Business Traveller (Asia-Pacific)
THIS ISSUE
Notes and musings from the editorial desk
This time of the year is exciting for me, as I get to see the results of the
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific annual reader poll. Everyone in the travel industry works so hard and is of course proud of their products. But at the end of the day, travellers are the final judges. Turn to page 38 to see if you agree with our poll results.
There are never a lack of topics to write about when it comes to new airline and hotel products. This month, British Airways will make Hong Kong its first A380 destination in Asia after launching superjumbo flights to Los Angeles last month. Flights on the Dreamliner have also begun, with Toronto and Newark being the two airports served by its B787s. This means the UK’s flag carrier has become the second airline in the world to operate both of these state-of-the-air planes after China Southern, and the first in Europe. Turn to “Next generation” on page 70 to find out what’s in store for passengers on these two landmark aircraft.
Like aviation, the hotel industry is changing at a rapid rate. With some exceptions such as Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, room rates in Asia are generally low and for a long time, there was little demand for budget hotels. But in recent years, brands such as Ibis and Holiday Inn Express have been expanding aggressively across the region, even in cities such as Bangkok where full-service hotels are relatively affordable. The product range is diversifying too, with “select-service hotels” – essentially “limitedservice hotels” with some extras – one of the latest offerings from the industry. Read “Budget-friendly beds” (page 56) and discover the best rooms for less.
We may be slowly emerging from the global financial crisis, but many companies have become more budget-conscious, and keeping costs low is always a priority for small and medium enterprises. Travel expenses are one of the major concerns, but they are also an area in which being smart can mean big savings. Look at our “Cut the cost of…” story on page 50 for some tips.
One country on the up in the region is Malaysia, where development is gathering pace under the country’s Vision 2020 programme. While there have been some challenges since the country’s former Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad laid out the visionary proposal in 1991, the country remains determined to continue on its road to become a developed nation with its Economic Transformation Programme. And what better endorsement than praise from IMF chief Christine Lagarde? Read “2020 Vision” on page 64 to discover the country’s ambitious plans.
In Europe, there are finally signs of economic recovery, and Germany is predicted to return to a healthier growth rate of 1.7 per cent in 2014 according to the country’s banking association, the BdB. Regardless, it is still Europe’s economic giant and there is a buzz in cities up and down the country. The Bavarian capital of Munich is one such place that is always full of energy. Air links to the city continue to increase and Munich Airport has just marked the topping-out for the new satellite facility for Terminal 2, part of a e650 million (US$856.8 million) expansion project slated for completion by 2015. Even as a leisure destination, Munich is full of action. See “Weekend in Munich” on page 46 for some ideas on how to enjoy this boomtown.
If you have time to take a longer break, Bordeaux is definitely worth considering. Follow us on an educational journey to the famous wine region, in which you can learn all about the fine vintages and discover the best ones to sample in our article on page 78, “Secrets of the Grand Cru”. Planning a visit to Taipei? Then don’t miss our mouthwatering restaurant recommendations on page 83.
Happy travels!