Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2022 i Business Traveller

MANCHESTER AIRPORT was scheduled to reopen its Terminal 3 at the end of March in preparation for Easter and to coincide with the start of the summer schedules. The terminal had been closed for large parts of the last two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The airport confirmed that Aurigny Airline, Blue Islands, British Airways, Eastern Airways, Loganair and Ryanair would all resume flights from Terminal 3 starting March 27. GATWICK AIRPORT was also set to resume operations from its South Terminal from March 27, after nearly two years of the facility lying dormant as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The reopening follows British Airways’ decision to resume short-haul flying from Gatwick, along with Vueling and Wizz Air expanding their operations at the airport, and Easyjet…

The Covid-19 pandemic has been good news for digital nomadism, which is defined as working online without a fixed address. We have now all had a go at working from home, and the idea of abandoning office life to roam the world with laptop in hand no longer seems so far-fetched. So why not upgrade your kitchen table to a sunny island? Clock up the obligatory Teams calls, fire off your emails capitalising on any time difference, then hit the beach. This is the live/work/move dream powering the world’s first Digital Nomad Village which launched in February 2021 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. “The vision is to decentralise from big cities,” explains Gonçalo Hall, a consultant on the project, “and create small communities where we can have deep connections”.…

MENORCA, SPAIN The Mediterranean island has been selected as this year’s European Destination for Gastronomy by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) thanks to its rich gastronomy, local ingredients and focus on sustainability – the island was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993, after all. To celebrate, it is holding more than 50 foodie events this year, including wine fairs, visits to tourist attractions in Alaior paired with traditional Menorcan cuisine, and a series of guided tours to the Finca Sa Bassa farm. Whatever you do, don’t miss Menorcan specialities arroz moro (Moorish rice) or caldereta, a lobster stew invented by fishermen and later jazzed up by local chefs. If you’re feeling homesick, you can even savour Gin de Menorca – a legacy of British…

BACKGROUND Finnair launched this new long-haul business class seat in February with the Helsinki-Singapore route set to begin in May. Flights on short-haul routes began in March. The new seats will be retrofitted on existing A330 and A350 aircraft, and come ‘line-fit’ on the few remaining orders of A350s from Airbus. Note that the photos here are from the A350 (Finnair does not have photos of the A330 fitted). To see the A330 seat go to Business Traveller’s Youtube channel. CHECK-IN Finnair check-in is located in Zone B at Terminal 3 London Heathrow. I arrived at 0815 for my 1020 departure on AY1332. There was no queue at the priority check-in and, having collected my boarding card, I made my way up to Fast Track Security. There was a queue…

BACKGROUND Open since October, this is the 12th outpost for the design-focused aparthotel brand Locke, which has properties in the UK, Ireland and Germany. It is part of the Edyn group, which also includes Saco serviced apartments. WHERE IS IT? North-west of Cambridge city centre in Eddington, a 150-hectare sustainable district developed by the University of Cambridge and named after alumnus Sir Arthur Eddington. The toy town-like area is full of new builds providing accommodation for staff and students, as well as learning facilities and green spaces. Eddington is a 15-minute bike ride to the city centre, or a ten-minute bus journey with the ‘U’ bus. There is an underground car park, with spaces costing £15 per night. It is 3.9 miles from Cambridge railway station. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The…

Several countries require travellers to show proof of a Covid-19 booster jab due to the fear of spreading Covid-19 variants. Last year the European Commission proposed a nine-month time limit on vaccination certificates for travel to and within the European Union. The definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ differs depending on the country, with some putting time limits on the initial two doses of the vaccine. This may not restrict entry to the country but might prevent you from accessing certain venues and services upon arrival. Travellers from the UK can show proof of a booster vaccination within the NHS Covid Pass for international travel. Here we round up the countries that require boosters or third doses either for entry or for domestic activities. Note that the rules are always subject to…

ALEX MCWHIRTER Alex has more than 50 years’ experience in the business travel industry, including more than 40 years as Business Traveller’s consumer champion. On page 44, Alex explores the Anglo-Scottish services available to travellers this year, and the ongoing competition within the rail industry. ANNIE HARRIS Business Traveller’s art director Annie makes the magazine pop every month. Last month she travelled to Dubai to experience the newly opened 25 Hours Hotel, a 5-star hotel with design inspired by the ancient Bedouins. Did she find her creative match? Turn to page 74 to find out. HANNAH BRANDLER Our staff writer Hannah reports on all aspects of business travel for the magazine and website. This month she explores coffee and cultural attractions in the province of Chiang Rai in northern Thailand,…

BULGARIA A ski resort in the Pirin Mountains is an established destination for digital nomads, thanks in part to Bulgaria’s attractive income tax rate of 10 per cent. Co-founded in 2016 by German entrepreneur Matthias Zeitler, coworking Bankso is a community of more than 100 members who use workspaces varying from ‘quiet’ to ‘social’ along with a forest ‘playground.coworkingbankso.com CANARY ISLANDS Nomadcity helps remote workers get down to business in several locations on Gran Canaria. Advice is backed up with case studies and invitations to join local nomad communities. nomadcity.org CROATIA Launched in October 2021, Digital Nomad Valley is based at a beachfront resort 30 minutes’ walk from the centre of World Heritage-listed Zadar. There is self-catering accommodation from studios to three-bedroom units, plus a coworking space in the hotel…

‘Now a lush canopy, it’s hard to imagine the hillsides as barren earth as they were 30 years ago’ Vews of the winding road emerged in brief flashes, illuminated by floral roadside sculptures, as we drove after dark from the airport to our hilltop accommodation. It wasn’t until morning, however, that we got the full panoramic view of the spectacular Doi Nang Non, a mountain range which stretches across the highlands of Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. We were staying at Doi Tung Lodge, a peaceful retreat atop the range’s highest peak at 1,630m. The province of Chiang Rai, itself located at the northernmost tip of Thailand, has been largely overlooked by tourists in favour of the similar sounding Chiang Mai. Much of this has to do with its location in…

1 PLACE DE LA BASTILLE The brash busy square might not be that aesthetically pleasing, but its gritty history is key to the France we know today – and the reason behind the neighbourhood’s name. The Place de la Bastille was the site of the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, which signalled the start of the French Revolution and fall of the Ancien Régime. The Colonne de Juillet stands 52m high at the centre of the square, topped with the gold winged Génie de la Liberté (Spirit of Freedom), and commemorates the subsequent revolution of 1830 (the basis of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables). Tourists can discover the lower parts of the column during guided tours on weekends (from €13). From the Place de la Bastille,…

BACKGROUND 25 Hours Hotels is part of Ennismore, a joint venture with Accor formed in 2021. With 13 hotels in the brand, it’s the first outside Europe and opened in December last year. WHERE IS IT? Next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, overlooking the Museum of the Future and close to Dubai Finance Centre. It’s a 20-minute drive from the airport or you can take the Dubai metro red line direct to the World Trade Centre and then it’s a ten-minute walk to the hotel. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The look, created by interior designer Woods Bagot, is modern-day urban nomad and celebrates ancient Bedouin traditions of the region. Its 434 rooms and suites draw on local influences to create the playful feel of a nomad’s oasis. This is a…

BACKGROUND De Vere is a collection of historic country estates and houses comprising over 260 meeting rooms and more than 1,800 bedrooms around London, south-east England and the Cotswolds. The Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor is made up of 44 acres of grounds, an 18th century mansion and a Georgian mansion house (The White House). It was a boys’ boarding school from 1854-1967. It is primarily designed for the MICE market and has 45 event spaces. The property underwent the first phase of a £12 million refurbishment in 2018, and at the start of this year unveiled The White House, which includes six meeting and events spaces, and 26 bedrooms and suites. The hotel’s final 28 duplex bedrooms and swimming pool are being refurbished. WHERE IS IT? Just off Burfield…

BEYOND GREEN NILE SAFARI LODGE BEYOND GREEN, the eco brand from Preferred Hotels which showcases its most sustainable hotels, has properties committed to preserving endangered species and large expanses of wilderness environments. Nestled on the southern bank of the Nile River, the family-owned Nile Safari Lodge (Murchison Falls, Uganda) is committed to preserving the surrounding natural landscapes and local wildlife. Guests support the lodge’s conservation efforts through tree planting and a “Snares-to-Wares” anti-poaching programme. This is a partnership with local artisans to create sculptures of wildlife using repurposed wire snares, all proceeds going back to the local community, directly contributing to the protection of the area’s wildlife. Each member of Beyond Green is required to adhere to more than 50 sustainability indicators that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development…

Dallas comes with more preconceptions than most US cities, and most of them are wrong. It’s a major conurbation, with the greater Dallas area home to well over seven million people and growing quickly, yet you could walk around Downtown all day and wonder where all the workers are. The regional offices of major financial institutions are present; there are new and refurbished hotels, bars and restaurants, yet the vanishingly small number of shops (apart from the beautiful original 1914 Neiman Marcus building on Main Street) shows that people come here to work and then leave in the evening, heading to the suburbs. What makes it even more surprising is that pre-Covid, 27.7 million people visited Dallas annually for a total economic impact of US$8.8 billion. In the last 25…

‘The first class whites were interesting because Chardonnay sweeps the board’ For many of us, if there ever was a year where we felt we deserved a decent glass of wine, it was 2021. Cellars in the Sky has been running since 1985 and despite it being another difficult year for airlines, we wanted to continue, not least because we know the effort that many airlines put into their choice of wines on-board. For 2021, Singapore Airlines scooped six gold awards, including Best Overall Cellar, Best Business Class Cellar and Best First Class Cellar. In first class, other winners included Qatar Airways and Korean Air. In business class, winners were Eva Air, Latam, Jetblue, Singapore Airlines and TAP Air Portugal. The judges were Masters of Wine Peter McCombie (head judge),…

Wat Rong Khun Thailand has more than 30,000 Buddhist temples across the country, but the so-called White Temple by Chiang Rai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat differs from many of the traditional designs. The sparkling white structure is full of symbolic nods to heaven and hell – from a daunting Bridge of the Cycle of Rebirth, surrounded by hundreds of outstretched hands, to the tranquil Gate of Heaven – along with modern twists such as murals of Superman and Mickey Mouse. Finish your visit with a trip to the ornately decorated bathrooms in the golden building. The temple opened in 1997 but works are ongoing and set to continue until 2070. The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park This 24-hectare oasis situated on former rice fields to the west of the…

BACKGROUND We flew on the 0015 night flight service from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport to London Heathrow Terminal 2 – a 13-hour flight to London arriving at 0620. FIRST IMPRESSIONS I arrived at Bangkok airport at 2207, following a very smooth domestic flight from Chiang Rai with the airline’s subsidiary Thai Smile. It was not a connecting flight, so I had to go through customs, collect my luggage and check-in again at the Thai Airways desks on the fourth floor at international departures. I reached the desks at approximately 2230 and the queue for business class was speedy. I had to show a negative PCR test result taken within two days of departure (a requirement at the time to enter the UK) along with proof of vaccination and my passenger locator…

BACKGROUND Acquired by Pan Pacific Group, the hotel reopened on December 1, 2020 after a SG$45 million (£24.45 million) refurbishment. The hotel is one of four original John Portman hotels, built in 1987, and until recently the Marina Mandarin. It is now part of the Parkroyal Collection brand which has a focus on sustainability. WHERE IS IT? It’s located in the Marina Bay area with access to the Marina Square Shopping Centre and links to the Suntec Convention Centre. The airport is 20 minutes by car; an MRT station is a few minutes’ walk away. It is close to attractions, including Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer. WHAT’S IT LIKE? It’s eco-friendly, with no single-use plastics, solar panels on the roof and an eco-digester for food waste. Expect…