WELCOME

Welcome to the April issue of Business Traveller, and one where we have a focus both on aviation and hotels, the result of a spate of long-haul travel and also a trip to two events in Berlin in March – the annual trade fair ITB, and the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF). These are just two of the many events during the year at which we get the chance to learn what the industry is planning for us travellers, and what we can expect to change in the months and years ahead. Some developments will be welcomed, some met with a shrug, and some are likely to prove annoying. You can have a look through our Upfront section to learn about new slim-line seating on aircraft and what that means for how much room and comfort we will have on flights. Then there’s the advent of long-haul hand baggage only (HBO) fares continuing a trend of making life more complicated for travellers, although perhaps that’s what the airline industry means by offering us “choice”.

Meanwhile, it will soon be easier to name every country in the world and its capital than it will be to remember every hotel brand. One useful by-product of the seemingly unstoppable expansion of the hotel chains is that I am discovering the existence of previously unknown cities as a result of these brands opening in second- and third-tier destinations in developing countries.

Rest assured we will continue to provide travel news, and our analysis of it, both in the magazine and through our website. I’d like to give a plug to our YouTube channel this month, where you’ll find entertaining short video reviews of our travels around the world. Next month, get set for a very exciting development which will have positive benefits for your social life...