Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2015 i Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition

South Korea’s capital city is an urban metropolis of innovation, culture, fashion and pop culture – and it doesn’t plan on stopping there. The city is gearing up to become a major MICE destination, rolling out incentives that combine business with leisure and entertainment to attract corporate travel. Corporate groups with 50 delegates or more staying in Seoul for at least two consecutive nights can apply for two options to enhance their stay. Each option contains exciting incentives designed to stimulate all of a visitor’s senses and make their stay a memorable one. The first option allows delegates to experience the city as a top entertainment destination, with a choice to reserve seats for the Seoul International Fireworks Festival or Seoul Mega Concert. The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is one…

BACKGROUND The Grand Hyatt San Francisco has been a feature of Union Square since it opened in 1972. Originally named the Hyatt on Union Square, the skyscraper hotel adopted its current name in 1990 when it moved from a mid-brand to a premium product. A $70 million (US$51.5 million) refurbishment was completed in 2013. WHAT’S IT LIKE? Upon entering the hotel via the main entrance on Stockton Street, you will find yourself in a modest-sized lobby area. The reception area is on the right with four counters, including a dedicated priority line for top-tier members of the Hyatt Gold Passport programme. A fireplace breathes warm life into the small but cosy space. WHERE IS IT? The hotel overlooks the public plaza of Union Square, a prominent commercial district that is…

Known as the River of Kings, the Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of Bangkok. The ancient waterway flows through the heart of the city, its banks lined with magnificent ancient temples and exciting new developments. Free from the notorious Bangkok congestion, a ride up the Chao Phraya is one of the best ways to get an authentic flavour of the whole city. Some history explains why Thais feel so closely linked to this river. In the distant past it was used as a gateway for all nations wishing to trade or befriend the King and the Thai nation. Today, travellers from all over the world may visit the river and experience glimpses of the past and present to enhance their exploration of Thailand’s capital. Pay a visit to Tha…

The fierce ongoing debate about carry-on baggage allowances has pitted the airline industry’s global policy-setting group against individual airlines amid predictions it could lead to the return of a standardised system that was abandoned years ago. It has also raised more questions than it answers. The International Air Travel Association’s (IATA)“Cabin OK”recommendations, introduced in June, were quickly put on hold in the face of stiff opposition, particularly in the US. Industry figures pointed out that the proposals flew in the face of trends among aircraft manufacturers for bigger cabin bins, and among travellers to put greater reliance on carry-on baggage. Generally accepted guidelines were introduced decades ago, but their legality was challenged by some governments, and airlines ultimately set their own allowances. IATA’s latest suggestions for carry-on baggage dimensions of…

The throbbing heart of South Korea, Seoul pumps the national life-blood at a powerful pressure. High tech, high expense and high energy, it is one of the liveliest cities in Asia, and has much to offer the business traveller with some time to explore. Physically, Seoul comprises steel-and-glass high-rise office block clusters and drabber processions of identical concrete apartment buildings, interspersed with chaotic tangles of houses and villas. All of this is threaded through with a grid of teeming boulevards, highways, overpasses and bridges. Although architecturally uninspired, Seoul is topographically blessed – the city is watered by the broad Han River and overlooked by dramatic mountains to the north. It’s also big – Greater Seoul is the world’s third-largest urban conurbation, with half of Korea’s 50 million people. This makes…

1 ASIAN ART MUSEUM Kick-start your day with a visit to the Asian Art Museum, a four-minute walk from the Civic Centre BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station. The museum is home to one of the best collections of Asian art in the world, with more than 12,000 pieces from over 40 countries. Current exhibits include First Look: Collecting Contemporary at the Asian (September 4 – October 11); and Woven Luxuries: Indian, Persian and Turkish Velvets from the Indictor Collection (until November 1). Ticket prices for adults are US$15. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am-5pm, closes 9pm on Thursday; asianart.org 2 MARKET STREET & UNION SQUARE From the Asian Art Museum, turn left and walk through the leafy United Nations Plaza before joining up with Market Street. Continue down this bustling…

Combining a prime location in the heart of the new central business district of Pazhou Island, Langham Place, Guangzhou offers vibrant, flexible and high-tech function spaces extending over 5,ooo square metres for meetings, banquets and events. THE LARGEST PILLARLESS BALLROOM IN TOWN Spanning 2,800 square metres on Floor 3 and equipped with high-tech facilities, Great Hall, the vast pillarless ballroom with an 11-metre-high ceiling and dazzling crystal chandeliers blends modern art and a fashionable layout. The venue can split into six separate halls for intimate events. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with natural light, making it ideal for pre-function cocktail parties and wedding receptions. In addition, with a lift truck transporting cars directly into the hall, Great Hall can be converted into a showroom for automobile press conferences and events.…

CHECK-IN As I was on a connecting service from Auckland, I’d already received my boarding pass for flight QF97 – the Brisbane to Hong Kong leg of my journey. The international transfer process was quick at Brisbane airport, and I cleared the security checkpoint within five minutes. LOUNGE Qantas’ international business lounge is on the fourth floor – one level up from nearby Gate 80. My initial impression of the facility was a positive one. While it certainly can’t compare to the brand new lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, the Brisbane lounge still offers all the bells and whistles, including sweeping views of the airfield, shower facilities, semiprivate workstations with dual-platform iMac terminals, printing services, plenty of seats and charging ports. The F&B offering was fairly generous for a…

BACKGROUND The Langham Sydney underwent a four-month renovation in August last year, reopening its doors in December. Leading London-based interior and architectural firm GA Design upgraded all 98 rooms and suites, as well as the lobby, dining outlets and ballroom. Signature luxuries Chuan Spa and Palm Court were also introduced, bringing the hotel in line with its international sister properties. WHAT’S IT LIKE? I didn’t realise that I had arrived at the hotel when the taxi stopped, as the three-storey building stands together with other two- or three-storey houses in the same street, so it does not stand out to those visiting for the first time. The entrance and lobby are flooded with natural light, and guests reach the front desk after passing elegant and custom-made furnishings at the centre…

Open for 25 years, the Conrad Hong Kong is at the heart of luxury hospitality, offering event organisers a selection of multifunctional and ‘state-of-the-art’ event spaces. This year marks the Conrad Hong Kong’s silver jubilee, celebrated with a series of promotions and events to mark the hotel’s history in Hong Kong. The hotel’s six restaurants offer delegates a range of lavish options for dinner meetings or private events, while those who prefer a more casual setting can enjoy the Hong Kong skyline from the alfresco Garden Café Terrace. Lit with futuristic LED table lamps, the Garden Café Terrace can host groups of six or more in private VIP booths. Groups can enjoy a selection of dishes across international cuisines, with specialty cocktails on offer from the hotel’s resident mixologists. Along…

PLAY Compact way to get a round WITH the new DV8 Play Set golf enthusiasts can say goodbye to club rentals forever. The versatile kit comes with one graphite shaft and ten club heads stored in a compact bag with compartments for golf balls, tees and even a tablet. The lower shaft length can be adjusted to keep each club true to its regular length and flex, allowing players to cover almost all yardages. The entire set measures 33x23x15cm and weighs less than 7kg (15lbs), meaning it can easily fit into overhead bins. Retail price is US$899, with a 10 per cent online discount until the end of September. dv8sports.com BEAUTY Pearly whites in 20 minutes GET a dazzling smile in just 20 minutes at The Smile Bar, a speedy…

Sitting high above Italy’s dazzling Amalfi coast, the charming hill town of Ravello offers breath-taking views of sun-drenched terraces cascading down to the azure Mediterranean sea. Only a 45-minute drive from Naples, it’s a wonderful place for a relaxing break after a business trip to the Neapolitan capital. Ravello has been here since the sixth century and has been attracting the rich and powerful ever since. A former holiday hotspot for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart and Greta Garbo, it still retains an air of quiet sophistication and grandeur. The opulent palaces along its cobbled streets were once majestic family residences – now they are home to some of the area’s finest luxury hotels, set in stunning secluded gardens, each with their own fabulous views of the coast.…

DELTA AIR LINES ACQUIRES STAKE IN CHINA EASTERN DELTA Air Lines will invest US$450 million into China Eastern Airlines, in return for a 3.55 per cent stake in its fellow Skyteam member carrier. China Eastern, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Shanghai Airlines, already codeshare with Delta on some 30 domestic routes within the US, as well as seven trans-Pacific routes between China and the US. Delta has also recently moved its operations to Terminal 1, alongside China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines. The partnership opens up the possibility of further passenger benefits, such as expanded codeshare agreements and interline connectivity. China Eastern Airlines also plans to purchase 50 Boeing B737-800 Next Generation aircraft for its low-cost carrier subsidiary, China United Airlines. ceair.com and delta.com SIA launches premium economy SINGAPORE Airlines…

BACKGROUND British Airways took delivery of the A380 aircraft in October 2013, and remains the only carrier to operate the superjumbo on a direct service between Hong Kong and London Heathrow (T5). With 469 seats, the A380 has four classes: First; Club World (business); World Traveller Plus (premium economy); and World Traveller (economy). BA's second daily service between the two destinations is operated by a 777. CHECK-IN I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 2115 via the Airport Express for a 2305 departure. I had checked in online the night before, so I went straight to the Bag Drop counter, where there was no queue. Before printing my boarding pass, I asked the staff member to double-check my selection of a window seat in the bulkhead row. After my…

Is Thailand turning a corner? The government installed via military coup in 2014 has been at pains to point this out to the world, and evidence is mounting to suggest it may be correct. Political instability and economic malaise in the past couple of years had a chokehold on growth and the capital Bangkok endured the brunt of this. But June figures from the World Bank’s Thailand Economic Monitor show growth expected at around 3.5 per cent for 2015, up from 0.9 per cent the previous year. Domestic demand has lifted, visitor figures in the first quarter are at their highest ever at 7.88 million, and overall public spend is up. Out of 189 economies, Thailand now sits 26th for ease of doing business, up from 28th a year ago,…

“Chengdu is a very laid-back place”, said the beaming concierge in English that exceeded my expectations.“People here like to enjoy their free time with shopping, drinking tea or socialising. We don’t rush around.” It’s not the first time I’ve been told that leisure time is sacred in the Sichuan capital, where serene teahouses are in abundance and the sleepy Giant Panda is the city mascot. Some attribute this laissez-faire attitude to the devastating effects of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, after which people took a determined“life’s too short” approach. Then again, proverbs have been handed down for generations that“the young shouldn’t go to Chengdu, and the old shouldn’t leave”because of its relaxed nature. Of course, this is only one side of the story. Ranked as a“tier 1.5 city”, Chengdu is…

The practice of exchanging business cards, barely changed since their introduction in the 17th century, is about to undergo a revolution. First popularised by the upper class to announce their arrivals at high-society events, business cards today in some ways represent a symbolic social contract in the business world. It’s common for office desks to be cluttered with piles of cards, which present the occupants with the long and tedious task of manually inputting the data, card by card, into a digital database. The limitations of office desktops and notebooks add to the problem, but times are changing. The widespread use of mobile technology, and changes in how individuals manage their work life, have prompted companies to deliver innovative products that ensure business cards will continue to be relevant and…

If there is still time before departure, or after arrival, most premium passengers take advantage of their airport lounge access to eat, drink, rest, work a bit, or maybe take a shower. Even economy class passengers can use pay-in lounges. But things were a bit different when American Airlines opened the first airport lounge in 1939. The Admirals Club at LaGuardia Airport in New York was launched because the airline’s chairman, C R Smith, wanted to honour strong supporters of the commercial aviation industry (who were not numerous in those days). Members of the club were dubbed “Admirals”. Political problems suffered at the time by New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia helped launch the club. Criticised by the press for having large and well equipped offices at the airport, he offered…