Innholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2026 i Business Traveller

OUR STAR LETTER this issue taps into one of the best, but often overlooked, parts of the travel experience: those unexpected moments of humanity. It's easy to get bogged down in the frustrations – delays, 3am starts, chaotic terminals… But don't miss the magic. The cabin crew who go the extra mile. The entertaining exchange with a kindred traveller. The charged moment with an enigmatic stranger at the hotel bar. Travel often focuses on movement and logistics, places and things – but it's people who connect the dots and provide the real colour. This is something to keep in mind while perusing our cover story: 26 destinations you need to put on your travel itineraries this year. Remember to talk to the souk dealers in Fez; learn from business leaders…

OPT-IN ILLUSION The British Airways American Express Premium Plus credit card has an offer to gain tier points for spend over certain thresholds – but you must opt-in to the scheme. I didn't receive my tier points, even though I opted in immediately – I even did it several times to be sure. When I queried, the customer support team asked if I could prove the date that I opted-in, but Amex does not provide an email confirmation, so I couldn't. Perhaps the system took the last enrolment date, rather than the first (easily done). Similarly, my wife booked an Amex dining offer with an eligible restaurant. We dined but didn't receive the credit. Amex said it wasn't on the list, but luckily my wife had taken a screenshot at…

GREEN SCENE Western China's business hub is one of the country's most important cities, and home to more than 20 million people, yet it offers a more relaxed way of life than Beijing or Shanghai. In 2018, Chengdu set its sights on becoming a ‘park city’, introducing greenways as well as expanding existing spaces to improve liveability. Visit today and you'll see the city's parks are functional, dynamic spaces. Highlights include Chengdu Outdoor Music Park, which hosts huge open-air concerts, while the People's Park in central Chengdu witnesses everything from dance groups to the centuries-old practice of ear cleaning. There's even a ‘Poets’ Corridor’ – where park-goers write lines of verse using a brush and water. Other green areas to check out include Wangjianglou Park, which is home to more…

HAPPYCOW A reliable travel tool for many longtime vegans and vegetarians, this website and app is the perfect platform for meat-free eaters. HappyCow lists vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants around the world. Under each listing, users can view reviews, ratings, photos of dishes and menus to plan their dining accordingly. SPOKIN On the Spokin app, users with allergies and coeliac disease share their experiences of dining at restaurants – both local and abroad. Reviews highlight information such as whether menus are marked with allergen labels, how accommodating staff were, whether specific ingredients are used in the kitchen (for example, peanut oil), and even the ingredients of individual bakery items. You can search for reviews by city, and the app even features travel guides and a dedicated travel page with insights about…

‘We'll see more integration between alliances and low-cost carriers’ Enrique Perrella caught up with the head of SkyTeam airline alliance to talk growth, innovation and rival alliances Q&A WHEN SKYTEAM LAUNCHED in New York on 22 June, 2000, it was entering a market already shaped by older, more established airline alliances. Yet its founding members – Aeroméxico, Air France, Delta and Korean Air – were betting that cooperation could deliver something more than just codeshare agreements: a seamless, consistent and rewarding experience for the traveller. In the beginning, SkyTeam offered just over 6,400 daily flights to 451 destinations – but that quickly changed. The alliance added CSA Czech Airlines and Alitalia in 2001, followed by a milestone expansion in 2004 that brought in Continental, KLM and Northwest. With a new…

‘OH SHIT,’ SAID the immigration officer as he examined my visa papers. Not exactly what you want to hear after a nine-hour flight from London to Mumbai. I was taken aback – not by the expletive, but by what it meant: my “double-entry” visa to India was invalid. I'd checked the document a few weeks before travelling, and sense-checked with my husband too. “Yeah, it's fine,” he'd said. Lesson number one: do not rely on family members, friends, or colleagues for visa advice. Always check official sources. I had assumed the visa I'd bought in January – and already used once for a trip to Delhi – would still be valid for my second (double) entry. The terms, it turned out, weren't clear. The first entry had to be within…

ALITALIA BULGARI LOGO JET Alitalia's Bulgari Aluminium livery, unveiled in 1998, required 1,600 hours, 25 specialists, 590kg of paint and hand-finished details – an unforgettable feat of aviation elegance. BRITISH AIRWAYS LANDOR The iconic British Airways Landor livery – introduced in 1984 – cost US$1 million to design, involved 18 months of research and 1,000 interviews, and proudly flew until 1997. QANTAS FLYING ART SERIES The Qantas Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa livery, painted in Mirabel, Canada, took more than two weeks and incorporated over 20,000 dots – Airbus’ most challenging design ever for this aircraft.…

Background The world's fastest front-engine convertible is also a celebration of 60 years of open-top motoring at Aston Martin. The Vanquish Volante bristles with performance, dashing from zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and on to an exhilarating top speed of 214 mph. Its lineage can be traced to the original Short Chassis Volante of 1965 – born at a time when President Lyndon B Johnson occupied The White House and the Chevrolet Impala was America's favourite car. The luxury British marque then launched a convertible version of James Bond's iconic DB5, offering elegance and power in a beautifully sculpted package. Features Powered by a 5.2-litre V12 engine producing 824 hp, the new Vanquish Volante is a beast of a grand tourer. Thirsty and pricey, it's a car of…

TODD PLUMMER WRITER US-based Todd writes regularly for the likes of Condé Nast Traveler and The Wall Street Journal. In this issue, he brings sunshine to our shores, with a peek at the most exciting Caribbean updates, from luxury new resorts to floating padel courts. Turn to page 60 to plan your winter sun escape. RHYS JONES WRITER Rhys is the aviation editor at frequent flyer website Head for Points and one of the UK's leading aviation and loyalty writers. He has reviewed over 20 airlines and stayed in hundreds of hotels. On page 38 he turns his focus to the new Avios Shop to reveal how to get the best bang for your buck. FAYE BRADLEY WRITER Faye is a Hong Kong-based journalist with features in publications including Lonely…

TRAVEL HACKS The world's most powerful passports HOTEL TRENDS Maximalism enters the design space TRANSPORT Self-driving cars come to town SUSTAINABILITY Eco-friendly team building MILAN SWAPS HAUTE couture for thrilling sports from 6-22 February as it co-hosts the Winter Olympics with the mountainous town of Cortina d'Ampezzo – nestled 250 miles away in the stunning Dolomites. A total of 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will descend upon Northern Italy to compete across 16 sports – from figure skating and ice hockey in Milan, to alpine skiing, skeleton and luge in the Alps. The hospitality scene is also gearing up for gold, with a flurry of luxury openings. Rocco Forte Hotels made its debut in November with The Carlton Milan – a 70-key hotel boasting elegant residential-style interiors by Olga Polizzi…

FEW PLACES IN LATIN AMERICA BLEND HISTORY, CULTURE AND BEAUTY AS EFFORTLESSLY AS GRANADA AND LEÓN. These two sister cities are the heart of Nicaragua's colonial legacy, each offering its own deep connection to the past — and an unforgettable experience for modern travelers. Granada, founded in 1524, is recognized as the oldest European-built city on the American mainland. Known as La Gran Sultana, its Moorish influence lives on through its colourful mansions, charming courtyards and the majestic Cathedral overlooking the lively Parque Colón. Wandering along Calle La Calzada with its cafés, galleries and open-air dining is an invitation to slow down and savor the atmosphere. A horse-drawn carriage ride is a cherished tradition, guiding visitors through cobblestone streets where history remains very much alive. Just two hours away, León…

In 2018, private hire firm Addison Lee partnered with Oxford-based Oxbotica, promising to launch autonomous taxis on London's roads by 2021. The project included plans to map over 250,000 miles of capital roads. Seven years later, those robotaxis have yet to materialise. What happened? The technology proved harder to perfect than anticipated, UK regulations remained in flux and the business case became more challenging. It's a cautionary tale about the gap between announcement and execution – a gap that Waymo and Lyft will need to bridge.…

JIUZHAIGOU NATIONAL PARK Amid the snowy peaks of the Min Mountains are a striking collection of rippling pools and multi-tiered waterfalls. The scenic site was relatively undiscovered until the 1970s when it was stumbled upon by local foresters. Today it's recognised as Jiuzhaigou National Park, and features 17 waterfalls and 108 lakes spread across three valleys connecting in the shape of a Y – with the mineral-packed waters providing a tranquil turquoise hue. Five Flower Lake, Arrow Bamboo Lake and Pearl Shoal Waterfall are all must-see spots. From Chengdu, it takes two hours to reach Jiuzhai Huanglong Station by high-speed train, with a further 90-minute drive to the park. Private cars aren't allowed inside the park, but there is a shuttle bus available. Beware of altituderelated symptoms like breathlessness and…

1 Forward or reverse lunges 8-10 each leg How: Step one foot forward (or backward), lowering until both knees are at 90°. Push back to start. Alternate legs. Benefit: Strengthens legs and core; improves balance and circulation after prolonged sitting. 2 Bodyweight squat 10-15 reps How: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Push hips back as if sitting in a chair, keep chest tall, then drive through heels to stand. Benefit: Engages glutes, quads, hamstrings and core; enhances joint mobility and activates the lower body to reignite your body post-flight. 3 Low-impact burpee 8-10 reps How: Squat, plank, optional push-up, return to squat, jump – or omit jump for low impact. Benefit: Full-body cardio burst; energises and promotes circulation efficiently. 4 Mountain climbers 20-30 seconds How: From plank, alternate pulling knees…

IHG HOTELS & RESORTS has hit new heights with its latest property. Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection has made history as the world's tallest hotel at 377 metres high – topping Dubai's skyscraper-rich cityscape. Designed by Norr architects, the property boasts 1,004 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and eight dining spaces including Manchester-born fusion restaurant Tattu – which unfolds across three of the hotel's 82 floors. Crowning the tower is an infinity pool overlooking the city's coastline, while a spa will join the ranks in February.…

BRANDED LOUNGE EXPANSION SkyTeam will open a branded lounge at Frankfurt Airport Terminal 3 in April 2026. The 550sqm space will be operated by Global Lounge Network and offer airport views, showers, soundproof booths and a VIP area. DOMESTIC ACCESS SkyTeam is introducing lounge access on domestic itineraries for Elite Plus members at more than 70 lounges, particularly Air France, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, SAS, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. VANCOUVER REVAMP In June 2025, SkyTeam revealed its newly refurbished lounge at Vancouver International Airport. Travellers can enjoy views of the runway, charging points at seat and local flavours throughout the day.…

Q&A What drew you to dancing as a profession? I grew up during a time of change in South Africa. We had our first elections in 1994 and were allowed to see representation on TV. A young couple at the time opened a dance school, and our parents loved that we were in a safe place. I realised there was such a thing as Latin and ballroom dancing, and I fell in love with the costumes. It's the sparkles that got me into dancing. When they demonstrated the dances, I asked, “How do I wear those costumes?” They replied: “Stick around, you might get to the stage where you can.” I was hooked. What's been a career highlight? The Royal Variety Performance. I had to pinch myself and realise how…

BIRTHE MENKE TREND RESEARCHER Menke identifies emerging travel needs and works on the future of sustainable tourism. She is also a speaker at Zukunftsinstitut research centre. DEBORAH ROTHE DIRECTOR OF ITBE BERLIN Rothe's experience at ITB Berlin, a leading travel trade show, has given her a deep understanding of tourism and business travel trends over the years. IZABELLA MECZYKOWSKI SKYSCANNER EXPERT A travel journalist who specialises in trend forecasts. She analysed Skyscanner's 2026 travel trends, based on 22,000 travellers worldwide. YULIA SLAVINSKAYA CONTENT CREATOR Slavinskaya has a total of 780,000 followers across her media channels. She uses @thisisyules, to showcase hotel openings, events and emerging destinations.…

Has BA got its mojo back? Our followers voice their opinion on a column in our December issue. Join the debate @businesstravelleruk “A functioning app would be a good start” @jamieshind “Get a move on with these ‘refreshed aircraft’ and at least get Club Suite on the A380s… I want BA to succeed but it has a long way to go!” @jo.hobday “Not after it made my 1 million Avios points basically unusable. My loyalty is gone.” @ciaran.corrigan1 “As a Brit living in the US, BA is nowhere near as bad as people are making out… I fly premium economy or business and BA stands up well” @britishbadger blownoffcourse “We can all live in hope” @noodsthefrenchie…

Delta launches new uniforms The new “Distinctly Delta” uniforms mark the first revamp since 2018, designed for “industrial athletes”. 2 Kimpton Era Midtown New York set to open The hotel will offer views over the Rockefeller Centre and Radio City Music Hall. 3 British Airways introduces Starlink The British carrier will roll out fast, free wifi to all passengers this year. 4 Condor launches Frankfurt to Gatwick The iconic striped livery will fly daily between the two hubs from 1 April, 2026. 5 European Sleeper to run from Paris to Berlin The thrice-weekly service will relaunch in March 2026, replacing the current Nightjet services. 6 Joby launches flying taxis Following its world-first eVTOL demonstrations in November, Joby plans to launch commercial services this year in Dubai. 7 India-China air links reinstated…

QUIET LUXURY HAS dominated design in recent years – but 2026 ushers in a new look. Bold patterns, clashing colours and flamboyant features have swiftly replaced monochromatic, pared-back interiors, as the maximalist aesthetic makes its way back into the hotel industry. Here we spotlight some of the most showstopping hotel openings around the world. HOUSE OF GODS, LONDON With two properties already in Scotland, House of Gods has now expanded into England, with an outpost in London's Canary Wharf. The property features 79 lavishly dressed rooms, each of which reflect the group's mission to offer guests an immersive experience. Once deemed a fashion faux-pas, tiger print now takes centre stage in the form of plush bedspreads and striped carpets along with claret-red walls. The hotel's gold-tiled facade has a dramatic…

THE BRIEF SOUNDED routine enough: gather 60 senior leaders from a global foundation, fly them to Marrakech, and spend six days hashing out a long-range strategy. But when the convoy stopped at the mule trail beneath Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, it was obvious this would be no standard off-site. The team was heading for Kasbah du Toubkal, a remote lodge accessible only by foot. By sunset, overlooking Mount Toubkal washed in gold, something subtle but critical had shifted: people spoke more slowly; silence felt welcome. The result? Leadership cohesion strengthened noticeably and measurable improvements followed in the speed of decision making and cross-regional cooperation. Executive teams are increasingly choosing remote eco-retreats because they offer the opportunity “to think clearly and connect meaningfully”, says Kasbah du Toubkal's co-founder Mike McHugo. A…

TRAVELLING WITH DIETARY requirements is significantly easier now than it was ten years ago. Whether you follow a plantbased diet or have food intolerances, restaurants, hotels and even airlines are rapidly expanding their offerings to accommodate different needs. Recent developments include Novotel committing to making at least a quarter of menu items plant-based across all its hotels, while China Airlines has launched vegetarian and plant-based dishes in partnership with Taipei's Michelin Green Star vegetarian restaurant Little Tree Food. Nevertheless, finding suitable food options while on the road can still be a challenging and often anxiety-inducing feat – even more so on a business trip when you might not have control over the restaurant choice. I should know. At home, I follow a strictly plant-based diet (no eggs, dairy, fish or…

DOMESTIC ARTIST ROOMS: Ed Ruscha, Liverpool 12 February – 14 June 2026 For its next instalment of ARTIST ROOMS – a programme of solo exhibitions managed by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland – Tate Liverpool is presenting a collection of work by American artist Ed Ruscha. Inspired by US road trips, the pieces showcase open spaces – from swimming pools and diners to parking lots and petrol stations. SHORT-HAUL Metamorphoses, Amsterdam 6 February – 25 May 2026 Rijksmuseum's latest exhibition draws on Metamorphoses, the magnum opus from Roman poet Ovid – which explores themes such as passion, lust, jealousy and deceit. Visitors can discover more than 80 works from artists across the world, including Jupiter and Io by the Italian Renaissance artist Antonio da Correggio, plus contemporary pieces such as…

Tell us about your work for WaterAid. WaterAid took me home to South Africa to see their work in the rural areas of Limpopo. It was a humbling experience. What struck me was that 1 in 10 people still live without access to clean water. I always had water where I'm from in South Africa, but there were people in my backyard who had to go to the river to collect water – and it's not clean so imagine the diseases. A beautiful woman with four kids told us it takes her 11 hours to collect water – that's a trip from the UK to South Africa. This is for her to cook, do chores and for her kids to bathe. I also visited a secondary school where WaterAid have…