Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition June 2017

I haven’t laughed so much in the office for quite some time. You see this year marks Business Traveller Asia- Pacific’s 35th anniversary, so I thought I’d look back through all the magazine’s yearbooks and see if I could put together a commentary of the changing world of business travel by highlighting seminal stories and reportage found within its more than 25,000 printed pages. Reading through some of the earliest issues caused more than a few loud explosions of mirth – in the early and mid- 1980s there was little sympathy for those with delicate sensibilities, and short shrift was given to many a politically correct attitude. The writing was both entertaining and good, but at times it could be sexist, bigoted and patronising – though to be fair this was…

MARK GRAHAM, a Beijing-based freelance writer, was training for a half marathon while researching our Beijing restaurant feature (“In-house haute cuisine”, page 76). Which was just as well, given the kilo-loading potential of the superb fare he sampled. “Naturally, it’s the best place on the planet for Peking duck,” he says. Western food has raised its game, too, as he discovered on his (full) marathon culinary mission. JENNY SOUTHAN is the features editor of Business Traveller UK. For her article on DNA testing (“All in the genes”, page 72), she submitted herself to a number of tests freely available to consumers. According to her genes, she is best suited to resistance training, has an increased sensitivity to carbs and is 1 per cent Sardinian – which came as a surprise.…

Qantas opens sales on Perth-London “Kangaroo Route” QANTAS is now selling tickets on its upcoming 17-hour “Kangaroo Route” between Perth and London Heathrow. The route is set to take off on March 24, 2018 and will form part of a longer Melbourne-Perth-London return service. The new QF9/QF10 flights will replace Qantas’s current Melbourne-Dubai-London services. Year-round prices for the upcoming Perth-London leg start from A$2,270 (US$1,700) for a return economy fare, while a return premium economy fare will cost A$4,250 (US$3,180) and return business class tickets from A$9,725 (US$7,280). qantas.com.au United lists “changes to improve customer experience” UNITED AIRLINES has had its feet held to the fire over the past two months, ever since video footage emerged of airport security personnel forcibly removing a passenger from an overbooked UA flight on April 9. Following numerous announcements…

For a chance to win, visit businesstraveller.com.asia-pacific/ competitions ▪ This month’s prizes come from the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong. Regal Airport Hotel is the only airport hotel directly connected to the passenger terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. A total of 1,171 rooms are available, along with numerous meeting and banquet facilities (including the largest pillarless ballroom with a built-in LED wall in the city). Guests looking to relax during their stay can make use of the hotel’s outdoor and indoor pools, as well as OM Spa. For those heading into the city, the Airport Express takes just 24 minutes. ▪ This month, three prizes are up for grabs: a four-night stay in a Duplex Suite plus a two-hour spa or massage treatment for two people; a three-night stay in…

Hong Kong’s iconic Holiday Inn Golden Mile, located on exciting Nathan Road in bustling Tsim Sha Tsui, has unveiled a sparkling new look for its lobby and public areas, the culmination of a two-year renovation and rejuvenation project by Design Worldwide Partnership. Fusing Hong Kong’s modernity and dynamism with Holiday Inn Golden Mile’s long heritage of warm hospitality, the design reflects both its contemporary edge and the traditions of the well-known hotel. Gone is the large staircase, to make room for a lounge and activity zone for guests including a dedicated check-in area for IHG® Rewards Club members. Design materials such as brushed copper and timbers, along with bold colours for the furnishings, bring a chic, modern look augmented by a dynamic twisting lighting feature inspired by Hong Kong’s legendary dragons, and…

In a world increasingly focused on technology, it’s easy to forget one of the most important aspects of any airline’s passenger offering: high-quality service. At Austrian Airlines – also known as myAustrian – we understand that our employees are direct contributors to our success. They show huge personal commitment, inspiring our customers every day with Austrian charm and a unique service that’s been recognised three years in a row as the “Best Airline Staff Service Europe” at the World Airline Awards. Austria’s largest carrier, myAustrian currently flies to 130 destinations around the world. Its homeport, Vienna, makes an ideal hub for travellers from Asia to connect to any of its 37 destinations in Central or Eastern Europe. Passengers travelling in myAustrian Business Class will do so in comfort and style, thanks to modernised…