Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October - 2025 i Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition

AN ILLUSTRATION OF Singapore graces the front of this magazine, as our cover story concerns the city's future-ready MICE sector. Many of you, if not most, will have travelled to Singapore for business and perhaps a conference or expo. The reasons why it leads the world in this held are plain to see: besides state-ofthe-art MICE facilities, backed by the latest innovations in tech and AI, the city itself is a major draw. How many in Asia can boast first-class public transport and infrastructure, excellent regional and global connections, safe streets, universal fluency in English and world-leading services? All this is complemented by wonderful food, leafy avenues, remarkable architecture and plenty of calm, green spaces. As they say, what's not to like? Turn to page 46 to learn more. We…

► ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS (ANA) has unveiled The Room FX, its next-generation business class seat with privacy doors, set to be installed on its long-haul Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet. FX stands for “Future Experience”, and the Star Alliance member says the product will be the world's largest seat in its class on a “mid-sized” aircraft. The airline's future 787-9s are expected to have 48 business class seats across 12 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, with the seats alternating between forward facing and rear facing. Beginning in 2026, the Tokyo-based airline says it will gradually roll out The Room FX on major 787-9 long-haul routes. And similar to Finnair's latest generation long-haul business class product, ANA's upcoming The Room FX will be a “no-recline seat”. ANA says the design features a…

Aman Resorts The ultra-luxury resort group has its own retail concept that allows guests to bring home some magic from their stay. The collection starts off affordably with a US$41 hand lotion, but prices steadily climb from there: think US$485 bikinis, a US$2,430 leather washbag, and a US$4,670 cashmere blanket, complete with a subtle “A” monogram. This is understated style at a suitably extravagant price point. FORGET THE STANDARD logo-stamped slippers: hotels are now teaming up with luxury brands to sell a coveted lifestyle and reach new audiences. While hotel products have always reinforced brand identity, they've now evolved into slick, stylish status symbols and a signifier of insider luxury. The pandemic accelerated this trend as hotels sought to diversify their income and find new ways of connecting with potential…

Curve appeal From arched doorways to curved sofas, flowing lines and wavy mirrors, the sleek mid-century motif has a timeless allure - its soft, gentle and organic feel signalling a warm and welcoming environment. Flower power Groovy floral-packed wallpapers in a warm, rich colour scheme of reds, yellows and oranges are back in vogue, bringing the ‘70s heyday into the 21st century. Bold patterns extend beyond the walls to curtains and upholstery. Centenary celebrations This year marks 100 years since the emergence of Art Deco, so what better time to pay homage to the 1920s look? Expect plenty of zigzags, mirrored surfaces, polished chrome and geometric shapes.…

Honda The car and motorcycle manufacturer was founded in 1948, as Japan's industry rebuilt rapidly after the war. Honda now has factories around the world, including 12 in the US alone. Japan Airlines Founded in 1951, JAL was Japan's first international airline, crucial in post-WWll global connectivity and representing Japan during its economic resurgence. Hitachi Another giant multinational, with operations in electronic and transportation markets, to name just a few. Established in 1910, Hitachi ranks 196th in the Fortune Global 500.…

NuWave MoodEnhancing AF Lager This 0.5% lager is boosted with natural botanicals such as ashwagandha leaves and lion's mane to ease you into a calming haze, while added biotics improve gut health one sip at a time. Tasting notes: Malty and smooth like alcoholic lagers, with a subtle bitterness. Collider Session IPA Dressed in a bold, futuristic can, this IPA is micro-dosed with functional lion's mane mushrooms and ashwagandha to carry you through any social function - plus L-theanine for relaxation. Tasting notes: Citrusy with heady floral flavours that are more pronounced than in standard IPAs. Livener by Three Spirit Drinks Served on the rocks or with a mixer, the Livener gives a spicy kick to get you in the party mood. Schisandra berries and guayusa provide energy, while watermelon…

THIS OCTOBER, EXPECT to hear the sound of arias across the Malacca Strait, thanks to the third edition of Opera in Paradise. Italian operatic legend Luciano Pavarotti once described Pangkor Laut, off Malaysia's west coast, as “paradise” and the private island with its 2-million-year-old rainforest is playing host to Maestro Andrea Griminelli, a Grammy-winning virtuoso who was Pavarotti's protégé, along with other virtuosos for three nights of opera under the stars. Book The Pavarotti suite for the ultimate operatic overture, from upwards of US$1,000 per night. pangkoriautresort.com/opera-in-paradise.html WHISKY FANS ARE spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury retreats in Scotland. Ardbeg House on the island of Islay is adding to the tally when it reopens in September. Recently acquired by The Glenmorangie Company and redesigned by Russell Sage Studio,…

THE STAFF AT Marc-Antoine Barrois’ Paris boutique are some of the best-dressed individuals in the city, each wearing a black version of his scarf-neck, bow-tied La Versailles shirt. It's a unisex, chic look, channelling something of classic YSL with the intellectual irreverence of Yohji Yamamoto. All tres Barrois. When Barrois, an alumnus of couturier Dominique Sirop as well as Hermes, opened his boutique on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in 2024, it was a space to combine the men's handmade couture produced under his own name since 2009 with the range of fragrances that launched in 2016 in partnership with Quentin Bisch, The fragrances have taken off in a major way in the last two years - currently stocked at Bergdorf Goodman in New York and Harrods in London, where his…

Q & A What was it like growing up in Warrandyte, Australia? Warrandyte was a great place to grow up. It's a quiet spot just outside of Melbourne, and we spent most of our time outdoors - riding bikes, exploring, just being kids. Our family is very close, and when I get the chance to travel back to Warrandyte it still feels like home. Are you from a sporty family? Definitely. My parents were big on getting us outside and staying active, and with three siblings, everything turned into a competition - whether it was surfing, skating or footy in the backyard. That competitive spirit was a huge part of growing up, and it's definitely shaped the way I approach sport and life now. When did you start snowboarding? The…

TOKEN2049 October 1-2 Marina Bay Sands World-leading blockchain and Web3 conference token2049.com SINGHEALTH DUKE-NUS SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS 2025 September 19-20 SGH Campus Platform for knowledge exchange on medical and scientific research by SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School singhealthdukenus.com.sg/canference/Sdc2025 ITB ASIA October 15-17 Marina Bay Sands Asia's leading travel trade show bringing together stakeholders from MICE, leisure, corporate travel and media itb-asia.com (see page 49) ROAD USER CHARGING CONFERENCE ASIA-PACIFIC October 1-2 Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview Conference on policy and technological developments in road charging and tolling systems roaduserchargingconferenceasiapacific.com INTRALOGISTEX ASIA-PACIFIC October 1-2 Singapore Expo Exhibition focused on logistics, warehouse automation and supply chain solutions intralogistexapac.com…

In the startling reinvention of China over the past couple of decades, with world-class infrastructure springing up all over the rapidly developing nation, perhaps no development has had such a far-reaching impact as its high-speed rail network. When you talk about that network, you tend to reach for a lot of superlatives. China has over two-thirds of the world's high-speed lines, measuring in at about 50,000km. They reach every Chinese province and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Unsurprisingly, it's also most widely used high-speed network globally, with more than 8,600 trains a day and about 3.27 billion passenger journeys in 2024. It's also the world's fastest, at up to 380km/h (although the Shanghai maglev used to be even faster, reaching 431km/h and covering 30km in eight minutes); one of…

What's it like? Hidden among the tropical greenery of Orange Grove Road, Shangri-La Singapore provides a welcome hideaway from the Orchard Road shopping stretch nearby. The hotel opened in 1971 and has expanded to offer 792 rooms across three wings each with their own look and appeal. Tower Wing is the oldest of the three, though it underwent a major renovation in 2017. Here, guests are met with a gleaming lobby of soaring columns, a leafy feature wall and a hanging cloud of doves above the check-in desks. GOOD - TO - KNOW The quietest time to grab a buffet breakfast at The Line is 6am to 7.30am (peak hours are 8.30-10am). Next to be built was Garden Wing, in 1978. As its name might suggest, it looks over a…

PAUL CLIFTON Paul was a BBC transport correspondent for 32 years and is a regular contributor to RAIL magazine. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. In this issue he follows the development of railways, from steam-powered beginnings to their spread across the globe and high-speed future. ISHAN SINGH Singapore-based Ishan is a writer covering innovation, finance and policy issues across Asia. His bylines appear in publications including the South China Morning Post and Esquire Singapore. He wrote our cover story on Singapore's MICE sector, examining why it's leading the world - and how that position has been achieved. JANE WOOLDRIDGE Jane's passion for travel has taken her to more than 100 countries - many more than once. Her work as a multimedia travel…

✓ Natural light or mood lighting to help your circadian rhythm ✓ Plenty of comfortable seats, whether you're solo or in a group ✓ Work area with desks (plus bonus points for a private booth or pod) ✓ Charging ports dotted around the lounge and free, fast wifi ✓ Local flavours, and an appetising buffet ✓ Calming colour scheme ✓ Natural materials or biophilic elements ✓ Bathrooms with shower facilities and luxury toiletries ✓ Artwork that introduces local talent and offers a sense of place ✓ Well-chosen soundtracks and signature scents ✓ Views over the apron or runway…

SINGING BOWL THERAPY is now one of the most popular forms of healing with sound. And we're no longer just talking lying motionless in a darkened room while therapists use a wooden mallet or strikers, and bowls of various shapes and sizes. A growing number of hotels and resorts are mixing things up by, for instance, offering singing bowl sessions in swimming pools. Therapists are also expanding the tools of their trade: while the bowls have traditionally been made from metals such as bronze, some now use crystal bowls made from pure quartz. But what's it all about? Tibetan literature suggests that singing bowl therapy dates back to the time of the Buddha. The practice is about far more than sound - it's about the vibrations created when the bowls…

IN COMMON WITH pretty much everything handcrafted in Japan, watches by Grand Seiko feature understated, exquisite finishing and gentle elegance. The SLGW003 from the Evolution 9 Collection was recently named “Best of the Best” at the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards. The dial honours white birch trees which grow near the Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi, while the Grand Seiko signature of a distortion-free mirror finish means crisp lines and flawless surfaces. A manual winding movement ensures that you regularly appreciate the workmanship - and promises around 80 hours of power. At around US$14,000. grand-seiko.com…

Q & A There are several brands under the group. How does your strategy support different categories of long-stay travellers? Our multi-brand strategy is built to cater to different traveller profiles, while keeping the home experience consistent across the board. Fraser Suites is our luxury offering designed for senior executives and discerning travellers; Fraser Residence delivers premium, residential-style living that appeals to relocating families, embassy staff and long-term corporate stays. Modena by Fraser appeals to the younger, mobile professionals who prioritise independence and local connection. Meanwhile, Capri by Fraser targets younger, tech-savvy travellers who want connectivity, smart design and lifestyle perks. This level of segmentation gives us the flexibility to play in different parts of the market, while maintaining commercial and operational efficiency. You have a very strong presence in…

Singapore has emerged as one of the world's most advanced hubs for large-scale gatherings - from international summits and trade shows to concerts, weddings and immersive brand activations. Central to this growth is its meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, which has become a key driver of tourism for the city. I In 2024, Singapore achieved a record S$29.8 billion (USS23bh) in tourism receipts. The MICE sector contributed to approximately 10 per cent of that total, with MICE visitors spending nearly twice as much as leisure travellers. Driven by investments in digital innovation, strong government support and a focus on future-ready infrastructure, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is pushing for the growth of MICE tourism in the city. “Our goal is to triple MICE's contribution to tourism receipts to…

How long have you been designing amenity kits and was this always your dream job? It's been more than 15 years since I joined the industry. I came from a fashion design background and was designing luxury handbags. I have always been designing for fashion or luxury brands and creating accessories collections for their retail networks. But in moving to designing amenity kits and sleepwear for airlines, I get to work with so many brands and customers, understanding them and curating one-ofa-kind products, presenting our stories and getting to see them onboard. I am still as excited to work on every project as I was on my first day. I think I am one of the lucky few’ who gets to do what I love on a daily basis. How…

HEAD TO TORONTO'S Entertainment District this September to rub shoulders with film critics, cinephiles, budding filmmakers, established auteurs and A-listers, who will all be flocking to the Canadian city to attend the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, the festival opens with the premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary directed by Colin Hanks. Running from September 4-14, TIFF's ten-day programme includes talks from leading industry figures and Hollywood stars, a five-day conference for entertainment professionals, and a series of eagerly awaited screenings such as romantic comedy Mile End Kicks and a film adaptation of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler. AVIATION Route, fleet & cabin updates LOYALTY Cathay's Asia Miles changes HOTELS Branded merch to brag about TRAVEL FORECAST The science of lounge…

STAR ALLIANCE MEMBER Thai Airways is rolling out major fleet and cabin product upgrades later this year with the arrival of its first regional A321neo aircraft, including lie-flat seats in its Royal Silk business class. The A321neo will become a backbone of the airline's future fleet, with currently more than 30 of the aircraft on order, and more on the cards. The aircraft will feature 16 lie-flat business class seats in an alternating 2-2/1-1 configuration, including single “throne seats” in alternate rows, just like those pioneered by Air Astana and later Aer Lingus. The A321neos are expected to be deployed across the Thai flag carrier's Asia-Pacific network, including to India and China. They will open up new markets for Thai Airways, as well as replace and freeup current widebody aircraft…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VIENNA LOUNGE, TERMINAL 1, VIENNA AIRPORT, AUSTRIA A collection of Austrian prints, from masters such as Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt, was one of the reasons Vienna Lounge was voted Global Lounge of the Year in the Priority Pass Excellence Awards 2024. THE CLUB SFO, SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The design of this LEED-certified lounge embraces Northern Californian scenery. It was named Best New Passenger Experience Concept 2025 by Airports Council International - North America. KYRA LOUNGE, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT This lounge draws inspiration from the natural world. Dynamic lighting replicates the effect of dappled sunlight, a wave-like ceiling evokes the ocean, and a central fireplace offers cosy comfort. THE CLUB LIM, JORGE CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The newly unveiled The Club LIM celebrates Peruvian heritage with…

Aglobal hub for technology, cutting-edge luxury retailers and start-ups, Tokyo is one of Asia's most lively commercial centres - and home to an estimated 14 million people. Travellers will enjoy dipping into the Japanese capital's unique cultural history and passion for the new. From the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower (pictured) to the neon streets of the dazzling Ginza shopping district and the skyscraper-clad Shinjuku, this bustling metropolis is irresistible. An extra 24 hours will barely whet the appetite for what Tokyo has to offer, but expect a kaleidoscope of special experiences that live long in the memory. The New Otani Almost a city within a city, this hotel in Chiyoda City celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Despite its age, The New Otani offers every facility a modern traveller…

► LUXURY FASHION BRANDS are launching bars and restaurants around the world inspired by their stylish designs. In Dubai, for instance, you can enjoy Breakfast at Tiffany's for real at the Tiffany Blue Box Cafe. Expect croissants, smoked salmon on blinis and other delights that would please Holly Golightly herself. The signature Tiffany Blue features throughout, not least on the chinaware. In Rome, meanwhile, Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, has debuted an alfresco bar with Aquazzura just in time for summer. Inspired by the Italian brand's Casa Secret Garden tableware collection, the botanical-inspired bar in the hotel courtyard (pictured right) features lemon trees in striped planters and tapas on Aquazzura Casa porcelain. Several brands have a whole family of restaurants in fashionable cities. In the restaurant business since…

SIX SENSES VANA, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA This beautiful resort, close to the holy city of Rishikesh, offers a wide range of singing bowl treatments, including its Signature Singing Bowl Ritual, during which a therapist moves the bowl in a path around the head and shoulders, and over heart chakras, before resting it on the on the solar plexus chakra. Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses’ wellness pioneer, says there's been a huge increase in the number of guests signing up for this type of treatment: “Sound is one of our most primal senses, and vibrational therapies are fast becoming as sought-after as yoga.” sixsenses.com JUMEIRAH BALI You'll find this 123-villa resort in Uluwatu, on Bali's southern tip. Singing bowlbased therapies include the kundalinibased Jagaraga Massage, which uses bowls and hot stones, and the…

PEOPLE OFTEN ASSOCIATE the most expensive thing with being the best in its class. Of course, that is ultimately a subjective question, but nevertheless, the mysterious allure of a highly priced commodity usually brings with it the notion that it's “better” than its lowerpriced competition. Credit cards with hefty annual fees are no exception. Cards such as the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve have garnered a reputation for being the “best” travel cards on the market, especially for those new to the credit card space who are looking to get in on the action. These days, the annual fees on these high-end cards are slowly creeping their way towards the US$1,000 threshold, and marketing teams work hard at showcasing how the perks that come with these cards offer…

THE HOST'S VIEWPOINT ONG WEE MIN VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES & MICE, MARINA BAY SANDS In what ways do you support ITB Asia? Since 2012, we have been the proud home to ITB Asia and have a close-knit relationship with Messe Berlin. This close working relationship also allows the operations teams on both sides to work together with great synergy and efficiency. We partner them across numerous areas - including sustainability and technology. To bring their ideas to life, our audio-visual and light team also harness immersive technologies to capture the imagination of delegates. What can Marina Bay Sands offer In terms of cuttingedge technology for the MICE sector? Our Hybrid Broadcast Studio offers clients opportunities to stage omnichannel events, with broadcast quality livestreaming capabilities and hologram functionalities. The stage has an…

HS2, the hugely expensive and endlessly controversial new rail link between London and Birmingham, is under construction. It won't carry passengers until at least the mid-2030s, and plans to stretch the route to Manchester and Leeds - its raison d'être - have been cancelled. Critics have called it the Acton [London] to Aston [Birmingham] shuttle as the service will initially travel between suburbs. Industry leaders have repeatedly warned politicians that a railway without a substantial central London terminus, and shorn of its links to northern cities, makes no sense at all. They will surely have to be reinstated one day. Meanwhile, HS2's gigantic new multi-level station is being built at Old Oak Common in West London. With connections to the Elizabeth Line, the Great Western and Heathrow Airport, it may…

VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS The carriages of this world-famous train date from the 1920s and ‘30s, taking you at a leisurely pace from Paris to Venice and Istanbul - hopefully with no murders en route. It's a stylish luxury tour from Belmond with prices from €4,000, though the Grand Suite from Istanbul costs a cool €79,000. GOLDEN EAGLE SILK ROAD EXPRESS Golden Eagle has stopped its famed TransSiberian Express service, which stretched 9,300km across seven time zones from Moscow to Vladivostok. Instead you can board luxury rail tours that follow the Silk Road from Beijing to cities such as Almaty, Samarkand and Tashkent. THE WEST HIGHLAND LINE “The Jacobite” steam train across the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct is instantly recognisable to all Harry Potter fans. But board the standard ScotRail service from Glasgow…

IF IT SEEMS like everyone around you, in every demographic, is carrying a backpack these days, you're not imagining this trend. Known as a knapsack before the term “backpack” was coined in 1914, this allpurpose tote is enjoying a surge in popularity. According to the London-based Business Research Company, backpacks are expected to enjoy a sales increase of 5.7 per cent in 2025, totalling US$22 billion. The reasoning, of course, isn't complicated. Whether you're getting on a plane or traversing a daily commute from home to office, chances are you're trying to seamlessly blend your personal and professional items in one bag that accommodates your needs while reflecting your individual style. The ability to sling the bag over one or both shoulders - or perhaps remain small enough to fit…