Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2015 i Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition

Life is a process of trial and error. We make mistakes, we figure out what works, we do better. As business travellers, experiencing new things is part of the daily routine. Thankfully, we often have the benefit of learning from those who have trodden the path before. We can read hotel reviews, listen to expert advice or share often-amusing mishaps on forums (see businesstraveller.asia/discussion). But sometimes we just have to make our own mistakes, and use the lessons for the future. After all, it’s those gut-wrenching moments when you realise you’ve left your passport at home that eventually transform you into a battle-hardened road warrior. It’s no different on a global scale. In this issue we look at the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, the site of a major Chinese experiment…

BUSINESS TRAVELLER has four fabulous prizes up for grabs this month, exclusively available to our readers. For a chance to win, visit www.businesstraveller.asia/competitions The Westin Blue Bay Resort is offering two lucky readers the chance to win a complimentary two-night stay in a deluxe oceanfront room with breakfast for two included. The hotel is based in Lingshui, which is well known for its natural landscape, fresh air, and moderate climate. Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre is offering two lucky readers the chance to win a three-night stay in a deluxe room with complimentary breakfast. The 720-room property is housed within a 39-storey building and serves as the flagship Marriott property in Shanghai and southern China. Winners of January/February’s online competition: Katrina Moore (Germany) and Ivo Knottnerus…

Get in touch at editorial@businesstravellerasia.com Star letter MISTAKEN IDENTITY I flew business class on CX117 from Hong Kong to Auckland on December 15, 2014. The flight was sold as an Air New Zealand (NZ) codeshare, flight NZ4992. I input my Marco Polo Club (MPC) membership number while I made the reservation, and had it printed on my boarding pass when I checked in. However, six weeks later, nothing was credited to my account. I went to the Cathay Pacific website to put in a claim for my missing miles, but a few weeks later my claim was rejected. The official reason was:“Incorrect flight details provided. Details rectified and flight credited”. The weird thing is, my account was credited with 1,424 miles for a discounted economy fare on CX117 December 13…

CHINA TOP PICK The 309-room New World Hotel Beijing has a special meetings package, available until August 31, 2015. For any booking of 10 guestrooms (single occupancy) at the best available rate, for a single meeting or event, each guest will be entitled to one full-day meeting package for an additional US$1 per person, per day. The full-day meeting package will include room rental, buffet lunch at the all-day dining restaurant and two coffee breaks in addition to special touches such as welcome amenities, daily buffet breakfast, daily newspaper, complimentary wireless internet and 10 per cent discount on the best available rate for guestrooms pre and post-meeting dates. newworldhotels.com/en/ TOP PICK The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi is offering a Club and Suite Retreat package. This includes up to 10…

The sipping, swilling and scoring is complete, and the winning airlines have been crowned. After tasting 270 bottles from 35 carriers, our expert judges have picked the winners of the 2014 Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky Awards, presented to the airlines that served the best in-flight wines last year. Head judge Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge, handed out the trophies at a reception on February 23 at the Hilton London Paddington (hilton.com) – our thanks to Hilton Worldwide for providing the perfect venue. We also held wine tastings of the winning labels at the Business Travel Show at London’s Grand Hall Olympia on February 25-26. Joining Metcalfe on the judging panel were Tim Atkin, Oz Clarke, Peter McCombie, co-chairmen of the International Wine Challenge, and awards…

FIRST CLASS BEST FIRST CLASS RED Gold Medal: British Airways Kiwa by Escarpment Pinot Noir 2011, Martinborough, New Zealand Judges said: “Attractively mature with a savoury, leafy and fresh palate. Delightful and would be lovely in the air.” Score: 95 Silver Medal: British Airways Château Lagrange 2004, Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France Score: 94 Bronze Medal (joint): Air France Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes 2010, Châteauneuf du Pape, France Etihad Airways Château du Tertre 2006, Margaux, Bordeaux, France Score: 93 BEST FIRST CLASS WHITE Gold Medal: Garuda Indonesia Domaine Marc Morey and Fils, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru en Virondot 2009, Burgundy, France Judges said: “Classy young style, lean, intense and crisp. Fresh and light on the palate with complex ripe fruits.” Score: 96 Silver Medal: Qantas Delatite Riesling 2006,…

Remember the days when the little white headphones you got free with your iPod seemed cool? The world of portable audio has moved on, and if you’re still listening to tinny noise on badly fitting headphones, it’s high time you invested in some new cans. But if you expect anything approaching decent quality sound, don’t expect change from US$150 – even that price tag represents the lower end of the market. Before you splash the cash, decide what you need – are you more likely to relax in a hotel listening to Bach or pelt it through the park in the driving rain? If the former, invest in a pair of over-ear headphones designed for comfort and clarity, or perhaps a small, wireless speaker. If the latter, you need a…

In recent years some extraordinary claims have been made for olive oil. It has been credited with properties ranging from antioxidant to aphrodisiac. Some assertions are more credible than others. A substantial body of scientific evidence now supports the theory that consumption of the oil can confer some health benefits such as lowering cholesterol to help prevent heart disease. Its restorative properties have been assumed for several thousand years around the Mediterranean, where the viscous golden liquid is a staple. Due to an increased interest in healthier eating and as the taste has a broadly international appeal, the consumption of olive oil has gone global in recent years. Indeed, there are few developed countries in which a connoisseur would have any difficulty in locating a respectable bottle. MADE IN ITALY?…

SARAH O’MEARA is the former lifestyle editor of The Huffington Post UK turned freelance writer and editor. After moving to Shanghai two years ago, she now writes for a range of publications including Al Jazeera on business, social affairs and travel. She also writes a weekly column for The Telegraph on her expat life. As a southeast Asia newbie, Sarah has become addicted to seeing (and eating) as much as possible of the new world on her doorstep. ROBIN LYNAM is a Hong Kong-based freelance journalist specialising in travel, food and drink, plus arts and culture. He writes two columns for the South China Morning Post in addition to contributing to a number of titles around the region. In this issue, he delves into the background of olive oil and…

AIR ASIA X has launched its maiden flight to Chongqing – its sixth destination in China following Hangzhou, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. ALITALIA is set to resume services to South Korea after more than 20 years. The carrier will launch new A330-operated flights between Rome and Seoul from June. ASIANA AIRLINES will be increasing frequency of its Chengdu service on June 7 by adding an extra flight on the route that it currently flies once daily. CATHAY PACIFIC will expand its European presence with a four-times weekly service to Düsseldorf from September 1. Flights will be served by a four-class B777-300ER. HAINAN AIRLINES has opened reservations for flights between Chongqing–Rome; Shanghai Pudong–Boston; and Shanghai Pudong–Seattle, which are slated to begin on April 27, June 20 and June 22 respectively.…

CHECK-IN I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1 at 1630 for my 1750 flight and proceeded to Air New Zealand’s (Air NZ) check-in area in Zone G to collect my boarding pass for the 11-hour NZ80 service to Auckland. There were no queues at the dedicated premium economy counters, but as security was relatively slow that day I did not get airside until 1650. THE LOUNGE Premium economy passengers are not eligible for lounge access unless they have tier status with Air NZ or Star Alliance. The closest members’ lounge following security and immigration is the newly renovated Singapore Airlines lounge, near gate 15. BOARDING The flight was called at Gate 31 at 1720. Passengers in business class, premium economy and Star Alliance Gold status holders were given…

Earn extra SPG Starpoints when you use Uber Members of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) programme can now look forward to earning Starpoints whenever they ride with Uber – the global taxi app – following a strategic partnership between the two companies in March. This can be done by linking existing SPG and Uber accounts at spg.com/uber . Following the completion of one qualifying stay within a calendar year at any Starwood hotel worldwide, SPG members can begin racking up points whenever they use Uber’s services. The standard rate is 1 Starpoint per US dollar spent on an Uber ride, however premium loyalty members can enjoy higher accrual rates during stays at Starwood properties worldwide: Receive bonus Qmiles when you fly to Amsterdam with Qatar Qatar Airways…

Accor-Ambassador Korea has celebrated the opening of the new IBIS STYLES AMBASSADOR SEOUL MYEONGDONG. The 180-room property is located minutes from Myeongdong Station, Myeongdong shopping district, Cheonggyecheon Stream and the N Seoul Tower. Thailand-based real estate developer Grand Canal Land has appointed New World Hotels & Resorts to manage the NEW WORLD GRAND RAMA 9, BANGKOK HOTEL when it opens in mid-2017. The LANGHAM, SYDNEY has re-opened its doors following a renovation programme that spanned from August to December 2014. JIN JIANG INTERNATIONAL has acquired Starwood Capital’s Louvre Hotels, the second-largest hospitality group in Europe after Accor, for a reported € 1.3 billion. SOUTH KOREA LOTTE GROUP will open a new luxury hotel in St Petersburg in 2017, representing a US$140 million investment. ANANTARA SIAM BANGKOK has opened its doors…

BACKGROUND Singapore Airlines (SIA) unveiled a new first class seat in 2013, co-designed by BMW Group Designworks USA and manufactured by Jamco America. It debuted on the carrier’s fleet of B777-300ERs, with Singapore-Tokyo Narita being one of the first routes to offer it. CHECK-IN I arrived at T3 of Changi Airport shortly before 2200. I had forgotten about the dedicated area for first class passengers, so I went to the check-in aisle instead. The staff seemed to have problems finding my booking in the system, but in the end, this was resolved and I was escorted to the exclusive check-in lounge. It’s a classy and spacious facility where top-tier customers can relax while their boarding passes are issued. Once the booking was found, the process was speedy, and I finished…

Aer Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air France, Air Mauritius, American Airlines, ANA, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Eva Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, LAN, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Sata International, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, United, Virgin Atlantic. Our sincere thanks to all participants…

APPLE has unveiled a gold MacBook notebook – its thinnest and lightest Mac to date. Weighing in at just 920g and at 13.1mm thick, the new device also features a 12-inch retina display with a resolution of 2,304 x 1,440 pixels. The all-new design includes an edge-to-edge keyboard and Force Touch trackpad that provides haptic [tactile] feedback. Some users, however, may find the single USB-C port limiting. The new MacBook goes on sale on April 10, with prices starting at US$1,299. It is also available in Space Gray and Silver options. apple.com…

ASIA-PACIFIC Penang, Malaysia April 11-12 Penang World Music Festival The renowned Esplanade in historic George Town will host 12 international bands, including acts from South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Germany and Malaysia, for this year’s festival. Highlights include Cape Town’s Dizu Plaatjies & Ibumyambo and Cuban band Razón De Son. In addition to the nightly concerts, you can also join workshops conducted by the musicians during the day. A one-day pass costs RM80 (US$22) and can be purchased at ticketcharge.com.my. penangworldmusic.gov.my Sydney, Australia April 18 Electric Run Dress up in your most sparkly get-up and join thousands of runners along the brightly illuminated five-kilometre route in Parramatta Park, which has its own soundtrack to keep participants motivated. After the event, dance the night away as DJs play against an…

Fast-track your fitness 1 SEVEN-MINUTE WORKOUT The noughties was the decade we discovered less can be more when it comes to exercise. According to the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal, the key to getting results from a super-short workout is you need to be in pain (but not actually hurting yourself). Using just your body weight, you perform a series of 12 high-intensity exercises such as push-ups, lunges and tricep dips as hard and fast as you can – with correct form and no more than ten seconds rest between. There are numerous dedicated apps – search your app store for“seven-minute workout”. 2 FOCUS INTERVAL TRAINING A wealth of studies show short, intense gym sessions can be more effective at increasing fitness levels and shifting body…

1 DOCKLANDS Start in the city’s brash and breezy Docklands, which can be reached from the central business district via the pedestrian bridge over the rail tracks that funnel into Southern Cross station. The dazzling glass-walled skyscrapers that have sprung up around the waterfront are all the proof you need that it’s boom time in Australia’s second city. Gold may have lured people here in the 1800s, but today’s Melbourne is building flashy flats, shops and restaurants such as Berth (berth.com.au) on New Quay Promenade, which looks out at Victoria Harbour. The huge Etihad Stadium, which hosts football, Aussie Rules and rugby as well as pop concerts, is located here, and there are even plans to build an artificial surf complex. There’s a trail around the Docklands that you can…

It was 47 years ago that Boeing rolled out its first wide-body, double-decker B747, the biggest civilian aircraft to fly our skies until 2005, when the Airbus A380 superjumbo arrived. With a tail the height of a six-storey block of flats and a wingspan the length of two basketball courts, the B747-100 could seat 452 passengers and had to be assembled in a custom-built factory in Everett, Washington – the largest building by volume ever to be constructed. The aircraft made its first flight in 1969 and, in 1970, was delivered to Pan Am, which used it to serve the New York-London route. By the end of the year, Boeing had built 96 B747s – last June, it made its 1,500th delivery (to Lufthansa) with the latest B747-8 Intercontinental variant,…