Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2018 i Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition

ALTHOUGH THE ISTANBUL NEW AIRPORT was due to celebrate its official opening on October 29, it seems that flight operations will not commence until the end of 2018/beginning of 2019. The plan is to move aircraft between the old and new airports at the end of December, but the situation could well change and, at the time of going to press, details were scarce. Once open, the new airport will have the capacity to handle as many as 200 million passengers, although the initial passenger volume will be 90 million. See our October 2018 issue for a behind-the-scenes look at the airport. igairport.com/en…

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (IHG) has opened three new hotel bars at popular destinations across the Asia-Pacific region: Ink 360 at Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort; Sugarsand at Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak; and Vana Nava Sky at Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin. Perhaps the most notable of the three additions is Ink 360, on the rooftop level of the Sky Tower at Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, which offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and ocean. The interior, designed by Ashley Sutton (of Maggie Choo’s in Bangkok and Ophelia in Hong Kong fame), features a suitably quirky futuristic style with metal octopuses comprising parts of the bar and seating. As for the drinks, Italian mixologist Giuseppe Carneli has customised conceptual beverages that combine traditional and contemporary styles…

THIS MONTH’S prizes come from Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai Pudong. Located in the heart of Shanghai’s Pudong Lujiazui business district within the 21st Century Tower, the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai Pudong takes a 1930s-inspired aesthetic and dials it up with a vibrant ambience to create a property that offers a stay that is second to none. Whether it’s the hotel’s stellar food and beverage offerings – from Cantonese restaurant Shang-Xi to Italian eatery Camelia – or its indulgent leisure facilities such as the spa, Flare, or the infinity pool, guests will have plenty to explore during their stay. For more details and to enter, visit businesstraveller.com/competitions Two winners this month will each win a two-night stay in a Deluxe room including breakfast for two. SEPTEMBER ISSUE COMPETITION WINNERS:…

Grand Mercure Yangon Golden Empire lets travellers enjoy international-standard service and indulge in exceptional relaxation while discovering the best of Yangon. Strategically located near the Dagon Industrial Zone, its just minutes from picturesque golf courses and awe-inspiring attractions like Sule Pagoda, Bogyoke Market, and Shwedagon Pagoda. Spacious and luxurious, rooms are uniquely designed with hand-painted touches by top local artists and thoughtful amenities like an espresso machine, premium teas, and Elle SPA bath products. Flavours Restaurant perfected all-day dining with a diverse array of international and Asian cuisine, while Ken Bar is a gorgeous outdoor pool bar serving drinks and light snacks in exotic surrounds. Two generous ballrooms offer amazing views of Yangon from the top floor of the hotel and are ideal for meetings, private parties, exhibitions and other…

Saigon. Paris of the East. The Pearl of the Orient. The setting of erotic French novels and thrilling Graham Greene mysteries. There was once a time when the city now known as Ho Chi Minh held a fascinating allure for travellers – a place of intrigue and exoticism, the perfect blend of colonial culture and Oriental charm. Post-war, Vietnam’s meteoric progress saw the country’s most populated metropolis advance at an incredible rate, with the city centre trading in its innumerable ancient shophouses for towering skyscrapers – for better or worse. The area known as District 1 is where most modern-day visitors now spend their time. It’s the city’s financial hub, its beating heart, a heady mishmash of gorgeous colonial structures, stark Soviet-era buildings and striking high-rises, all soundtracked by the…

hen we hear about disruption in aviation, we W tend to think of lost luggage, flight delays or cancellations. However, disruption can also have a wider meaning for the aviation industry and business in general. Disruption displaces established practices and challenges the status quo. As Uber did for taxis, Airbnb for hospitality and Amazon for retail, new business models also subject the aviation industry to disruption. The difference is, unlike Uber, Airbnb and Amazon – whose rise came with the evolution of the internet and digital technology – disruption for airlines has been happening for longer and for several reasons. It has had many positive effects for travellers, and some negative ones, but to understand where things are heading, it’s necessary to remind ourselves how we got to where we…

Sherry is amazingly affordable with a decent bottle starting as low as €5 (US$5.8). At the other end of the spectrum there are special limited editions. Look out for a bottle of Pio X 1903 from Tio Pepe, made in honour of the Pope at that time: 120 bottles were found in a hidden cellar in 2017, but only 100 were put on the market at €1,300 (US$1,523) per bottle. As the limited productions become harder to find, their value is sure to increase. At the top end of the spectrum are the Versos 1891, a rare blend of 125-year-old Amontillado sherry, which comes from the personal collection of the Barbadillo family. It has a very intense flavour, with prices up to €12,000 (US$14,060) per bottle. WHERE TO BUY SHERRY…

BACKGROUND Norwegian is now the second largest long-haul airline at Gatwick, with 13 direct long-haul destinations, including Singapore. It serves 11 routes to the US and has added a third daily frequency on this New York JFK route from October 29, 2018. CHECK-IN I arrived at London Gatwick at 1405 for my 1705 departure on DI7015 to New York JFK Terminal 1, a flight of nearly eight hours. Norwegian aircraft depart from the South Terminal. Check-in was very slow, as the agent encountered a problem with two passengers in front of me, and so left the desks to try to sort this out, causing a 15-minute delay. Eventually, the check-in agent reappeared and I then used the fast-track security; I had only hand luggage, but Premium passengers can book in…

TAIWANESE AIRLINE EVA Air and Shanghai-based carrier Juneyao Airlines have each launched new fully flat business class seat products for their recently delivered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. EVA Air’s seats in Royal Laurel Class (its business class) are from Designworks, part of the BMW Group, while Juneyao Airlines’ seats (pictured) are Thompson Aero’s Vantage XL seat product. Travellers can experience the new seats on EVA Air’s Taipei-Hong Kong flights throughout this month, and on domestic Juneyao Airlines flights between Shanghai, Shenzhen, Sanya, Chengdu and Chongqing. evaair.com; juneyaoair.com…

CHINA AIRLINES has reopened its Dynasty Lounge at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport following months of renovation work that sees the design of the 1,170-sqm lounge aligned with the carrier’s new-generation aircraft cabins. Located in front of Gate D4 in the Taipei airport’s Terminal 2 building, the revamped lounge has been given a makeover courtesy of Taiwanese calligraphy artist Ben-Hang Chang, who has painted an interior fresco depicting Mount Jade – one of a number of frescoes throughout the lounge. Able to seat some 258 people, the lounge also provides showers, public computers, and even a room for parents to tend to young infants. Both Chinese and international cuisine is served at the lounge, including cooked-to-order beef noodles and local snacks such as yams and tea eggs. china-airlines.com…

AFTER a year-long absence, first class seating has returned to Garuda Indonesia’s Tokyo flights following the deployment of the airline’s three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on select services to Tokyo Haneda Airport late last month. Seats are currently listed as being available to book on six flights per week on its daily GA874/GA875 service, with Sunday (Jakarta-Tokyo) and Monday (Tokyo-Jakarta) the only days when first class seating isn’t available. Garuda scaled back its premium cabin class last October, with its services to Tokyo and Amsterdam notably losing the first class offering. That left its London Heathrow flights as the only long-haul service offering first class seating, until last month when the airline dropped its non-stop service to London altogether. garuda-indonesia.com…

The Andean sun, veiled by passing clouds but deceptively strong, shines down on Plaza Bolivar. As ever, the square is thronging with tourists, SIM-card vendors, presidential guards in ceremonial uniform and children chasing pigeons. On one side, the magnificent neoclassical cathedral. Opposite is the town hall. A third building houses the Capitolio Nacional, seat of the national congress. The fourth is occupied by the Palace of Justice which, in November 1985, was attacked by members of the M-19 Marxist guerrilla group. They took 300 people hostage. A hapless military raid followed, during which 11 Supreme Court justices, 49 Colombian soldiers, 35 M-19 guerrillas and 11 ancillary staff and civilians died or disappeared. Whether here in La Candelaria – the cobblestoned historic centre – or in its skyscraper-strewn sprawl, Colombia’s past…

Airport hotels can save an anxious early morning journey to catch a flight, or alternately may provide a great place to set up meetings when you don’t need to be in the centre of the city. A range of new and upcoming properties have spacious, well-designed rooms and handy facilities, ideal for time-challenged business travellers. Several are located within terminals, while others are just a few minutes’ drive from the airport and come with perks like a pool, gym and a host of first-rate restaurants and bars. If you’re after a stress-free pre-flight passage, it’s worth keeping your eye out for these new airport hotels. HO CHI MINH CITY Ibis Saigon Airport This 282-room economy hotel includes 65 suites and one- and two-bedroom apartments for long-stay guests, just five minutes…

The 2018 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards was sponsored by TUMI, whose luggage can be purchased in more than 75 countries worldwide, as well as global news service France 24…

If you find yourself in southern Spain and want to learn more about sherry, a tour of the bodegas is a must. These are the only wine cellars in the world that can officially produce this fortified wine created from grapes grown in Cadiz province’s Sherry Triangle. I choose the Gonzalez Byass bodega in Jerez, producer of the famous Tio Pepe sherries. It has guided tours, and as well as touring the various buildings you also get an insight into the history and process of sherry-making. As with other wines, much of this comes down to the grapes and the soil, which is nearly white from the high chalk content. “The chalk retains moisture despite the dry climate here,” my guide explains, crumbling some earth in his hand. “The grapes…

BACKGROUND United Airlines opened its second Polaris Lounge in April at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – the first opened in Chicago, as part of the airline’s comprehensive Polaris upgrade encompassing lounges and in-flight products. WHERE IS IT? Tucked away behind the large Gucci store, immediately after the security checkpoint, at G Terminal near gate G93. WHO CAN ACCESS? United Polaris first and business class passengers, plus long-haul international first and business class Star Alliance passengers. First class passengers can bring a guest. WHAT’S IT LIKE? Huge. At just over 2,600 sqm, the lounge covers two floors comprising a quieter, work-orientated space on the ground floor and a larger social and dining area upstairs. Design-centric décor includes creative lighting fixtures, a soft grey and navy-blue colour scheme and white-and-grey marble…

SINGAPORE AIRLINES has relaunched its non-stop flights between Singapore and New York. The 16,700-kilometre journey to and from New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport takes up to 18 hours and 45 minutes. Previously flown by the airline until its cancellation in 2013, the route is now served by an Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra long range) and has a new menu designed specifically to combat jet lag on ultra-long flights; there’s also only a business class and a premium economy cabin. singaporeair.com…

CATHAY PACIFIC has begun offering travellers the ability to pay to access its airport lounges. Marco Polo Club members are now able to pay a HK$600 (US$75) fee per visit using their credit card to enter its facilities in Manila, Melbourne and Vancouver. Currently the offer only extends to three lounges: the Manila Cathay Pacific Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport; the Melbourne Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounge at Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 2; and the Vancouver Cathay Pacific Lounge at Vancouver International Airport. Passengers must have a valid booking on a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon-operated flight on the day of travel. cathaypacific.com…

WHETHER you’re a nervous flyer or just looking for a new in-flight entertainment option, Alaska Airlines wants to transport you out of the cabin and into new worlds of virtual reality (VR). The airline has announced that it is partnering with SkyLights, which provides airlines with immersive VR technology, and offering first class passengers on 10 flights between Boston and Seattle and Boston and San Diego the opportunity to test out VR headsets. In addition to exploring virtual landscapes, passengers can watch 2D and 3D movies with the headsets, including Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Ready Player One; and Ferdinand. alaskaair.com…

1 Perdana Botanical Garden Perfect for shaking off the cobwebs after a slew of morning meetings, Kuala Lumpur’s oldest public park (1888) offers the opportunity to lose yourself amongst tropical flora and fauna. Wander the Hibiscus Garden and Herbarium, passing the central enclosure where a herd of deer roam freely. From there, it’s a short walk through Perdana’s lush gardens to the Bird Park, a public aviary containing more than 3,000 birds, with peaceful coffee breaks available on the Hornbill Café’s veranda. Alternatively, head over to the famous Butterfly Park, a tranquil spot where vividly coloured insects live in harmony with Japanese koi and freshwater turtles within a lush landscaped plantation. klbotanicalgarden.gov.my; klbirdpark.com (open 9am-6pm daily; admission RM67/US$16); klbutterflypark.com (open 9am-6pm daily; admission RM24/US$5.8) 2 Masjid Negara, National Mosque of…

FOR MORE THAN A DECADE BUSINESS TRAVELLER ASIA-PACIFIC has been proud to work alongside the Chi Heng Foundation (CHF) in bringing together our many partners in the hotel and airline industries to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young people in China. As we enter our 13th year of association with CHF we remain truly humbled by the efforts of the foundation’s staff and volunteers, whose work deserves our utmost admiration and respect. CHF’s long-running commitment to providing educational sponsorship and psychosocial support to AIDS-impacted children in China, from primary school through to university, has remained strong over the past 16 years. Despite the challenges involved in bringing aid to a large number of students spread over a vast geographic area, CHF…

The three principal towns of the Sherry Triangle – Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María – are hidden gems with some of the best beaches and architecture in Europe. Touring the triangle gives you a chance to combine the best of Spain – the sea, sun, flamenco and of course sherry – in a way that will delight all five senses. And if wine tasting isn’t your travel companion’s cup of sherry, there is the possibility of combining the sherry tour with something that does appeal. Check out the website rutadeljerezybrandy.es (Sherry Triangle and Brandy Route), which can help you plan your tour with information including days out, language lessons, and accommodation availability and pricing. Sherry and art: In Jerez is Bodega Tradicion…

Roganic This is chef Simon Rogan’s latest attempt to crack the London market after the unanimous acclaim of his restaurant in the Lake District, L’Enclume. It has many of his signature approaches: foraging, fermentation, molecular cooking and multi-course menus of small plates. The high prices make it a temple of gastronomy best suited to special occasions and celebrations, yet the dining room is modest and the service casual. Highlights of our six-course meal included appetisers of fermented raspberry tart, tender sous-vide pork, and plenty of surprises along the way such as little parcels of raw beef wrapped in slivers of kohlrabi. Various menu options start from a £40 (US$52) business lunch up to £115 (US$151) for the tasting menu; the latter has the option of paired wines for an additional…