Taha Bouqdib, president, chief executive officer and co-founder, TWG Tea
Game- changing gadget I never leave without my phone. everything is on my iphone, from my appointments, events, work trips, flight details – and of course everything TWG Tea, from the e-boutique to my work emails.
favourite carry- on bag
A Berluti carry-on. routine when flying for business I carry a rich lip balm in my pocket when I fly because air-conditioning dries your skin out terribly. To sleep well in the plane, I pack a 100-per-cent cotton tracksuit, warm cardigan and slippers. I also try to bring my own headphones since the ones the airlines provide are not always comfortable. I find that Bose noise-cancelling headphones work perfectly!
Most interesting person you have met on a plane
recently, I met an international businessman who later became a business associate and good friend. favourite airline Singapore Airlines is simply the best airline in the world for its service, equipment and fleet. Best hotel for business The ritz Paris is one of the most beautiful hotels in the world and I had a chance to stay there at the occasion of the launch of the exclusive TWG Tea collection we created for this iconic hotel. The ritz Paris reopened its doors in 2016 after four years of renovations. Best place to seal deals our very first TWG Tea Salon at republic Plaza, at the heart of Singapore’s business district opened its doors in August 2008, and almost 10 years on, it is still one of my favourite locations to welcome business partners and discuss collaborations. It is also a very sentimental location as it is where the TWG Tea adventure started!
Best overseas restaurant for a celebratory meal
When in Morocco, one of my favourite places to go is Le Pavilion’s sumptuous Sunday Brunch at La Mamounia Hotel. It’s possibly one of the best I have ever tried, with endless displays of the most gorgeous dishes. Don’t forget to try the Moroccan desserts, especially the Gazelle Horns filled with rich almond paste! Its magnificent garden, where brunch is served, is also one of the reasons why I choose this restaurant most of the time. Most inspiring destination My favourite discovery and tea destination is Darjeeling in India because my travel experiences there have been all-encompassing. After arriving at the Calcutta international airport, you need to take a small toy of a plane to Bagdogra, where the journey by jeep or 4WD begins. As you climb the innumerable mountainous slopes, weaving around on unpaved roads, you slowly penetrate into a land of fog and mist, where you and your driver can barely see a few metres ahead. The tea route traversed to arrive there, with its many perils and adventures, is made all worth it when you reach the final destination at the plantations themselves, in all their magic and unworldliness. ≠