmaid’s cottage, and a woman selling magic potions — watch them work as they would in that age, dressed in garb that marks the era they lived in. Other parts of the museum have natural enclosures for animals, a depiction of the Sami camp with tents and live reindeer represent lives of nomads who lived in the mountains, and shops from where you can take home a memory from the visit. n skansen.se; entry SEK 60/`485; open 10am-8pm until August 31.


Timeout In Stockholm

The restaurant has been serving authentic Nordic cuisine since 300 years, today influenced by bits of international nuances. The best way to get a sense of Gamla Stan’s past is to join a walking tour. This may come as an unusual suggestion, but the Stockholm Ghost Walk (stockholmghostwalk.com; SEK 200/`1,600) really does take you on a historic journey. They don’t deviate from facts, and ghosts and ghouls do not appear on the tour, but you’re thrilled all the same with theatrical storytelling — Gamla Stan has truly seen horror with plague, poverty and bloodshed.

Artipelag

Top and bottom: Artipelag; Den Gyldene Freden 70 AUGUST 2016

presumably the smallest Swedish statue: Järnpojken or The Iron Boy. All of 15 centimetres tall, he is a comparatively newer addition to Gamla Stan — sculpted and affixed by artist Liss Eriksson in 1967. The figure is that of a small boy staring up at the moon. Visit during summer and he remains uncovered, in the winters he wears a woollen hat and a scarf, and when it rains, a tiny umbrella shelters him if a raincoat his size isn’t available yet. Many believe that rubbing his head, especially on a full moon night brings luck. Restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and boutiques around the area are the only other signs of the 21st century in Gamla Stan. Most have been around since years and are listed in the Michelin Guide. One amongst them is Den Gyldene Freden (gyldenefreden.se; open Mon-Fri 11:30am-10pm, Sat 1pm-10pm). It is believed that the interiors have barely changed from the time it opened.

A little towards the outskirts of Stockholm in Baggensfjärden is an international meeting space. Inside is the Artbox (1,200 sqm) event space, The Entrance Hall (435 sqm) for gala dinners and conferences, a private Artist Room (210 sqm) with a separate entrance, Studio (119 sqm) for workshops, The Rooftop Terrace (200 sqm) for a party with a view of Stockholm, and for small private groups: Chrysanthemum (28 sqm) for 16 people, Kärlekens Vindar (32 sqm) for 20 people, Pavilion 1-3 (12-10 sqm) for eight people each, Björn’s Lounge (106 sqm) for 60 people. If meetings aren’t on the agenda, but a scenic lunch is, Artipelag has Bådan Buffet and Café (open *11am-5pm, Wed until 8pm) built around a fossil rock that juts from its floor, and the fine dining Artipelag Restaurant (open *Wed-Sat 11:30am10pm, Sun until 8pm, Tue until 5pm) for its seasonal produce. Both have outdoor seating with panoramic views of Stockholm’s greenery. The outdoor barbecue is on first-come first-served basis (open *Tue-Sun 12pm-4pm). There is also an in-house boutique and an art gallery. The Legacy of Andy Warhol is on until September 25 (Tue-Sun 11am-5pm, *Wed until 8pm) and will exhibit many of his least known pieces. A pop-up store will have design companies showcasing his prints on their products. artipelag.se *Timings are valid until August 31. n Visit businesstraveller.com


PRODUCTS August

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1 Samsonite Black Label Lider Laptop Briefcase; PRICE: `24,000; samsonite.com 2 Parx shirt; PRICE: `1,599; parx.co.in 3 Zenith El Primero 36000 vph classic cars; PRICE: `5,03,700; zenith-watches.com 4 Corneliani’s high gloss printed calf skin wallet; PRICE: `24,000 approx; corneliani.com

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AUGUST 2016 71


Fashion Shoes

The Right Foot Forward Rashida Jasdanwala lists types of shoes that can add personality to a plain business suit

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ifferent feet have different requirements, and there is a type for each personality. Some are traditional with laces and others make a statement in straps. Madhu S Dutta, head marketing of Lifestyle Business at Raymond says, “For a man to be relevant in today’s corporate world, being sartorially savvy is a key. Shoes by far are the most important part of a man’s wardrobe, defining his persona, personal taste — thereby making a statement without saying a word.” The options are vast with an assortment of styles, shades and textures for businessmen to explore when selecting the right pair of shoes. Here are eight to play with….

The oxford

From left to right: Oxfords by Corneliani; Monkstrap; Derby by Raymond; Dress boots; Oxford brogues by Rosso Brunelo; Loafers by Stefano Ricci; Moccasins by Canali; Chelsea boots

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The quintessential business attire is bound to involve the oxford. It’s easy to confuse the oxford with the derby — look out for the closed lacing system to understand the difference. The chief characteristic of the oxford includes the classic thin lace under the vamp that holds the foot snugly. Its classic round toecap befits those who prefer not to experiment with style. Basic in appearance, the oxford can be paired with nearly anything from a wide range of suits and tuxedos to regular shirts, and even jeans. Of course, opting for the black cap-toe oxford when dressing

for a black-tie event is ideal. Picking a tan offset against grey or dark blue trousers, with a white shirt is a subtle way to add a touch of contrast to your corporate outfit. It can be regarded as the epitome of simplicity; the shoe sewn from a single piece of leather adds a sophisticated feel to basic formals. The one-piece oxford is indeed the most basic of them all without any defining throat- or cap-line on its body. The oxford has varieties for those willing to experiment, though. This includes the wingtip oxford that has a pointed cap and the plain-toe oxford without a defining cap-line.

The oxford brogue

“Oxfords, not brogues – is the creed of a Kingsman,” cited Colin Firth in the secret-service film The Kingsman. Inferencing that the latter is not considered a formal shoe after all, since it’s essentially a country pattern. That’s ofcourse, if you are a secret service spy! Brogues in theory are not an entirely different shoe type. They are nothing but perforations and artistic toe-lines on the existing oxford — making it the oxford brogue. While the patent black oxford is an appropriate pick for a black-tie event, an oxford brogue can be worn at less formal corporate affairs. The perforations come in different designs and shapes that infuse a sense of play to its formal originals.

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Brown is the preferred colour for most fans of this shoe style. For a slick look, don’t forget to match your belt with those oxford brogues but keep the rest of the look understated with muted colours.

The derby

The derby has a more open feel to it in comparison to the oxford. The evident difference between the two is its laces — the former’s laces are attached on top of the vamp that covers the toes and instep, and the gap between the lace flaps is wider. Some may argue that the derby is a casual cousin of the oxford; however, it still comes under formal footwear. While a rubber sole derby works for casual days, a leather sole derby is better for notable occasions. Leather sole derbies complement chinos and suits quite well. Here again there are types: the cap-toe derby, plain derby and wingtip derby. Their more rugged construction makes them more durable in comparison to the oxford, thus making them the perfect choice for rainy days. Picking a dark blue or brown is an interesting choice for post-work drinks or even a Friday evening at the office.

The monk-strap

They’ve always meant business. The monk-strap gets its name from monks who wore similar shoes as comfortable alternatives to sandals and slippers while working. The strap runs across the shoe from one end to the other where it attaches itself to a buckle and holds the foot securely. “They are one of the most versatile shoes available today,” says Prem Dewan the retail head of OSL Luxury Collections. “They have gained so much popularity as they are simple, effortless and perfect for casual and formal events both. You can take your formal/ceremonial dressing a notch higher by pairing monk-straps with a suit; and when teamed with denims, they strike chord for a chic casual look. Wear them with or without socks, however a rule to follow is never wear a monk-strap without socks when pairing with a formal attire.”

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The moccasin

The moccasin covers the upper-foot just short of reaching the ankle. Intended as a “house slipper” because of its soft material, not many are aware of its formal side. A plain leather moccasin can be paired with straight cut trousers. Those with an emblem closer to the instep definitely make a style statement. Since they’re made of moose or other tender leather, they’re kind on the feet as well. Go for lighter shades of tan and grey to play down their bold look.

The loafer

A blend of the moccasin and the oxford, the loafer could just be the most comfortable option available in the closed-shoe category, thanks to its easy to slip on characteristic. The loafer comes in two types: penny loafer and bit loafer. The penny loafer is considered more playful because of a fringe or an emblem that is placed on the upper side of the shoe. It can even be plain with a defining vamp and flap. The bit loafer has a neat buckle on the upper, giving it a dressier look. Your escape from traditional business footwear, the loafer can be worn without socks or with anklelength socks. Avoid pairing it with trousers and go for darker shades of denim instead.

The dress boot

The dress boot has a very masculine feel with high ankles, thick laces or defining buckles. It belongs to the oxford family — only with a longer shaft. Perforation is common along the edge, and unlike the casual version, leather is the prime material. It looks best in darker colours paired with narrowbottom trousers.

The chelsea boot

Without any laces or straps on the shoe, the chelsea boot is crafted from a single piece of leather or suede. It has an elastic side panel and high block heels, low enough so as not to take away from its masculinity. Laces aren’t part of this shoe category. A variation of the boot includes a zip instead of the elastic panel, but that would mean casual. ■

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Luggage

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Get A Move On Rashida Jasdanwala suggests duffle bags, cabin bags and totes that couple as overnighters and carry-ons when flying

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ight weight, compartments, and easy portability are top criteria for selecting luggage when embarking on a short business trip. You don’t want to rummage through clothes and shoes to hunt for that charger and neither do you want your laptop to disturb neat folds of your carefully ironed shirts. Here are a list of options that shave minutes o organising a night bag.

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AMERICAN TOURISTER

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SpeedAir rolling Tote

You can either slip in items as you would in a carry bag from the top or open the bag such that one side works as a lid. The available multi-compartments and packing straps enable one to store clothes, shoes, electronic devices and toiletries in organised stacks. The padded sleeve within the bag protects and holds the laptop in place. The bag can be rolled easily with the help of two wheels, or simply be lifted by its handles. americantourister.in ■ Size: 20cm x 33cm x 43cm; Weight: 2.2kg; Price: `6,490

DELSEY

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Helium Travel Polycarbonate Carry-on

The carry-on case is built from durable polycarbonate material. The interiors provide just enough space to pack four shirts, three trousers, one coat, two pairs of shoes and one kit. The option of one zipped compartment and the other open compartment with straps to hold items in place, may be a disadvantage for those looking to store electronic devices and loose items in small pockets. The bag comes with a TSA lock for safety and four wheels to help manoeuvre it with ease. delsey.com ■ Size: 20cm x 40cm x 54cm ; Weight: 1.9kg; Price: `15,500

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U-lite Classic Cabin Trolley

The trolley case features a TSA lock system and detachable four wheels that have a rotation of 360 degrees. Inside the bag are two parallel straps to keep its contents secure, along with a zipped compartment on the opposite side and an attached pouch to hold miscellaneous items; the outside has a full-length zipped compartment. delsey.com ■ Size: 55cm x 40cm x 20cm; Weight: 2.1kg; Price: `11,500

LOUIS VUITTON

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Zephyr 55 Carry-on

The exterior of the luggage combines thermocompressed Damier canvas and leather. Other features of the bag include: 360 degrees multi-directional wheels, five-level retractable handle with a “Lock It” button, and a name tag holder crafted from cowhide leather. The interiors have zipped compartments and clothing-protection flaps. Other materials and colours for the exterior are Damier graphite canvas, Damier cobalt canvas, monogram canvas, and Damier ebier canvas. louisvuitton.com ■ Size: 37cm x 56cm x 24cm; Weight: 4.4kg; Price: `2,63,000

SAMSONITE

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GT Supreme Collection (Rolling Tote and Laptop Backpack)

Samsonite is specifically targetting business travellers with the launch of its GT Supreme collection. The backpack and rolling tote are made from a combination of tough nylon for durability and soft cowhide leather for comfort. A key feature is the Radio Frequency Identification or RFI, which blocks malicious electronic signals from stealing personal information contained in travellers’ passports, IDs and credit cards. The backpack is designed with a tablet compartment as well as a front zipped pocket. Both items are available in black or dark olive. samsonite.com Visit businesstraveller.com

Rolling Tote ■ Size: 39cm x 45cm x 24cm; Weight: 3.3kg; Price: `30,700

Laptop Backpack ■ Size: 45cm x 30cm x 23cm; Weight: 1.1kg; Price: `17,200

VIP

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Phoenix Plus Strolly

Lightweight and hard luggage, the VIP Phoenix Plus Strolly is available in teal blue, red and white. The four-wheeler has foam padded lining under the hard casing and an in-built TSA lock. Within are two small zipped compartments on one side of the bag and X-shaped straps on the opposite side — both to hold the contents in place. vipbags.com ■ Size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm; Weight: 2.5kg; Price: `4,400

TUMI

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Alpha 2 Duffle

The soft weather-durable duffle bag from Tumi’s Alpha 2 collection is good enough for a short trip. The interior is roomy enough to arrange clothes, shoes and kits and provides three compartments. The exterior of the bag has five zipped compartments. One can manoeuvre the bag easily with four wheels and a comfortable handle. The Tumi tracer product recovery programme helps customers trace lost or stolen cases with the help of its complimentary tracker. tumi.com ■ Size: 38cm x 51cm x 24cm; Weight: 4kg; Price: `53,500

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Voyageur Oslo Carry-on

The Voyageur Oslo is a stylish and compact four-wheel carry-on. The front u-zip pocket has additional smaller compartments to arrange loose items. It also has a snug zip pocket to hold a key or other easily misplaced objects. Apart from these, there are pen loops, open pockets and file dividers. You can roll the bag on its two wheels with the “telescopic” handle or use the top carry handle provided, as a second option. tumi.com ■ Size: 15cm x 14cm x 8cm; Weight: 2kg; Price: `42,500

VICTORINOX

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Etherius Collection

The robust bags built from Bayer polycarbonate are break- and scratch-resistant. In addition to the usual TSA lock, the Access Lock Combination Recovery Program lets owners register their codes on the Victorinox website. Owners can retrieve forgotten codes from there. Y-shaped straps help keep clothes wrinkle-free and in place. The zipped expansion system adds up to 27 per cent volume within the carry-on. The collection is available in black and red. victorinox.com ■ Size: 39cm x 55cm x 23cm; Weight: 2.8kg; Price: On request

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Werks Professional Officer 17 Carry-on

The bag is equipped with a dual-trolley handle system, and Geluxe — a trademarked comfort grip. Its interior consists of separate compartments for clothes, a 17-inch laptop, 10-inch electronic pocket and additional pockets for miscellaneous items. Adjustable straps and two mesh peripheral pockets make the luggage even more practical on the interior. On the exterior are a full-length zipped pocket and smaller ones on either side of the bag. They are convenient to carry a water bottle, an umbrella and even to securely hold your key. victorinox.com ■ Size: 17cm x 16cm x 9cm; Weight: 3.3kg; Price: `21,580 AUGUST 2016 75


Taste

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The Sushi Story T

he culinary scene in India has evolved in the past decade. Eating out choices were limited ten years ago; Indians preferred to play it safe with conventional Chinese or Indian restaurants. “Indian Chinese cuisine” that originated in Kolkata, adapted to Indian taste buds, making Sichuan sauce (popularly known as Schezwan sauce) a household ingredient. The story is much different now. Today, metros boast of homegrown and international finedining restaurants, that set the bar high. Concept restaurants, fusion food and quirky menus are the usual fare for millennials. Chefs, hotels and entrepreneurs who predicted the evolution of the Indian palate, can be credited for this phenomenon. While cuisines such as Lebanese, Mediterranean and Indian fusion have gained mainstream popularity in recent times, it is Japanese food that has found its niche audience in the country. Ingredients for authentic Japanese dishes are not only expensive but also hard to get — placing Japanese restaurants in the upper price bracket. And guests who dine at these restaurants understand that. One name that instantly comes to mind when speaking of this cuisine is the legendary Wasabi by Morimoto at The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. The restaurant set up under the guidance of the “iron chef” Masaharu Morimoto features in Asia’s 50 best restaurants by William Reed Business Media. “Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has always been a trendsetter in the culinary scene with its iconic F&B,” says executive sous chef, Sadik Khan at Wasabi. This restaurant was no exception. Before the dawn of the millennium, The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai began Japanese food promotions that were relatively new in the country. The F&B team at the hotel travelled to Japan and the United States of America to understand latest culinary trends. Chef Sadik was mentored by Chef Morimoto himself in Tokyo. He underwent meticulous training for two months before inaugurating the restaurant. “In 2004, Visit businesstraveller.com

we set up Wasabi by Morimoto introducing Mumbai (and India) to the world of Japanese cuisine,” says Chef Sadik. Until today, the restaurant caters to only a select clientele that keenly understands this exquisite cuisine and its offerings that are priced much higher than its (now) contemporaries. “The food-scene before and after Wasabi is a commonly used terminology. The inception of this restaurant marked an important milestone in the culinary chronology of India,” he adds. “Most guests at Wasabi are well-travelled. They know how to eat sushi,” Chef Morimoto told Mid-Day last year during his visit. Chef Sadik echoed his views when he said that his clients come back home to Wasabi expecting Japanese precision they taste abroad. “In fact, our menu is greatly influenced by requests and suggestions by our frequent guests. I’ll give you an example — a guest requested for spinach in sesame sauce one time. This dish was not only appreciated by him but also got featured permanently in our menu. Our guests often narrate tales from their travels. We listen and adapt to them very carefully.” Wasabi by Morimoto went on to open in the capital in 2008. Delhi’s audience is not very different from Mumbai’s. If anything, fine-dining is a more accepted concept considering the high number of HNIs (high net-worth individuals) there. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, another trendsetter in the industry, is known for its luxury F&B offerings. It opened MEGU in 2012, giving Delhi’s Japanese food enthusiasts a discerning option. “MEGU at The Leela Palace New Delhi is the only Indian outpost of the global brand. The goal was to replicate the same dining experience in the heart of New Delhi, that the restaurant had been acclaimed for in New York, Dubai or Gstaad (Switzerland). The vision was to create a space for our guests where striking ambience, highly curated Japanese cuisine and personalised service converge to appeal to all the senses,” says Chef Takanori Fukuda, chef de cuisine, MEGU, The Leela Palace New Delhi. There is certainly a level of perfection that AUGUST 2016 77

SHUTTERSTOCK

Akanksha Maker explains the evolution of Japanese cuisine in India


Taste

Clockwise from left: Tuna tartare with mango pearl at MEGU; oriental salad at MEGU; sashimi tuna, shrimp, seawater eel, sea urchin sushi and ginger at Wasabi by Morimoto; black cod miso at Wasabi by Morimoto; white fish carpaccio at Wasabi by Morimoto; beer battered avocado tacos, corn and scallion kimchee at Pa Pa Ya; steamed scampi at Pa Pa Ya 78 AUGUST 2016

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goes into creating carefully plated dishes of this impeccable cuisine. Chef Takanori’s Japanese heritage adds significant value to MEGU’s kitchen. Stringent coaching before he took on the mammoth task made sure perfection was achieved. “I was born in Oita, Japan and when growing up, I was fascinated with the rich traditions and intricate artistry of Japanese cuisine. I learned about the traditions from my father and ingredients from the organic farmers of Oita, Kyoto and Kobe. Much of my inspiration came from my first mentor, Chef Hideo Tamura-san, at Siragiku, Beppu, Japan. Working alongside different chefs over three decades, I was introduced to different styles and techniques, and a plethora of secrets and skills, including over twenty different knife techniques that are essential to getting the right taste and texture in Japanese dishes,” he adds. Although Indian guests understand the cuisine well, there is a large population that is vegetarian because of cultural beliefs. Chefs understand this and customise the menu to suit their palates. Almost 40 per cent of Wasabi’s menu comprises of vegetarian dishes. Also, the most common and preferred meat in India is chicken — one that isn’t very frequently used in this cuisine. Japanese restaurants prefer to play it safe by offering their guests an array of no-meat options. “Keeping the essence of Japanese cuisine as our focus, we use ingredients such as eggplant, tofu, tempura flour and miso (fermented soya bean paste) widely in our menu. Meanwhile our sushi and sashimi remains traditional. Chillies such as doubanjiang (essentially chilli bean paste) and other authentic ingredients are imported from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. And of course, green chillies are avoided,” says Chef Sadik. MEGU’s Japanese chef has also adapted to suit the tastes of his globe-trotting guests. “Yes, my emphasis is to create authentic and modern Japanese cuisine that caters to the sophisticated choices of our widely travelled Indian clientele. Contrary to many overseas Japanese restaurants, our vegetarian offerings are much greater. In addition to our vegetarian sushi, we have a wide range of vegetarian creations that are very popular with our guests,” says Chef Takanori. “For entrées, I tend to use classic Japanese and Visit businesstraveller.com

AUGUST 2016 79

TAJ HOTELS RESORTS AND PALACES | THE LEELA PALACES, HOTELS AND RESORTS | PA PA YA

The evolution of the Indian palate that appreciates the intricacies of Japanese food hasn’t been an overnight one.


Pictured: avocado tartare served with mountain peach at Wasabi by Morimoto 80 AUGUST 2016

oriental curry powders or chicken Katsu which lends mild sweet and tangy flavours to the dishes. To make dishes spicy, we use Kanzuri, a paste of red chilli pepper, rice malt, yuzu and salt, produced in Niigata, Japan. Some of the Japanese ingredients that do well in India are edible seaweeds like wakame, hijiki, different kinds of beans like azuki, daizu, edamame, myoga-Japanese ginger, takuan-pickled daikon radish, umeboshi-salted Japanese plums, fresh wasabi and of course soy sauce.” While authentic Japanese restaurants have been accepted well by its niche Indian audience, Pa Pa Ya by the house of Massive Restaurants (known for the likes of Masala Library, Farzi Cafe and Masala Bar) took a spin on the cuisine. This modern Asian bistro intermingles flavours of east Asia and focuses on innovative presentation. Their target audience is the millennials who would typically not choose to dine at restaurants nestled in luxury hotels. The restaurant’s range of (fusion and traditional) Japanese dishes are not just creative but also delectable. “In India, Asian food overall has seen little innovation with mostly similar concepts being

often replicated. With Pa Pa Ya, our aim was to completely revolutionise the way Asian food has been looked at and turn it on its head entirely. The menu offers familiar flavours and authentic taste of admired dishes from Asia, however incorporating extensive modernist techniques to turn these dishes on their head, to bring in a sense of surprise into the fray. There are dishes like the beer-battered avocado tacos and sushi burgers, a beetroot Carpaccio and a signature mezze platter, among others that have been appreciated by our patrons,” says Zorawar Kalra, founder and managing director, Massive Restaurants. The restaurant also serves dishes like its edamame sliders recreated with Chinese bao buns prepared in-house, and moistened with Japanese style mayonnaise and its signature sushi matrix, an assortment of sushi served on a pyramid stand. Pa Pa Ya’s ambience is dynamic with lounge music and a snazzy bar, breaking away from the stereotype that (authentic) Japanese cuisine must be restricted to fine-dining restaurants. Pa Pa Ya’s executive chef speaks about his experience at the aforementioned Wasabi, where he too had the opportunity to work under Chef Morimoto. “The experience helped sharpen my skills and knowledge of the cuisine, while also getting me to understand the nuances of blending flavours in Asian food. The perception of Japanese food in India is mostly associated with sushi and raw food, however Japanese cuisine is a whole lot more than just sushi. Japanese cuisine is as much about vegetarian fare as it may be about fish. Ingredients such as renkon (lotus stem) have seen a wide acceptance among Indian diners,” he says. Chef Sadik of Wasabi explains that his challenges weren’t so much about changing perceptions, but more about sourcing the right ingredients that ensure the authenticity of the restaurant’s dishes. MEGU’s Chef Takanori also believes that serving Japanese cuisine to his guests is no more a challenge. “Indians love Japanese food and I meet so many diners at my restaurant who are well travelled and have great abilities to appreciate the delicate flavours in Japanese cuisines,” he says. The evolution of the Indian palate that appreciates the intricacies of Japanese food hasn’t been an overnight one. A journey that began with Wasabi by Morimoto more than a decade ago has taken leaps and bounds. While fine-dining choices restrict those who don’t mind shelling out the bucks for high-quality and original Japanese food, concept eateries typically cater to the younger lot looking for an easy night-out plan on a weekend. Japanese food has become one of the preferred choices of not just culinary enthusiasts, but also gourmet novices who are giving in to their “developed tastes”. n Visit businesstraveller.com

TAJ HOTELS RESORTS AND PALACES

Taste


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AUGUST 2016 81


SNAPSHOT

World’s first airport lounge Valerian Ho looks back at the earliest club facilities for first class flyers

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merican Airlines opened the world’s first private airport lounge, the Admirals Club at New York LaGuardia, in 1939. Political problems faced by New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia were the catalyst. Criticised by the press for having large, well-equipped offices at the airport, he offered to rent them out. American Airlines (AA) chairman CR Smith took him up on it, seeing it as a way to honour supporters of commercial aviation (of which there were few in those days). The lounge began as a private club with nine members, duly dubbed “Admirals”. While food was not served, a bar offered free drinks and members could also store their own rare and valuable bottles for consumption. “Skippers” (retired stewardesses) helped to make bookings and order in-flight meals. The carrier launched its second lounge at Washington National in 1941. In 1967, it adopted a policy of accepting paying members, charging US$25/`1,675 per year, or US$250/`16,755 for lifetime membership. ■

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Top and middle: AA Admirals Club, New York LaGuardia Bottom: British Airways Monarch lounge, New York JFK

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Gazetted as Singapore’s 71st National Monument and once home to the General Post Office, The Fullerton Hotel’s strategic location and Neoclassical grandeur are timeless.



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