Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition July-August 2021

Welcome to the July/August issue of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific. Each issue I hope I will be able to celebrate the return to some kind of normality, and each issue, it seems about the same distance away. There have been some positive developments, of course. Vaccinations have continued to roll out and travel bubbles have been planned, announced, and then, unfortunately, postponed at the last moment. New variants of Covid have also played havoc with even the most cautious of plans. It’s been a frustrating time. There are possibilities around digital health passes, however, and as Tamsin Cocks reports (pages 48-55), technology may come to the rescue in the form of interoperable health identification systems. Governments have a difficult balancing act to perform. On one side there is the safety and security…

ISLAND PARADISE The Maldives isn’t just for honeymooners and families – remote workers can now find plenty of desk space with a view REBOOTING TRAVEL Vaccines, travel bubbles and digital health passports - we look at the mechanisms in place to put an end to the travel ban BANGKOK SNAPSHOT Got a few hours to spare between meetings? Explore the Thai capital with our four-hour guide to the city GET TESTED Find out which airports in Asia-Pacific offer Covid testing facilities, how to book, and how much it will cost you…

DUNCAN FORGAN For this issue Bangkok-based writer Duncan Forgan hit the city’s older quarters for a bespoke itinerary (see page 56). “I love the vibe in the area,” he says. “Much of Bangkok is very commercial these days, but the old city retains an edge and an atmosphere of creativity that I find both stimulating and inspiring.” Duncan’s work has been published in TIME, Esquire, Penthouse, Travel and Leisure and elsewhere. DEREK PICOT Veteran hotelier Derek has worked in senior positions on five continents, most recently as regional vice president for Jumeirah’s hotels and resorts in Europe. He now consults for hotel owners and luxury developers, advising on design and trends in hospitality. In his regular column (page 61), he takes a wry look at his many peculiar experiences working in the hotel…

QATAR AIRWAYS is set to resume flight operations to Phuket from July 1, with a four times weekly service. The Doha-Phuket route will be operated by the airline’s modern and sustainable Boeing 787 Dreamliner, offering 22 seats in business class and 232 in economy class. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group chief executive, said:“With the resumption of flights to Phuket, Qatar Airways marks a significant milestone in the recovery of international tourism. Famed for its many exotic beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, turquoise waters, and delicious local cuisine, Phuket is an ideal destination for a summer getaway.”…

UNITED HAS SIGNED an agreement with Boom Supersonic to buy 15 of its Overture aircraft. The deal – which includes an option for a further 35 aircraft – would see the carrier purchase the aircraft “once Overture meets United’s demanding safety, operating and sustainability requirements”. Overture is scheduled to be rolled out by Boom in 2025, take flight in 2026 and carry passengers by 2029. It is designed to fly at speeds of Mach 1.7 – twice the speed of current commercial jets – which would potentially halve the journey time on United’s New York Newark-London route to three-and-a-half hours. United is the first US airline to sign a commercial agreement with Boom Supersonic – the company also has pre-orders from Japan Airlines and Virgin Group.…

AIR NEW ZEALAND conducted a four-week review of its domestic catering in June, by offering a variety of new products to passengers for a “thumbs up, thumbs down" review. “We know our customers love the cookie and chip combo, but what if there’s something else?” said ANZ general manager Leeanne Langridge. Some of the changes included signage on trolleys so customers know what’s on offer, and the provision of alternative snacks, ranging from mandarins and popcorn to chips and unusual ice cream flavours.…