Business Traveller

Well that's another year gone, and another roller coaster of a ride. The good news is that Covid restrictions seem to have been removed across the vast majority of the world, and we are now just waiting to see what China's next move will be. The bad news, in every sense, is the war in Ukraine, and the appalling suffering it has caused to the people of that country. From an aviation point of view, the war has further hampered connectivity to Asia, with route diversions being necessary for many (but not all) airlines flying from Europe to Asia. We also have high fuel prices, inflation and economic uncertainty to look forward to in 2023. Is travel just a side show to all this? Well, possibly, but travel connects the world,…

MILE HIGH CITY Denver is bouncing back from the pandemic with one of the fastest growing economies in the US (Page 26) THE RESULTS FOR 2022 Discover who was crowned best in the industry at this year's Business Traveller Awards (Page 42) DARE TO MEET IN REYKJAVIK? Exploring lava tunnels and quad biking is on the itinerary for MICE groups visiting Iceland (Page 52) INDIAN OCEAN ESCAPES Beyond their beauty, the Maldives and Seychelles have rich and vibrant cultures to discover (Page 60)…

APRIL HUTCHINSON April is editor of TTG Luxury, the UK's foremost B2B premium travel magazine. She has worked with brand owner TTG Media for 15 years, part of a 27-year career in travel publishing, and is regularly called on as an expert in luxury travel trends. In this issue, she whisks us away to the idyllic Seychelles and Maldives; see page 60. FELICITY COUSINS Felicity was on the editorial team at Business Traveller for six years and has been writing about travel and hotels ever since. She is assistant editor at Serviced Apartment News and editor of Sustainable Hotel News. On page 88, she rounds up the lounges at Gatwick's South Terminal. LINDSEY GALLOWAY Lindsey is an American journalist who covers the intersection of travel, business, and policy. She is a regular columnist for BBC…

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL announcements concerning the Avios rewards currency. First off, Iberia and British Airways are moving away from the current model of Avios, where earning is linked to the distance flown. Iberia Plus members will now earn Avios according to the number of euros spent with the carrier - five Avios per €1 spent for Clasica members, and eight Avios per €1 for elite tier members. BA has confirmed it will make the switch some time in 2023. Meanwhile the rate for converting Avios into Nectar points has been increased from 250 to 300 Avios for 400 Nectar points. The key here is that the Nectar to Avios conversion is remaining at 400 Nectar points for 250 Avios meaning that members can no longer move their balances in either…

BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS RESUMED FLIGHTS to Japan for the first time in 12 months, with flight BA7 from London Heathrow arriving at Tokyo Haneda airport on November 14. Japan has lifted restrictions on international travellers, meaning triple vaccinated visitors no longer need a Covid-19 test, and don't have to be part of a package tour. BA's daily flights are being operated by B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, departing London at 1145 and arriving into Tokyo at 1025 the following day, with the return leg leaving the Japanese capital at 0945, landing back into London at 1525. Return fares start from £610 in economy, £1,708 in premium economy and £3,141 in business class.…

TWO OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL GROUPS have launched new extended-stay concepts. Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham is the group's 24th brand, with 120 properties already under development. The new-build prototype of the economy brand includes 120 rooms across single and two-queen studio suites, with facilities including a fitness centre and 24-hour guest laundry. Meanwhile Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will be positioned in the upper-upscale and luxury segments, with units featuring a separate living room and bedroom, full kitchen, and in-unit washer and dryer. The brand is expected to launch in the US and Canada.…