EXECUJET From safaris to business - HOTEL SUITES - Business Traveller Africa
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HOTEL SUITES In vogue AIR MILES For a good cause AIRPORTS Entertainment zones EXECUJET From safaris to business ISSUE 148: FEBRUARY 2020 www.businesstravellerafrica.co.za
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ADVERTORIAL WINDMILL CASINO Located just off the N1 Highway in Bloemfontein, Sun International’s Windmill Casino is not just a one-stop entertainment destination, but As with every modern-day venue worth its salt, Windmill Casino also an attractive business travel option and a meetings and events offers free wi-fi to hotel guests venue that ticks all the right boxes. and conference delegates. T If, in turn, you’ve had a long hose boxes include - 4 6 double complex rooms (28m²) day at the office on your business comfortable – Double bed, overlooking the strip or have been in a full- accommodation, a variety casino complex, separate bath day conference or meeting, the of event venues, free wi-fi, a host and shower, pull-out double Desired Images Spa is on hand of dining options, and a location sleeper sofa to offer relaxing massages and/or that provides convenient access beauty treatments. to Bloemfontein’s popular tourist EVENT VENUES You can, alternatively, take a dip attractions. Windmill Casino caters to both in the hotel’s outdoor pool, which So, whether you’re in small events and grand affairs, during summer, in particular, Bloemfontein on business or are with a variety of venues. offers welcome relief. looking to put on an event in the The Ei¬ffel and Versailles Rooms area, here are just some of the are great for boardroom meetings DINING reasons to consider Windmill or strategic planning sessions and Windmill Casino has a host of Casino. these two meetings rooms can be dining options, catering to all joined together for bigger group tastes: ACCOMMODATION sessions and think tanks. - O cean Basket is renowned for Windmill Casino has a total of 80 The Lodge Boardroom, its fresh seafood and varied rooms, made up of the following: meanwhile, is a small venue menu that appeals to every - 14 double rooms (28m²) – that’s perfect for important group palate Double bed, separate bath and meetings, allowing you to host - R osie’s Brasserie is a carvery shower, can be inter-leading to your meeting in comfort and style. buffet restaurant that treats a twin room, pull-out double Then there’s Windmill A & B, guests and delegates to over 90 sleeper sofa, pool-facing which can be utilised as two small menu items, served from nine - 14 standard twin rooms (28m²) venues or joined together to create food stations – Twin beds side by side, a big ballroom ideal for small - T he Golden Nugget Spur is a separate bath and shower, pull- weddings or a birthday bash. well-known steakhouse with a out double sleeper sofa Diamond Lil’s is ideal for hosting variety of options - 4 standard suites (80m²) – year-end functions or birthday - T he Can Can Bar is located on Double bed, separate lounge parties for up to 180 people. the main casino floor and dining room table, guest toilet, separate bath and shower, ON-SITE FACILITIES CONTACT pull-out double sleeper sofa Take your pick from 401 slot A: Corner Jan Pierewiet Avenue - 2 accessible rooms (28m²) – machines and 18 games tables, and N1 Highway, Pellissier Double bed, shower with hand- whilst for Sun International Most Tel: +27 51 410 2000 rails, can be inter-leading with Valued Guests cardholders, there E: crobook@suninternational.com a twin room, pull-out double are private gaming facilities in the W: suninternational.com/windmill sleeper sofa Salon Privè. F: Windmill Casino ■ 2 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
Contents 14 20 24 26 27 COVER ExecuJet Already established as a global player in the business aviation space, ExecuJet is now exploring the high-end leisure market, with an offering that ticks all the right boxes, if you’re looking for a seamless African safari experience or bucket list trip. FEATURES REGULARS 14 Hotel Suites Everyone loves an upgrade, but it’s not 04 Message from the Team 26 Tried and Tested What’s the editor ranting about now? • Hotel Check always worth the extra cost, unless Radisson PE you’re a business traveller who can see the benefits and make full use of what a 06 News Airline, hotel and other travel news • Hotel Check Tau Game Lodge hotel suite has to offer. So says Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s Michael Allen. from Africa and beyond 28 Q & A Interviews 20 Air Miles If you work the system, frequent flyer air 10 HTI Consulting Column CEO Wayne Troughton gives us his • Frank Palapies – Wings • Jan van der Putten – Hilton miles can be a real bonus for the regular business traveller, but there’s also the views on the African hotel industry 30 People on the Move opportunity to do some good with them, as detailed by Business Traveller UK’s 11 ASATA Column The latest from Chief Executive Officer The movers and shakers – what they’re up to now 32 Bite with the Editor Hannah Brandler. Otto de Vries 24 New Age Airports Modern-day airports have become Mandy Lerena & Liezl Gericke – Virgin Atlantic entertainment centres that have the ability to make any delay or layover a memorable experience, as explained by Business Traveller India editor Akanksha Maker. Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 3
ED’S LETTER T his is my final issue as editor of Business Traveller Africa magazine. PUBLISHER Richard Lendrum That’s after 106 issues and nearly nine years in the saddle! As with all things enjoyable, it’s fair to say EDITOR that my time has zipped by and taking the reins Dylan Rogers ahead of the May 2011 issue seems like an event dylan@thefuture.co.za that took place just yesterday. For that issue, I recall having The Palazzo at Montecasino in JOURNALIST Johannesburg on the cover and one of the features we looked at Kate Kennedy was titled “Laptops vs Tablets”! My, how things have changed and moved on, and that’s perhaps the standout feature of my CONTRIBUTORS time at Business Traveller Africa – witnessing the progression of Michael Allen, Hannah Brandler, Richard Holmes, Caroline Hurry, technological development and its impact on business travel. Akanksha Maker. Tools such as apps and bots are now commonplace, whilst biometric screening at airports is no longer a rarity. DESIGN AND LAYOUT So, where else have we seen the impact of technolog y in the past Nadette Voogd nine years? Well, there’s been disintermediation and the GDS companies have had to evolve their offerings, to the point that they are now SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PRODUCTION Mabel Ramafoko ‘tech companies’, the car rental industry has had to deal with the mabel@thefuture.co.za emergence of Uber (although they’ll tell you the impact has been minimal), and there’s now such a thing as a ‘smart’ hotel room and ‘virtual conferencing’! SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICE Additional developments have stood out, and if one looks at the Postal Address: PO Box 1746, Saxonwold, 2132 African travel industry, it includes the continued and voracious Physical Address: appetite of the international hotel groups for more branded 6 Rodwiella Rd, Edenberg properties on the continent, with W Hospitality Group’s annual Telephone: +27 11 327 6107 Pipeline report a real eye-opener for anyone with an interest in this space. NIGERIAN OFFICE There’s also been consolidation in the TMC industry, the 3rd Floor, EuniBrown House195, introduction of the millennial business traveller, the continued Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove,Lagos, Nigeria growth of the Gulf carriers in the airline space, and the re- Tel: +234 1 740 3236 emergence of the mid-market hotel segment. Mobile: +234 803 963 0155 I could go on. But, over the course of the past nine years there has been so PUBLISHER – NORTH & WEST AFRICA much more closer to home. At Future Group, we also launched Tope Ogbeni-Awe the incredibly successful Business Traveller Africa Awards, moved tope.ogbeni-awe@topcommng.com offices four times, worked for – and exited – a big corporate, seen a host of staff come and go, and ensured that Business Traveller Africa EDITORIAL ASSISTANT has not only survived, but flourished. Mohammed Abdullahi Lastly, my thanks to publisher Richard Lendrum, without whom the past nine years would not have been possible. His guidance, Business Traveller Africa is published under licence from Perry vision and support have been invaluable. Publications Limited. It’s been a great ride, but my time to go has come. Warwick House, 25 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP. Wishing everyone a prosperous future and safe business travelling! Tel: +44 20 7821 2740 www.businesstraveller.com Dylan Rogers Editor Follow us on: dylan@thefuture.co.za 4 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
JHB 23206 DStv Business Last Stay/2 As seen on DStv MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE TODAY Get your business the right entertainment Ever wonder how is it that super-hosts keep their scores so blissfully high? Or how they keep their guests coming back? One word: entertainment. And all you need to do is make the right entertainment switch for your business. DStv Business ensures that you can cater to each unique guest that enters through your doors. With our Stay packages, you’ll be home to the families, the honeymooners, sports lovers, backpackers, kids and everyone in-between; when you choose from packages designed to suit your business and your guests. Stay R519 R375 R255 PM/TV PM/TV PM/TV With the Stay package you can give your guests the best in-room entertainment Stay Ultra Stay Essential Stay Basic with over 95 channels of 95+ Video Channels 80+ Video Channels 50+ Video Channels the best in sports, lifestyle 55+ Audio Channels 55+ Audio Channels 55+ Audio Channels entertainment and movies, suitable for any hospitality establishment. SMS “Business” to 42507 for more info. Entertainment is our Business. T&Cs & standard SMS rates apply. dstv.co.za/business | +27 (0)11 289 2289 | dstvbusiness@multichoice.co.za
NEWS SAA Operates First A350 Commercially South African Airways recently operated its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft for the first time commercially in the domestic market. The aircraft is one of four new Airbus A350-900 jets in SAA’s fleet. As additional aircraft are introduced, more routes will be operated by the Airbus A350-900s, such as SAA’s ultra-long haul routes between Johannesburg and New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport. The Airbus A350-900 is configured with a maximum of 339 seats, of which 30 are business class and 309 economy class seats, with the first six rows in economy offering extra legroom. The business class cabin has lie-flat beds. To accommodate the new planes, is selling nine wide-body aircraft – five Airbus Rosebank Hotel Gets Rebrand A340-300s and four Airbus A340-600s – and 15 spare engines and four auxiliary power units. Tsogo Sun Hotels began to rebrand and refurbish its Crowne Plaza The Rosebank property into the Southern Sun Rosebank on 1 February. An Southern Sun extensive refurbishment will include the reception and lobby areas, the Circle Bar, the Fresh Restaurant, and the opening of The Grill Jichana. The balance of the refurbishment of the hotel, including bedrooms, will take place over the course of 2020/21. Ridgeway Completes Refurb RwandAir Launches Flexi Flight Southern Sun Ridgeway Lusaka, in Zambia, has completed a long-awaited refurbishment, to Options the value of over $7 million. Inspiration for the refurbished rooms focused on the rich copper RwandAir customers could now save from their ticket purchases thanks and gemstone resources of Zambia, with the to a new partnership with Optiontown. The new offering enables colours of emeralds, amethyst, aquamarine, customers to pre-purchase RwandAir flights at the best available price tourmaline, garnet and rose quartz informing and decide when they want to travel at a later date. Customers buying a the hotel’s new colour palette. Every room is RwandAir Flight Pass can choose between four and 500 one-way flights TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 919456 equipped with blackout curtains and walk- to multiple destinations, valid for up to two years from the start date. in showers. Additional amenities include Customers can set their own advance booking limit – from 180 days to complimentary wi-fi, flat-screen TVs with just four hours before departure. Up to 200 individual customer names DStv and 24-hour room service. The hotel has can be added to the Flight Pass, making it possible to share with family, also completed upgrades to its reception area, friends and colleagues. To find out more or to book the RwandAir Flight public toilets, and business centre. Pass, visit rwandair.optiontown.com COMFORT WITHOUT BORDERS AS A HOTEL GROUP BORN AND BRED IN AFRICA, WE CONTINUE TO GROW OUR PRESENCE IN THE CONTINENT. YOU CAN NOW CHECK INTO 60 HOTELS ALL OVER AFRICA – INCLUDING SOUTH AFRICA, DAR ES SALAAM, GABORONE, WINDHOEK AND NAIROBI – KNOWING THAT YOU’LL FIND THE COMFORT AND RELIABILITY YOU’VE COME TO EXPECT FROM A STAY WITH US. FOR THE RATES AND RESERVATIONS OF YOUR PREFERRED DESTINATION ACROSS THE CONTINENT, VISIT CLHG.COM 6 | DECEMBER2019 For more news, visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
ADVERTORIAL – MAURITIUS ACTIVITIES The island also boasts a variety of activities specifically geared for MICE groups, ranging from golf to adventure sports such as quad- biking, trekking, mountain biking, trail-running, zip-lining, fishing, kite-surfing, parasailing, canoeing and sky-diving, together with a host of water sports. The island also offers stunning outdoor locations for interactive and adrenalin-fuelled activities and adventures perfect for team- RATHER MEET IN building exercises. There are also many cultural festivities and Mauritius spiritual festivals that take place on the island that can be enjoyed. WHEN TO VISIT Mauritius has a tropical climate, with warm weather all year round. The best months to visit are from May to December, when the weather is cooler, dry and sunny. Enjoy everything that Mauritius has to offer as your ideal MICE destination, combining quality, elegance and style, in a paradise island setting! Planning an incentive trip to reward your top performers, an international conference for a few thousand delegates, an exclusive high- #RatherMeetinMauritius – the level meeting for a government delegation, or a product launch event? idyllic Indian Ocean destination for all your MICE needs. I www.tourism-mauritius.mu f you are, look no further than accommodation, the attention to www.ratherbeinmauritius.co.za the Indian Ocean island of detail in service delivery, state- Mauritius. Here you will find of-the-art conferencing venues, CONTACT the perfect venue, staffed by a professional and friendly staff, and Mauritius Tourism Promotion professional and dedicated support the additional activities on offer, Authority – SA Representative: team, to deliver a unique, world- all guarantee a unique experience. Janet de Kretser / Philippa Piguet class event, with a touch of island- – Meropa Communications style elegance and flair. CONFERENCE FACILITIES Tel: +27 11 506 7300 The paradise island of Mauritius Boasting the largest and most Email: mauritius@meropa.co.za ■ is fast becoming one of Africa’s modern convention centre in tourism and meetings jewels with the Indian Ocean region, the its scenic beauty, hidden treasures Swami Vivekananda Convention to explore and an exotic melting- Centre provides all the facilities The Mauritius Tourism pot of cuisines and cultures. It’s needed for large, international Promotion Authority has an a short flight from South Africa’s conferences, accommodating up to attractive incentive scheme in three major cities and visa-free for 5,000 people. place for the MICE segment. South African passport holders. Other venues include the This applies to bookings International Conference Centre in for large groups of 100 people MICE Grand Baie (up to 600 people), the or more to the island and Mauritius offers the MICE buyer Freeport Exhibition Center in Mer includes a 15% VAT rebate, the infrastructure to cater for Rouge (up to 1,000 delegates), and on the ground assistance and a variety of groups and sizes, the Trianon Convention Centre in cash incentives, if three nights all year round. As a MICE- Trianon (up to 3,000 delegates). or more at the same hotel are friendly destination, the island Many Mauritian hotels also offer booked for the group. has the key ingredients to host conference facilities and can cater More details are available successful meetings, incentive for up to 800 people at a time, through the Mauritius groups, conferences and events. with spectacular marquees and Tourism Promotion Authority The quality and variety of set-ups on the hotel properties. office. Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 7
NEWS Airlink to Operate Own Flight Code Independent airline Airlink will operate under its own 4Z flight code with effect from 11 June. This will enable Airlink to develop more routes and frequencies on an independent basis, as well as extend opportunities to establish new agreements with leading international airlines. Airlink and South African Airways have redefined their partnership by replacing their franchise agreement with a new commercial arrangement from 11 June 2020. Customers holding SAA 083 tickets for flights after 10 June, who do not want to be re-accommodated, may apply to SAA for a refund or through other channels, such as the credit card issuer used for payment or insurance. SAA refunds will be managed in line with its business rescue policies. ONOMO Acquires BON Hotels ONOMO Hotels has acquired a 60,1% controlling stake in BON Hotels, setting Africa’s hospitality industry up for a major shake-up. The acquisition establishes ONOMO as a key player in the Nigerian market and will reinforce its presence in Southern Africa. ONOMO will benefit from BON Hotels’ extensive experience of offering its services as a hotel management company. The strategic partnership reflects the parties’ ongoing confidence in Africa as the go-to region for economic opportunities and growth potential, particularly in tourism. Radisson to Debut on Century City Extends Reunion Island Hospitality Offering Radisson Hotel Group will enter its third of the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel in Cape Town has broken four main Indian Ocean Islands with the signing ground on a brand-new hotel in the complex. Aimed for completion of the Radisson Hotel Saint Denis on Reunion in mid-2021, Century City Hotel Bridgewater is an exciting addition Island. Saint Denis is the administrative capital of to the acclaimed Century City Hotels brand, and is set to complement the French overseas region, located on the north the existing hospitality offering in the node. The existing Century end of Reunion Island, and Radisson’s newest hotel City Hotel will be rebranded as Century City Hotel Urban Square. The is located within walking distance of the main new hotel will increase accommodation from 125 rooms at Century commercial and financial district. Positioned in City Hotel Urban Square to 223 rooms between the two properties, front of the Promenade, between the old town and and almost 700 rooms within walking distance of Century City the main highway, the hotel offers easy access to Conference Centre. When complete, Bridgewater One will consist Saint Denis Roland Garros International Airport, of an 80-room hotel flanked by 122 apartments, overlooking three the main airport on Reunion Island. The hotel will hectares of waterbody and greenery, and three individual office feature 124 upscale rooms and suites; five food and buildings for a R600 million mixed-use development. Between this drink outlets, including a rooftop bar and lounge; cluster of buildings, a sunny, sheltered, central courtyard will be lined 416m² of meeting and events space made up of a with shops and restaurants. And beneath them, two levels of parking large conference room and six meeting rooms; and will provide 376 secure undercover bays. a fully-equipped gym. 8 | FEBRUARY2020 For more news, visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
BA and KQ Enhance Partnership British Airways and Kenya Airways have enhanced their interline partnership, providing better connections for customers flying into and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and London Heathrow. SWISS Now Flying Fully-Refurbed The partnership will allow KQ customers to access BA’s A340 Fleet extensive European network. Swiss International Air Lines concluded the cabin refurbishment programme for its British Airways’ customers will Airbus A340 aircraft fleet in mid-January. SWISS has newly equipped the cabins of be able to connect through its five A340s with the first, business and economy class seats already featured on its Nairobi to Kenya Airways’ Boeing 777s, together with a new inflight entertainment system that includes internet African network. connectivity. SWISS operates its Airbus A340s on services between Zurich and Boston, Johannesburg and Shanghai. Catalyst Hotel to Open in Sandton The Catalyst Hotel, a premier establishment managed by Newmark Hotels, Reserves, Lodges and Residences, is set to bring luxury and comfort to both business and leisure travellers in the middle to last quarter of 2020. Positioned close to the Gautrain station, the hotel offers 206 rooms for both short and long-stay guests. From deluxe bathroom finishes to top-class in-room conveniences, each suite has been built for comfort with all the stylish efficiencies geared towards the discerning guest. On-site facilities include a restaurant, a fully-equipped conference area, a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool, and a full-service spa.
COMMENT Hotels ‘get personal’ A s with many things, we’ve come full circle! Another favourite way to court g uest favour is to Wayne For years, travellers were content to be integrate their social interests into their travel Troughton unknown to hotel hosts…‘another booking, opportunities. An important factor in adding CEO: HTI Consulting another room number’. Today, however, the trend value and deepening customer insight is also to towards personalisation is once again prevalent in the understand the reason that the g uest is there – be it hospitality sector. business, leisure or conference participation. In my last column I mentioned that by 2022 the Having a sense of a trip's purpose (not just W HO experiential market is estimated to account for the g uest is but W H Y they travel) allows hotels nearly two thirds of the global luxur y hotel market. to cater to preferences that apply not just to the According to a recent report by Infosys, around 86% particular g uest but also to their travel persona. of international consumers also say personalisation A leisure traveller persona effectively translates plays an important role in their purchasing to particular accommodation preferences, ser vice decisions. levels, and assistance requests and, of course, additional revenue opportunities. A business People are actively seeking hospitalit y experiences traveller persona may be more inclined to that are relevant to them and make them feel concern themselves with loyalt y point earning like they matter as an individual, rather than opportunities, but less inclined toward inclusive merely being clumped together with ever y other meals or ser vices, since their bill is a reimbursable consumer and offered the same treatment. The business expense. drive is therefor for hoteliers to reconstruct and develop their product offering to be more engaged, Business travellers would be more likely to personalised, immersive, adventurous and more take advantage of express check-in and check- adjusted to local culture. out ser vices, and less likely to seek extensive assistance or g uidance from front desks. Applying The ‘game changer’ in delivering 21st centur y travel personas can therefore be an important non-standardised hotel accommodation is the differentiator to customise and enhance the g uest technolog y of sharing. experience. In the past, it generally wasn't practical to get When you think about the word ‘personalisation’, insights, references and reviews before you what should first come to mind is technologies that committed to your stay. Today, it's hard to imagine provide the tools to better know, understand and any form of accommodation that hasn't been recognise g uests, their needs and their desires. photographed, shared, blogged, rated and reviewed In the chain hotel's world of highly standardised online. options, it is customer relationship management software that often provides the best competitive For those hotels seeking to collect and interpret advantage in a marketplace that has beg un to value data about their g uests in order to deliver a the unique above all else. personalised user experience, gathering g uest profile data has never been easier. Guests are Ultimately, the deeper the level of knowledge hotels generally happy to provide some personal have about their g uest, the more likely that g uest information if it means that they’re getting will stay loyal, because they trust you know what personalised ser vice and relevant information, they want from a hotel experience. post-stay, about deals that would suit their specific requirements. Brands that create personalised experiences by integrating data and advanced technologies are If a particular g uest stays at a hotel repeatedly for currently achieving revenue increases of between business trips, their information can be noted and 6% and 10%. used the next time they book a room at the hotel, perhaps to point them to a wi-fi-enabled work The best approach is for a personalisation area, free conference room, or other areas suited to programme that brings hotel g uests into sharper their business-related needs. Better yet, hoteliers focus and improves the customer relationship. More are increasingly using technolog y apps to enable rewarding g uest experiences that offer a ‘you first ’ the g uests to control their own experience. Via an proposition are therefor an increasing requirement app some g uests are able to adjust the temperature and brands that don’t take the necessar y steps in their room, order content for the mini-bar, or towards personalisation will run the risk of stream content on hotel T Vs. becoming irrelevant in the near future. ■ 10 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
COMMENT Still investing in Africa I n a digitally-connected world, where cancelling and expensing travel. The with the complexities of effective risk booking travel can be done in seconds vast majority (70%) of business travellers management. It’s the travel professional using a smartphone app or website, indicated that they felt this was a waste who is best placed to educate a company what are travel professionals bringing of their valuable time. on its exposure and to take the necessary to the table that robots, internet or By combining technology-led innovation measures to mitigate those risks. technology don’t? with human expertise, the modern travel 21st-century TMCs are focusing their Research by ASATA has shown that, professional provides customers with attention on identifying the opportunities on average, a leisure traveller will visit intelligent solutions that save travellers and tools that exist beyond the 20 websites before engaging a travel time and companies money – from transaction. consultant to finalise the booking. streamlined payment and reporting They are asking critical questions like: However, travel agency services are functions to customised itineraries and What are our non-customers saying? experiencing a worldwide revival. comprehensive safety controls. What services do they think we should In corporate travel, the travel Customers today are not only looking provide? What risks have been identified, management company (TMC) has for the best price anymore. They expect and are we considering these things increasingly started filling a valuable and competent, qualified travel professionals when making strategic decisions? strategic role for customers beyond what to offer them a fully-personalised service We can help businesses and their technology can offer. across multiple channels, manage travellers manage risk in 2020 and A recent US-based survey showed complex itineraries, loyalty programmes, beyond if we master the answers to these that the average frequent business and act as a crucial safety net when simple questions. ■ traveller spends 108 hours per year on things go awry. admin work related to corporate travel, Bots are not equipped to handle Otto de Vries i.e. researching, booking, adjusting, complicated itineraries or to deal ASATA CEO Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 11
ADVERTORIAL ExecuJet Experiences this astonishing continent,” says ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, is a well-established and Gavin Kiggen, Vice-President trusted charter service provider to companies, entrepreneurs, Africa, ExecuJet. “Private aircraft governments and VIP’s alike are perfectly suited to this kind of exploration – they afford you increased travel flexibility, can H owever, ExecuJet’s service Another unique destination land on short or dirt runways offering is not only experience offered by ExecuJet is so will take you directly to focused on business travel. Antarctica, in partnership with your destination, and give our As part of ExecuJet’s ongoing White Desert, the only company customers enhanced luxury, commitment to growing that in the world to fly into the interior privacy and comfort. We’re offering and becoming a truly of Antarctica in a private jet. This incredibly excited to partner with one-stop experience creator, is the opportunity to experience these top companies, offering ExecuJet launched its Tours & the real interior of Antarctica our clients bespoke and seamless Safaris division in 2019. in a single day or extend a visit experiences across Africa.” ExecuJet Tours & Safaris offers to five or eight days. You can “To experience the romance of a range of tailor-made safari either buy a seat or charter an the African savannah in a short itineraries with private aircraft entire private jet. Your Antarctic time span, our packages are ideal. flights and transfers. ExecuJet adventure begins as you fly out Fill your days with game drives hand-picked its safari partners for from ExecuJet’s world-class Cape overland, via boat or even by hot their exemplary safety and service Town facility, across the mighty air balloon. Or, combine it with an standards, matching ExecuJet’s Southern Ocean. The six-hour island trip, where you can learn to own. Locations include all African journey transports guests from scuba dive, rent a private yacht, or safari destinations and the the African night, over thousands relax with bespoke spa and beauty surrounding Indian Ocean islands. of icebergs, and passes into 24 services. Our selected partners For an authentic bush living hours of continuous sunshine. provide secluded, ultra-luxury and immersive wildlife adventure, Destination: Wolf’s Fang runway, villas, with devoted members of ExecuJet also offers privately- the only blue ice runway for staff to fulfil your every need. guided fly-in safaris. These can be private jets. Our range of conservation areas arranged any where across Africa, “Safaris are an integral part and national parks make spotting with the option to follow wildlife of African travel, providing a ‘Big Five’ game, rare primates to different regions as they move window into the rich, diverse and breath-taking migrations or migrate. and complex environment of completely effortless.” 12 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
ExecuJet’s wildlife guide says: serves as an office area) – and no airport. “Our family-run safaris have been a separate stateroom in the aft All ExecuJet’s charter aircraft designed and guided through cabin. Satellite communication comply with the latest regulatory every month and season. We pride keeps you in touch with the world requirements and offer the ourselves on a fully-immersive whilst in flight. very best in onboard amenities outdoor lifestyle – grilling freshly Another exciting addition to the and luxuries, reflecting its caught tiger fish and bream from charter fleet is the Falcon 900EX uncompromising commitment to the Okavango and Zambezi Rivers; with 10-seat interior, capable of safety and comfort. watching herds of zebra and flying non-stop to Dubai from ExecuJet also offers a SimplyFly wildebeest graze over breakfast; or Lanseria International Airport. Membership Card, affording seeking lions, leopards, elephants, ExecuJet is also the only clients the opportunity to buy bulk cheetahs and more on horseback, in operator in South Africa to offer charter hours, tailored to their open-top vehicles or from the air. If not one, but two Pilatus PC- needs and aircraft requirements. you’re passionate about preserving 24 Super Versatile Jets (SVJ) In addition, ExecuJet offers our natural heritage, understanding available for charter. The PC-24 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) the environment and learning is simply unique. It’s the only services within its African about wildlife from experienced aircraft combining the versatility portfolio, enabling clients to carry professionals, this is for you.” of a turboprop with the cabin out inspections, surveys, mapping Any of the safari packages size of a medium-light jet and and photography in greater detail. can be combined with a private the performance of a light jet. UAV’s are not only going to play charter, tailormade to the travel It’s a plane that simply doesn’t fit an integral part in commercial requirements of guests. into any of the existing business aviation operations in the future, ExecuJet’s African charter fleet jet categories. The PC-24 has but are seen as a natural extension represents the latest in modern been engineered to be “off-road” of ExecuJet’s complete aviation technolog y and flexibility, and it compatible from the beginning. solution offering to its clients. recently added various business Its outstanding short-field Adding to its extensive portfolio, jets to its managed fleet – most performance – even on unpaved ExecuJet also caters to its clients’ notably, a Global Express with runways – opens up an incredible cargo charter needs, whether a beautifully-appointed 12-seat level of mobility. local, regionally or internationally. interior, capable of flying non- Complementing ExecuJet ’s Its extensive aircraft fleet, global stop to Europe from Lanseria fixed-wing f leet, it also offers a FBO and partner network ensure International Airport in modern rotar y f leet allowing it to it is able to deliver, regardless of a Johannesburg. present its clients with a seamless client’s needs. The Global Express is a fast, solution when it comes to ultra-long-range business jet. It helicopter charter, which provides CONTACT has the largest cabin in its class, a fast, f lexible ser vice for business Tel: + 27 11 516 2300 / divided into three sections – professionals, and is suited to +27 82 330 7399 lounge, dining and meeting (also short f lights to destinations with Email: charter@execujet.co.za ■ Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 13
FEATURE – HOTEL SUITES Why an upgrade to a hotel suite is The becoming ever more attractive for the frequent business traveller, as Business Traveller Asia-Pacific’s Michael Allen finds. suite life 14 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
W hy shell out for a spacious suite when you stay at a hotel, rather than just staying in a more budget-friendly standard guestroom? Different travellers have different reasons, but the consensus among frequent business travellers is that a standard room often does not quite provide everything you need to smoothly and seamlessly conduct your business when on a trip. Indeed, trying to conduct your business in too small a room can sometimes lead to embarrassing misunderstandings, as experienced by Business Traveller Forum user Nick Inkster, a UK-based retiree who worked in the hospitality business in CEO roles, during a Canadian hotel stay around the turn of the millennium. “In Montreal years ago – can’t remember which hotel – I had a colleague come to my suite for a very early conference call. Room service arrived with coffee, croissants etc, and the server, whilst placing the tray on the dining room table, said ‘Good morning, gentlemen, I trust you slept well’. We had both slept well, just not on the same floor of the hotel!” Such cheek-reddening incidents aside, the Business Traveller readership seems to broadly agree that if you can get a suite for a decent price – or upgrade to one using points from a loyalty programme – it’s often worth it. “Would I upgrade to one? That would depend entirely on the premium I have to pay and my requirements on that trip – whether I need to invite people into my room or hold meetings etc. However, if the cost is only marginal, I would not think twice,” says Ahmad Attaur Rehman, a barrister who lives in Islamabad and BT Forum user. ALL SHAPES AND SIZES Not all suites are created equal. The so-called Grand Suite at Oootopia West, a co-living property in famously space- constrained Hong Kong, clocks in at just under 14.5m 2 – much smaller than the average standard hotel room. So, suites come in all Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 15
FEATURE – HOTEL SUITES Of the six room types in the new Tower, four of these are suites, including the Tower Superior Cityview (51m 2), Tower Superior Harbourview (41-47m 2), Tower Premium Harbourview (56-57m 2) and Tower Premium Cityview (52- 58m 2). I stayed in a Tower Premium Harbourview suite at the start of November. My stay was fantastic, but I would not describe the suite as the height of luxury compared with other properties I’ve seen in the Asia-Pacific region. However, it was extremely well appointed, with brand-new furnishings and practical amenities that would definitely make any business traveller’s stay more convenient. You could even catch a glimpse – albeit a rather distant one – of the city’s Symphony of Lights show that sees several skyscrapers along shapes and sizes, from the ultra- Victoria light up at 20h00 every luxurious to the minimalist and night and is a favourite of tourists, practical. Price points, of course, who flock to the Tsim Sha Tsui tend to correlate to the level of waterfront to watch it. luxury you can expect. Victor Chan, general manager Indisputably at the ultra-luxury of Harbour Grand Kowloon, says end is the newly-refurbished his intention was not to make Raffles Hotel in Singapore, an the suites “ultra-luxurious or iconic property first opened in excessive”. Rather, he and his 1887 that’s probably most famous team wanted to design them at for creating the Singapore Sling a reasonable price point, whilst cocktail. It’s an all-suite property providing all the amenities with nine categories of suite, and necessary to ensure a comfortable six of the 115 suites have been and convenient stay for both designated as Residence Suites business and leisure travellers. exclusively for long-stay guests. (including a limousine transfer) Chan says Harbour Grand The hotel says these guests tend starts from $764 for a midweek Kowloon has listened to its to be CEOs and ambassadors in stay in an entry-level 58m 2 customers and the suites were need of a swanky residence when Courtyard Suite King (in early- designed based on customer relocating to the Lion City. December). Whilst many would feedback, rather than looking at “We are an all-suite hotel and consider laying down that much what other hotels are doing. all our suites have the same set- cash worth it for a residence at one “This hotel has been around for up of having their own parlour- of Singapore’s most coveted and 20-plus years. We have a good base slash-living room, followed by storied addresses, business travel of regular customers who have the bedroom and bathroom. As these days often comes with strict given us feedback. That is more soon as you go in, you have your budgets. For a more modest – yet important than looking at other parlour that you can actually make still comfortable and practical – hotels’ suite features and trying to private by closing all the doors and suite stay, Hong Kong’s Harbour copy them,” he says. “The in-room windows into the bedroom – and Grand Kowloon might offer a good sockets are very handy – which that space is big enough to host a solution for more budget-conscious is something that people always meeting for three to four people business travellers. look for. The first thing they do in very comfortably,” says hotel At the start of August, the hotel, a hotel room is plug in their USB, manager Chadi Chemaly. “All our set beside Victoria Harbour in be it by the bedside or the writing suites have the shared veranda, Hong Kong’s Whampoa district, desk.” which is also a great space. All opened 360 new guestrooms With ultra-luxury suites, hotels through the hotel, you have small (including 100 suites) in its Tower. cannot afford to omit anything a corners and spaces of which many The hotel’s total room inventory guest might expect to find in the are exclusively for residents.” will reach 967 by the middle of room. In order to offer a suite at a The daily rate at Raffles Hotel next year, including 216 suites. good price point, Chan says there 16 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
were some features the hotel did Robert Kelly was explaining away with because they are not strictly necessary. South Korean politics live on the BBC over video link when his “ With ultra-luxury “We could quite easily have included an in-room mini-bar,” two young children barged in – instantly making him a viral social suites, hotels cannot he says. “But we don’t really see the point of that. Our in-room media sensation. Another area that business afford to omit anything dining is offered 24 hours a day, travellers like to keep separate in a guest might expect to around the clock – mini-bars are their suites is their own personal find in the room. something which I believe more and more hotels are doing away bathroom. Fortunately, many suites – though not all – offer a ” with.” guest washroom. However, guest bathroom etiquette seems to be MADE FOR MEETINGS lost on some people. The priority of business travellers “I remember staying at the is to get work done in the most Lanesborough in London once, efficient manner possible – where I had three meetings but whether that be hunkering over only the one bathroom,” says spreadsheets or entertaining clients LuganoPirate. “On each occasion and business associates. my guests nicked some of the “I often hold meetings in hotels toiletries, and the last one to and prefer the privacy of a suite in leave took the whole lot. I was which to hold them. So, for me, it’s quite embarrassed having to ask essential the suite can be divided housekeeping each time to come with a closing door. I don’t want back and replenish them.” guests looking into my bedroom, Once your formal business especially if housekeeping hasn’t meetings are over, that same suite got round to cleaning it when space can also be used for a more I have a very early morning personal kind of entertaining, meeting,” says “LuganoPirate”, a suggests one hot-blooded Business user of Business Traveller’s online Traveller reader! forum. “A separate dining area, with Business travellers may also a nice table and service entrance, be keen to take advantage of the along with mood lighting and “bleisure” trend – the fine art of built-in speakers, could turn a mixing business and leisure when heavy day’s business into a ‘Barry travelling – and its increasing acceptance amongst employers. Jean-Philippe Jacopin, general manager of Orchard Hotel Singapore, understands that trend well. He says it’s important for business travellers to have separation between sleeping and the living areas in their accommodation. “Business travellers staying at our Premier Suite with their families can host business meetings in the comfort of the suite’s living room, while their families relax in private in the fully-partitioned bedroom. The two separate entrances are also useful for this function,” he says. However, mixing kids with business does carry some risk and guests may wish to warn their children in advance not to enter the working area of the suite and interrupt mummy or daddy’s meeting or phone call. You may remember that in 2017 Professor Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 17
FEATURE – HOTEL SUITES of what guests consume and what they don’t. “With the turndown amenities, we need to be on brand. We try to avoid any low-class, calorie-full items. If you’re serving something in the luxury way, we need to check if it’s chocolate, not cheap chocolate from the supermarket; it’s high-quality dark chocolate,” he says. “With our fruit platters, not all guests like to eat all types of fruit. Our butlers will understand what the guests’ habits and preferences are. If we notice on the first night that the guests really like bananas, we will add extra bananas.” Whilst bowls of fruit are a pretty universal welcome gift, some hotels like to shake things up a bit and offer their suite guests something unique to the local culture. For example, at Conrad Guangzhou, which has 62 suites in four different sizes, guests get a daily savoury Chinese welcome soup served in a beautiful painted lacquer container inspired by the traditional food basket. “Normally, guests arrive in the rooms around 15h00 to 16h00. A cup of soup is a benefit for them before they join the dinner outside or in the hotel,” says general manager Ken Chow. ENDURING POPULARITY The majority of hotel guests stay in suites as a luxury upgrade from a standard room. However, a select few seem to love staying in suites so much that they try to book them on a more permanent basis – think the CEOs and ambassadors moving to Singapore who set up residence in the Raffles. Sometimes guests even try more unorthodox methods of establishing semi-permanent residency in a suite. White evening’ – of course with (indeed, the home-sharing site “I recently had a long-time the right company,” says UK-based now has a box you can tick to find customer who has an office here BT Forum user “MartynSinclair”, business travel-friendly properties). in the neighbouring office block, who works as an aviation and Aleksandar Vucic, the executive but he also wanted an office in property consultant. assistant manager for rooms at the hotel and wanted the furniture the 2018-opened St Regis Zhuhai, moved to make it into an office,” PERSONAL TOUCHES says that offering a tailored service says Chan of Harbour Grand In-room amenities and room helps personalise the experience Kowloon. “We found that a bit design can only do so much. A (the St Regis brand is famous unusual, but it’s something we hotel without service would not be for its butler service). His hotel can accommodate. Though as a a hotel; you may as well rent out carefully selects what items are permanent office use – that’s not a large Airbnb apartment instead put into its suites and takes note encouraged.” ■ 18 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
FEATURE – FREQUENT FLYER MILES Smart Traveller How to donate unused frequent flyer miles to charity, by Business Traveller UK’s Hannah Brandler. 20 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
5. CATHAY PACIFIC AND CATHAY DRAGON Flyers who earn Asia Miles when flying with Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon can now donate to one of five charities. UNICEF HK, Oxfam Hong Kong and Hong Kong Red Cross are some of the charities that are featured. Asia Miles can also be contributed to FLY greener, a programme that allows you to reduce your carbon footprint. asiamiles.com 6. DELTA AIR LINES Through Delta’s Sky Miles, travellers can donate to participating SkyWish charities. You can browse these by region – US, Asia, Latin America & Caribbean and Europe, Middle M East & Africa. 26 charities iles (or points) are are sponsored (in Europe it is a perk of frequent UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity travel and can be and Make a Wish International), redeemed on future and up to five charities can be flights, upgrades, experiences, processed in one transaction. merchandise, car hire, delta.com accommodation and so on. But sometimes it’s hard to 7. EMIRATES spend them – air tickets may be You must first log into your restricted by time and destination, Sky wards Miles account to access for instance. Rather than waste Emirates’ options for donating them, here are some schemes 3. AMERICAN AIRLINES to charities worldwide. Options that allow miles to be donated to The A Advantage programme include The Emirates Airline partnered charities. focuses on three types of Foundation, Sightsavers, Dubai charitable organisations – those Cares and Care International. 1. AIR FRANCE AND KLM that work to support social good, emirates.com Flying Blue, Air France and KLM’s well-being, or heroes. A minimum frequent flyer programme, has of 1,000 miles is required, though 8. ETIHAD AIRWAYS selected 18 charities to which members with a balance of less Etihad Airways’ reward its members may donate miles. than this can donate their entire programme Etihad Guest sponsors Charities include Aviation Sans balance. a diverse range of charity Frontières, which provides air aa.com organisations including the UN transport to European hospitals for Refugee Agency, the Fred Hollows children with serious illnesses, the 4. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES, Foundation, the Choice to Change French Red Cross and W WF. LUFTHANSA AND SWISS Foundation, and Climate Care f lyingblue.com Miles & More, the frequent flyer that any number of miles can programme for these airlines, be donated towards. Since the 2. ALASK A AIRLINES has partnered with two aid initiative began in 2007, over 200 The Alaska Airlines LIFT miles organisations – Help Alliance, million miles have been donated. programme offers members the which focuses on promoting etihadguest.com chance to support 10 selected nutrition, health and hygiene, charities through donating miles and My Climate, which promotes 9. FINNAIR – these include Alaska Airlines certified climate protection Travellers can join Finnair Plus Disaster Relief Pool, the Nature projects. Members can either make and donate miles to one of the Conservancy and the United a free donation, which is then airline’s eight partnered charities, Negro College Fund, which helps allocated to the project most in which include UN Women and under-represented students to need, or you can choose to support Cancer Foundation: Pink Ribbon. become highly-qualified graduates. a specific cause. finnairshop.com alaskaair.com miles-and-more.com Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 21
FEATURE – FREQUENT FLYER MILES 10. FRONTIER AIRLINES organisations. At the end of the 500 points to 18 charities. This carrier partners with six year, the airline promises to match Organisations include the foundations as part of the My up to a half-million miles to each American Red Cross, Carbonfund. Frontier programme. Miles participating charity. The airline org, and Concern Worldwide. can be donated to Austin Pets promotes 13 charities which Jetblue.com Alive!, which flies volunteers to support Hawaiian communities, communities outside Austin to including Blood Bank of Hawaii, 15. SINGAPORE AIRLINES save homeless pets, and Shriners Maui Forest Bird Recovery KrisFlyer, Singapore Airlines’ Hospital, which uses the miles Project, and Friends of Hokule’a frequent f lyer programme, has to fly patients and their guardian and Hawai’iloa, which helps to partnered with Make-a-Wish to one of their hospitals for maintain canoe building traditions Singapore to grant the wishes treatment. and values. of children with life threatening Flyfrontier.com hawaiianairlines.com illnesses. A minimum of 1,000 miles is required per donation, 11. GARUDA INDONESIA 13. JAPAN AIRLINES and a maximum of 100,000 can be The airline partners with JAL has a Charity Mile project in donated per transaction. charities that promote education which JAL Mileage Bank members singaporeair.com – Indonesia Mengajar and can make donations towards a #BalasBudiGuru – and the number of campaigns carried out 16. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES Sedekah Umroh programme which by its charity partners, which The airline’s Rapid Rewards helps underprivileged Indonesian currently include disaster relief programme allows you to Muslims to perform an Islamic and environmental conservation. donate miles to its participating pilgrimage. jap.co.jp programmes, which include garudamiles.com All Hands and Hearts, a 14. JETBLUE charit y addressing the needs of 12. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES The airline’s True Blue programme communities impacted by natural Hawaiian Miles allows members gives members the opportunity disasters, and Dream Foundation, to donate miles to non-profit to contribute a minimum of granting wishes to terminally-ill adults. southwest.com 17. UNITED AIRLINES Miles earned through the Mileage Plus programme can be donated to charities through the Miles on a Mission programme. United has partnered with 20 charities, and there are a number of active campaigns that you can donate a minimum of 1,000 miles to – if the campaign doesn’t reach its goal within 28 days, these will be returned to you. You can also campaign for your charit y to be one of the partners. unitedmileageplus.com 18. VIRGIN ATLANTIC Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club has partnered with one charit y, W E (formerly Free The Children). In an effort to empower people in rural international communities to break free from the cycle of povert y, f lyers can donate a minimum of 2,000 miles to f ly volunteers to help efforts. virgin-atlantic.com ■ 22 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
Helping you select a better quality guest house Guest House Accommodation of South Africa www.ghasa.co.za Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za FEBRUARY2020 | 23
FEATURE – AIRPORT TERMINALS New Age experience has evolved a great deal over the last decade. Airport layovers are transitioning into Terminal mini vacations, if time is a luxury on hand. A meal in the choicest of restaurants or relaxing spa therapy is now passé. Select airports are going the extra mile to ensure your time is made the most of. From being entertainment hubs to encompassing futuristic Airport terminals are not what they used to be, as found by technolog y whilst showcasing the best in art, airports are evolving Business Traveller India editor Akanksha Maker. and here is how. W hen Viktor Navorski I’m sure it would have another ENTERTAINMENT HUBS got stranded at an perspective. Perhaps, Viktor would If you’re flying out of Frankfurt airport in Steven be seen enjoying therapeutic spa Airport anytime soon, catching a Spielberg’s movie treatments at an airport spa after flick before your flight should be The Terminal that released in an indulgent meal at Wagamama. on your list. That’s because the two 2004, I sympathised with him. He could then check-in into a chic Movie Worlds in Piers A and Z are Those unending hours spent airport hotel — living his best life inviting passengers in transit to living out of a suitcase didn’t and not being too upset about a watch the latest blockbusters for seem so appealing. However, missed flight. free. Comfortable couches for up to if the movie was remade today, That’s because the airport three persons are arranged in front 24 | FEBRUARY2020 Visit businesstravellerafrica.co.za
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