Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Edition May 2017

T o be honest, I’ve never really liked the idea of a cruise holiday. The thought of being restricted to a ship’s relatively limited acreage is anathema to me because I’m a roamer, a wanderer who likes to head off into a city’s backstreets, turning left, right, left... and so on until I’m lost. The people I then meet as I ask for directions, and the hidden gems I stumble across as I work my way back to familiar territory are the most exciting and fulfilling aspects of a holiday for me. That said, I may be persuaded to change my mind if my wife suggests a long trip around the South Pacific islands, or a voyage to Antarctica in the luxurious confines of a Silversea vessel’s berth. Read our story…

STEVE WHITE is the editor-in-chief of Action Asia magazine, and as such has roamed the continent in search of paths less trodden. Exploring is a lifelong passion for him, but so is food, and in Asia the two are inextricably linked, especially when it comes to curry (see “Spice of life”, page 68). “Unsurprisingly, writing about curry led me to eat plenty of it,” he says. “I literally started and finished a trip to Penang, whilst researching this story, in the airport’s curry restaurant, and once back home in Hong Kong I couldn’t resist the lure of the (in)famous Chungking curries.” ALEX MCWHIRTER is an award-winning journalist specialising in aviation and rail transportation. He joined Business Traveller back in 1979 after many years in the travel industry, and his expert knowledge…

When Far East Hospitality launched Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore in 2011, it did so with a clear vision of the philosophy that would define the Oasia brand and be intrinsic to both the Novena property and all the hotels and residences that came after. Each Oasia property reflects Singapore-inspired hospitality, an elegant “home from home” for busy travellers that is calm yet empowered, conceived with our guests’ wellness in mind. The core of this philosophy are three brand pillars – Recharge, Refresh and Refuel – and these are integral to each property, as is the thoughtful, subtle and yet attentive hospitality that is a hallmark of every Oasia hotel. RECHARGE – “When I travel, I exercise…” Extensive fitness facilities are available to travellers during their stay, including 24-hour well-equipped gyms in all the hotels,…

Craig Bright compiles the latest news from businesstraveller.com/asia-pacific THE US AND UK have issued a ban on carry-on electronics for flights from certain Middle Eastern, European and North African destinations (though strangely – and significantly – the US ban includes the airports of Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which the UK ban does not). Dubbed the “laptop ban”, the ruling applies to laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games, though medical devices and mobile phones will be allowed on board. The Gulf carriers have been hardest hit by the security measure, but have responded positively. Emirates was first off the mark, offering a free laptop and tablet handling service at the gate. Etihad reacted by offering business class passengers free wifi and iPads, while Qatar Airways announced it would offer a laptop…

SHANGRI-LA HOTELS AND RESORTS has opened the Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong – the first new-build hotel to open on the Kowloon waterfront since 1955. The hotel is located next to Hung Hom ferry pier, within walking distance of Whampoa’s famous ship-shaped shopping centre. Designed by Andre Fu, more than 60 per cent of the 546 guestrooms have harbour views, with sizes ranging from the 42 sqm Deluxe City and Sea View rooms to the palatial 294 sqm Presidential suite. All rooms will feature free movies on demand and a free minibar. The hotel also boasts the largest ballroom in Hong Kong, plus six additional meeting rooms. thekerryhotels.com…

DELTA AIR Lines and Korean Air have agreed to a joint venture to expand their transpacific network. As part of the agreement, Delta will launch a twice-daily non-stop service between Atlanta and Seoul on June 3, while Korean Air will introduce a third round-trip service this summer between Los Angeles and Seoul, as well as a second flight to San Francisco. Both airlines will share costs and revenue on flights across a combined network of 290 destinations, giving passengers the chance to earn and redeem miles on both Delta’s Sky Miles and Korean Air’s Skypass loyalty programmes. delta.co; koreanair.com…