New! - executivetraveller.net
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New! - executivetraveller.net
No-one covers travel like we do International Edition £3.75 Oct 2005 The World's Best Spas PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS STRESSFUL - OUR SELECTION OF SPA DESTINATIONS WILL MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE! Platform Atlanta and Dusseldorf Airports get a 'SITA' facelift New! Money Matters Money Matters MoneyExpert.com Chief Sean Gardner warns us on hidden dangers of ATM banking Gadgets Exclusive preview of the latest Exclusive preview of the latest in in business business travel travel technology technology Gulf Air is back President & CEO James Hogan on the future of the airline KKL Luzern CEO Elisabeth Dalucas takes us on a tour round this unique MICE destination Slovakia Exceeds expectations! w! NeGolf Crazy ISSN 1742-0547 It’s time for sports Something for Christmas A collection of ideal Christmas presents for him and her One Size Doesn’t SuiPage t A1ll• Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 11> Rhinos at Leipzig zoo Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 4 Page 5 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Inside Investment Opportunities AustralianPropertyInvestor.com Makes Buying Property 'Down Under' a Doddle 68 Rare Oceanfront Land To Be Released On Hamilton Island 68 Food And Restaurant Planning the perfect 'power' lunch 71 Destinations A tour round Slovakia with Derek Annoh 76 Luxury Treatment With Champneys Goa And Indus Tours 80 Platform New Gadget Arrivals 81 New technology to warn you of any heart attack! TOM TOM Research 82 Europeans Can't be Without their Phones and City Guides… Executive Traveller Magazine International Edition - Volume 11/Oct 2005 Cover Photo: St David's Spa, Cardiff - UK T-Mobile 83 A UK First with the launch of the MDA Pro. Extension of Datacard Verbatim 1GB store Airline News Business Jets Gulf Air is Back 8 President & CEO James Hogan tells us about the future of the airline after making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005. When One Size Really Doesn't Suit All 50 KLM launches business jet services on Amsterdam-Houston route. Technology in Airline Industry 15 All the latest news in the airline world 16 Cover Story Vodafone extends its travel promise to business 87 GO-SIM: New sim card to save a fortune Tech air's 2005 Range 92 Bags of Style, Features And Protection. China Books 93 M. Michael Brady's living and working in Norway. Air France leads the way to China 53 89 Travel Goods Aircraft Zone's Macmillan Cancer Relief programme 52 Time For Sport (New!) The World's Best Spas 26 From UK South Africa we bring you a selection of spas that will make a real difference to a stressful professional life. Meetings,Incentives Conference, Events Money (New!) Grimaldi Forum, Monaco MoneyExpert.com Chief Sean Gardner warns us about the hidden dangers of using the 'hole in the wall' 44 Egypt's El Gouna Feature 84 86 KKL Luzern - Why Switzerland's Luzern is known as the cultural and conference city. 57 63 65 Apex City of London Hotel's new Conference facilities 67 Chelsea FC Launches Small Meetings Package 67 SITA is making waves in Europe and America 46 How SITA' new contracts is going to improve business travel in Atlanta and Düsseldorf. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 6 Kevill Davies presents his 2-BALL GOLF Rugby in Bermuda 92 Virtual Caddy 94 A new interactive golf website. The Black Stork 95 Vel'ka Lomnica Golf Course in Slovakia. Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort's New-Look Golf Academy 96 NewsDesk General News & Forthcoming Highlights Useful Information 118 Something For Christmas 120 Classified Directory 126 100 From the Published by: LNA Associates Ltd 33 Donkin House, Galleywall Road London SE16 3PQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 79 8402 1973 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7231 8897 www.lnaassociates.com Managing Editor: Lyssiemay N Annoh Creative Directors: LNA Associates Ltd Designer: e-BookServices.com, India Production: Target Printing Company PO Box 119, Barry, CF63 9AD Tel: 0845 612 3005 Fax: 01446 730160 Cover Design: Thumbprint Creations Ltd All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without the publishers’ permission is strictly prohibited. Views expressed in Executive Traveller Magazine are not necessarily those of LNA Associates Ltd. Copyright: LNA Associates Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registration No: 4592559 D-U-N-S Number: 73-318-7566 ISSN Number: 1742-0547 E x e c u t i v e Tr a v e l l e r Editor Executive Traveller Magazine International Edition - Vol. 11/October 2005 Contributors Welcome to Executive Traveller Magazine. Guess what? We are feeling proud. Proud to be the only magazine to accept that “One Size doesn’t suit all’’ proud that “No-One Covers Travel like we do.”; and from this issue, we are proud to be the most comprehensive business travel magazine in Europe and proud to be able to declare that we are what every business traveller needs. SEAN GARDNER Money If you are new to ETM, you may think we are bluffing; but who wants to bluff when it comes to business tourism. It is as serious as your next project. Those of you who are already members of the ETM family know what we mean. Keeping up with the tradition of bringing you the best, we present you some of the world’s best spas, not simply by their looks but from what they offer. We bring you more gadgets and introduce our new money and sports section. We have also combed out some of the unique meetings, conference and incentives destinations and sectioned our news desk to brief you clearly about everything going on at the airport, hotels, car hire, and airlines and created an appointments section to tell you about key personnel travel businesses have appointed to manage your affairs. It is your travel life in their hands and you need to know who they are! We always seek to take the ‘trek’ out of travel and value your comments. Please let me have your views through editor@executivetraveller.net. How you travel, what you travel with and where you stay when you travel is important. In today’s competitive world, keeping up with business while away from the office is crucial to every executive be they young or matured; even leisure travellers would like to stay in touch with home when they are away. This is why Executive Traveller Magazine ensures that everything you need to know about travelling is brought you. As always, if we have not mentioned it, it is probably not worth knowing. KEVILL DAVIES The 2-Ball Golf Game DEREK ANNOH Slovakia Spa & Destination KATE RUSSELL Takaro Peace Resort, New Zealand Lyssiemay Annoh Managing Editor editor@executivetraveller.net Page 7 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine A IRLINE N EWS Gulf Air is back! • New inflight entertainment • Free Private Chauffeur Service • Inflight Chefs • Sky Nannies • Non-stop flights to Johannesburg • New management team and more... After an absence of more than eight years, the airline is returning to South Africa with non-stop Flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Johannesburg. These are due to commence from 2 December 2005. The service will begin with three flights per week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Johannesburg to Bahrain and Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, from Bahrain to Johannesburg. The Johannesburg destination is specifically scheduled to connect with Gulf Air’s other new destination, Dublin, which was launched on 15 July. Flights from Johannesburg will also provide excellent connectivity onwards to Europe, the Far East and Asia. Gulf Air was founded in 1950 when it was owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. On 13th September this year, the Government of Abu Dhabi opted to withdraw from its shareholding in airline over the next six months. The carrier is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. With a fleet of 34 the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries which give Gulf Air Chief James Hogan the confidence to say that it will be business as usual. The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognizing the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 8 Sky Nanny with children on flight Page 9 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Gulf Air has introduced key business initiatives including state-of-the-art Sky Beds, to boost passenger numbers and enhance customer service. The investment is already showing dividends, with passenger numbers in 2004 reaching record numbers, and propelling the airline to report a profit of $4 million in 2004, its best financial performance since 1997. Further recent expansion by Gulf Air includes the recent announcement of the December 2005 launch of Dublin’s first-ever scheduled services to the Middle East. The non-stop Gulf Air flights will allow direct travel to the Kingdom of Bahrain and onward connections to more than 40 cities in the Middle East, Africa, the Far East and Australia. strides towards regaining profitability in 2005 and aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment. What made Gulf Air stop the route in the first place? The Gulf Air that is launching in Johannesburg is a very different airline to the one that operated there several years ago. Previously, market conditions meant the airline needed to cease its operation. However, we have undergone a significant transformation, which has resulted in us now being one of With this new service, Gulf Air will become the only airline offering a First Class product in the Irish market. Passengers will experience state-of-the-art sky beds in first and business class, five-star chefs preparing and serving food in first class, and Norland-trained Sky Nannies looking after young travelers in all classes. the leading airlines not just in the Middle East, but across the globe. This transfor-mation was not easy, and big changes were needed in order to get the company back on the right track. We have had to implement significant costcutting exercises in order to get to where we are today, including ETM’s managing editor Lyssiemay pulling out of some destinations Annoh talks to a delighted Gulf Air to better service the demand in President and Chief Executive other locations. James Hogan about the re- We have to do what makes introduction of Gulf Air’s service commercial sense. So although into the African market and the our aim is always to give our future of the airline on the whole. customers the greatest possible James Hogan has headed the choice and above all a seamless airline, during a three-year travel experience, we also have strategic recovery programme. to take into account what our The airline is making rapid competitors in the region are Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 10 doing and plan our schedules and routes to optimise the use of our resources. Our entire network and schedules are under constant review against criteria of commercial viability. We are now in Johannesburg to stay. In July we introduced a new daily direct service from Ireland to Bahrain, offering the only first class service from Dublin to anywhere in the world. With this new Johannesburg service we can now connect passengers from Ireland through Bahrain to South Africa. Our decision to relaunch services to Johannesburg is a fundamental part of our network strategy and business growth. We know that we can fill a gap in this market that is currently not being serviced by any other airline. Why the comeback? With the growing contact between South Africa and the Gulf for business and tourism, the time is right for Gulf Air to return to Johannesburg. Leisure travellers can connect to key holiday destinations throughout the Middle East and Asia such as Oman, Dubai, India, Bangkok and Sydney, and also through to Ireland, Gulf Air’s latest destination. Business travellers to and from South Africa now have the opportunity to experience award winning services. and other markets. And many of the States are investing heavily in promoting the unique attractions of the region either for tourism or for business. impressive 15-inch flat screen monitor and high-tech, noiseexcluding headsets. Oversized tables create a comfortable space for work and dining. We are a featuring in the New Year “the best of business and first class travel” - why should Gulf Air be included in this list? Space is the also key in the new Gulf Air Business class; with a seat that moves within a pod, so that seat movement does not disturb surrounding passengers. Space is provided for a laptop, and more personal storage room has been allocated than ever before. South Africa is booming. Tourism is an area that is expected to witness tremendous growth over the coming years. South Africa offers a huge variety of locations Gulf Air service is better for and activities to tourists business – with just eight from Europe, The Gulf seats in First Class, and only 24 and Asia, from in Business. They are wider, more comfortable, more private, more convenient and breathtaking more spacious than national parks those offered with a huge by any variety of big o t h e r game; to exciting holiday resorts such as the Lost City and Sun City, there are attractions to suit all tourists. But our decision to launch services to Johannesburg is not based on just what South Africa offers. The Middle East offers enormous opportunities as a business and leisure location. Many of the economies in the region offer massive long-term growth potential – whether that comes from the eventual reconstruction of Iraq, the growth of the financial centres in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, tourism investments in Oman, Dubai and Qatar, or non-oil inward investment programmes in Saudi airline at present. This year, we have invested US$10 million in our premium seats and in-flight entertainment systems, delivering the final piece of the jigsaw to create a definitive world-class product. In First class, our new cabin concept has been designed to allow a private companion dining option with space for up to four diners, with 18 different meal choices on offer and a worldclass selection of vintage wines. The new seats offer unrivalled space, comfort, privacy and style. Finished with leather armrests, large head wings, lumbar support and individual power outlets for laptop use, the first class seats are state of the art. On-board entertainment is delivered via an Gulf Air’s offers Sky Nannies to look after the needs of travellers under the age of twelve, ensuring they receive q u a l i f i e d professional attention and care from the moment of boarding to the very end of their journey. Every Gulf Air Sky Nanny is specially trained in child behaviour and inflight childcare services by Norland College, the internationally recognised premier provider of childcare training and education, based in Bath. The Sky Nanny’s role is to make life easier for parents travelling with children, from helping with boarding and disembarkation to keeping children entertained and giving parents a much needed break during a long flight. In the past two years, Gulf Air has changed the face of in-flight dining. Award wining five-star Sky Chefs provide First Class customers with the choice, quality and individual attention associated with five-star hotels and international standard fine dining restaurants. The Sky Chefs Page11 11 •• October Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Page 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 12 offer something to tempt every palate and the “Dine on Demand” option on night flights allows customers greater flexibility to rest and dine when they desire. The inflight chefs take orders from the expansive menu and serve at a chosen time. To complement the delicious food, Gulf Air’s Sky Cellar holds a selection of hand picked wines from the new and old worlds. Airport) awards. They demonstrate that our in-flight catering continues to set us apart from other competitors. We believe that what Gulf Air offers is unique and extraordinary. Gulf Air has repeatedly introduced products which lead the way in customer service: we launched our innovative Sky Chefs several years ago, and they have re-shaped the quality of airline food across the aviation industry. We are the only airline to offer a full trained in-flight Sky Nanny, looking after the comfort of our passengers aged under twelve whatever cabin they travel in, and for free. No other airline offers this. Since launching this service on our inaugural London-Sydney route in 2003 we have seen demand for this service sky rocket. We now more than 100 Sky Nannies operating on all our long-haul services. space for each passenger, which can transform into a fully functional bed, offering a unique combination of comfort and privacy. Gulf Air was the first airline in the world to use a revolutionary new concept in airline seating, with its order for Evolys Business Class seats. The Evolys offers an exclusive lounge-bed sleeper position, scientifically proven to be the healthiest and most comfortable sleeping position for air You have claimed that the Airline offers travellers. one of the best in-flight services in the EADS Sogerma’s Class 180 seats are sky - Who is the supplier and who have installed in the First Class cabin. The Class you compared it against? 180 configuration offers a private ‘cabin’ What particular businesses do the two cities do together apart from promoting the destinations? Both Bahrain and Johannesburg offer enormous opportunities as business and leisure locations with massive long-term growth potential. The cities are both investing heavily in promoting the unique attractions of their regions, both for tourism and for business. Gulf Air continues to win awards. The recent Skytrax Airline Survey, the only truly global survey, targeting more than 90 passenger nationalities is the latest in an increasingly long list of awards, which recognise our success. In the latest Skytrax awards, Gulf Air clinched top position for First and Business Class onboard catering on long-haul intercontinental flights. These latest accolades follow the strong showing by Gulf Air in last year’s Skytrax poll, in which the airline was recognised for the Most Improved Performance 2004 as well as achieving the Best On-board Catering (First Class) and the Best CheckIn Facilities (Business Class, at Bahrain J AMES H OGAN President and CEO, Gulf Air Page 13 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine OTHER GULF AIR NEWS GULF AIR ANNOUNCES TWO PROMOTIONS AND BAGS A SUCCESSFUL FREE PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR SERVICE TO DUBAI. Gulf Air has appointed Rohan Alce as Regional General Manager for Europe, Africa and America. Clive Wratten takes up Mr Alce’s former position as UK General Manager. Rohan Alce has been with Gulf Air since 2002, and boasts considerable experience across the aviation industry. His previous positions include Head of Cargo for Qatar Airways, Cargo Director and VP Americas for bmi, ten years in various posts for Virgin, and over twenty years with British Caledonian Airways. Rohan Alce says “We are entering a very exciting time in the airline business, and I am looking forward to the challenges my new role will offer. I welcome the opportunity to help Gulf Air make an even bigger impression with passengers and competitors alike over the coming years.” Clive Wratten joined Gulf Air as Sales and Marketing Manager for the UK in 2003, after working as Corporate Sales Manager for Qantas for five years. He previously held the position of Multinational Business Development Manager at British Airways where he worked for three years. Clive Wratten says “Gulf Air is a very exciting place to be at moment. We are experiencing incredible growth within the ROHAN ALCE airline, and I’m thrilled to be part of it. I have worked with an excellent team in the UK over the last few years, and I look forward to building on the success we have achieved to date.” The promotions follow another highly successful year for the award-winning airline who’s free private car transfer from Abu Dhabi International Airport direct to the popular Jumeirah beach resorts of Dubai was proving hugely popular amongst holidaymakers this s u m m e r. Recently rated the fourth favourite CLIVE WRATTEN holiday destination for Britons, Dubai can now be easily accessed via Abu Dhabi International Airport. Passengers can travel in style straight to their hotels on Jumeirah beach in just 45 minutes. All economy passengers travelling with Gulf Air can now experience this exclusive first class transfer service without the first class price tag. Rohan Alce, says that the airline achieved a popular twice daily service to Abu Dhabi was delighted to offer it from Abu Dhabi airport just in time for the busy summer period. He adds “We have always been dedicated to the needs of every single passenger in our planes, regardless of what class and cabin they travel in. We demonstrated this with the introduction of the world’s first and only Sky Nanny service, and now we are the only airline to offer this fantastic private transfer service to every economy passenger, proving once again that Gulf Air is the airline for everyone.” Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 14 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BAHRAIN Arabic is the official language, although English is widely understood and used by most businesses. Islam is the religion of Bahrain and is practiced by a large majority. There is a conservative culture (with regards to clothes…..etc.). The working week, number of hours worked and timing vary considerably. Here are the main commercial hours: • Government offices: 07.0014.15 Saturday to Wednesday. • Commercial organisations: Hours vary but 08.00-15.30 or 08.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.30 are common. Five day weeks are becoming favoured though many establishments still work Saturday to Thursday. • Shops and supermarkets: Many open 08.30-12.30, 15.30-19.30 six days a week. Markets and shops open Friday mornings (times vary). • Commercial banks: 07.30-12.00 Saturday to Wednesday, and for many branches, 15.30-17.30 on the same afternoons, 07.3011.00 Thursdays. Money & Currency –– The Bahraini Dinar is linked with the US dollar at US$ 1= BD 0.375. Main English Newspapers are: Bahrain Tribune and Gulf Daily News. Tipping Tips: 10 per cent is expected by taxi drivers and waiters, particularly when service is not included, and is normal practice. Airport porters expect to be tipped. TECHNOLOGY IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY Technology is taking over the travel industry –– Airline e-tickets now 30 pct of market. or the airlines who developed their use of etickets, it has been a great success but tough times for some carriers are slowing the switch to other technologies designed to speed up service, an industry poll showed. F Electronic tickets now account for 30 percent of those issued by airlines, up from 19 percent in 2004, the poll by airlines technology firm SITA and Airline Business magazine showed that over 70 percent of tickets are sold over the Internet from a poll of executives from 200 airlines. The industry has also stepped up efforts to introduce Internet access or phone use aboard planes. The poll found 44 percent of airlines intend to offer some form of in-flight connectivity by the end of 2007. High fuel prices have dented hopes for airline earnings this year, though fuel surcharges appear to have helped many pass on costs to passengers without losing business. According to the poll, one risk the industry faces is unnecessary costs stemming from the need to introduce new technology for some carriers, while sustaining legacy systems for those unable or unwilling to upgrade. SITA President Peter Buecking says that “It would be a costly duplication if the industry had to retain technology to process both paper and electronic tickets,” North American airlines have gone from the industry’s technology leaders to laggards, with Asia-Pacific carriers now the most savvy about upgrading technology, the poll found. IT spending by Asia-Pacific airlines stands at 2 percent of revenues while at North American carriers the average has fallen to 1.4 percent from 1.9 percent a year ago, it said. “Debt-laden airlines have put technology innovation on the back burner to focus on streamlining operations,” SITA said in a news release. Bar codes that allow passengers to receive tickets by mobile phone or PDA and print them out ahead of time is one area where North American carriers are ahead of European airlines, with 67 percent able to offer this service versus just 17 percent in Europe. Despite tough times for some, low-fare airlines are driving growth overall, with traffic set to double in Europe by 2020, straining airport infrastructure despite plans to spend more than 50 billion dollars on expansion by 2025. Analysts say this growth will force the industry to adopt technology to help speed the flow of passengers, using check-in kiosks which can take tickets from any airline, for example, to save passengers from having to roam through airports looking for a specific check-in area. Page 15 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 O THER A IRLINE N EWS AIR SOUTHWEST LEADS THE WAY WITH NEW BAGGAGE FACILITIES Flat fee for bulky sports items and hand luggage increases from 5-7 kgs. ir Southwest, the South West’s own low fare airline, has responded to the needs of customers by innovating a new baggage policy suited to the diverse needs of leisure and business passengers alike. A introduction of a £17 flat fee for carriage of bulky sporting items like surfboards, bags of golf clubs, fishing rods, skis and bicycles, freeing up the 20 kg baggage allowance for other holiday essentials. Southwest explained the reasons behind the changes in baggage allowance: “Although we are a low-fare airline, adapting to the needs of our customers and innovating services is key to what we offer. From 19th July, Air Southwest passengers will be able prebook vouchers for baggage weight over their free 20kg allowance, and save 50 % on normal excess baggage fees – perfect for passengers with large luggage requirements for connections onto or from longhaul flights or for longer family breaks in the South West. Bringing sporting equipment on holiday has also been made even easier with the Business passengers and shopaholics alike will enjoy a 2kg increase in their hand luggage allowance which from today has been raised from 5kg to 7kg – great news for business passengers opting to carry a small day bag with them or leisure passengers making the most of the fantastic shopping opportunities in London, Manchester and Leeds. “Customer feedback led us to look at how we could adapt our luggage policies in line with the needs of our customers. With more and more families choosing to leave the car behind and travel to the South West by Air, and for passengers using our services to connect with long haul services from Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol the option to pre-book excess luggage will offer greater flexibility to take the luggage they need. Mike Coombes, general manager commercial at Air “The introduction of £17 fixed charge for carriage of sporting goods is in response to the increasing number of passengers travelling with us to access the fantastic outdoor activities on offer in the Southwest. The flat fee means that passengers can bring their bulky items of sporting equipment with them without using up their 20kg luggage allowance. www.airsouthwest.com Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 16 ASTRAEUS straeus expects weekly departures to increase from 28 to 41, a growth of 46% and is therefore recruiting additional cabin crew this winter. The additional crew will be based at London Gatwick to cover its busy flight schedule. The busy schedule includes ski and winter sun routes operated in conjunction with a number of tour operators. A The airline will be basing four of its ten aircraft at Gatwick – three extralegroom Boeing 757s, plus a Boeing 737. The 737 will be replaced by another extra-legroom 757 in Spring 2006. The 737 fleet will primarily operate out of the UK’s regional airports thereafter. “There is a strong demand for a highquality niche charter airline, and we have successfully filled it with great support from tour operators and customers alike,” said Jonathan Hinkles, Commercial Director of Astraeus. EX- RAC BOSS ANDREW HARRISON NAMED AS NEW CE0 OF EASYJET LONDON: EasyJet (EZJ.L) has selected Andrew Harrison, the former boss of motor services firm RAC, as its new chief executive. Harrison, 48, will replace the airline’s long-serving boss Ray Webster, who is retiring in December. Andrew Harrison - New CEO The Company has been searching for a successor since Webster announced in May he would be stepping down earlier than scheduled to spend more time in his native New Zealand. The news caused a rise in the airline’s shares from 1.1 percent to 295 pence. Harrison left RAC after the group was taken over by insurance giant Aviva (AV.L:) earlier this year for 1.1 billion pounds. “We are thriving on customers discovering and then propagating word about our high service standards, quality in-flight meals, free drinks and, crucially, our unique enhanced seat pitch cabins in our Boeing 757 fleet operating on short and medium haul routes.” Harrison joined Lex Service in 1996 as chief executive and oversaw its transformation from a vehicle distribution company into RAC. London Gatwick-based Astraeus, which commenced operations in 2001, employs more than 300 people and operates a fleet of Boeing 737-300, 737-700 and 757-200 aircraft from a number of UK airports, flying charter and scheduled routes to destinations in Europe, Russia, North America, Africa and the Middle East. “I am very pleased that Andrew has agreed to join easyJet. This is the successful conclusion of a rigorous search process conducted by a professional search company which assessed candidates across a wide range of consumerfacing industries. www.flyastraeus.com easyJet said it chose Harrison because of his senior management experience in a consumer-focused company. Sir Colin Chandler, Chairman of easyJet, said: Ray Webster & Colin Chandler Page 17 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 “We had a number of criteria that our new CEO had to meet; in particular, he or she needed to have had senior management experience in a large and well recognised consumer-facing plc. In addition, Andrew has delivered strong top and bottom line growth, improved cash generation, introduced cost ETIHAD efficiencies employees industry.” and in a inspired service Andrew Harrison said: “easyJet has an exciting future ahead, continuing to deliver rapid growth and further building upon its strong position in the rapidly expanding TO FLY TO JOHANNESBURG THIS European low cost airline market. I look forward to leading the easyJet team to make this happen.” Harrison has been a nonexecutive director at publisher Emap (EMA.L) for the last five years. DECEMBER n line with its plan to link Abu Dhabi to the one of the world’s most important commercial and cultural centres, Etihad Airways has announced that it will start a twice-a-week, non-stop service to Johannesburg from December 3, 2005. I weeks before Etihad is set to take delivery of new, long-range, wide-body aircraft that will ideally position it to take full advantage of the expanding business, holiday and cargo traffic to the African continent. Every Thursday and Saturday, Etihad’s flight EY603 will fly from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg at 0045 hours, while EY604 will fly from Johannesburg to Abu Dhabi at 0950 hours. Guests will fly on a luxuriously appointed Airbus A340300 configured to host 10 Diamond guests, 30 Pearl guests, and 225 Coral* guests. Etihad has done away with the convention of economy, business and first classes. Etihad believes that all guests are precious; so the airline has three ‘guest zones’ - Diamond, Pearl and Coral - each offering exclusive service to guests. The South African embassy in Abu Dhabi has reported that South Africa’s exports to the UAE have increased from USD 251 million in 2002 to USD 410.5 million in 2004. Exports during the first quarter of 2005 stand at USD 120.7 million. “Etihad Airways is determined to challenge the traditional ways of the aviation industry and take a fresh look at how best we can serve our valued guests, as well as our cargo business customers,” said Nick Howarth, Head of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Etihad Airways. “By listening closer to the wishes of our guests and business partners, we realised that Eastern and Asian markets show strong demand for a regional carrier which can take them into the South African market for business and holiday.” The announcement of the new route comes just Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 18 “South Africa enjoys a strong and growing economic relationship with the UAE, and we applaud Etihad Airways’ prudent decision to begin passenger and cargo flights to Johannesburg, one of our largest cities and centre of our commercial enterprise. We also welcome the region’s growing base of holiday makers. The total number of business and holiday travellers who spend a minimum of 48 hours in the UAE has far surpassed the 40,000 persons mark annually,” said H.E. Dikang Moopeloa, South African Ambassador to the UAE. “And with more than 5,000 economically active South African nationals in the UAE alone, the announcement of an additional, premium air carrier regularly servicing our home country is good news for all of us.” www.etihad.ae KLM TO FLY TO HYDERABAD Royal Dutch Airlines will be launching flights between Amsterdam and Hyderabad in India on commencement of the forthcoming winter schedule. This represents KLM’s first initiative in response to the recently expanded airline rights obtained for operations to and from India and a further expansion of KLM’s global network from its IN INDIA part of the joint venture between the two partners. This means that all revenues and costs generated within the scope of operating these services are shared by both airlines. KLM Amsterdam Schiphol hub. KLM’s partners Northwest Airlines and Air France will simultaneously initiate services to Bangalore in South India from Amsterdam and Paris respectively. Launching the new flights will serve to strengthen SkyTeam’s position as the No. 1 alliance in the rapidly expanding Indian airline market. Effective October 30, KLM will initiate thrice-weekly service between Amsterdam and Hyderabad on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, operating MD-11 equipment. These flights will connect well with the transatlantic services operated by KLM and Northwest at Schiphol. Additionally, KLM will be increasing capacity on its daily service to Delhi by deploying Boeing 777 equipment instead of the MD-11. On commencement of the new winter schedule Northwest will initiate daily roundtrip flights between Amsterdam and Bangalore using Airbus A330 equipment. At the same time, Air France will start operating five roundtrip flights a week between Paris and Bangalore using A330 equipment too. Additional Air France operates 19 weekly return flights from Paris to Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. KLM and Air France offer their passengers the opportunity to fly their return services to and from India in combination via Amsterdam and Paris, where also a combination of two oneway fares applies. During 2004/05, the number of international and domestic passengers in India grew by 22% to 42 million. The volume of goods exported over the last three years has also grown at an annual rate of more than 20%, while in the past financial year alone the figure for imports grew by 36%. Launching these new SkyTeam alliance flights means that the 2005/06 winter schedule will offer a total of 77 weekly roundtrip flights to India, operated by KLM, Air France, Northwest, Alitalia, Continental and Delta. The SkyTeam destinations in India include Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. All 24 of the weekly roundtrip flights operated by KLM and Northwest from Amsterdam to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore will be carried out as Page 19 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 MALAYSIA AIRLINES APPOINTS NEW CEO AND TREATS ITS SPECIAL PASSENGERS TO A DINNER Golden Lounge alaysia Airlines has appointed Mr. Idris Jala, 47 as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Effective 1st December 2005, Mr. Jala’s role will be to oversee the breadth of the Malaysia Airlines business. He will be responsible for 23,000 staff and a fleet of over 100 aircraft that serve more M than 100 destinations around the world. “Malaysia Airlines is a jewel in our national crown and one of our best-known exports. I am very proud to be leading the company into its next successful era,” said Mr Jala. “My immediate focus will be on short-term improvement initiatives to drive operating performance. Longer-term, plans will be put in place to maintain the highest standards of service delivery for the Malaysia Airlines customer base, and build value for the company’s shareholders.” The Chairman of Malaysia Airlines, Dato’ Dr. Munir Majid, said, “Given Idris’ track record and varied experience, the Malaysia Airlines Board is confident that he is the ideal candidate to join us as CEO, especially during these exciting times in the industry.” The Airline treated 120 Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich Gold members (those who had gained a total of 40,000 Enrich Gold Miles on Malaysia Airlines First or Golden Club Class travel only within a consecutive 12-month period) to Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 20 the Enrich Gold gala dinner last July. The annual gala dinner was to honor and thank Malaysia Airlines’ distinguished members for their loyalty and patronage to the national carrier. On hand to receive the guests were Managing Director, Dato‘ Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan; Assistant General Manager, Marketing Support, Raja Nordiana Zainal Shah and members of the Senior Management. Othman who prepared the finest dining selection for them. Idris Jala, new CEO The main highlight was a preview of the latest inflight dining experience, which is aligned to the airline’s “An Experience Redefined” campaign. The guests were given a gastronomic demonstration by Malaysia Airlines’ Chef Mazlan MALEV OPENS UP Speaking at the dinner Malaysia Airlines Senior General Manager of Sales, Marketing and Distribution, Dato’ Rashid Khan said, “Malaysia Airlines strives towards giving the best frequent flyer membership benefits at all times. All these new enhancements would not be possible without the support of the Enrich Gold members.” The evening ended with a jazz performance by Indonesia’s sensational artiste, Harvey Malaihollo who was specially flown in by Malaysia Airlines to entertain the esteemed guests. Some of them went home with attractive lucky draw prizes BULGARIA alev Hungarian Airlines say that Bulgaria is becoming very popular with British travellers. Malev Hungarian Airlines has reported a marked increase in passenger numbers from the UK to Bulgaria, and predict it is an up and coming destination for holidaymakers. M UK Country Manager Doros Theodorou said that interest has grown steadily, not only with tourists but with those looking to invest in property before the nation enters the EU in 2007. “Malev has tapped into the growing Eastern European market from the UK with Bulgaria in particular showing a marked rise in bookings”, he said. Malev is one of only a handful of airlines to fly between Bulgaria and the UK. It scheduled services from Heathrow and Stansted to Varna, Sofia and Bourgas via its Budapest hub. Return prices from Heathrow and Stansted via Budapest start at just £255 to Bourgas; £129pp to Sofia and £239pp to Varna. All prices include taxes. Malev Hungarian operates daily, scheduled flights from Stansted to Budapest from just £84pp return and from Heathrow to Budapest from just £88pp return, inclusive of taxes, charges and full meal service onboard. www.malev.com Airlines Page 21 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 EXOTIC ADVENTURES WITH ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES gateways to the Far East and Australasia are also proving popular, with five flights a week to the capital of The Philippines. oyal Brunei Airlines (RBA) is now flying twice weekly to Bali, with a third flight to begin on 27th September 2005. R Bali is one of Indonesia’s most beautiful holiday destinations and continues to be an extremely popular destination amongst British travellers. The island has a wealth of history with exotic temples and cultural sites in abundance as well as stunning beaches and lush river valleys. There is also an excellent range of accommodation to suit all budgets from the luxurious Nusa Dua Hotel situated directly on the beach to quirky hostels in the arty town of Ubud. Sandra Bloodworth, RBA’s Area Manager for the UK says, “We currently have two services with excellent connections to Bali via Brunei from London Heathrow, on Sundays and Fridays. As travel restrictions have been lifted and it’s a popular yearround destination, we’re looking forward to adding an additional weekly flight in September to meet demand.” Flights to Manila, one of the Booking a flight with RBA cannot be simpler. The new website is easy to navigate and enables customers to book and make payment online and reserve seats in advance. Fares to Bali from London Heathrow are priced competitively with prices starting from just £495 [including £75 Tax] for a return economy class ticket. All fares are inclusive of all taxes, fees and surcharges and are valid for travel in September, October and November this year. www.bruneiair.com/uk TAP INCREASES FLIGHTS FROM LONDON TO MADEIRA AND AZORES he Portuguese carrier TAP has increased the number of flights to Portugal’s islands this year with the addition of an extra flight from London to Madeira and a brand new flight from Lisbon to Pico in the Azores. The new flight to Madeira means that there are now daily links between London and Madeira’s capital, Funchal. With five flights per week to London Gatwick and two per week from London Heathrow, TAP is meeting the increased demand for travel to this sub-tropical island. The seventh flight will re-start for the winter season in November this year. from increased flight links this year, with TAP having launched the first direct connection between Lisbon and the island of Pico this summer. This new flight enables visitors to Pico to access the island directly from Lisbon, cutting down journey and transfer times. This new flight, which will operate every Wednesday morning, adds to the host of other connections to the Azores that are already available with TAP. With four weekly flights from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada, five to Horta and 11 to the island of Terceira, the Azores are now more accessible to UK travellers. The islands of the Azores are also benefiting www.flytap.com T Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 22 SAS, THE ONE-WAY FLEXIBLE TICKETS AIRLINE INTRODUCES NEW BIRMINGHAM SERVICE Three services a week to Stockholm candinavian Airlines System (SAS) has introduced further services from Birmingham International Airport. SAS now flies to Stockholm three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The new route provides travellers from the Midlands with a direct service straight to the Swedish Capital and complements SAS’ existing double daily service from Birmingham to Copenhagen, making Scandinavia more accessible than ever before. This new service, combined with SAS’ new one-way pricing structure, allows local business travellers to enjoy greater flexibility and convenience. S The airline recently launched a unique one-way fare structure, making it the only European airline to offer flexible one-way tickets which are combinable across all three classes. SAS passengers can now tailor their travel to suit their individual needs, be that Economy on the outbound leg or Economy Flex or Business Class on the return. “We have seen an increasing demand from enterprises and individuals in the Midlands for a direct service to Stockholm and are pleased to be offering this new service to our customers,” said Lars-Ove Filipson, General Manager for SAS United Kingdom and Ireland. “Anyone who travels on business knows when a meeting is due to start, but often does not know when a meeting will end and needs the flexibility to be able to change travel arrangements. SAS’ new pricing structure gives travellers the opportunity to combine low Economy fares one way with the flexibility of Economy Flex or Business Class on the return journey. SAS is proud to be offering greater choice and flexibility to the business traveller,” he said. Passengers travelling from Birmingham to Stockholm can now opt to travel out in Economy and return in SAS’ premium economy class, Economy Flex, for just £334 including taxes, and enjoy the benefits of greater flexibility which is often a necessity when travelling on business. TIMETABLE Birmingham International (BHX) – Stockholm (ARN): SK2554 T, Th Depart BHX Arrive ARN SK2554 Su Depart BHX Arrive ARN 10:20hrs 14:10hrs 17:00hrs 20:50ARN Stockholm – Birmingham: SK2553 T, Th SK2553 Su Depart ARN Arrive BHX Depart ARN Arrive BHX 07:20hrs 09:30hrs 14:00hrs 16:10hrs Flights will be operated by a 72 seater Q-400 aircraft. www.flysas.com* 0870 60 727 727. *Full combinability not currently available on flysas.com please telephone Page 23 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 SINGAPORE AIRLINES NOW HAS MORE INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS THAN ANY OTHER AIRLINE ingapore Airlines has over 500 inflight entertainment options on its individual seatback screens, available to customers in all three classes. This is more than any other airline. S The 500 options on its world renowned IFE system, KrisWorld include: –– –– –– –– –– 60 movies 100 TV favourites 220 CD albums 12 audio channels 85 interactive games including multi-player options –– Berlitz World Traveller interactive language learning tool in 11 languages –– Inflight SMS allowing passengers to send 160 characters to an email address or mobile phone From mid-2006 KrisWorld will add live TV, with four news and sports channels: BBC World, Euro News, Euro Sport News, CNBC and MSNBC. Live TV is already available using wireless enabled laptops on London - Singapore flights. These are provided by Connexion by Boeing, and lets customers connect to the Internet at 35,000 feet. Krisworld is fitted with AVOD “audio visual on demand”, enabling travellers to pause, fast forward and rewind at any time as well as creating their own personal play list. Raja Segran, General Manager UK and Ireland, Singapore Airlines, said: “KrisWorld leads the world in inflight entertainment. Together with our world-class gourmet cuisine, fine wines and the service of the gracious SIA Girl, Singapore Airlines continues to set the standard for premium air travel”. Passengers can watch the latest box office blockbusters before they are available to rent or buy on DVD. Other entertainment include 100 television favourites ranging from comedy, drama and documentaries. They can catch up with their favourite ‘Little Britain’ characters or settle down to watch the latest series of ‘Doctor Who’ KrisWorld features a channel dedicated to children called “Young Explorer” with animated movies and cartoons such as ‘Bob the Builder’, ‘Mr Bean’ and ‘X-Men’. A child blocking system Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 24 is in place and parents can inform cabin crew of any programmes they consider unsuitable for their children. The most recent addition to KrisWorld is the Berlitz Word Traveller interactive language learning software, giving passengers the chance to learn or brush up their skills in 11 different languages. SIA has multi-player network PC games, such as “SIA Inflight Challenge” (a trivia quiz game), “Head-to-Head Chess” and “Mahjong”. Customers can play alone or against each other regardless of where they are seated. Music fans can pick from a selection of 220 CDs ranging from the latest chart toppers and jazz favourites to world music. The children’s collection includes albums such as Disney Mania. http://www.singaporeair.com SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE JANUARY ISSUE The best of business and first class travel Page 25 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 THE AGATHA SPA AT THE COACH HOUSE LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA y journey to the Agatha Spa at the Coach House started with a flight into Johannesburg International airport, then a domestic flight into Eastgate airport in Hoedspruit followed by a 120km drive to the old coach road at Agatha. I was very curious to see the Old Coach House and could not quite work out how a five star hotel could be tucked away in these undiscovered parts of South Africa but I was pleased with what I saw when I arrived. M Located with on the old coach road at Agatha, the five-star Coach House Hotel offers worldclass hospitality. The hotel and spa is situated on 560 hectares of the Letaba District in Limpopo province. The Agatha is spa is absolutely beautiful. It is designed with vast glass doors that slide open to frame spectacular mountain views. This state of the art is worth seeing. The Sensorium has a fully equipped gym, hydrojet heated pool and his and hers Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 26 sauna and steam rooms set against classic murals. The spa is staffed with a team of professional beauty therapists offering a wide range of health and beauty treatments that combine sheer indulgence and natural healing. The spa offers a comprehensive range of health and beauty therapies, from relaxing massages and facials to aromatherapy and invigorating Vichy showers, mud and seaweed wraps, reflexology and spa bronzing among others. Light lunches are served at the spa, from menus that make liberal use of the vast array of subtropical fruit and vegetables grown on the Coach House farm. The Coach House hotel which has a lot of history to its credit dating from the late 19th century offers 41 varied accommodations made up of 7 suites, 25 premier rooms and 9 classic doubles. All rooms have private verandas with mountain views and logs burning fireplaces. One of the best kept secrets of the Coach House apart from its beautiful spa is that it is also renowned for its wine cellar of 8000 bottles and a nougat kitchen that makes the tastiest nougat in South Africa! www.coachhouse.co.za When using private aircraft to the Coach House, Tzaneen airstrip, which is suitable for light aircraft is 25km away and helicopters may use the pad at S23º56’44 and E30º08’71 which is 500m from the hotel. Page 27 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine KATE RUSSELL’S EXPERIENCE AT THE TAKARO PEACE RESORT THE ULTIMATE RETREAT IN NEW ZEALAND first heard about Takaro Peace Resort through a friend who returned to Auckland after a very relaxing weekend away extolling the virtues of this well kept secret. It sounded so effective that I decided I had to find out for myself so recruited a girlfriend who was also much in need of some pampering to go and check it out. I Takaro Peace Resort is an enjoyable, scenic, about 2 hours drive from Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand. At the airport, we were picked up by a driver from the resort so sat back and took in the ever changing scenery of rolling hills, snowy peaks and endless depths of Lake Wakatipu. As we neared the town of Te Anau, we turned off the main road on to a private road that takes you through forestry that was used in the Lord of the Rings film, before entering the gateway to the resort just as the night was drawing in. The concept of the resort is based on allowing guests the opportunity to experience total relaxation and inner peace utilising I Ching i.e. their personal energy profile. An analysis, based on date, year and time of birth, is used to reveal a person’s element balance, either water, fire, earth, wood or metal, and from this the consultant recommends which of the Element Chalets best supports relaxation, health and wellbeing and which treatments would be most effective. This can also be translated through to the recommended diet. 90% of the menus are organic and produced from land on the resort. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 28 We had been asked in advance for our birth dates and times and from this they had ascertained our ‘element’. It turned out that I was ‘wood’ and my friend ‘earth’ so we were curious to see our appointed chalets. True enough, my chalet was decorated in tones of pine and oak with bamboo lining the walls and luxurious bed linen in shades of forest green. In the background, soothing music ebbed and flowed, again specially chosen to suit my ‘element’. I was told that a masseuse would be with me shortly for a complimentary ‘head and neck’ massage to relieve any tension from the day so I had to resist the urge to try out the huge spa bath in the corner of the bathroom. Page 29 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Takaro Peace Resort –– Earth Living Room A very relaxing massage was followed by a light dinner (and glass of wine) in the restaurant in the Mountain View Restaurant with our amiable hosts, Claire and Joel Sutton, during which time I discovered that they had helped set up the Energy Clinic in London before moving to New Zealand to manage the resort. Afterwards as I walked the short distance back to my chalet, I could see the Milky Way luminously clear overhead. As I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, the only sound I could hear was the tinkling of the nearby stream. special sight to behold. The highlights of the day were definitely the ’10 hand’ massage and the 1 hour or so Earth Bedroom long ‘rejuvenation’ treatment. I learned that thousands of years of ancient eastern learning has The next morning after finally rousing myself from the best sleep I’d had in months and trying out the huge spa bath, I threw open the curtains and that’s when the view really hits home. Having lived in London for 11 years, to be surrounded by thousands of acres of untouched national forest with uninterrupted views over beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see ending in towering snowcapped mountains, is a pretty Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 30 been refined and distilled into the range of award-winning massage treatments, which have been specifically designed to counter the stress of modern living. I also found out later that some of the treatment specialists have been training for 14 years. I didn’t find this hard to believe as the massage was the best I had ever experienced and coupled with the ‘rejuvenation’ treatment, I felt and looked years younger. My friend and I couldn’t believe the amazing effects of the treatments and kept looking in the mirror to verify that our skin really looked so baby soft and wrinkle free. We also had tonnes of energy and felt ready for a night on the town, but that wasn’t quite the aim of the weekend. Due to leave the next morning, we both lamented the fact that we couldn’t stay for a week or more, but we will definitely be going back and telling all our friends about it in the process. www.takarolodge.com Takaro Peace Resort –– Water Bedroom The Carlton Hotel, Auckland Tipping tips in New Zealand If you are visiting New Zealand, Brendon Bainbridge, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Carlton Hotel Auckland tells us what to expect with tips: Restaurants - tip is not usually expected but in higher end restaurants, it is customary to tip approximately 10%. Waiting staff are not paid assuming they receive tips so a tip is still a bonus. Doormen/porters are generally given about $1 per bag but again not assumed. Taxis - not yet customary to tip taxi drivers. General hotel staff (housekeeping concierge etc) – tipping is not yet customary in New Zealand “The whole tipping concept is still new in N.Z but becoming more accepted specifically in the dining sector. Many of our staff receive tips predominantly from the American guests”. From the short time I have been here, I have noticed that people don’t seem to expect tips. If a taxi fare is $10.80, they will always give you the 20 cents back! Page 31 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine DEREK ANNOH PRESENTS SLOVAK HEALTH SPA - PIESTANY AND APHRODITE RAJECKÉ, SLOVAKIA THE SLOVAK HEALTH SPA - PIESTANY he Spa in Piestany is what you will call a health spa. It is everything in that sense. Piestany has ten springs of natural healing sulphuriccarbon, calcium-sodium and sulphuric hypotonic thermal waters spring all these in a temperature of 67 to 69ºC. It has a content of around 1,500mg of minerals per litre of water, as well as a significant concentration of free gases, mainly therapeutically hydrogen sulphide. The second natural T healing element in sulphuric mud, one of the quality peloids in the world… I could go on to describe the spring contents – however, the only important thing is to know that all my scientific efforts here are to tell you about the natural curative sources of Piestany. It has been confirmed that the physical and chemical elements in the thermal water heals: • Rheumatoid arthritis and its variations Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 32 • Continuous stiffening of the spine (Bekhterev’s disease) • Post-infectious arthritis state • Degenerative hip joint diseases – cox arthrosis; • Non-inflammatory joint diseases – arthrosis • Non-inflammatory spine diseases – spondylitis and spondylarthrosis • Gout arthrosis • Non-joint rheumatic forms – painful states of tendon attachments, muscles and connective tissues. These are some of the many natural healing you can expect from Piestany. The spa also has a specialised healing facility for children aged 3 to 15. It treats children with worsening joint inflammation, post-accident and post-orthopaedic operations, inborn abnormal development of the hips and other diseases. Comprehensive spa stays for patients suffering from one of the indicated diseases lasts 3 to 4 weeks and treatments range from balneotherapy, kinesitherapy, physiotherapy, electrotherapy, mechanotherapy, oxygneotherapy, lymphatic drainage, acupuncture, laser puncture, gas injections, osteoporosis treatment and remedial nutrition. The spa has more than 2,200 beds in 7 spa hotels ranging from two to four stars and is surrounded by lots of sporting activities from walks to tennis, water sports, riding, cycling and many more. Piestany is situated in the south-western part of Slovakia and is one of the warmest places in the country. The average annual air temperature is 9.7ºC, the average monthly daily temperature at 2pm in May is 20.1ºC, in July 25ºC and in September 19.6ºC. Average annual sunshine is 2,084 hours. This means that only 75 days a year are without sunshine! www.spa-piestany.sk Page 33 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 THE APHRODITE THERMAL SPA, RAJECKÉ TEPLICE, SLOVAKIA his is exactly where you go to feel like the Greek goddess that place is name after - a place to refill your body and soul with positive energy. The wholesome effects of curative water of the Aphrodite have been in existence in Rajecke Teplice since the 14th century. The thermal springs of hydro- T carbonated-magnesium water with temperature of 38ºC are used in the Spa Aphrodite as the fundamental balneological resource. This helps to improve the conditions of the nervous or kinetic nature. The Aphrodite Rajecké is the pearl of Slovakia’s healthy destinations with an aristocratic touch. It is situated 260km from Vienna (Austria) and about 200km from Slovakia’s c a p i t a l Bratislava. The spa has a lot of historic tourist Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 34 attractions close to it with outstanding architecture both inside and outside the building and was originally used by aristocracy including the Empress Marie Therèse. As a destination spa, it is one of the most attractive Slovakian spas with four star accommodation, curative and relaxation qualities that calms even the sternest persons – there you have it – send the ‘rude’ boss there! At the Aphrodite, you are given the opportunity to attend a lot of curative, relaxation or beautifying procedures all under one roof which you can choose to do on your own or upon recommendation of a doctor. As is typical of Slovakian spas, it has healing characteristics especially those related to muscular ailments like arthritis. What makes The Aphrodite unique is that it is housed with skilled medical staff, several unique massage baths, special saunas and water therapy; all these in a modern exquisite environment. The Aphrodite’s sauna world is an attractive destination inspired by the orient including steam baths and inhalation saunas using herbal remedies. It has also a dry sauna and finish saunas. The water world has several luxurious whirlpool and massage baths. They range from atlantes baths with 172 massage jets, the Biarritz thermal bath with 130 massage jets, the electrolysis bath for stimulus and the pearl bath which gives gentle and guarantees calm. It also offers the Scottish stream, which dishes many small jet massages to the body. Qualified medical staff also offer a unique under water massage. For wellness stays, you can select all the above then add beauty, love, fishing, sports and culture. Sports in the surroundings include trekking, cyclotourism, fitness, tennis, rowing, mini-golf, beach volleyball or open-air swimming pools. The main treatment in the spa is the 38ºC springs which contain minerals like calcium, carbonate and magnesium and is very good for nervous diseases, paralysis and problems of the central nervous system. It also heals polio an patients even learn to walk again! The spa also has special curative measures for work related diseases like repetitive work or for those working in compressed air as well as diseases of the bone, joints and ailment from those working with vibrating tools or toxic substances. Page 35 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine THE SPA AT PENNYHILL PARK HOTEL SURREY, UK Whether you live in the UK or are visiting, The Spa at the Pennyhill Park Hotel is a must. The Spa is a sanctuary from the pressures of everyday living. It is a haven spread over a very spacious healthy environment. It is very easy to spend a whole day at The Spa. For me, it was a place to get away from it all, to think, to relax, to feel beautiful, to belong, to purify, to get fit or to look and feel absolutely great. Singles or couples can all find an ideal haven in this beautiful non-smoking, over 16 years of age environment. Within the heart of Surrey in the UK, Pennyhill Park Hotel is part of UK’s exclusive hotels; an exclusive collection of country houses offering five star luxury and service. The hotels have award winning restaurants and provide ideal venues for weddings, ceremonies, conferences and meetings. They are also perfect for leisure with facilities which include The Spa, golf courses, rugby, fishing and other outdoor activities. Now sit back and enjoy my day at The Spa – if at any time you realise what you are missing, you can carry this magazine with you and head to The Spa. On my ideal day, I arrived 90 minutes before my treatment and relaxed in the Thermal Haven. Here, I am spoilt for choice from the most advanced thermal sequencing experience available in the UK. I walked into the tepidarium, tried the herbal saunas, the aromatic steam room, and ventured the blu room for ladies and when I saw that the men had left their Turkish hamman; I raced into the intense heat of the Turkish hamman for men before any of them came back. A lady always has to check these things out! I was having so much fun, fun for feeling beautiful and free, fun for getting away from it all and above all safe. In between my hopping from steam room to steam Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 36 room, I dipped into the ‘experience shower’ and then into the ice cave. There was a plunge pool but I was too busy racing into the Turkish hamman for men that I missed that. Here I am, having worked out a good sweat all sitting in one place! Absolutely wonderful – isn’t it? Then I head off into ozone ecstasy. This is made up of indoor pools and outdoor pools, hydrotherapy pools and hot tubs. Did I mention that all the rooms and pools have music? So you see why it is especially a haven for couples but my dear singles it is just as good for you; because when you arrive at The Spa, you will be given your own locker containing a robe and spa slippers to wear during your time at The Spa – you see everyone wears the same robe at The Spa, so single or couple you look the same! In the mixed area and in all wet areas you wear a swimming costume at all times – that is when we can actually tell the difference in sexes. Not that it is important. I felt quite ‘worked out’ from my sitting exercise and ozone ecstasy so I skipped the fitness studio but if you enjoy exercise, you can use the state of the art fitness suite and its full range of techno gym equipment each with its own personal entertainment system. If you really like attention, then personal training is available 24 hours a day! They also have studio classes such as tai chi, several forms of yoga, Pilates and other classes designed to relax and stretch the body. Food – yes food – one must eat healthy in a spa and there is Café Themis, an organic paradise offering Spa cuisine and snacks, both healthy and tempting throughout the day. Included in the menu are French fries, champagne and a sumptuous slice of cake, a delicious salad and grilled fish. You can guess from the order I arranged the food where my priorities lie. Page 37 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine The treatments are numerous ranging from The Dreaming, offered to both male and female through to a series of massages designed specially for men and women. The magnificent thing about The Spa is the 120 acres of parkland giving free rein for quiet relaxation and located within one of UK’s finest hotels. The hotel’s location puts you in easy reach of some of Britain’s most appealing attractions – horse racing at Ascot, golf at Wentworth, Windsor Castle and Great Park is only a stone’s throw away, plus Twickenham Stadium, the home of English rugby. And not forgetting that London is a mere 45 minute’s drive…truly something for everyone. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 38 The Spa at Pennyhill Park is only open to hotel residents, a limited membership and their guests to preserve its relaxing and exclusive ambience. It is an exclusively adult only environment suitable only those over the age of 16 year of age. Prices for dinner, bed & breakfast range from £295 for a Traditional bedroom for 2 people, including entrance to The Spa for £45 per person, allowing a 1 hour treatment of choice. Special summer offers include packages from £95 per person. Find out more about special offers from the Exclusive Hotels website. www.exclusivehotels.co.uk O THER S PAS FESTIVE PAMPERING AT NEW PARK MANOR ocated in the heart of the New Forest, New Park Manor will be opening a state of the art spa in October, just in time for the festive period. To celebrate the hotel is offering special spa breaks perfect for a spot of pre-Christmas pampering or a restful and rejuvenating detox break designed to combat the excesses of the festive period and to leave you in tip-top shape for 2006. Enjoy the pre-Christmas ‘Winter Warmer’ package which includes two night’s accommodation, breakfast in bed on one morning and a spa breakfast on the other, lunch in the spa’s Juice Bar and two candle-lit suppers, which can be taken either in the hotel’s elegant dinning room or in the comfort of your room. The ‘Winter Warmer’ also includes a range of holistic spa treatments including a warm sea salt and oil body scrub, a deluxe mud therapy in a private Rasul treatment room and a choice of massage. The two night package costs £329 per person and is based on two people sharing. L Alternatively, begin the year with the luxurious pampering of the ‘New Forest, New You’ package. Focusing on cleansing, detoxification and pure and unadulterated relaxation the package offers treatments including a herbal foot bath with essential oils and aromatic herbs, a reflex point massage, a detoxifying marine wrap and a soothing head massage. The two night break costs from £340 per person and is based on two people sharing. The ‘New Forest, New You’ break also includes breakfast on both mornings, two evening meals and a light lunch in the spa’s Juice Bar. Open to all hotel guests the spa is housed in an impressive ranch style building and features a hydro-pool, foot-spa, traditional Finnish sauna, Eastern-style steam room and Sanarium heat room. More vigorous exercise is provided in the techno gym fitness suite, while the yoga studio offers the ultimate in relaxation and wellbeing. Offering stunning and uninterrupted 270º views over the surrounding paddock and national parkland, the 16-metre swimming pool is the perfect place to take a dip, while a hand crafted Canadian Hot Tub provides the perfect place to unwind and relax. After a day of pampering in the spa, enjoy a peaceful walk in the forest, which borders the hotel on all sides or for those feeling a little more energetic the many cycle paths offer an enjoyable bicycle ride. Other leisure activities available include swimming, croquet, tennis, polo and horse riding at the hotel’s own equestrian centre. Following a recent refurbishment programme the hotel now offers a choice of traditional or contemporary guest rooms. Set in the main house, bedrooms feature four-poster beds and a number of period features, while rooms in the Garden Wing feature modern art, a sleek and contemporary design and LCD TV’s in the bathroom. Located just over an hour’s drive from London, New Park Manor is a luxurious and convenient countryside retreat. www.vonessenhotels.com Page 39 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 A NEW CONCEPT FOR THE ST. DAVID’S HOTEL & SPA occo Forte Hotels’ five-star The St David’s Hotel & Spa introduced of a new concept in luxury hotel spas where customers can escape urban pressures and enjoy fabulous treatments in luxurious surroundings. The philosophy behind The St David’s Marine Spa is to offer only the very best – all under one roof – to ensure that customers have a unique experience and achieve outstanding results. R The award-winning St David’s Marine Spa is one Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 40 of the most successful spas in the UK and continues to develop in an exciting way. Sir Rocco Forte officially launched the new Spa last on 16 June 2005 as he has personally been involved in the development and concept of The St David’s Marine Spa. Sir Rocco Forte, CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels, says: “I have been closely involved in the development and continued improvement of The St David’s Marine Spa, because I believe that there is a need for a new concept in destination spas within the UK. We are aiming to bring the best in health and fitness together so that guests achieve optimal health and physical well being.” The aim of The St David’s Marine Spa is to treat each guest as an individual and to create a bespoke package of treatments, having discussed the guests’ needs and desires with the in-house team of experts. The beauty of this new spa concept is that everything will be under one roof, from nutritional advice to seaweed detoxifying treatments through to exclusive luxury skincare and beauty essentials. Uniquely in the UK, The St David’s Marine Spa will be offering Thalassotherapy treatments and hydrotherapy. Men’s needs have also been catered for with specific treatments and packages that include facials, waxing and nail services. www.roccofortehotels.com OTHER SPA DESTINATIONS YOU MAY WANT TO VISIT THE TREATMENTS: • Thalassotherapy with Thalgo the world leading authority in marine cures. The unique range of treatments will include seaweed wraps, hydrotherapy pools, jet showers as well as face and body indulgences. THE CARACALLA, LE MERIDIEN BEACH RESORT & SPA, Dubai BLAU PORTO PETRO BEACH RESORT & SPA, MALLORCA, Spain GRAND ROTANA RESORT & SPA, SHARM EL SHEIKH, Egypt MANDALA SPA, BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines • Chantecaille, a prestigious name in high-tech, natural anti-ageing treatments, offering a unique, rejuvenating luxury flower facial, developed by world-renowned beauty pioneer Sylvie Chantecaille. PRESIDENTE INTERCONTINENTAL COZUMEL RESORT & SPA, Mexico • Fabulous massage and holistic treatments using the renowned products from the highly regarded E’SPA range. SUNGATE PORT ROYAL DELUXE RESORT, ANTALYA, Turkey • Expert Nutritional Consultation using the “Best” technology system (Bio Energetic Stress Tester). Aimed at improving general health as well as treating specific intolerance problems. ST NICOLAS BAY HOTEL, CRETE, Greece THALASSA, PAPHOS, Cyprus NEW CINQ MONDES SPA AT BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE, Switzerland www.ghotw.com Page 41 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 THE PALACE LUZERN Directly situated on the scenic shores of Lake Luzern and offering fine views of the lake and the Alps of Central Switzerland, this beautiful hotel built in 1906, also houses a very modern spa 800m2 Spa. The hotel recently invested 13 million Swiss francs to create some tranquillity and relation with six treatment rooms. Treatments range from 75 Sfr (£32) for a full body salt and oil scrub (25 mins) to 290 Sfr (£126) for oriental joint release (1hr 55min). Two to five-nights residential spa packages and day spa programmes are also available. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 42 Rajecké Teplice, Slovakia Page 43 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine WITH THE LOVE OF PLASTIC MONEY GROWING AMONG TRAVELL ERS, MONEY EXPERT.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE , SEAN GARDNER WARNS US ABOUT HIDDEN D ANGERS OF USING THE ‘H OLE IN THE WALL ’ THE elying on plastic is the safest and most convenient method of payment when travelling overseas. Credit and debit cards remove any need to worry about changing cash into the local currency or looking for bureaux de change while travelling. R However the convenience and safety comes at a price, which is not always obvious to travellers. Anyone withdrawing cash on their credit or debit card will be charged and the costs will quickly mount up. MoneyExpert analysis shows British travellers withdraw up to £6 billion a year from foreign ATMs on their credit and debit cards when they are abroad. The average amount taken out in a single transaction works out at around £93 in sterling. million. The amounts withdrawn have gone up and up. In 2002 it was about £4.3 billion while by the end of this year it will be at least £6 billion. The vast majority of these withdrawals are made on debit cards. Figures show about 85 per cent are with debit cards while the rest are on credit or charge cards. It is undeniable that the holes-in-the-wall are a convenient and safe way of taking out money when you are travelling. Carrying huge wads of cash is obviously dangerous as it could be It is a rapidly growing trend. In 2002 British people made around 44 million cash withdrawals overseas. In 2004 the number of withdrawals on plastic had risen to around 59 million. By the end of this year analysts expect the number will have grown to around 68 Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 44 stolen and you would be left penniless. The other alternative of travellers’ cheques is entirely secure – there is a guarantee your money will be replaced if it is lost or stolen. But charges for travellers’ cheques can be high both in commission from the bank selling you them and from the hotel or bureaux de change cashing them. That is if you can find someone willing to cash them. Plastic cards trump the other methods but they also cost. When you withdraw your average £93 in a foreign ATM you will find that in fact around £97 will be deducted from your bank account. Banks charge you for the convenience. On an average debit card you will pay around £3.82 in charges while on a credit card you pay about £4.49. In general using your debit card abroad is cheaper than the credit card. But bear in mind that these are average figures. Some of the cheapest credit cards are cheaper than the most expensive debit cards and vice-versa. The most you will pay for withdrawing £93 on your credit card is around £5.55 while the most you will stump up on a debit card is about £4.55. The charges add up in commission and handling fees on debit cards while on credit cards you will pay foreign usage loading plus commission and there may be an exchange rate charge. Commission fees for credit cards are usually around 2.75 per cent while handling fees are between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent. On debit cards handling fees range from 1.5 per cent to 2.25 per cent while commission fees are about 2.75 per cent. Most of the banks charge minimum fees for withdrawals. When you use your card abroad it makes sense to withdraw a reasonable amount such as £100 as you’ll be charged the minimum fixed £1.50 or £2 whatever you withdraw. Do not use your debit card to withdraw £10 one day and another £20 the next day or the charges will seriously mount up. If you do use your credit card to withdraw cash overseas make sure the bill is paid off as soon as you get home. The interest charged on money spent on purchases is in general much lower than the interest rate charged for cash withdrawn with a credit card and not paid off. Some companies will levy interest rates of as much as 25 per cent on cash withdrawals. Even the best rates are around 13 per cent. There is one exception to these charges among the major banks and building societies. The unqualified good guy of the market is Nationwide Building Society which charges no handling or commission fees for its debit card and only a £1.50 commission fee on its credit card. None of this should mean travellers being put off using their credit and debit cards abroad. It just means you should be careful about the costs and make sure you know how much using your plastic overseas is going to cost you before you go. www.moneyexpert.com NEW OWNERS FOR TRAVELEX ATMS RM Corporation and its English subsidiaries have agreed to buy the Travelex ATM business in the UK for £43.4 million. T The ATM business provides convenient, on-site cash access at locations typically based around fuel stations and convenience stores such as TotalFinaElf, Snax 24, Texaco and National Car Parks, as well as other sites including McDonalds and United Cinemas International. The acquisition will increase TRM’s presence in the UK to over 7,500 ATM and photocopier locations, and the company will service all locations through its in-house service network. Acting on behalf of TRM Jonathan Lass, corporate partner in the law firm Davenport Lyons, believe that the deal will help seal TRM’s position as a major player in the growing convenience service sector. He said: “This is a significant opportunity for TRM to consolidate their market position and will help enhance their customer relationships.” The business includes the ATM Division of Travelex UK and Travelex’s joint venture with Snax 24 Corporation Limited. The deal is expected to be finalised during the fourth quarter of 2005. Page 45 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 SITA INC IS MAKING WAVES IN EUROPE AND AMERICA Ensuring internet access and mobile phone use throughout the world’s busiest airport and wins a USD 200 Million IT outsourcing contract to update the entire IT strategy at Germany’s third largest airport. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport — USA ood news to anyone heading towards Atlanta next year for business or leisure because the world’s busiest airport has gone one stage further and given all visitors access to wireless internet connection as well as high quality mobile phone coverage throughout the airport and shopping area, regardless of the mobile phone carrier. This is what we call being in charge of your own territory. G The Mayor of the City of Atlanta, the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation and SITA INC have come together at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport to sign a $5.4m multi faceted contract. The contract was signed by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation and the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin. Atlanta Chief Information Officer Lance Lyttle says that service providers were not part of the funding of this project. SITA will be providing the technology on behalf of the City of Atlanta. SITA INC (Information Networking Computing) is the world’s leading provider of air transport-focused applications, communications and IT infrastructure, enabling its customers to realize greater operational efficiencies and enhanced profitability. The company provides services to air transport customers and to related industries, as well as government authorities, offering a unique portfolio of solutions. SITA INC is registered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and recorded revenues of $642 million in 2004. According to Airport General Manager Ben DaCosta, the technology is expected to improve the passenger experience at Atlanta Airport by allowing passengers to access the internet and use of their mobile phones anywhere in the airport. Passengers travelling through Atlanta Airport can stay in touch via Wi-Fi from the front door of the airport, to the underground transportation mall, to every gate, at every concourse. “Our passengers will have the benefit of this new service this fall and we are very excited for the launch” he adds. SITA’s solution for Atlanta includes the design and implementation of an airportwide Wi-Fi and mobile wireless network, as well as management of the airport’s new fibre, mobile and Wi-Fi network for a period of one year. Arthur Calderwood, SITA’s senior vice-president for Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 46 Arthur Calderwood, Senior Vice-President for Marketing and Customer Care marketing and customer care, affirms that the total solution provided by SITA will include: • A Wi-Fi system for the entire airport that provides Internet access for all passengers. Internet access will be via a “neutral host” allowing the passengers the flexibility to choose their own Wireless Internet Service Provider. The wireless system will support data services, as well as voice and video. This secure system is also designed for use by the City of Atlanta DOA, the airlines, and airport tenants. • A distributed antenna system that provides passengers with high quality mobile phone coverage throughout the airport and transportation mall, regardless of the mobile phone carrier. Jackson Atlanta International Airport • A fully managed network operation centre with Department of Aviation (airport) and SITA staff on site to provide ongoing operation, security and maintenance of the airport’s fibre network and the wireless network. Mr. Calderwood says that Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta is a large airport and certainly a flagship site so developing one wireless system that allows everyone to say in touch via WiFi from the front door of the airport, to the underground shopping area, to every gate at the concourse has certainly got all stakeholders excited. Another SITA official, senior vice-president of airport and desktop services, John Jarrell says that they are extremely pleased to offer the first truly neutral host system in an airport to visitors of Hartsfield-Jackson, in the same city as their global business unit and North American headquarters. This shared infrastructure improves the passenger experience by making Wi-Fi available to passengers as well as airport and airline employees, with a neutral host offering great flexibility. This project is presently in the implementation phase and will be fully operational in the fourth quarter of 2005. Tipping tips for Atlanta If you are heading towards Atlanta for business or leisure, you’d better note these tipping tips: 1. 15% Lunch 2. 20% Dinner (unless already added on the bill for partie of 6 or more) 3. $2 for taxi drivers 4. Bellman (hotel staff who takes bags to room) is $1 per bag 5. Parking attendants is $2 (for valet) www.sita.aero www.atlanta-airport.com Page 47 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Düsseldorf International Airport — Germany n the first ever deal of its kind at an European Airport, Düsseldorf Airport has outsourced its IT support to SITA INC (Information Networking Computing) in a contract worth USD 200 million over ten years. I Thomas Schnalke, Managing Director of Düsseldorf International Airport and initiator of the outsourcing strategy, said: “We want to create an airport of the future and that’s why we have chosen to partner with SITA INC. Düsseldorf is growing rapidly and we need to continue to innovate in order to satisfy passengers and airlines alike. We believe that SITA is best placed to ensure that we remain on the cutting edge of technological advances in the industry. Together we can establish an IT platform that can also serve as an example to other airports and help the industry become more cost efficient.” Mr. Schnalke adds that Düsseldorf airport has a new airport city project. The project should create an optimum location, maximum flexibility and Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 48 best accessibility for businesses. The existing IT systems needed upgrading so this contract should bring the airport and its new project in line with modern developments, create Thomas Schnalke, a more cost-effective Managing Director environment and set the benchmark for modern construction at a prime location. It is expected that systems will work faster and travel through Düsseldorf International should be more practical than before for passengers, operators as well airport staff. A business park with conference hotels is being developed on a 230,000m2 site and investors can build according to their own vision at the airport city. The airport city is at the centre of the world’s seventh largest economic region and has excellent urban links. An airport is a good spot for business contacts and with over 200 companies including renowned brands already settled in the existing airport, Schnalke is expecting investors to snap up the advantages of good local links with those of international connections and invest in the new city project. Francesco Violante, Managing Director of SITA INC, said: “Düsseldorf is the third largest airport in Germany handling 15.3 million passengers per year. We believe that this partnership will help the airport to become even more efficient and to grow revenue in the future. SITA INC is very pleased to be working in such a first-class environment and we are entirely committed to ensuring that this collaboration is a great success for all concerned.” He added: “The airport industry in Germany is of great strategic importance to SITA INC. Düsseldorf is set to become a model for how a modern airport campus can be run, maximizing the benefits to airlines and other customers of shared IT systems and data bases including common-use and selfservice check-in kiosks. The outcome will be to simplify the passenger journey through use of state-of-the art technology.” SITA won this important outsourcing contract with the strong support of its partners, EADS Telecom Deutschland GmbH and Siemens AG. There will be no redundancies among the existing 63 IT staff at the airport. http://duesseldorf-international.de Tipping tips in Dü ss eldorf In Düsseldorf, like anywhere else in Germany, the following tipping habits exist: 1. Porters In Germany, porters only receive a tip if they did a special service for the guest, like parking the guest’s car or making a ticket reservation (1 - 3 ¤). Otherwise, tipping is not necessary. 2. Other hotel staff Luggage boys usually receive one euro (¤) for each suitcase or heavy bag. Room maids also appreciate approximately one euro per day, if they did a good job. 3. Taxis Ten per cent of total amount are common use - if the driver wasn’t too unfriendly. 4. Restaurant staff All the waiters in restaurants receive a fixed salary - but however, the guest may grant an extra 5 - 10 % of the total amount, if the quality of the dishes was okay and - of course - the staff was friendly. It is also common that the bill amount is made “round” - for example, if the amount is 8.90 ¤ to 9.20 ¤, many people give a 10 ¤-note. Page 49 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine B usiness Jets When one size really doesn’t suit all “Sustainability can only be built on a sound economic basis” Leo van Wijk President and CEO KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KLM launches business jet services on Amsterdam-Houston route he success of the merger between Air France and KLM gave birth to Europe´s leading airline group and the world’s largest air transport group in terms of revenue. T Global leadership brings moral obligations to be a good corporate citizen. This year, only one year after their merger, the two airlines have published their first joint report on sustainable development. Air France and KLM have undertaken to share their best practices to meet their objectives, while respecting their ethical, social and environmental responsibilities. Today both airlines intend to pursue their sustainability policy by placing it at the heart of their profitable growth strategy. As Jean-Cyril Spinetta and Leo van Wijk underscored recently: “Sustainability can only be built on a sound economic basis. We believe that this is a prerequisite if we are to retain broad support for our growth strategy from society at large”. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 50 Air France improved its Dedicate product aimed at customers in the oil and gas industries. Now there are 16 daily departures to Africa and the Middle East. These go to Port Harcourt, Luanda, PointeNoire and Riyadh. Service to this entire destination has improved this summer. So keeping up with sustainability, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is following in its French partner’s footsteps and will begin operating Boeing 737700 business jet services on the AmsterdamHouston route on October 30, 2005. The new service will meet the great demand for World Business Class (WBC) seats on this route. The business jet services will operate six times a week in code sharing with Northwest Airlines, supplementing KLM’s daily Boeing 747-400 flights, and will replace its existing thrice-weekly Boeing 767 services. The ground and inflight product for the new services will match standard WBC service. For the first time, KLM will be leasing a Boeing 737-700 with crew from PrivatAir. The leased 737-700 has been equipped with winglets and larger fuel tanks to extend its operational range. The aircraft will retain the PrivatAir livery, but will bear the text “Operated on behalf of KLM” on its fuselage and in the cabin. Geneva-based company PrivatAir has more than 27 years experience in business jet operations for scheduled airline travel for companies, organizations, and personal travel. PrivatAir CEO Greg Thomas says that this is an example of some of the non-traditional options where network carriers have to provide their customer base with a product closely tailored to their needs. PrivatAir has grown with 8 new aircraft in 3 years for current partners and is expanding for new partners. KLM is also increasing its business class capacity aims to enter the market segment for intercontinental flights providing only business class seats. By doing this, it can offer greater customised service and more capacity directly to large businesses and organisations. The 737-business jet will fly six times a week thereby increasing the number of round-trip flights to Houston from ten to thirteen Greg Thomas, CEO PrivatAir each week. This will increase business class seat capacity by 45%. KLM’s new all business class flights to Houston will operate as part of the joint venture with Northwest Airlines and in code sharing with them. The aircraft will carry 44 lie-flat business class seats, equipped with plug-in points for laptop computers. The level of comfort will be comparable to that of KLM’s World Business Class in Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s. The PrivatAir cabin crew will undergo KLM training to ensure that inflight service matches existing standards. There will be at least one Dutch-speaking cabin attendant aboard each KLM business jet flight. Other KLM product features - including catering, a copy of the Holland Herald, Delftware miniature houses, comfort bags, headrest Page 51 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine covers, and a variety of newspapers and magazines will also match existing WBC standards. oil-producing regions in the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and countries around the Black Sea, Norway and Great Britain. Similar to Business Class on existing Boeing 737 flights to such destinations as Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Tbilisi, KLM’s business jet passengers will be provided with a portable, interactive audio-visual system. Air France, also attracts a great deal of oil-related business traffic, last year, launched its Dedicate service specifically for this sector. The Dedicate service is an intercontinental, two-class The great demand for World Business Class capacity on the Amsterdam-Houston route may be primarily attributed to Houston’s central role in the oil industry and related sectors. KLM’s Amsterdam-Houston services connect with a wide range of services to and from product operated with Airbus A319 Extended Range aircraft, with an enlarged Business Class. This service is available on routes between Paris and Kuwait, Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Pointe-Noire (Congo-Brazzaville) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). www.klm.com www.PrivatAir.com The schedule for these business flights is as follows: KL 663/NW 8663: Departure AMS Arrival HOU 2:25 p.m. 6:45 p.m. KL 664/NW 8664: Departure HOU Arrival AMS 8:15 p.m. 12:35 p.m. Flights are daily except Wednesdays. All times are local. HOW AIRCRAFT ZONE IS HELPING YOU TO SUPPORT MACMILLAN CANCER RELIEF ircraft Zone, the jet charter company, is to offer their clients an opportunity to donate to Macmillan Cancer Relief as part of their new UK customer reward scheme. A include a baby grand piano from Jaques Samuel Pianos and a VIP day to France for 6 people travelling by Ultimate Limousine as used by music celebrities. The scheme launches on 6th April 2005 and enables Aircraft Zone clients to collect points on all flights booked with Aircraft Zone. The points may be redeemed to give a donation from the individual or the company to Macmillan - the charity that helps people living with cancer. Niki Rokni, Director at Aircraft Zone says, “There are very few of us who have not been affected by cancer in some way. With over one million people in the UK today who have had a cancer diagnosis, we felt it important not only to reward our clients for their loyalty but also to give them the opportunity to help people living with cancer by donating their points to a very worthwhile cause.” Alternatively, the points can be redeemed against a selection of Red Letter Days experiences including a driving day at Silverstone or a relaxing pamper day at a luxury spa. Other experiences that may be collected as part of the scheme Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 52 www.aircraftzone.com China Air France strengthens its presence in Asia to become the first European Airline to serve Beijing twice daily n 13 June 2005, Air France launched a second daily frequency between Paris and Beijing, strengthening its presence in Asia. This flight is operated with Boeing B777-300 aircraft, with a seating capacity of 310, and equipped with the New Air France Travel Concept. O Air France is the first European airline to serve Beijing twice daily, confirmin`g its position as forerunner on the Chinese market: the first western airline to start operating flights to Shanghai and Beijing in 1966 and 1973 respectively, Air France was also the first airline to serve Canton in 2004. New scheduled flights departing from Paris-CDG: Daily : AF128 (A330) Paris-CDG / Beijing 15h55 – 07h55 next day New daily frequency: AF126 (B777) Paris-CDG / Beijing 18h55 – 10h30 next day New scheduled flights departing from Beijing: Daily: AF129 (A330) Beijing / Paris-CDG 09h50 – 14h35 same day New daily frequency: AF125 (B777) Beijing / Paris-CDG 13h15 – 17h40 same day Air France serves 189 destinations in 84 countries. Operating a fleet of 370 aircraft (including 121 regional aircraft), the Air France group serves 1,800 daily flights. In May 2004, Air France and KLM merged to become Europe’s leading airline group. www.airfrance.com Page 53 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Doing business in China? You will need this jet Email: charters@executivetraveller.net Our Travel Partners Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 54 KKL LUZERN CULTURE AND CONVENTION CENTER Europaplatz 1, CH-6005 Luzern, Phone +41 (0)41 226 70 70, Fax +41 (0)41 226 70 71, info@kkl-luzern.ch, www.kkl-luzern.ch The KKL Luzern – designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel – was built between 1995 and 2000. The jewel of the KKL Luzern is the Concert Hall with up to 1840 seats. The American acoustics consultant Russel Johnson created a veritable cathedral of music and sound that inspires the world’s best conductors, orchestras and soloists to reach new heights. welcome to the symphony of culture convention and cuisine The convertible Lucerne Hall for 200 up to 1800 guests is the ideal venue for conventions, banquets, concerts and product launches. The Lucerne Hall is equipped with a state-of-the-art conference technology. KKL cuisine rounds off your event with a customised service, pre-ordered drinks from the Concert Bar, a trademark Flying Dinner with phenomenal views or a banquet or buffet catering specifically designed for your wishes. With 270 comfortable upholstered leather chairs and pull-out tables, ideal lighting and perfectly balanced acoustics, the Auditorium is an attractive venue for conferences, seminars, lectures and readings. The international railway station is just a few steps away! The KKL Luzern is designed for your event ! For further information: Daniel Buchmüller, Head of Marketing & Communications +41 (0)41 226 70 53, d.buchmueller@kkl-luzern.ch Martina Knobel, Head of Sales +41 (0)41 226 74 36, m.knobel@kkl-luzern.ch The unique view is a permanent fixture – but the Club Rooms can be changed around any time you want. Depending on your needs the Club Rooms and the additional Business- and Media Rooms are the ideal combination with the other halls. Page 55 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine KKL LUZERN – SWITZERLAND The complete meetings, conference, concerts, conventions, culture, events and incentives destination Luzern is one of the reasons why Luzern near Zurich in Switzerland is classified as cultural and conference city. One hour away from Zurich airport and easily accessibly by train, the KKL Luzern reaches out over Lake Luzern and faces the beautiful Swiss mountains. This masterpiece was designed KKL Elisabeth Dalucas, CEO by French architect Jean Nouvel and American acoustician Russell Johnson. It is often said that the trademark of the KKL is its huge roof – but if you should ask me, I would say that the entire building is a trademark. Surrounded by some of the world’s beautiful hotels and lakeside accommodation, the KKL offers everything entertaining from symphonies to symposia, concerts to conferences, exhibitions to entertainment and good food; where does one begin? A building where all kinds of different events can take place under the same big roof, separately, and adjacent to each other, with transparent boundaries, without any interference with each other, tells one what a remarkable Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 56 building the KKL is. It is a venue you should visit before you make any decisions for your next event destination. Among the many tours that take place at the KKL is the CEO’s tour; and I was lucky to secure an exclusive interview with the remarkable Elisabeth Dalucas and enjoyed a tour with the Chief Executive Officer of KKL Luzern. It is only fair that I share my experience – it is an amazing one especially if you have a delicious dinner served with a KKL touch at the elegant Restaurant RED and a van Morrison concert to look forward to that same evening. Van Morrison, Cecilia Bartoli, Cliff Richard, Paul McCreesh, Cesaria, Diane Reeve to name a few, are some of the many famous names who choose to play at the KKL! KKL L uz er n Where all the Stars go to play Heather Nova Cesaria Evora Van Morrison in Concert Christopher Lee at the Rose d’Or Festival Omara Portuondo, Buena Vista Social Club Dianne Reeves Paul McCreesh Cecilia Bartoli Page 57 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 58 It is a remarkable feat to be in charge of a mag nificent la ndmark like the KKL Luzern . What would y ou say has b een y our big gest challeng e? There are a lot of thrilling issues for a CEO of the KKL Luzern to take care of. One that is right now challenging to me is to guide this young company into the European market and nearer to our main target business partners in the UK, Germany and Italy. It is exciting to work with corporate clients outside Switzerland since this gives us the opportunity to strengthen our ability of being a reliable partner to individually different expectations of our clients. I would like y ou to take us on a tour roun d the KKL Luzern b ut b efore we do that, would y ou say that you hav e a favourite? Of course, there is the main attraction: the building by world famous architect Jean Nouvel situated on the shores of Lake Luzern with spectacular views of the Alps. My personal favourite is the Auditorium which is a meeting facility for up to 300 people. I specially like the deep blue leather seats with their unfoldable tables contrasting with the dark wooden floor and the metallic grid panelling which gives an impression of distinguished business class. Di ve rs ified cu ltur e, cui sin e an d congres s – why d id y ou think all that the KKL Lu zern offers works tog eth er? It actually does work together as an overall experience to clients and guests. If you do have high expectations for a perfect convention you like to experience a chef who is equally able to treat you with a subtle menu. Finally, after a hard day’s work of making business would you not like to give your eyes the treatment of a master piece of art or your ears being able to relax by listening to world renowned orchestras and famous soloists? Page 59 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine What does th e future hold for the KKL Luzern – an y asp irations , futur e p rojects , and dev elopmen ts ? Next year, we will build in a smart lounge for VIP’s, media and special occasions. The lounge will have lovely views over the lake and Luzern as the city of lights. Then there are the projects of an even more spectacular roof top bar and the enlargement of our exhibition space. Not our own project, but in my opinion a most important one, is our new neighbour’s planning. The University of Luzern will be moving in by 2010 with it’s faculties of law, theology and cultural sciences. access place to meet from all over Europe for concerning guests who care about where they stay, what they eat, hear and experience. Now readers please join Elisabeth and I on a tour round the KKL Luzern and imagine every scene along the way. Zurich is only one and half hours How would y ou like t he KKL Luzern to be seen as? The KKL Luzern is a one hour flight destination and easy Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 60 away from anywhere in Europe. KKL Experience Situated directly on the shores of Lake Luzern its architectural brilliance shines far beyond the country’s borders, lending the city of Luzern a distinctive new landmark. Beneath the sweeping roof of the KKL Luzern concerts, conferences and culinary experiences combine into a complete work of art, staged solely to delight the senses and the discerning guest. Step into the spacious foyer, and on your left you’ll see the wooden exterior of the Concert Hall, reminiscent of a violin case, and on the right the filigree grid of facades leaves no doubt as to the function of the Convention Centre. 4 CONCERT HALL Concert Hall Walk along the deep wine-red gangways and through the anthracite-coloured triple light and sound locks into the brightly-lit Concert Hall and you’ll find yourself in a festive mood. Your senses spring to life: dazzling white moulded sounddiffusing bricks, precious woods and the starry midnight-blue sky combines to create a symphony of the senses – a cathedral of music and sound. But not only the world’s best conductors, orchestras and jazz artists weave their magic. The latest audiovisual technology enables congress organizers to transform the hall into a state-of-the-art venue for conferences and meetings. And let’s be honest: there’s no better place for a free, lively debate than a place where people feel completely at ease. Luzern Hall After enjoying a private or public concert our guests reach the foyer in front of the Luzern hall by crossing one of two water canals over a wooden bridge. The size of the Luzern hall can be varied for product launches, KKL cuisine banquets and meetings. With its blue parquet floor, outstanding acoustics and audiovisual equipment, variable height staging and mobile rostrum, it is the ideal venue for event organizers who require the creative freedom to design their event as they wish. Take Page 61 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine away all the dividing screens, and there’s nothing obscuring your view from the back wall of the stage right out to the majestic steamers on the lake. Above the hall the open-air terrace offers a breathtaking view over the city of Luzern. Convention Centre The second water canal separates the large Luzern Hall foyer from the almost transparent Convention Centre – a place where the most important thing is a clear view! The Auditorium is Luzern’s place to be for conferences, seminars, lectures and readings and meets the high expectations of business class delegates and guests. With comfortable upholstered leather chairs and pull-out tables, ideal lighting and perfectly balanced acoustics, audiences of up to 270 people will follow everything that’s said from start to finish in a modern surrounding. Various Businessand Media rooms complete the conference wing of the KKL Luzern. VIP cocktails, media lounges or parallel workshops and exhibitions can be organized in a flexible way since the unique view over the Old Town is the only permanent fixture. Restaurant and Bars The beauty of the KKL is that you can dine on the premises and the menu is something every visitor to the KKL should sample. Located right on Lake Luzern, the Seebar is the place to meet friends and artists for a glass of good wine or a classic cocktail, with tasty KKL delights and smooth, discreet music. More culinary options are offered at the World Café - the place to enjoy culinary specialties from all over the world. And the elegant Restaurant RED experience consists of real elegant dining with premium- Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 62 quality produce served in an incomparable setting with a fantastic view on the “City of lights”. www.kkl-luzern.ch Swiss Tipping Tips Tipping is usually included in the bill in Switzerland. However, some choose to leave it open so in all cases, if you are happy with the service please add something or round off the bill. GRIMALDI FORUM MONACO CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY Five Years Fuelling the Principality’s Economic Drive he Grimaldi Forum Monaco, inaugurated by Prince Rainier III in July 2000, celebrated its fifth anniversary this summer. T Looking back over the past five years, Sylvie Biancheri, Managing Director, was happy to present positive results for the building in its dual role: “In terms of business tourism, the Principality of Monaco now enjoys the status of a key destination on the international stage. The Grimaldi Forum has provided a concrete response to On average, one hundred events of all types are organised throughout the year at the Grimaldi Forum attracting 300,000 visitors. 150,000 visitors from thirty or so countries participate in professional events staged during ten months of the year, and 150,000 attend exhibitions and shows. As for financial results, the figures confirm that the Grimaldi Forum boosts the Principality’s economy. During the first half of 2005, the professionals in the sector in terms of hosting all types of events (trade shows, conventions, product launches, etc) and in terms of professionalism. The many distinctions the Grimaldi Forum has reaped, including three consecutive M&IT Awards for “Best Congress Centre outside Great Britain”, illustrate international recognition. In the cultural arena, the Grimaldi Forum has successfully embraced an international role, notably attracting a great number of visitors to the Principality on the occasion of exhibitions. The attendance record was set in the summer of 2004 with ‘Imperial Saint-Petersburg’, which attracted 63,000 visitors”. Grimaldi Forum generated turnover in excess of 7.5 million euros, up 4% compared to the same period last year. Estimates established using the various methods of calculation endorsed by French Chambers of Commerce reveal that, for this same period, the economic acitivities generated by the hotel industry amounted to 8.3 million euros, and 1.6 million euros for related businesses (restaurants, shops, transport, etc). Page 63 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine “Our contribution is considerable, especially as we should add the turnover generated by the Grimaldi Forum’s service providers and suppliers, i.e. 4 million euros for Monegasque companies alone during the first six months of the year!” explains Sylvie Biancheri. A total of 21.4 million euros during the first six months means almost 45 million euros for a full year flooding into the Monegasque economy. “As for future prospects, our indicators are perfectly in line with our global objective of a 10% increase in turnover for 2005. The Grimaldi Forum seized the opportunity of the inauguration of its major summer exhibition, “Arts of Africa”, and the first concert in the “AfricAlive” Festival on 15 July, to celebrate in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II. This symbolic anniversary confirms the missions the Monegasque State has entrusted to a highly flexible building and to its 150 permanent staff representing 46 trades, who strive every day to further the economic development and the international renown of the entire Principality. In a similar move, Monaco’s business tourism industry has set the bar high. The destination aims to boost business tourism significantly by 2008 to optimise occupancy rates at its convention centre, the Grimaldi Forum, and the many new developments that have erupted over the last few years; this includes a complete refurbishment of existing hotels, an increase in capacity, and the construction of new hotels (opening of the MonteCarlo Bay & Resort in October 2005 and the Novotel in 2007), boosting current capacity by almost 34%. In 2004, the majority of Monaco’s business tourists came from Britain (32,000 nights), France (41,000 nights), Italy (21,000 nights) and North America (27,000 nights). Against this backdrop, Monaco’s business tourism industry – led by the Tourist & Convention Authority through its Convention Bureau, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, hotels and hospitality agencies – has pooled its resources to create and launch an exclusive new strategy under the banner “Monaco Mee+ings”. They hope to provide a single point of contact, tailored services and exclusive benefits. Michel Bouquier, President of the Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority comments: “Through Monaco Mee+ings, we aim to provide our clientele with Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 64 everything Monaco has to offer: modern, high-quality facilities – a 3 to 5 star hotel capacity of almost 3,000 rooms* – and local hospitality agencies offering global, effective solutions. Everything is underpinned by a convention centre that is constantly pushing the boundaries of its offering: A single point of contact The concept is simple: the Principality of Monaco provides a commitment to offering turnkey solutions and a real quality contract through its Convention Bureau (uniform rates, standardised booking and cancellation terms, firm answer within 24 hours, etc.). Monaco boosts the impact of business tourism events Our success hinges on choice: the choice of “venue” is driven by the image Monaco projects and by the impression it makes on event participants. “Monaco’s message goes far beyond conventional concepts,” adds Mr Bouquier. “Both first-time visitors and those who already know us appreciate the drive and image boost Monaco brings to each event, through our personalised approach and our professionalism, which form the foundations of all our customer relations. As a result, our reputation as an event organiser is going from strength to strength. All this has been made possible through the unprecedented mobilisation on every level of our partners in the Monaco tourism industry: we all firmly believed that by streamlining our approach, we could make this an accessible, competitive venue. Monaco Meetings proves that customer relations are central to everything we do here in Monaco”. www.grimaldiforum.mc www.monaco-tourisme.com Monaco Tipping tips When in Monaco tipping is always at your discretion and optional; however if you are happy with the service you receive, then… • Generally you can tip between 10-12.5%; • For taxis, you either round up or offer 1-2 euros; • Restaurants – if you would like to tip, then the general rule of thumb is 10%. Some restaurants are service inclusive; • Hotel staff – you can give them between 1-5 euros. EGYPT’ S EL GOUNA Gouna is built on 10kms of beachfront in fine architecture and spreads across a myriad of islands interlinked by beautiful lagoons, the destination offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, from comfortable guest houses to luxurious beachfront resorts. El Gouna, commonly referred to as the ‘Red Sea’s Premier EL Leisure Destination’ is now also emerging as one of Egypt’s premier meetings and incentive destinations. Nestled between the sienna mountains and azure waters and developed 15 years ago on one of the most beautiful spots on the Red Sea, the resort caters for all the needs of a modern meeting or incentive group. Located just 22kms away from Hurghada International Airport, in addition to its own private airport, El Gouna is only a short flight away from Europe’s capitals. This accessibility is set to increase even further, as of October 22, 2005, when GB Airways launches the new scheduled flights between London Gatwick and Hurghada International Airport every Thursday and Saturday. The diverse selection of accommodation and conference space means that meeting and incentive delegates are well catered for at El Gouna. The resort offers over 14 hotels, which range from intimate guesthouses to five-star beach front properties, ensuring that groups of all sizes, budgets and needs can be easily welcomed and accommodated. Page 65 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 El Gouna’s conference and meeting facilities are predominantly provided by the Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna, Sheraton Miramar Resort, Steigenberger Golf Resort and The Three Corners Rihana Resort. Together they offer facilities to cater for indoor and outdoor meetings of between 12 and 400 delegates, in a total of five conference rooms, four meeting rooms and one boardroom. Complete with dedicated teams of staff, multimedia equipment and international hi-speed communications services and computer support systems, the facilities guarantee delegates a high quality El Gouna meetings’ experience. Aside from conferences, many of the hotels also cater for evening entertainments and daily delegate event plans, offering both pre-designed and tailor-made possibilities. The Steigenberger Golf Resort, for example, offers an entire desert survival experience. Delegates are invited to experience simple and timeless Bedouin life with a full day of different activities in the desert oasis, including: tent pitching; oriental games; carpet weaving; papyrus painting; moulding and colouring clay pots; bread making; coffee roasting; quad or camel riding and more. This type of uniqueness and dedication, combined with the year round sun and Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 66 full range of alternative after-hours’ activities makes El Gouna such an increasingly popular meetings and incentives destination. For additional after hours’ activities, El Gouna also boasts a Gene Bates and Fred Couples designed 18-hole USPGA golf course, a state-of-the-art Angsana spa, 10kms of secluded beaches, and exquisite yachts for charter. Cultural Egypt, including the famous Egyptian sites, is also accessible from a base at El Gouna. The resort’s prime location allows guests to take advantage of a number of excursion opportunities available to them, such as a desert safari encompassing a camel ride, or watching the sunset and sunrise with the Bedouins. For activities involving a little more adrenaline, El Gouna also offers a range of water and land based sport opportunities. Home to Egypt’s only professional water skiing centre, El Gouna offers windsurfing, fishing, horse-riding, go-karting, kite surfing, tennis, squash and some of the world’s best diving. With expert tuition and thrills available for all activities, followed by an evening taking in the resort’s downtown bars and evening entertainments, the team building and wind-down possibilities are seemingly endless. APEX CITY OF LONDON HOTEL’ S NEW CONFERENCE FACILITIES he Apex City of London Hotel, a 130-room, four-star hotel set to open later this year in the heart London’s Square Mile, has unveiled its new conference facilities. T Consisting of five wellpositioned conference suites, the facilities can accommodate up to 70 delegates using a wide variety of seating styles in a range of suite sizes. The largest space is the City Suite, overlooking Samuel Pepys garden and St Olaves Church. Each conference suite reflects Apex’s mission, to provide chic and stylish space appropriate for all meeting and conference purposes. The rooms are named after key world cities and showcase limited-edition artwork from each location. Facilities include the services of a personal Apex conference and meeting manager - on site at all times, restaurant access including tailor-made menus created by awardwinning chefs and fullscale audio visual technology equipment. The rooms are extremely flexible and can be laid out theatre, classroom, U Shape, open square, cabaret, banquet, dinnerdance or reception style. Situated at 1 Seething Lane, close to Tower Bridge, the Apex City of London Hotel is located within London’s square mile. Surrounded by some of the UK’s leading financial, legal, media and insurance firms including AIG, Royal Bank of Scotland, Swiss RE, The Mirror Group, The and The Telegraph. Apex believes a great deal of their conference business will be secured from their neighbours. Scott Davidson, Apex Hotels Director of sales London and consortia says “The Apex City of London Hotel offers conference and incentive organisers four-star contemporary venues of varying sizes at competitive prices. We are already creating much excitement in the vicinity and have contracts in place with a number of neighbouring firms.” CHELSEA FC LAUNCHES SMALL MEETINGS PACKAGE helsea FC has unveiled a new small meetings package. The innovative package will fill a niche in the market for small, uncomplicated meetings. C The package is based around a competitive daily delegate rate of £60 including room hire, AV, 2 x servings of refreshments and a light lunch with an option to supplement afternoon refreshments with a stadium tour. “Not every meeting is a lavish affair; some planners just want quick turn around, minimal fuss, value for money, but with a high quality” comments Carolyn Anderson, Marketing Manager at Chelsea FC. “We know our market, and the launch of our small meetings package is a direct response to its demand.” Chelsea FC has had a very successful year and are now entering their centenary season, the club’s brand has become one of the biggest in the world over the last 12 months and the team look ready to build on their success next season. www.apexhotels.co.uk Page 67 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 I NVES TMENT O PPOR TUNITIES AUSTRALIANPROPERTYINVESTOR.COM BUYING PROPERTY ‘ DOWN UNDER’ uying property in Australia can be a shrewd move for UK residents who are seeking an investment opportunity or future home. The process is now made easy thanks to A u s t r a l i a n P r o p e r t y I n v e s t o r. c o m (http://www.australianpropertyinvestor.com); an online resource, giving the full low-down on how to get great property deals ‘down under’. B The result of several years’ research and development, AustralianPropertyInvestor.com provides a wealth of informative articles, reports, data and services aimed at international investors and overseas expatriates who need to know whether the right time to invest is now. All the information and strategies on the site come from Australia’s leading specialists in non-resident property transactions. The site contains information on how to legally pay no tax on Australian property investments, reveals RARE OCEANFRONT LAND ON HAMILTON ISLAND ceanfront residential land, with spectacular views over the Whitsundays, is to be released on Hamilton Island for the first time in over 10 years. This rare offering of land for sale both in Australia and internationally involves the sale of 13 elevated villa sites in the prestigious Point Henning precinct on the pristine northwestern side of Hamilton Island. O MAKES A DODDLE the questions to ask when selecting a mortgage broker (e.g. how to separate the pros from the pretenders!) and provides tips on how to secure a bargain at a developer’s exhibition. It also explains the difference between buying a ‘home’ or an apartment for investment in Australia and gives useful advice on emigrating to Australia. Michael Bentley of AustralianPropertyInvestor.com comments: “Wherever you look, people are trying to sell you property. But they don’t always give you the tools, information, knowledge and information on how to do it, where to invest, the tax and financing implications, and potential returns as well as the risks. AustralianPropertyInvestor.com answers these obvious questions and helps people avoid the common pitfalls out of buying property in Australia.” www.australianpropertyinvestor.com TO BE RELEASED The release of the villa sites averaging 2,074 square metres, coincides with a multi-million dollar upgrade of the island by Hamilton Island Enterprises (HIE) including a revamped marina and proposed yacht club, upgrading of the existing shopping village and four-star Reef View Hotel, and a proposed 18-hole golf course on nearby Dent Island. new air services by Virgin Blue and Qantas which commenced in July 2005, adding passenger numbers to the existing daily Jetstar flights servicing the island from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and daily Qantaslink flights from Cairns. Point Henning offers uninterrupted panoramas across Dent passage and adjacent The island will also benefit from islands and is surrounded by Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 68 natural bushland. The total value of the land on offer is expected to be around A$26 million (approx. £10.4 million). Blocks are expected to be priced from A$1.5 million (approx. £0.6 million). Christie Leet, principal of PRDnationwide Whitsundays, says the release of the land is one of Australia’s rarest property opportunities. “It is no exaggeration that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. To be able to purchase property on this major national and international island destination in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef is certainly finite,” says Mr Leet. “The release of land is simply a rarity as the majority of the island will be preserved forever in its natural, pristine state. Additional plans to upgrade infrastructure at Hamilton Island and expand on existing services and activities will only add to the appeal and the opportunity for excellent capital growth in the future. This is both a luxurious lifestyle opportunity and a prime investment.” He adds that Point Henning is destined to become one of Hamilton Island’s prestige residential addresses and undoubtedly one of the most sought after on the eastern seaboard. “The quality of land at Point Henning and its uniqueness will attract major interest not only from Australia, but internationally, simply because of its premier location only two hours from Sydney with direct daily flights. “We also believe international interest will be strong because of the Foreign Investment Review Board’s exemptions on the island and our past history of attracting international buyers.” Building guidelines at Point Henning will ensure the highest possible standards of design and all homes are to be built within four years of land purchase, ensuring the establishment of a luxury community. Residents are also being offered the opportunity to secure a 10-year marina berth sub-lease on the soon to be expanded marina. Hamilton Island is located in the heart of the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with only seven of the 74 islands developed but only a very small percentage with private dwellings. The island has been a significant magnet for international celebrities. The estate of the late Beatle George Harrison retains a mansion on the island. Diminishing land supply and an increasing awareness of the unique lifestyle location of Hamilton Island are continuing to drive price growth here. PRDnationwide research shows that house prices on Hamilton Island have surged by up to 154% since the property market peaks of 2003. One property achieved a capital growth of 495% since 2001, having realised a purchase price this year of $2.17 million (approx. £0.87 million) after being purchased in 2001 for $365,000 (approx. £146,000). Hamilton Island was purchased 18 months ago by the Oatley family, headed by billionaire Australian businessman Bob Oatley. The family has a vision to transform the Whitsunday Island into one of the world’s most renowned resort and residential destinations. Future developments include an 18hole golf course designed by five time British Open champion Peter Thomson planned for nearby Dent Island located only 900 metres away. The golf course is in the final stages of approval. HIE chairman Sandy Oatley says the vision for Hamilton Island will see the creation of ‘the most desirable island resort in the South Pacific for both Australian and international guests’. “The potential of Hamilton Island has never been fully realised and we believe the geographical location coupled with our plans will set the platform for the creation of a holiday and lifestyle destination unique and unrepeatable anywhere else in the world. We believe the natural waterways and unspoilt beauty created by the 74 islands of the Whitsundays plus the attraction of the Great Barrier Reef provide the perfect backdrop for these plans.” The Island’s wide variety of accommodation has attracted visitors from both Australia and abroad with a range of three to five-star hotels and a variety of self-contained apartments to satisfy all holiday maker budgets. It is also home to Hamilton Island Race Week, one of Australia’s emerging international sailing regattas which was judged the “Best significant event and festival” at the last Australian Tourism Awards. Page 69 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 INDIGO REAL ESTATE ESTABLISHES UK OFFICE TO SUPPORT EXPANDING WORLDWIDE PRESENCE ndigo Real Estate, offering premium lifestyle properties, luxury villas and exclusive land plots in Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand, announced the opening of an office in London, UK. Indigo Real Estate has previously serviced the UK and Europe out of their headquarters in Phuket, Thailand. With the opening of a London office, access for UK and European clients to the rapidly developing property market in Thailand will be hugely improved. I “We have seen significant growth in demand from the UK and European market for both investment properties as well as for second homes in Phuket, Asia’s most exclusive and sophisticated island. The opening of our new office in London will enable us to provide a faster and better service to our UK clients,” said Nick Anthony, Managing Partner of Indigo Real Estate. The extensive selection of properties range from 1 bedroom apartments through to luxury villas and exclusive land plots and beach properties priced from US$150,000 up to US$4 million. Many of the properties are bespoke offerings and not listed with agents. Ann Adenius has been appointed Manager of the UK office. Ann is an international executive with more than 20 years’ experience in hotel and real estate sales and marketing gained from senior management positions at British Airways, Disney, Elegant Hotels, SelectResorts Caribbean and Caribbean Property Investors. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 70 “With an international airport, world-class infrastructure, schools and hospitals, natural beauty, wonderful people, awesome food and many beautiful golf courses, Phuket is fast becoming the high end destination in Asia. It is attracting an increasing number of international buyers, who are chosing Phuket and Koh Samu as the place to own both permanent homes and resort property”, said Ann Adenius. Over the next couple of months Indigo Real Estate will launch four new luxury estates developments in Phuket ranging from finished apartments at Asias hottest new residential marina, the Royal Phuket Marina starting at US$250,000 to Sai Khao, where oceanfront estates on a minimum 2 acres of botanic gardens start at around US$2.5 million. The opening of a UK office is one of several steps being taken to manifest Indigo Real Estate’s international presence. Recently Indigo Real Estate opened an office in Hong Kong as well as appointed Mr Juergen John as chairman, who will also handle the German speaking markets. Mr. John was the CEO of the Danzas Intercontinental operations, a DHL company, and managed 14’000 employees worldwide with a turnover in 2002 of Euro 4.2 Billion. He splits his time between Munich and Phuket. www.IndigoRE.com Food & Restaurants Page 71 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Winning with the Perfect Power Lunch Do you know what separates a business meal from a power lunch? No? ... Here are some of the editor's tips that can make a lasting impression here is a big difference between simply saying to a client or colleague - Lets have lunch and agree to meet at a restaurant, you both agree on and share a meal in discussions with mouthfuls of wine influenced discussions. T If you want your clients' or boss' attention, you certainly have to get them out of the office and away from the telephone; invite them to lunch to get their minds off the office to give you a better chance to hear what you have to say or present. My advice is to 'do it in style'. It does not have to be expensive but it has to be carefully constructed so that it will speak volumes about your company, your colleagues and yourself. Give yourself the competitive edge. My perfect power lunch is about thinking ahead, considering the needs of your guests and planning with your restaurant or private chef. Things to do: Make invitations: 1. Whether you choose a restaurant or private chef, make invitations. Do not waste anybody's time or risk a negative response. State the purpose of the Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 72 meal. For example, "Roxanne, we need to discuss the advertising contract, are you available for lunch on the 8th?" Make reservations: 2. Even if it is your usual restaurant, be sure to make reservations. It assures seating for your party at the time you choose while giving you the power to be in control and not at the mercy of the "line". Consider special dietary requirements of your guest(s) such as vegetarian or kosher menus. More importantly, reservations help the restaurant to plan appropriately. 3. If your office has facilities to provide in-house catering, host it. Make sure the chef is aware of the importance of your lunch and make it in a private dining room. Get there first and early: 4. Whether you are hosting the lunch in-house or going to restaurant, make special requests in advance. If your company has a "no alcohol policy" for legal or safety reasons, ask the waiter to not present a wine menu. If wine will be served, view the wine menu and make a selection in advance. It will save time Page 73 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 and control expense. Explain any time restraints to server. Review the menu in advance to make your personal selection. The waiter should recognize the silent service signal when indicated the meal is concluded. If you think the waiter will overlook it, as that he/she watch for your signal before clearing the table. If you are paying for the entire meal, have the cashier make a credit card imprint. Tip - that three-letter word; an important part of every service. Agree on a 15% gratuity unless you are asking for extra services, in which case, add 20% or leave an extra cash tip on the table. When you leave, you will need only to review and sign the credit card slip. If the meal is "no-host", advise the maitre d' beforehand that checks will be separate. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 74 Coffee and tea are usually served with or after dessert. Unless you have arranged for coffee in advance, please do not request coffee at the first or in the middle of the meal. It can cause disruption in the service. A little extra go a long, long way If you are hosting the lunch in your office premises please remember that guest favours are a wonderful surprise for motivational meetings and can be put at place setting in advance. Try one of these: 1. Fill a small, plastic wine glass with candies (coordinated with the table décor?). Cover with tulle; secure tulle with a ribbon. Add a small message tag: A toast to our future" - "You're a glass act" - or a seasonal sentiment. 2. Use 1x2 1/8" address labels and print with "You're worth a mint to me" or Chew-chew-chews to be successful!" Affix to packs of mint chewing gum. · Do not discuss food. Your opinion may not agree with your table companion's. If it is wonderful, write a complimentary note to your catering staff, hotel manager or restaurant manager depending on wherever you may be dining. If it is horrible, just discretely put it around on the plate. This is one time when it is okay to play with your food. You will avoid drawing attention to yourself. · Do begin the business portion of the meeting when everyone is nearly finished eating. Take breaks if the meal is going slowly. Guests will return with clearer minds after smoking, using the restroom or touching up makeup. · Do have a written agenda and keep the group on track. 3. Small box containing Tootsies Rolls. Wrap and tie with ribbon. Add a message such as "You are on a roll" - "Thanks for keeping the ball rolling!" - Let us get the ball rolling!" 4. Small gift bags/boxes containing packets of tea -tag to read "You fit our company to a "T"!" - T-riffic!" I am sure you can come up with better notes than then ones I have listed above! If lunch is out of your office premises, arriving early gives you time to greet guest(s) and arrange for a table if no reservations are made. Do make introductions in the waiting area. Standing in clusters between dining tables or glad-handing across the table is discouraged. Do graciously accommodate an uninvited spouse or guest. This is an awkward situation but you cannot very well ask him/her to sit in the car and wait until the meal is finished. Doing lunch · Be the first to order - it sets the pace. If time is limited ask the dining staff for a limited menu. Limit the entrée choices to one meat, one fish, and one vegetarian pasta. Request that salads and a pre-selected dessert be on the table before arrival. · Turn off the mobile phone. You should have given an advance notice to junior staff; · Watch the table to see what needs serviced. Extra breadbasket? More butter? Coffee carafe empty? Guest ordered juice and it was not served? Guest dropped napkin and cannot get the server's attention? Something remiss with the food? Resolve any of these quietly with the waiter. · Make social conversation before meal is served. This is the best time to get acquainted when food is not taking guests' attention. It is a good time to establish rapport and check the climate of the group. When it's over, it is over After the meal is finished, put your napkin to the left of your place setting; stand up; push in the chair; and leave the dining are. If the conversation is unfinished, go to a waiting area or outside the building to continue. An after-meal huddle around the table interferes with the wait staff and blocks other diners. Saying goodbye When leaving, shake each person's hand, smile, look him or her in the eye and say something positive - like "You have some good ideas." "Thanks for your contributions." "It was great to see you again!" "It was pleasure to meet you." Remain with guest until then last one leaves. If it is a dawdler or someone long-winded, suggest you walk together to guest's car. Otherwise, be forthright. Say something like "Thanks for your time, Chris; sorry to cut this short. I need to let you go so we can both get on with our schedules." Finally, we all know it - keep your elbows and forearms off the table! No one will steal your food, so there is no need to guard it. As for elbows, Mae West once put it this way, "Keep all uncooked joints off the table". Just remember it'll be special if you make it special! Exciting Times at Our Food and Restaurant Desk We Have Reserved all best surprises in this section for our January issue when we bring you a selection of some of the worlds top chefs; special recipes for the busy executive and lots more. Watch this space... Page 75 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 D ESTINATIONS A TOUR ROUND SLOVAKIA WITH DEREK ANNOH Summer, winter and an all year round healthy destination f anyone asks me to sum up Slovakia, I would say health and wellness. The country has so many curative qualities that if you are one who wants to live forever, you should be planning your retirement life there. There are 1300 mineral springs in Slovakia that are used both for healing purposes and drinking water. I Let us start with Bratislava, the capital of the Slovak Republic, on both banks of the Danube River, on the foot of the small Carpathian Mountains. With 500,000 inhabitants, Bratislava is largest and most important town in Slovakia. It is a city full of history. Notable cultural monuments include the Bratislava castle, ruins of the Devin castle, Cathedral of St. Martin, Academia Istropolitana (the first Slovakian university established in 1465), Villa Rustica, a Roman- Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 76 Germanic farmhouse from the 3rd century, primate’s palace, the old town hall, and the Grassalkovich presidential palace. Bratislava is also a vibrant modern metropolis where nightlife is active. For a typical European who likes fun, Bratislava is ideal especially as the local beer costs less than EUR 1 and mixed drinks of any kind cost EUR 2 – 3. Walking is ideal but the city has bus, tram and trolleybus lines where last departures from their terminal stops are at about 11:00 pm and start running from about 4:20 a.m. Most daytime connections, however, start before 5am. You will be pleased to know that between 11pm and 5am there are about 18 night services also available in the city. The country also has wine! The little Carpathian wine route stretches from the foot of Malé Karpaty to Smolenice; the beautiful wine making region of Malokarpatsky. All the towns and villages in the wine regions have their own unique attractions. In Modranska Majolika we get a taste of Slovak pottery. Then move on to Piestany and Rajecke Teplice to experience the healing powers of Slovakian spas. See the cover story for Slovakian spas. Winter will finds us at the JASNA resort right in the middle of Slovakia; on the northern and southern slopes of Chopok, the second highest peak in the main ridge of the Low Tatras. Here surrounded by the wonderful nature of Demanovska dolina, you will be skiing and snowboarding on the longest ski tracks in Slovakia. The Demanovska valley on the south of Liptovsky Mikulas is another ski terrain with two well known caves – the Demanovska Ice cave and the Demanovska cave of liberty. See folk architecture in Propylene and move on the Vysoke Tatry – High Tatras for a good hike. Tatranska Lomnica is a recreational village creating a good starting point for hikes in the high Tatras. At Lomnicky Peak, an aerial transport connects Tatranska Lomnica and the Lomnicky Peak to one of the best Slovakian ski resorts. We take a peak at the Vel’ka Lomnica golf course before heading to one of the biggest attractions of Slovakia. Aquacity Propad is a luxury resort with a truly unique destination. There are forests, mountains, caves, lakes and glaciers to enjoy. Page 77 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Aquacity also has a rich cultural history, many monuments and sites of historical importance to explore. This is a place where you can ski in the morning, bathe outdoors in thermal waters in the afternoon, maybe fit in a massage, go horse riding and then dine in splendour. You can also add traditional and innovative spa and health treatments as well as the thrills and spills of paragliding, skiing, rafting, rock climbing, or mountain biking are at your fingertips and, for the more environmentally concerned. It suits business or pleasure, sunshine or snow. At Aquacity visit Vital world and take a dive into the blue diamond pool with Ornate stone carvings, stained glass windows, beautiful sculptures by local artists and floors and walls covered in holographic tiles known as life tiles, that live Tipping Generally 10-15% of bill in restaurants Taxi and hotel staff – round up to tens (generally 10-20 koruns (crown)) Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 78 up to their reputation by changing their appearance depending on the angle at which they are viewed, surround the most intimate of the resort’s pools. Other sites in Slovakia include Levoca, a treasure of precious historical monuments, Spis Castle, Spisska Sobota an interesting suburb of Poprad, Spisska Kapitula, the Spis Holy See, Spissky Hrad, the Golf course Gray Bear Tale, Banska Bystrica a town famous for mining and to end our journey, we visit one of the four thousand registered caves in Slovakia, Dobsinska Some Slovakian habits • The purchasing power of the people of Bratislava is the highest in Slovakia. • Breakfast is light • Lunch is comparatively early (between 11:00 and 13:00) and it consists of two dishes, soup and main dish. • Dinner is served from 5pm and it is substantial. • At dinner aperitif is served first • Beer, wine or soft drinks are drunk with the meal l’adova jaskyna – Ice Cave. The Ice cave was discovered in 1870 and opened to the public in 1872. The cave was the first in Europe to be illuminated by electricity. There are 145,000 cubic metres of ice there. Every part of Slovakia has so much to offer in the healthiest way. A trip to Strecno castle can send you on walks, thermal baths, and many other sporting activities and a ferry ride to neighbouring towns the longest Slovak Vah river. The region is surrounded by winter and summer entertainment. It has thermal baths, aqua parks and spas. The High Tatras in Slovakia is a part of Europe worth seeing. The Tatras are the smallest alpine mountains in Europe. The Tatra mountains dominates the northern part of Slovakia. The Tatras are ideal for family holidays at all levels. It is ideal for skating, paragliding, bungee jumping, horseback riding, tennis, fishing and many other sporting activities. In winter, the nine ski-resorts offer excellent downhill courses and tracks with regularly maintained ski slopes spanning 5 to 50km, for all age groups and degrees of difficulties. • Festive meals are often accompanied by champagne • Coffee or a glass of cognac is taken after dessert. Exchange rates by the National Bank of Slovakia as at 19.9.2005 Country Code Amount Equivalent Rate in Slovakian Korun Australia Canada Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark EMU Estonia Great Britain IMF-SDR Japan Lithuania Latvia Hungary Malta Norway Poland Slovenia Switzerland Sweden USA AUD CAD CYP CZK DKK EUR EEK GBP XDR JPY LTL LVL HUF MTL NOK PLN SIT CHF SEK USD 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 100 1 1 100 1 1 1 100 1 1 1 24.041 24.446 67.012 1.319 5.148 38.334 2.453 56.624 45.897 28.232 11.118 55.143 15.651 89.420 4.927 9.880 16.026 24.755 4.109 31.235- Page 79 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 LUXURY TREATMENT WITH CHAMPNEYS GOA AND INDUS TOURS ndus Tours, tailor-made operator to India, has teamed up Champneys, one of the largest destination spa groups in the world, to offer some of the most luxurious specialist spa holidays to Goa with the launch of their new ‘Champneys Goa’ brochure this month. I Packaged around 7 – 14 night spa breaks to Champneys Goa, the new brochure has been designed to offer customers the very best in travel arrangements as well as the opportunity to explore other areas of India in style through a selection exclusive holiday extensions. Located at the Raja Baga Beach in South Goa, with swaying palms, pristine beach, azure waters and pretty Portuguese influenced villages, the spa, which is part of the Intercontinental Grand Resort, blends a range of traditional European therapies with the 5000 year old science of Ayurveda to give guests the very best in spa treatments. Yasin Zargar, Director, Indus Tours said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Champneys, who are internationally recognised as one of the leading pioneers of the spa industry. By combining their expertise, which has been in the business of making people feel great for over 79 years, with our own in-depth knowledge of India, we believe that have been able to complement the ultimate spa experience with an equally rejuvenating touring programme. “Having been thoroughly pampered and revitalized in Champneys Goa, customers will be able to choose to continue their journey through the delights of ‘North India’ – the Pink City of Jaipur, World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, the Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 80 Taj Mahal and the Old City of Delhi - as well as those of the South, with a stay in Kerala. Floating on a Kettuvalam house boat through a network of silent lagoons and relaxing in one of the world’s top 25 escapes ‘Coconut Lagoon’, which is only accessible by boat, are just a couple of examples as to the tranquillity on offer.” Ray Payne, Managing Director, Champneys added: “ We launched Champneys Goa in 2004, and have been looking for a travel partner who can provide a service to Champneys Guests that mirrors the personal service of Champneys, with Indus I believe we have found such a partner, that shall enhance the whole experience of an unbelievable holiday in India”. Available from October 2005, Champneys Goa packages start from £1040/person for a 7 night spa holiday, from £1980 for the ‘Champneys Goa and Kerala’ and from £2470 for ‘Champneys Goa and North India’. Prices are based on 2 sharing and include international economy flights, UK/India departures taxes, visa services, welcome introduction, use of Intercontinental Grand Spa resort and pool facilities, Garden View Suite accommodation, consultation in Champneys spa, breakfasts, fruit basket and one hour Champneys treatment each day inclusive of Champneys exercise, relaxation and meditation. www.industours.co.uk www.champneys.com Ayurveda literally means ‘the science of life’. P LATFORM NEW GADGETS ARRIVALS New technology to warn you of any heart attack! nly if we can see the signs of a heart attack before it happens. It appears that our prayers have been answered. Broomwell HealthWatch operates a 24/7 TeleMedical Monitoring Service claim their new ECG equipment can save lives and avoids unnecessary emergency hospitalization. It provides instant diagnosis, peace of mind and expert advice at the end of a telephone. It also means freedom especially for those who travel or need to work abroad. Usually, vital minutes are lost because people do not recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and delay calling for help. constantly at the back of their minds. Sometimes the symptoms are deceptive. Vital emergency and hospital resources are often taken up by patients who justifiably check themselves into hospital fearing that the symptoms they are experiencing are the first signs of another attack, only to discover it is a false alarm. For high-pressured business people who have to carry on their working lives the fear of a second or third heart attack is Patients who fail to get themselves diagnosed risk irreversible heart damage or death. Arif Hasan a heart patient, Arif Hasan (heart patient) described the equipment as “An angel watching over me”. As a Surreybased Sales and Marketing consultant Arif Hasan spends much of his time in the air, travelling the globe, meeting clients and spending nights alone in hotels. He was just forty-nine when he suffered his first heart attack. What shocked him were the symptoms. O Arif’s symptoms were not what he had heard or read about. “I always thought it would be like an elephant sitting on your chest. But it was not like that at all. All I felt was some chest pain, muscle pain and discomfort. I had no idea it was a heart attack. “Fortunately I was already in hospital at the time, recovering from an angioplasty.” “I was just about to be allowed to go home when it happened. I was unsure whether it was indigestion, a panic attack or angina and I began to feel dizzy.” Several months later after making a full recovery, Arif found himself about to jet off again for business meetings abroad. His fear was the likelihood of another heart attack? The pocket-sized ECG developed by Broomwell HealthWatch in Manchester, is said to have assured him the peace of mind he desperately required. With his own personal ECG monitor Arif is able to take his own readings and send the information down a telephone Page 81 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine line to a bureau in the United Kingdom where a team of cardiac specialists are able to reassure him on his condition or advise when he might need to seek medical assistance. pilot, adapting the same kind of mobile ECGs used on airlines and by ambulances in America and elsewhere. He says “We found there was an urgent need for a service of this kind.” Broomwell HealthWatch service was launched by Joshua Rowe a Joshua has a team of cardiac specialists who staff the Monitoring Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The technology is in England, and has been widely acclaimed by heart patients and health specialists. TOM TOM RESEARCH Europeans can’t be without their Phones and City Guides…Along with sexy underwear and slippers, according to a new European survey commissioned by TomTom recent European-wide survey commissioned by TomTom*, a personal and in-car navigation solution provider, found that the mobile phone and city g uides are th e first thing into the s uitcas e whe n tr ave lling ab road. Over 69% and 58% respectively, of Europeans were united in their choice of their ‘essential’ items. Italian Women Stay Tr ue to Form a s the most Glamorous Women in E urope Interestingly, the survey reveals that Italians and Belgians are not the best suited when it comes to packing for that all important holiday. O ver 17% of Italians wou ld rather pack their s lippers than sex y underwear, comp ared to 1 7% of Belgians who would rath er opt to imp ress their partner ov er making su re that th ey have th e righ t footwear. M en more org anised than women A It seems that when it comes to personal grooming the Brits ( 18.6 %) , Du tch (1 6.7%) an d Italians (12 %) all believ e in lookin g good for that weekend away , comp ared to ju st over 4% of Belgians who opted for the more natural look. Brits liv e up to their d rinking reputation Brits are known as being fond of their tea, and it seems that one out of ten Brits (11%) would not leave home without their beloved teabags. The Dutch pack ligh t Apart from the essential items, the Dutch like to pack light, preferring to take just their sunglasses for trips abroad (45%). * Survey was conducted by Lightspeed Research on behalf of TomTom Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 82 Although for men the last thing to go into their suitcase are hair products, it seems that the women are staying true to their reputation for glamour, with over 12% opting for their hair care products compared to the 6% of men! Going against the stereotype that women are the more organised of the sexes, it seems that the men are the most likely to plan their trips. Three out of five men (57%) said they would pack a city guide, compared to less than two out of four women. Showing the women would prefer to play the weekend by ear. But now holiday makers can pack smartly with TomTom MOBILE 5, which provides (city) maps, Points of Interest (such as restaurants and museums) and local information like the weather (a TomTom PLUS service). So city-breakers can now ensure that wherever they go, they can pack right and light whether driving through the fastpaced city of London or walking around the beautiful cobbled streets of Rome. TomTom MOBILE 5 will always direct you there effortlessly and accurately. Key Findings Top results: What are the three main things you would pack in your weekend page when going on a European city break? TomTom MOBILE 5, navigation for mobile phones, TomTom GO range (300/500/700), is an in-car solution. TomTom MOBILE retails at the RRP of £299 and is available at all major retailers or from www.tomtom.com. British Mobile 54% City Guide 45% Local currency 55% Italians Dutch 71% 77% 62% 40% 50% 68% Belgian 73% 59% 58% Navigator 5 is navigation for PDAs. 1. This survey was undertaken in May, 2005 by Lightspeed research on a representative sample of 1,000 respondents in each of the following markets – UK, Italy, Netherlands and Belgium. T-MOBILE A UK FIRST! – T-MOBILE LAUNCHES THE MDA PRO T -Mobile is the first operator to launch the MDA Pro in the UK. The fourth generation PDA in the MDA line of products. It brings complete connectivity, seamless secure access, and total control. This gadget contains a full specification PDA, a quad-band mobile phone, a full QWERTY keyboard and broadband Wi-Fi access – all in one device. Advanced features include video conferencing with dual camera, supports new Microsoft Windows MobileTM 5.0 software including Pocket Word, Pocket Excel & Pocket Outlook. I am so impressed with this ‘mini do-it’ all equipment that I think it is appropriate to give you a sneak preview. Featuring several connectivity options, including 3G, GPRS and Wi-Fi, this powerful “mini laptop” also includes a clear 3.6” LCD pivoting display, dual speakers and full QWERTY keyboard. Its • • • unique pivoting communicator enables the MDA Pro to double as both a PDA and a notebook, whilst the dual camera for video telephony allows the user to take high quality digital photographs as well as 3G video-conferencing. • • resolution VGA screen and full QWERTY keyboard First mobile communications device to integrate 3G, WLAN, GPRS and UMTS technology Supports Microsoft Windows MobileTM 5.0 Messaging: SMS, MMS, IM, Email push service Stereo Loudspeaker Adjustable touch screen which can be turned (swivel) to create a PDA like MDAIII/MDAII We are aware of your need to be kept informed of useful travel ‘gadgets’ as soon as they arrive on the market and will be covering new useful products as and when they arrive on the market. We will do this here and in full in the Newsletters and online. Watch this space. Features : • A mini laptop with high Page 83 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Techn ical s pecification s include: • Integrated video and music players • Bluetooth • Dual camera • Tri-band (900/1800/1900) • MMC/SDIO Memory cards • Advanced features • Video conferencing with dual camera • Emails with attachment • Edit and read Word and Excel documents • Dimensions (mm): 131.6(L) x 79(W) x 21.6 (T) mm / 5.18(L) x 3.11(W) x 0.85(T) in • Weight (g): 210g • Battery Standby (h): up to 200 hrs, talk time (h): 3 ~ 5 hrs • Specials: 3.6” VGA LCD, WLAN 802.11b, IrDA FIR, BlackBerry Push Email • QWERTY Keyboard • Dual Speakers • Dual Receivers • 3.5Ø Audio Jack • Elegant Form Factor • • • • • • a battery for the device, a stereo headset, a carrying case, a spar stylus, a battery charger and a USB cable What’s in the box? • The device, T-Mobile EXTENDS AVAILABILITY OF ITS DATA CARD WITH MOST COMPETITIVE TARIFFS IN THE UK T -Mobile announced the availability of its latest data card at high-street stores nationwide and online, and also announces four new simple, clear and competitive tariffs for anytime, anywhere access to information for laptop users in the UK. The T-Mobile data card (known as the ‘Multimedia Net Card’ GPRS/3G/Wi-Fi) is now on sale at a range of retail outlets including T-Mobile shops, Carphone-warehouse and Dixons airport shops, as well as on-line at www.tmobile.co.uk. The datacard, which was initially launched to T-Mobile corporate customers in October 2004, is ideal for customers who need access to email, internet and company intranet sites from their laptop, whilst on the move. T-Mobile’ s data card provides users with access to T-Mobile’s 3G and GPRS platforms, as well as the ability to connect to the UK’ s largest network of Wi-Fi HotSpots for users that subscribe to this service. For using the data card outside the UK, T-Mobile boasts the widest footprint of countries with GPRS access among all the UK operators. T-Mobile continues to lead the way in offering affordable mobile access, with four tariffs designed to suit different customer usage patterns and their budget. Tariffs are tailored to each type of user from the low usage consumer to the high volume daily access small business user: Simon Ainslie, T-Mobile UK Sales Director, commented: “T-Mobile is committed to simple, seamless communications for everyone. The UK Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 84 communication and flexible access to information. With these tariffs we are offering more choice and increased flexibility, whilst taking away the common concern of high bills.” The software installs automatically and customers just need to plug in the data card to their laptop. Customers will then automatically be connected to the fastest available network whether that is T-Mobile’s GPRS or 3G. The card will also connect to Wi-Fi HotSpots if the customer has an account set up for this service. T-Mobile has a unique, intelligent, layered network comprising GSM for voice and text, GPRS for small data exchanges, 3G for high-speed connections and Wi-Fi for complete broadband access. The combination of these networks gives users complete national coverage with GPRS, high-speed urban coverage with 3G, and for subscribers, Wi-Fi hotspots in over 750 locations in the UK. T-Mobile customers have access to around 13,000 hotspots worldwide. population is becoming increasingly mobile and demands access to information where they want it, when they need it and how they want it, all at a reasonable price. “The T-Mobile datacard offers small businesses cost and time savings, more efficient 3G Internet Starter 7MB (per month) £11 (per month) 3G Internet Medium 100MB £22 3G Internet High 500MB £44 3G Internet Power 1000MB £77 The data card is sold separately with prices from £29 to £179 (dependent on tariff). 12, 18 and 24 month tariffs are all available and is designed to offer simple seamless connection, whereby the user will remain connected whilst the datacard searches automatically for the strongest network connection. On a 3G network, the card enables connection to the Internet at data speeds of up to 384kbps. Move into range of a T-Mobile HotSpot or your home wireless network and the card provides connection at speeds up to 54mbps. In areas where 3G or Wi-Fi services are not available the data card still enables reliable and secure data connections over GPRS. All of which means that users can be constantly in touch and in control, wherever they are. www.t-mobile.co.uk/hotspot 1Mb delivers approximately 200 text emails (100 words) or 30 emails with one page Word attachment or 25 Internet pages (quantity varies by size). Page 85 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine VERBATIM 1GB STORE ‘N’ GO U3 SMART DRIVE erbatim information storage products, computer and imaging consumables and related accessories company has announced the introduction of its 1GB Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive, the newest member of its award-winning range of Store ‘n’ Go USB drives. Small enough to carry in a pocket - it is about the size of your thumb - this revolutionary new smart drive give users a new mobile computing platform that allows them to carry smart software applications, PC settings, files and personal preferences wherever they go - and the ability to access them on any Windows (r) XP or 2000 PC. The company is currently the only in the world that designs, develops V and manufactures high performance, high quality CDRecordable, CD-Re-writable, DVD-Recordable and DVDRewritable media products, a complete family of 3.5 inch and 5.25 inch MO media. The range also includes tapes, imaging products, digital devices and memory cards. Based on the U3 (tm) smart drive computing platform that transforms USB flash drives from simple storage devices to USB smart drives the Verbatim U3 Smart Drive will be available from mid-October. Easy to use, just plug the Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive into a USB port on a PC and the user can work on that Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 86 PC as if it was their own. Portable applications can be launched from the smart drive without the necessity of installing them. The result is that users can work in a familiar environment without leaving any personal information or trace of their visit behind. Everything remains stored on the USB smart drive. U3 Chief Executive Officer Kate Purmal commented, “The vision behind the U3 smart drive is to enable a computing experience on any PC computer - that is private, personalised, protected and portable. By basing its new Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive on the U3 platform, Verbatim combines true freedom of mobility with the quality and reliability consumers expect from th Verbatim brand.” Simon Keighley, Verbatim Product Manager added, “Built on the U3 platform and capable of supporting the wide range of U3 smart software our Store ‘n’ GoU3 Smart Drive mobilises the user’s personal workspace. They can carry their emails, applications, personal settings, bookmarks, favourites, folders and documents with them wherever they go without always having to carry a laptop, or risk not having a needed application on a borrowed PC.” Verbatim’s new Smart Drive comes with U3 Launchpad, an intuitive interface that makes accessing U3 smart software and device features both fast and easy. It also includes McAfee anti-virus protection and an advanced password security system to prevent unauthorised access to the device. Additional smart software applications are available free to Verbatim smart drive owners registering at www.verbatim-europe.com/U3. An extensive library of U3 smart applications ranging from backup, email and photo organisers to music players and graphics applications can be downloaded from www.u3.com as well as directly from the Store ‘n’ Go U3 Launchpad. Av ailab ility Verbatim’s 1GB Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive will be av ailab le from mid- Octob er. The Verbatim package includes preloaded McAfee anti-virus software, advances password security features, a safety lanyard, personal identification labels and a quick start guide. For further information on this new Store ‘n’ Go U3 Smart Drive and other Verbatim storage solutions, visit www.verbatimeurope.com About U3 U3 LLC of Redwood City, California, USA has developed an innovative platform to make U3 powered USB smart drives that host a “personal workspace” – not only data and files, but software programs, personal user preferences and the means for managing them. U3 smart drives transform a PC into a truly personalized computer, quickly, easily and securely, and exit transparently when done. For more information see www.U3.com. VODAFONE EXTENDS ITS TRAVEL PROMISE TO BUSINESS F roaming rates understand. Available free to business customers from 1 September, Vodafone Passport gives exceptional value and makes With Vodafone Passport, a businessperson can use their mobile abroad and only pay their UK rate plus a one-off connection fee of 75p to make a call**. For example, making a five minute call from Spain back to the UK using their usual rom today, businesses can have greater confidence when using their mobile abroad with the introduction of Vodafone Passport on all Perfect Fit for Business tariffs*. easier to inclusive minutes will cost just 75p compared with £3.75 previously (Vodafone World rates). Vodafone now has the most extensive mobile community across the world, providing mobile solutions for international companies and great value to UK-based Page 87 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine businesses with: • Innovative roaming voice rates with Vodafone Passport • An exclusive Vodafone data tariff for 3G mobile connect card users abroad • A hire service that allows customers to borrow mobiles for international use or for visiting clients and colleagues • An answering service that puts your voicemail, e-mail messages and faxes in one in-box to make it easy to collect when travelling Mark Bond, Director of Enterprise Marketing at Vodafone UK, said: “Customers told us that they wanted to use their mobile abroad as if they were back in the UK and not worry about bill shock when they returned. We understand that being in touch 24/7 with colleagues, having a good value tariff and a clear idea of call costs is of critical importance to all businesses, whether at home or abroad. Vodafone Passport will help business travellers to accomplish this and, for any business with a subsidiary in a Vodafone Passport country, there is outstanding value to be gained.” Vodafone customer, Jamie Collins, a Yachting Consultant for UK Sails commented: “I travel abroad about two or three times a month. It’s critical for me to keep in contact with new business leads or to chase suppliers when I’m out sailing. We all use BlackBerrys to keep in contact and although we’ve made substantial savings with our Sharetime tariff, we have been wary of making long calls when in Europe. I’m really pleased Vodafone have listened about the cost of calls when you’re abroad.” Vodafone Passport is part of Vodafone’s Travel Promise to give customers simplicity and better value on roaming services. • All prices are inclusive of VAT where applicable. To activate, Vodafone customers should simply call 5555 from their mobile or call their customer service number. • Vodafone Passport is available on Vodafone networks in the following countries: Albania, Australia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. * Vodafone Passport is available on the following Perfect Fit for Business price plans: • Businesstime 12 months • Sharetime 12 and 24 months • Business Caller 12 and 24 months • Company Caller 12 and 24 months • Commerical Caller 12 and 24 months Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 88 It is also available in France and Monaco on the SFR network, in Switzerland on Swisscom and in Belgium on Proximus. • Incoming calls are charged at the set-up fee of 75 pence. If the call goes over 60 minutes, the remainder of the call will cost 20 pence per minute. • Vodafone’s new Mobile Connect Travel price plan costs £50 a month and offers great savings to those customers looking to use their Vodafone Mobile Connect GPRS/3G data card abroad. The offer includes 100MBs of data. Customers must be on the Unlimited (£45 per month) price plan to take advantage of the Mobile Connect Travel price plan. • Vodafone Hire Services has been designed for those who don’t want the commitment of a long-term contract. Customers can hire a handset or data solution, including BlackBerrys or data cards, to work in local networks such as the USA, Japan and South America. Orders are confirmed within an hour and devices can be dispatched the same day. ** If the domestic price plan includes cheaper or inclusive calls to mobiles or landlines within a business, these calls will be charged at the standard Vodafone mobile to Vodafone mobile call rate, plus connection charge. These calls are not bundle eligible. Vodafone Passport applies to voice calls made back to the United Kingdom or within the visited country and excludes calls to other countries, premium rate numbers and all data transfers (including text messages). NEW SIM CARD TO SAVE USERS ABROAD UP TO new service launched to save mobile phone users up to 90% on their bills when they use their phones abroad. A Currently most mobile phone users pay vastly inflated rates to receive calls as well as to make calls while they are overseas. However, GO-SIM claim they can help them to beat exorbitant roaming charges made by the UK mobile phone networks and save up to 90% on their bills, making it the ideal choice for money conscious holidaymakers and business travellers. The brainchild of international communications specialists Hirefone, GO-SIM allows overseas travellers to purchase a pay as you go SIM card, which will enable them to benefit from local rate calls in their destination country. 90% GO-SIM claims it is a straightforward and costeffective alternative to paying unknown and often expensive roaming charges. Customers can choose from a single destination or global roaming SIM card depending on their travel itinerary. All they need to do is select a destination country and order online. The GO-SIM local country SIM will be delivered to their door and they simply have to swap over to the new card when they arrive at their overseas destination. Call costs can be reduced by up to 90% and travellers will receive free incoming calls. GO-SIM even provide a way for friends, family and colleagues to save money whenever they need to call the new international mobile number. If, however, a person intends to travel to two or more countries, Table of typical charges during 10 day trip to Spain–88.8% savings SPAIN Example Usage Incoming calls Calls in country Calls to UK 30 mins 10 mins 50 mins Texts Total Cost 30 Using your UK £1.20/min £1.20/min £1.20/min £0.40 £120.00 Mobile Using go-sim card Free £0.13/min £0.25/min £0.16 £18.60 Savings with GO£36.00 £10.70 £47.50 £7.20 £101.40 SIM Table of typical charges during 10 day trip to USA–88.9% savings USA Incoming calls Calls in country Calls to UK Example Usage 30 mins 10 mins 50 mins Texts Total Cost 30 Using your UK £1.40/min £1.40/min £1.00/min £0.40 Mobile Using go-sim card Free £0.14/min £0.23/min £0.16 Savings with GOSIM £42.00 £12.60 £118.00 £17.70 £38.50 £12.00 £100.30 ON BILLS a GO-SIM global roaming SIM card, will allow them to travel in over 100 countries with one SIM card, one international number and one tariff. Single destination and global SIM cards are available from www.go-sim.com. The SIM card is delivered to the doorstep before a trip abroad, so travellers can give out their new temporary number before they leave the UK. Top up call credit can be made at local outlets during a trip abroad or with GOSIM online. Managing Director of GO-SIM, David Agar, believes the service will make a real difference for travellers. He says: “Our research shows that many mobile phone users have a nasty surprise when they get their mobile bill following an overseas trip. This is largely because of the exorbitant roaming charges made by their mobile network. “Not only do the networks charge disproportionately highly for outgoing calls, but a customer can expect to pay up to £1.80 just to receive a call. With GO-SIM it’s nearly always free! “More and more people are travelling abroad with their mobiles and they expect to be able to keep in touch just like they would at home. GO-SIM means they can do just that, making and receiving calls safe in the knowledge that there will be no shocking bill waiting for them at home.” www.go-sim.com Page 89 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 T RA VEL G OODS TECH AIR’S 2005 RANGE - BAGS OF STYLE, FEATURES AND PROTECTION nce again we bring laptop users across the land a new concept of travelling with equipment. Tech air, The Computer Luggage Company’s latest range of laptop bags. Designer touch, total protection and great features make these bags the ones to be seen with in 2005. O more than one size of laptop allowing you to blind buy or upgrade easily. No range of tech air bags would hit the streets (literally!) without TechAir® Protection Technology - a clever and completely unique piece of design that lovingly wraps your laptop in air cells to disperse the impact if dropped - guaranteed to leave your notebook in perfect working order. Apart from absolute equipment protection; a necessity if your travel frequently with laptops, these bags come with a subscription to i-TRAK(tm). Should you lose your laptop bag, the iTRAK(tm) system provides a unique identification code for both bag and laptop, so anyone who finds the luggage can immediately inform ITRAK who will then send the you a SMS of its location, significantly increasing the chance of finding its way back to you. Other features of the new range include Skinn™; which are available with Series 5 bags and above removable and organizers to personalize your bag for any occasion. Andrew Royle, tech air Commercial & Marketing Director says “This latest range of bags is our best yet. After a decade in the business we feel we now have a complete understanding of our customers needs. They want a laptop bag that looks great, offers unrivalled protection, has features that make life easier and, in the case of i-TRAK(tm), vastly improves the chances of being reunited with a lost bag.” The Organizer Skinn™ have Active Sleeve(tm) and an adjustable laptop compartment with the patented techair® protection which can adapt to www.techair.co.uk Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 90 The complete tech air range are available across Europe from major retailers such as PC World, Dixons, and from many other outlets today. BOOKS M. MICHAEL BRADY’S LIVING AND WORKING IN NORWAY THE NEW GUIDE THAT SHOWS YOU HOW TO START STRONG AND LIVE LONG IN NORWAY have read so many ‘how to’ books so I tend to place any cover I see in this category in the same basket. Something else drew my attention to Michael Brady’s Liv ing & W orkin g in Norway. It is comprehensive. With 48 chapters starting from how to use the book itself and through to arrival, banking, the essential money matters, warning you of crime and how to handle to travel and transport - it absolutely fool proof A-Z of guides. Above all the book is bilingual Norwegian/English throughout, explaining common abbreviations and the difference between British and American English. I With the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report (HDR) now ranking Norway as the best country in which to live by the 2005 for the fifth year running, a guide like this is necessary to help anyone wishing to go there to face the many challenges and increasingly multicultural population can face and adapt to an ever more urban country, made wealthy by offshore oil. According to the Michael Brady’s publicists, Living & Working in Norway by M. Michael Brady more than 500 new residents from other countries were interviewed about their relocation experiences, offering firsth a n d knowledge and solutions to problems or situations they faced. I am not surprised because book is very useful it has covered almost every topic you will need answers to when planning to move anywhere. Reflecting the country as recent arrivals find it, Living & Working in Norway offers comprehensive and practical advice for new residents or long-term visitors. It covers all you need to know about day-today personal and employment affairs, as well as holiday entertainment and sightseeing. This invaluable handbook covers more than 850 topics in 48 chapters and features a checklist of what you should do before you arrive, and an A to Z of living in Norway which includes: • Arriving and settling • Banking, insurance and money matters • Cars, roads and traffic • Character, customs and country • Clothing, footwear and fashion • Education and research • Food and eating • Government, administration and public services • Healthcare and social security • Housing • Law, lawyers and courts • Museums, exhibitions and festivals • Pets and animals • Retirement • Sport and leisure • Travel and transport Also included is an index in Norwegian to enable readers to find explanations of topics first encountered by hearing or reading their names in the native language. M. Michael Brady himself has lived and worked in Norway for years. He has written and translated more than 20 books and nearly 1000 magazine and newspaper articles on Norwegian themes. He has been the Norwegian correspondent for Scanorama, the Scandinavian Airlines inflight magazine, and has written books and edited magazines on cross-country skiing. Michael is also a member of the Norwegian Writers and Translators Association. Liv ing and Workin g in Norway was published in September by Ho w To Bo oks Ltd . and is available at £16.99 in major bookshops and online retailers across the country. Page 91 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine T IME FOR S PORTS KEVILL DAVIES PRESENTS HIS 2-BALL GOLF™ wrote the rules to a game devised in Durham in 1975 and then left for Spain in 2002. Since coming to Spain, I have been trying to find land, close to a beach, to build the world’s first course. Once built, the next step would be to try and franchise the concept around the world, seeking partners in each country. However, I have been totally frustrated with this – caused by a mixture of the Spanish love affair with building apartments and hotels on the playas, and their preference to ignore all things foreign. In January 2005, I have decided on a change of strategy, and chose to make a garden/ office set for people to play at home, in the park, anywhere, in fact where you can put a golf ball. This will ready to be in the shops before Christmas 2005. The basic rules of the game will be in the public domain hence the 2-Ball Golf has become the definitive name of the game. The name of the game is protected in the US Patent Office and we would actively seek partners around the world to build the game in their own countries. The Game What do the names mini, miniature, and crazy golf, mean to you? Is it a fun game for children on holiday with a rather tawdry course using gimmicky holes? In the States, they tend to be better but the idea is still the same. For me, the format is stale and dated. People and children want something more; hence the 2-Ball Golf. The 2-Ball Golf is a game that breaks the mould. It is a game with a blend of skill and strategy that will appeal to all; young and old, boys and girls, golfers and non golfers alike. The basic difference between the two games is that in 2-Ball Golf, you play an opponent and not the course. For two players, each plays 2 balls to begin. The object is, first, to “hole” ones own balls and then any of your opponents still available. A truly simple concept (to be found in other games), but offering much scope for skill. Of course, it’s not quite as I Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 92 simple as that. There is only one rule in the playing of the game, that after a shot, the ball should finish closer to the hole. The others rules are “administrative”. The holes would be designed to bring out the finer points of the game and I have spent much time thinking about this aspect. Th e Course A full course would be of 12 holes and a game would take about one hour to play. The holes would be like proper golf greens, artificial or natural grass, but much smaller and definitely without boarding. Good access for wheelchairs will be included. The course would be in a garden setting of flower beds and trees with ponds and running water. However, there is no need to build a full course to enjoy the game. A hotel with little land, for instance, that wanted to take advantage of the worldwide interest in golf, yet felt that mini golf was a bit downmarket, could install a 2-Ball Golf course with 3 or 4 holes. I would like to mention here a point about youngsters and golf. It’s difficult to start golf at a young age unless your parents are club members. Mini golf, offers no real lead into golf proper. 2-Ball Golf, however, will offer an easy introduction to the skill of putting, an important aspect of true golf. Golf today, is a worldwide phenomenon. The game itself has some drawbacks in that it takes up most of the day, and remains expensive and at times exclusive, wherever you are. Many people do not, therefore, have access to the real game. At the other end of the scale, mini golf is simply an amusement using gimmicky holes. 2-Ball Golf fills the void. The course can be the same scale as a mini golf, but the completely new concept of 2-Ball golf, introducing skill and strategy, adds to the enjoyment and satisfaction. The putting skills needed are a good introduction to the game of golf proper. Get the feel for 2-Ball Golf. Look out for the garden set in the shops this Autumn. Write to Kevill Davies at Kevill.Davies@executivetraveller.net RUGBY IN BERMUDA TOUCH DOWN IN BERMUDA THIS NOVEMBER TO CHEER ON THE CLASSIC LIONS f you’ve been disappointed by the British Lions’ performance in New Zealand and would like to see a real spectacle of sport then why not leave the cold climes of the UK behind and head to Bermuda to see the Classic Lions Team in action in the 2005 World Rugby Classic? I From the 6-12 November the paradise Island of Bermuda will welcome some of the world’s top former international rugby players to its shores for what is set to be a thrilling week of topclass action. With its unique mix of world-class rugby and old school camaraderie, the World Rugby Classic, which takes place on Bermuda’s shores each year, never fails to impress rugby followers from across the globe. Africa, will be back in Bermuda this year trying to keep their hands on the highly sought after crystal trophy, whilst hopefuls from countries as far flung as the British Isles, New Zealand, France and Argentina amongst other countries will fight against them for this elusive prize! With South Africa’s line up for this year including the likes of Joost ven der Westhuizen, Naka Drotske, Mark Andrews and Rassie Erasmus it seems that the defending champions may be difficult to beat. Kicking off with a traditional Bermudian street party on Saturday 6 November, the World Rugby Classic is an opportunity for sports fans to not only watch the action on the pitch but also catch up with the players at one of the many events that take place in Bermuda during the competition. With this year’s line up once again featuring a host of well-known names from all corners of the world, rugby fans will delight in swapping stories and taking tips from some of the planet’s best players. However, the UK’s very own Classic Lions Team will be putting their best team forward with a host of world-class British players including former England star Jason Leonard, exWelsh International Allen Bateman, former Scotland and Wasps International Kenny Logan, England and London Irish favourite Chris Sheasby and the former Scottish International and Melrose Rugby Club Captain Craig Chalmers amongst others. And if you thought that rugby was only for men, then think again as this year’s tournament will also see some of Britain’s top female rugby players compete in what is set to be a tightly fought international match between the British Isles and the United States. The defending champions, South However, if rugby isn’t your cup of tea, then Bermuda has plenty of other activities to keep visitors fully entertained. Whether you would prefer to practice your swing on one of the island’s eight immaculate golf courses, discover the underwater treasures on a scuba diving adventure, relax and rejuvenate in one of the designer spas or just take it easy on the pink sand beaches, one visit to Bermuda and you’re sure to be converted! With all this set amongst beautiful colonial architecture, Bermuda boasts a unique period charm which never fails to enchant its visitors. Harlequin Holidays are currently offering seven night stays at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess over this year’s World Rugby Classic for just £1208 per person. Price includes seven nights accommodation in a Fairmont Room on a room only basis, return British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Bermuda and a one day pass to the Classic Club, a players and patrons facility located on the touchline that serves excellent food and wine and enables you to mingle with some of biggest names in rugby. www.harlequinholidays.com www.worldrugby.bm www.bermudatourism.com Page 93 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 A new interactive website JUST DON’T ASK IT TO CARRY YOUR BAG irtual Caddy Ltd. announced the launch of their website, virtualcaddy.com. The new venture promises to become one of the premiere resources for golfers around the world, particularly those that have an interest in courses across the UK and Ireland. Golfers of every ability will now be able to benefit from the site’s online guides to some of the most well known courses in the world – Wentworth – host to this week’s BMW Championship being one of them. V Virtual Caddy offers a multimedia, hole-by-hole breakdown to more than 100 of the best-loved golf clubs in the UK and Ireland, benefiting from strategic advice laid down by the person who knows the course best, the Club Professional. The site uses a mixture of integrated graphics and narrated tips, helping users to visualise their selected course, whilst being directed through each hole on a shot by shot basis. Using an interactive menu, users will be able to see low level aerial photographs of each hole with views from tee to green. Once a hole is selected, an audio tour is brought to life with animated graphics used to highlight the line, the hazards and other key points of interest. Additional options such as ‘Local Knowledge’ provide tips and information that would only be known by regular users of the course. “Virtual Caddy is the perfect resource for golfers who want to have an added edge to their game, particularly when playing a course for the first time,” said Jim Martin, CEO of Virtual Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 94 Caddy Ltd. “No professional would ever consider playing a course without walking through it first and now the amateurs can benefit from the same virtual experience. This site will do everything that the very best caddy does – except for carry your bag for you – and whether you want to search out a new course to play, improve your game, or just enjoy experiencing the aesthetic qualities of beautiful golf courses, Virtual Caddy will appeal to any golfer who has a genuine love for the game.” The site has now gone live, just days before the BMW Championship at the Wentworth Club, one of the many Eur opean Tou r ven ues to featured on the website. Users can log on now to get a taste of the action from a pro’s point of view. Bernard Gallacher, MBE, former Club Professional at Wentworth and Ryder Cup Captain, will be waiting online to run through the course and help users gain a better understanding – the perfect preparation for a bit of armchair golf ahead of the forthcoming television coverage. www.virtualcaddy.co.uk THE BLACK STORK VEL’KA LOMNICA GOLF COURSE, SLOVAKIA e had to include the Black Stork in our golf collection because of its history. W Golf began in this part of Slovakia in 1906, with the first 9 hole golf course in the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian empire located in Tatranska Lomnica. Many competitions took place there and the course operated until late 1940s. The sport was later left to go stale because the new government disliked the ‘western’ sport and was revived after the velvet revolution at the beginning of 1990. The Black Stork has evolved since then and in 1999 the first driving range in the High Tatra was opened. A year later, the third golf course with a natural 9 hole PAR 34 was opened. An 18 hole course was opened this year and a 27 hole championship golf course is expected to open next year. In addition to golf, the Black Stork has other outdoor activities like a driving range, golf academy, putting green, chipping green, children’s play area, horse riding, running tracks, skating rink and cross country skiing. Golf for beginners starts at the age of five. www.blackstork.sk Page 95 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine VILA SOL SPA & GOLF RESORT APPOINTS GOLF PRO PETER LESTER FOR ITS NEW-LOOK GOLF ACADEMY Professional Peter Lester, 42, has been appointed as resident Golf Professional responsible for the newly-refurbished Golf Academy in the 5* Vila Sol Spa & Golf Resort in Vilamoura, Algarve. PGA Peter comes to Vila Sol straight from Hotel Quinta do Lago where he has been Resident Golf Professional for two years. His goals at Vila Sol are to develop the academy to be the best in the country, attract more local people, help golfers fine tune their game and to create and run the premier junior golf school in the Algarve. The setting in which to achieve those goals could not be better. The new-look Golf Academy is in the grounds of the 5* hotel, just 100m from the main reception and 300 metres from the Clubhouse, behind the 17th and 18th of a 27-hole Championship course which has twice hosted the Portuguese Open. The modern wooden building set amongst the pines has its own reception run by Golf Academy secretary Fernanda Mendes and is fully equipped with computers, state-of-the-art recording equipment and swing analysers. There are also special Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 96 practice areas, a large driving range, two putting greens, two bunkers and a choice of tees. Peter Lester and Vila Sol’s other resident golf pro, Roel Gritter can between them give lessons in English, Portuguese, Swedish, German or Dutch. Peter says: “Tuition weeks are specifically designed to improve every aspect of the game regardless of whether you are a beginner or a professional. First time golfers will be introduced to the rules and theory and learn all the skills culminating in nine holes on the last day. The more experienced player can choose three and five day packages which will iron out all faults and include several rounds with the golf pros.” Peter has already started a junior golf academy where children from local Portuguese and international schools are encouraged to play regularly each week whether their parents play a round at the same time or not. Holidaying golfing families are enthusiastically welcomed. He is also hoping his custom-fitting skills and good association with the “PING” brand will be utilised by those golfers looking for equipment that’s tailor-made. Peter, originally from Scunthorpe in England, turned professional in 1978, after a number of years as a successful junior amateur. The early part of his career was taken up with building a reputation as a player, both in the UK and in Europe. Today he is a real expert on all of the courses in the Algarve and is well known and respected locally. In 1980 he won his first of many professional tournaments, the Northern Assistant’s PGA Championship. After successfully completing his PGA training in the UK, Peter moved to Sweden in 1986. Peter was the head professional at Rya Golf Klubb in Helsingborg from 1992-2002 before choosing to make the Algarve his home. Golf Director Sean Corte-Real says: “We are privileged that Peter has decided to join the Vila Sol golf team. I have no doubt that his enthusiasm and talent for the game will be a winning formula for all golfers at Vila Sol.” www.vilasol.pt Page 97 • October 2005 • Executive Traveller Magazine Sports Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 98 SPORTS NEWS P ortu gal’s Pres ident O pens New Golf Cour se N ear Lisbon Portugal’s President, Mr. Jorge Sampaio, was the guest of honour at the official opening of the new CampoReal Golf Course near Lisbon on the 10th September 2005. The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is part of the 197 acre CampoReal (Royal Meadows) resort, located in the rural Oeste region, on Portugal’s Atlantic seaboard. Occupying land formerly used by the Portuguese royal family as hunting ground, the CampoReal golf course enhances the already impressive leisure facilities at the complex, which include a state-of-the art Equestrian Centre, three restaurants, two bars, a conference centre, health club, spa, a stunning outdoor swimming pool as well as Portugal’s first five star Westin Hotel and Spa, which will be opened officially in 2007. For further information on the CampoReal Resort visit www.camporeal.pt. Th e Algarve’ s Golf Cours es Soar In P opularity The Algarve is heaven on earth for golf lovers across the globe and this year even more people have discovered Portugal’s golfing paradise with record numbers of people practicing their swing on the Algarve’s world famous courses. Indeed, figures recently released by the Association of Algarve Golf Courses show that the number of people visiting the Algarve golf courses has increased by 2.1% year on year. The summer months of June and July have been the most popular time to hit the greens with the numbers of people playing golf in the Algarve up 15% and 14.5% respectively year on year. Furthermore, with the 2005 Algarve World Cup in Portugal taking place at the new Victoria Course in Vilamoura this November, the popularity of golf in Portugal is set to continue to increase in 2006. For further information on Portugal visit www.visitportugal.com Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 99 Page 99 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Airport News Belfast International Airport VISITORS flying into the Belfast International Airport will now receive an extra special welcome thanks to the opening of a new tourist information centre (TIC) run by Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) and funded in partnership with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, EU Programme For Peace and Reconciliation, Belfast City Council, Antrim Borough Council, Regional Tourism Organisations, and Translink. Opened as a pilot project last June, the facility is designed to assist visitors as soon as they step off the plane. Due to the dramatic increase in air access and the subsequent demand from those looking for visitor information, the TIC has now been expanded and increased its opening hours. BVCB Chairman, Ciaran Rogan is delighted that the need for such a facility has arisen. During the official opening today, he said; “It is very encouraging that the volume of international traffic into Belfast is such that there is a real need for visitor servicing in the airport. The increase in air access over the past two years and our aggressive marketing of Belfast as a vibrant, exciting destination for both business and leisure visitors, has contributed to the continued rise in people coming into Belfast, with one million overnight stays in Belfast in 2004. “We envisage that with the joint investment in this facility of £420,000 planned over the next three years, the airport TIC, like the Welcome Centre in Belfast city centre, will become a major sales point for Belfast and Northern Ireland. As a pilot project, the new tourist information centre has been very successful, servicing 53,000 enquiries in the first year of operation alone with an increase in visitor enquiries of up to 15% since this time last year. Our aim is to be servicing 70,000 enquiries within the first full financial year of opera- tion,” he added. NITB Chairman Tom McGrath believes the new TIC will open a gateway for tourists to the whole of Northern Ireland. “Visitors cannot fail to be impressed by this facility which brings the total number of TICs in Northern Ireland to 29. Placed in such a prime location, it will make a valuable contribution to the TIC network. Staff can book accommodation and tours, provide information on transport and advise on what’s on where. In so doing the TIC will play its part in growing tourism revenue right across Northern Ireland”. Albert Harrison, Managing Director of BIA said; “Services at BIA have expanded dramatically over the last 18 months. Not only do we have an excellent network of services covering the UK but also a vastly improved range of international and European scheduled services, enabling us to be an alternative gateway to Dublin. With up to 5 million passengers travelling through the airport this year the new Airport TIC certainly adds to the overall improvements we have made recently. We are delighted to work in partnership with BVCB and NITB in ensuring that the first impressions for any passengers arriving into Northern Ireland are welcoming and positive.” BVCB is a partnership organisation funded by Belfast City Council and the EU Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 100 ABOVE Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau Chairman Ciaran Rogan and NITB Chairman Tom McGrath welcomed by Centre Supervisor Lisa D’Arcy. Programme for Peace and Reconciliation administered by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sponsored by Diageo NI. The new Tourist Information Centre is open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 8am to 6pm. BELOW Centre Supervisor Lisa D’Arcy, NITB Chairman Tom McGrath and Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau Chairman Ciaran Rogan FAL Aviation UK Strengthens Lydd Airport’s Position As The Gateway To London, South East England And Europe Exciting plans to turn Lydd Airport, in Kent, into one of the most modern airports in the UK have come a step closer with the launch of FAL Aviation UK Dignitaries, politicians and business leaders gathered at the airport last for a Champagne reception to herald FAL Aviation’s arrival. The company will provide handling services – including state-ofthe-art ground equipment, fuel, landing and parking services, as well as exclusive use of a new VIP lounge - for corporate, business and private aviation clients who own or charter small jets. The Mayor of Le Touquet, France, Monsieur Leonce Deprez who was among the guests enjoyed Champagne and canapés before being offered a tour of the new facilities. They were then invited outside the terminal to watch Air Marshal Clifford Spink, chairman of Lydd Airport, perform a stunning series of aerobatic manoeuvres in a World War II Corsair aircraft. Zaher Deir, managing director at Lydd Airport, said the opening of FAL Aviation was an important landmark in the development of the airport and marked the completion of £400,000 of work to upgrade the existing terminal. An additional £2 million has been spent refurbishing the main maintenance hangar, creating and refurbishing the VIP terminal, as well as new departure and arrival facilities for commercial traffic, establishing offices for Immigration, Customs and other authorities, and buying ground equipment to enhance the handling of incoming and outgoing traffic. Plans are well under way to develop Lydd, which has rebranded itself as London Ashford Airport, as a modern regional airport capable of handling up to two million passengers a year by 2014. More than £7 million has already been spent on resurfacing and strengthening the runway, upgrading instrument landing systems, improving the fire and emergency services capability and creating an aircraft parking apron covering a 13 acre site. Further work will involve designing and building a new terminal building and an extended runway, subject to planning permission. The airport owners have also unveiled detailed proposals to build a luxury 75-bedroom hotel on the adjoining golf course. Lydd Airport is situated 10 miles south of Ashford in Kent. After exiting the M20 at Junction 10 and joining the A2070 southbound, the airport is well signposted. The motorway to terminal journey time is 20 minutes. London to Lydd Airport takes 1 hour 20 minutes by car. www.lydd-airport.co.uk. Info@FALAviation.com place it is easy to see how the DLR will integrate into the Airport terminal. “With just five months to go to the launch, we are counting down to the long awaited arrival of the UK’s most frequent airport rail link with trains every seven minutes. The launch of the DLR is good news, as we believe that Airport passengers both new and existing will take full advantage of the 22 minute journey to Bank.” The London City Airport Extension starts from the existing DLR south of the Canning Town Station running on the south side of Silvertown Way and North Woolwich Road before approaching the Airport via Hartmann Road, and extending to King George V in North Woolwich. In total there will be four new additional stations; West Silvertown, Pontoon Dock, London City Airport and King George V . “With work now underway on the Woolwich Extension, running under the Thames from King George V Station, the Airport’s position will be further enhanced. This extension opens up our catchment area, providing fast and frequent connections to the Airport for people in South East London and Kent.“ concludes Mr Gooding. The DLR Lands At London A New Airport For A New Era In Air Travel City Airport A DLR train ‘took off ’ on the new London City Airport DLR Extension in August. London City Airport is delighted to be adding Canary Wharf and Bank to its list of destinations. The trial trains currently operating on the line form the commissioning phase, which evaluates the operating system. The official launch date is Thursday 15 December 2005. Richard Gooding, Managing Director of London City Airport is very pleased with the construction progress and is looking forward to seeing the missing transport link in place, putting the Airport firmly on the public transport map: “The Airport Extension has now really taken shape, with the structure of the London City Airport Station now in When the world’s largest passenger aircraft arrives at the world’s busiest international airport next year, it will pull up to a brand new state-of-the-art building designed specifically to meet the needs of the A380. The first complete gate room at Pier 6 unveiled was unveiled in September. It is one of four gate rooms that will makeup the new 280 metre long glass-fronted building and represents a significant step forward in the ongoing transformation of BAA Heathrow. Robert Swan, BAA Heathrow’s Major Projects Director commented: “Today’s unveiling of a completed gate room demonstrates Heathrow’s readiness for the A380, as well as its commitment to meeting the demands of a 21st Century airport. Whilst significant investment is being made in T5, we have been spend- Page 101 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Airport News ing £300m per year on improving the rest of the airport and Pier 6 is a perfect illustration of this investment. Swan continued: “The A380 represents a new dawn in aviation history and Heathrow is spending £450m to ensure we are ready for it. We know that people will be very excited about their journey when they arrive at Heathrow and we’ve built a brand new building, known as Pier 6, that will take them to the aircraft, offering spectacular views of the runway and the aircraft itself. “The investment we are making underscores the importance of the A380 to the future of Heathrow. It is the most exciting development in aviation for over 30 years and will allow us to make more efficient use of both our busy runways.” Heathrow will be one of the first airports in the world ready for the A380. Runways have been widened, taxiways have been moved, new baggage belts have been installed and lights repositioned. Two dedicated stands at Terminal 4 are also being built and some of the stands at Terminal 5 will be able to accommodate larger generation aircraft. Smarter Parking Could Save Uk Business 14 Million Man Hours Per Year Airport parking specialist purpleparking, claims to save busy UK business travellers who wish to take their car to the airport up to an hour each way up to 14 million man hours annually with its Chauffeur meet and greet service at Heathrow. The purpleparking chauffeurs are briefed with the client name and car registration, make, colour and model details so they can identify the car and the client automatically as the traveller arrives outside the terminal. The traveller is then given a vehicle receipt with the return instructions and can walk directly into the terminal building. On returning, the traveller makes a quick free phone call to confirm their arrival, while they are reclaiming their baggage. A uniformed chauffeur will return the car back to the traveller, where they dropped it off, outside the terminal building. Steve Waller, Sales & Marketing Director at purpleparking, explains,”Our premium service has always attracted business travellers because it offers one of the most secure and convenient ways to park at the airport. Our corporate clients have also recognised that the time-saving advantages of our service are significant which when every second counts is crucial”. Chauffeur Meet & Greet parking is currently available from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted and Edinburgh airports. Nationwide petrol station guide Have you ever returned from holiday, picked up your car at the airport and noticed the petrol gauge is on the red? If so, you are not alone and to help travellers like you, purpleparking, the airport parking specialist, has launched a petrol station guide on their website. This guide includes the location of the nearest petrol station to your airport as well as details of opening times and brand of petrol. Steve Waller, Sales & Marketing Director at purpleparking, said, “Our experience shows that 1 in 20 cars are low on petrol when parked at the airport. Understandably filling up on the way to the airport is probably the last thing on a traveller’s mind. We also appreciate that passengers may not use an airport regularly and therefore may be unsure about local facilities. Our petrol station guide has been created to assist our parking customers across the UK by providing additional and valuable information at the touch of a button.” Deaf Alerter now installed at Belfast City Airport Belfast City Airport (BCA) is the second major airport in the UK to install Deaf Alerter®, the market leading radio-based fire alarm warning and messaging system for deaf and hard of hearing passengers and staff. The aim of the introduction of Deaf Alerter is to improve BCA facilities in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (enforced October 2004) by providing equal access, and to enhance the travel experience BCA deaf or hard of hearing passengers receive. A hearing person in the airport relies on the audible alarms for fire alarm or emergency warnings, however deaf and hard of hearing people are excluded from these vital announcements as it is a facility not accessible to them. The Deaf Alerter system overcomes this barrier by means of a small hand-held device known as an Alerter. Passengers can borrow an Alerter free of charge from the information desk, at which point an instruction card will be provided; and those passengers who own their own Alerter will need to register it with the information desk. The Deaf Alerter system comprises of a VHF radio transmitter and aerial which is permanently connected to the airport’s existing fire alarm system. This responds instantly to an alarm and each Alerter in use receives simultaneous signal activation, vibrating and flashing to attract the Alerter wearer’s attention. This will continue until the Alerter user is safely out of the building. To use the guide simply go to the purpleparking website homepage and click on the ‘these Airports offer Park & Ride and Meet & Greet’ button at the bottom of the page. On the next page the airports are listed in a column on the left-hand side of the screen so click on the airport required which take you through to a page dedicated to that airport car park. Here you can find the name, address and opening hours of the nearest petrol station. Although life safety is the key purpose and priority of Deaf Alerter it has another great unique feature called Message Manager™, which provides access to audible public address announcements. Deaf Alerter’s Message Manager has an automated link to the flight information system; when a message is broadcast audibly the same message is sent via the Alerter, for example ‘Go to Gate’ or ‘Flight Boarding’. www.purpleparking.co.uk Traditionally for most deaf and hard of Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 102 hearing people the departure lounge experience is not particularly pleasurable. It’s extremely difficult to hear announcements even when you have full hearing. With 15% of the UK population experiencing some form of hearing loss, ranging form mild hearing loss to profoundly deaf (9 million people) many passengers struggle to hear the announcements. Many deaf passengers spend their time in the departure lounge sitting next to an information screen, being too worried to move in case they miss their flight! This need not be the case. , Deaf Alerter’s Managing Director Steve Haseldine explains: “Deaf Alerter makes for an altogether more pleasurable travelling experience, knowing a safety provision has been made if a fire was to occur and that it is virtually impossible to miss your flight as the Alerter will inform you on its screen. One of the main things people look forward to when flying is shopping in duty free; rest assured, Deaf Alerter will help you get around the duty free, something we should all be able to do without worrying. Many organisations are unaware of their obligation to provide fire safety to all people, which includes people with disabilities, BCA commitment to their passengers’ needs has been inspirational, I’m sure it won’t go unnoticed by the deaf community and may even help attract more passengers as the installation of Deaf Alerter often does.” “While assisting a deaf passenger the other day, I experienced the barriers deaf people face and just how confusing it can be,” said Liz Donnan, Customer Services Duty Manager at BCA. “Message Manager will be fantastic for our passengers. We are in the process of implanting it so it should be available very soon. We hope it will enable deaf and hard of hearing passengers to have freedom and independence throughout the terminal buildings as it has done at Birmingham International Airport, (the system was installed there last year.”. Liz continued, “Deaf Alerter is just one of the many initiatives BCA has implemented but we are constantly reviewing ways in which to improve our facilities for all disabled people.”. Passenger statistics and benefits are very compelling for other airports and organisations to follow suit and install Deaf Alerter to ensure adequate means of fire warning for deaf employees and members of the public to fire and emergency warnings and also public address information. Heathrow’s Terminal 5 A small 400mm2 slab of concrete laid in the departures floor of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 today, marked a huge milestone in the progress of the £4.2bn project. T5’s ‘topping out’ ceremony to celebrate completion of the spectacular building structure was performed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling MP, and BAA Chief Executive, Mike Clasper. Construction workers, suppliers, aviation staff and local community representatives all attended the ceremony which took place at the departures level (top level) in the main building. A workforce of around 6,500, has transformed an old sludge works at the western end of the world’s busiest international airport into a striking 30 metre high glass façade ready to be fitted out for passengers. Work began less than three years ago, and the team have successfully delivered the building structure on time and on budget. The new gateway to the UK will enable British Airways to base their operations at Heathrow in a single terminal which will be able to serve over 30 million passengers when it opens in March 2008. Mr Darling and Mr Clasper donned high-visibility safety jackets, hard hats and steel-toed boots to carry out the final spadework to the departures floor 20 metres above ground – one of eight levels (three below ground level and five above) now completed at the main terminal building which in itself covers 50 football pitches of floor space. Tony Douglas, Managing Director of Terminal 5, said that the successful project was the result of the vision, commitment to high standards and skill of everyone involved in the project. “Three years ago we set out to build Terminal 5 on time and on budget. Now almost two thirds complete, we are hitting all our targets. “We also had a real opportunity to deliver innovation, not just in what we built, but how we built it. Terminal 5 has chal- lenged all of us to think, behave and work differently – integrated teams, just in time manufacturing and logistics, the management of risk and industrial relations – are all examples of the way the partnership approach, which is central to Terminal 5’s success, has helped to create new and exciting ways to deliver this prestigious project. I am personally extremely proud of all we have achieved so far – we are truly making history.” Mike Clasper, Chief Executive, BAA said: “In less than 950 days, at 4am on 30 March 2008, Terminal 5 will open for its first passengers. They will experience one of the finest airport facilities anywhere in the world and the newest gateway to London and the world. “Terminal 5 is an essential part of Heathrow’s future - it provides much need capacity for 30 million passengers a year and 60 additional stands for aircraft with demand predicted to continue to outstrip supply for the next 30 years. It also provides us with an opportunity to transform Heathrow to provide the facilities our airlines and passengers expect across the airport. With £7bn being invested in Heathrow over the next 10 years, the success of Terminal 5 can give our airlines the confidence that BAA can deliver infrastructure projects which drive value and without compromising on quality. “Everyone who has played their part in designing and building this fantastic terminal should be proud of all they have achieved.” Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling MP said: “Terminal 5 will provide Heathrow with a new world class terminal - a spectacular first impression for passengers arriving at Heathrow. The Government is determined to do all that it can to ensure Heathrow’s important position in the world”. The concept architect responsible for the design of Terminal 5 is the Richard Rogers Partnership ends. For further information contact Heathrow Press Office. 0208 745 7224 heathrowmediacentre@baa.com Page 103 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Appointments Appointments New International Accounts Manager For Airport Express George Fripp is the new International Accounts Manager for Airport Express, the sales and marketing trade alliance for Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted Express trains. Fripp has been appointed to develop business relationships with potential partner companies. Fripp joins from Austrian Airlines where he was Corporate Global Account Manager, UK & Ireland. During his employment he was responsible for corporate relationships in the UK, globally responsible for selected contracted blue chip companies and national account manager for key multiple travel agency accounts. Annette Davies, Commercial Director at Airport Express, said,” We are constantly forming new trade partnerships. George brings years of experience and knowledge of sales management enabling him to create and maintain strong and effective business relationships while producing mutually successful results.” New Head Of Finance At Heathrow Express Heathrow Express, the non stop rail-air link between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport, has appointed Mick Leyden as Head of Finance. Leyden joins from Air New Zealand where he spent 12 years as financial controller for the UK and European regions. His key challenges will be to learn all aspects of Heathrow Express and its role within BAA and the UK transport infrastructure. He will be responsible for the business finance, including planning, budgeting and financial reporting. Brian Raven, Managing Director at Heathrow Express, said, “Mick brings 20 years of financial experience to this role, his wealth of knowledge and skill set will help with the ongoing development and growth of the business.” New General Manager for The De Vere Belfry De Vere hotels has appointed David Webster as General Manager of The De Vere Belfry, a conference, golf and leisure destination. David Webster has joined The De Vere Belfry from Hilton where he led the opening team for the newly built Hilton Dublin Airport which opened in June 2005. At Hilton he was General Manager of the Hilton Dublin and prior to being Regional Director of Revenue for the 15 London Hilton properties. David is from Ireland with a Hotel Management degree from Thames Valley University. He began his career on the graduate training scheme with Marriott and held many roles with Marriott in the UK from Operations Manager to Group Revenue Analyst and General Manager. Commenting on his appointment, David said ‘The De Vere Belfry is an internationally renowned hotel, and I am delighted to be taking over as General Manager from Mike Maloney who was instrumental in steering The De Vere Belfry through challenging and rewarding times. I look forward to taking a hotel with so much history forward into what promises to be a bright future.’ www.DeVere.co.uk Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 104 Georg Fuchs Joins The St David's Hotel & Spa From The Savoy Georg Fuchs, Executive Chef at The Savoy Hotel, London, for the last two years is to join Rocco Forte’s St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff Bay. He began as Executive Chef at The St David’s Hotel & Spa on September 26, 2005. Austrian by birth, Georg Fuch’s career ranges from Dubai in the early eighties to Israel, South Africa, USA, Switzerland, Hungary and Germany. He has spent the past eight years working in the UK. Prior to his time at The Savoy, he was Executive Chef of the Langham Hotel, London, where for six years he enhanced his reputation for developing creative menus across all outlets. Jason Harding, General Manager of The St David’s Hotel & Spa, said, “I am obviously extremely pleased that Georg is joining the team here at The St David’s. He brings a level of experience and professionalism that will not only benefit the kitchens, but the entire hotel. “Before approaching Georg, I contacted industry colleagues whom I knew had worked with him previously. Everyone was so positive about him and his approach to food preparation and service. The decision in our minds was already made, all we had to do was to convince Georg! “He came to Cardiff and spent time with us – he quickly made up his mind that St David’s was the place he wanted to be.” Georg added, “I have been fortunate enough to work with the very best Welsh produce during my career in London, produce which I will now have the ability to work even more closely with in Cardiff Bay. I am also looking forward immensely to making my new family home in South Wales.” www.roccofortehotels.com Travel Management Company Portman Travel Appoints New Chairman Peter Smaill has been appointed as the new Chairman of Portman Holdings Limited, following the retirement of previous Chairman Tony McCann. In his new role Peter will champion Portman’s on-going commitment to safe, cost effective and smart business travel. Peter brings with him over 25 years experience in private equity transactions. He is also Chairman of the Venture Capital Trust, Core 1 VCT and has carried out strategic consultancy for several investment trusts and venture capital managers, including Dunedin Enterprise, Asset Management Investment Company and Finance Wales. Previously, he ran NatWest Venture’s Scottish operation from 1989 to 1996 and was responsible for the NatWest IT Fund from 1997 to 2002. In 1996 Peter led the financing of Portman’s management buy-out, whose institutional shareholders now include Bridgepoint Capital, Dunedin and Noble Grossart. Since then Portman has acquired John Cory Travel, East West Travel and Travelforce Limited as part of a long-term strategy of consolidation in business travel. Peter will play a key role in maintaining Portman’s success as a leading travel management provider, adopting and promoting the latest trends and technologies to meet demand for a choice in flexible business travel products, delivered via the most efficient sales channels. Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: “Providing strong customer satisfaction through successfully managing flexible products and channels has been central to Portman’s success. I look forward to continuing our customer commitment and continuing to increase levels of client satisfaction.” Mondial Appoints Operational Account Manager Mondial has appointed Paul Doran as Operations Account Manager for Nationwide, making him the driving force for this major account. Nationwide and Mondial UK are one year into a three year agreement for the provision of its bespoke travel insurance and assistance services to customers. As part of the team behind this success, Paul is the ideal person to oversee the partnership’s ongoing development. Paul has been at Mondial for five years, starting out in General Insurance Operations. In 2004 he started working as part of the team handling the newly won Nationwide account. In the first year, his team achieved and delivered all of the service levels set and Paul aims to continue this level of excellence. Handled completely in-house, Mondial provides Nationwide with a fully branded all-encompassing service, managing sales, claims handling, policy fulfilment, renewals and international medical assistance. www.portmantravel.com Continues... Georg Fuchs Joins The St David’s Hotel & Spa Georg Fuchs, until recently Executive Chef at The Savoy in London, joined Rocco Forte’s The St David’s Hotel & Spa in Cardiff on Monday 26 September as Executive Chef. Austrian by birth, Georg has worked in Dubai, Israel, South Africa, the United States, Switzerland, Hungary and Germany, but has spent the last eight years working in the United Kingdom, more specifically London. Prior to The Savoy, he was Executive Chef of The Langham in London, where he developed creative menus across all F&B outlets for six years. Jason Harding, General Manager of The St David’s Hotel & Spa, said, “I am extremely pleased that Georg is joining the team here at The St David’s. He brings a level of experience and professionalism that will not only ben- efit the kitchens, but the entire hotel. “Before approaching Georg, I contacted industry colleagues with whom he had previously worked. All of them had a positive experience with Georg and were particularly impressed by his approach to food preparation and service. The decision in our minds was already made, all we had to do was to convince Georg! He came to Cardiff and spent some time with us, quickly making up his mind that The St David’s was the place he wanted to work.” specialist producers. And I am also looking forward immensely to making my new family home in South Wales.” www.roccofortehotels.com. Georg added, “I have been fortunate enough to work with the very best Welsh produce during my career in London. Earlier this year, for example, I was cooking Welsh beef from the Berem herd at The Savoy. I will now have the chance to work even more closely with local suppliers and Page 105 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Appointments/Car Hire News Nationwide customers benefit from a total insurance solution including both single trip and annual cover. Customers also have access to a pre-travel advice line as well as Mondial’s in-house International Medical Assistance department. As part of his new role, Paul’s responsibilities include overseeing the operation of the dedicated policy sales call centre, product development and business objectives. He will also ensure customer service remains a key focus for Mondial’s team of 30, handling the Nationwide account. Paul comments: “This is an exciting opportunity and I am keen to work on growing the account, making it more profitable for both Mondial and Nationwide. My key objective is to improve the sales conversion rate, while maximising the potential of the account.” Steve Hook, Director for Corporate and Travel of Mondial concludes, “Paul has already proven himself as a very valuable member of our management team, and the decision to appoint him to his new role was an easy one. I am confident that Paul will continue to build on the success he has achieved so far and help develop the long term future partnership between Mondial and Nationwide.” New Acting Director for BVI Tourist Board Mrs. Janis Braithwaite-Edwards has been appointed Ag. Director of Tourism for the BE Tourist Board. Mrs. BraithwaiteEdwards, the longest serving employee of the organization joined the board some 17 years ago and has since served in various capacities such as the Assistant Industry Development officer, Executive Projects Manager, Product Manager, Sr. Product Manager, and Deputy Director of Tourism, Product. As the New acting Director of the BVI Tourist Board, Mrs. Janis BraithwaiteEdwards replaces Mr. Kedrick Malone whose contract expired August 2005. In addition to Mrs. Braithwaite-Edward’s wealth of experience in the Tourism Industry, she also has a diverse background in teaching and training. She has been a teacher at the Literacy and Skills Programme and also taught Home Economics at the BVI High School. The Caribbean Tourism Organization, the premier regional tourism association has certified Mrs. Braithwaite- Edwards as an official regional trainer with their prestigious group. Mrs. Janis Braithwaite- Edwards has received numerous degrees and educational accomplishments including Associates in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and also Remedial Education from Montgomery College in Maryland, Diploma in European Marketing from the London Institute and also Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Human Resources, Culinary Arts and Tourism. “I am greatly honoured to be given this opportunity to serve the territory in the capacity of acting Director of Tourism, and I do hope and expect that the board, staff and community would support me in this undertaking” Braithwaite-Edwards commented when asked how she felt about the new position. The BVI Tourist Board was established in 1968 as a statutory body administered by an active board. The Director of the BVI Tourist Board is responsible but not limited to leading the Boards Global marketing objectives by working closely with the sales and marketing offices in the United States and Europe as well as with the board’s agency. Interpreting and extracting the tourism policy directives of the Tourist Board and converting those initiatives into strategic action plans and programs. Facilitating the development of local stakeholder relations in the various sectors and industries which individually and collectively comprise key components of the BVI Tourism product. The British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands are a collection of over fifty islands, islets and cays in the north eastern Caribbean, renowned for idyllic sailing, diving and surfing holidays. Easy island hops and year-round balmy temperatures make the BVI the perfect Caribbean sailing holiday for everyone. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 106 There are hundreds of anchorages, from deserted tropical beaches to peaceful harbours – where you can enjoy an exquisite gourmet meal or sample the local rum in friendly waterside bars. For more information on the BVI, visit www.bvitourism.co.uk or telephone 020 7355 9585 Car Hire News Free Fuel From Almo Get Free Tank of Petrol in USA and Canada Alamo Rent A Car is helping holidaymakers get more for their money with an exclusive fuel offer. Customers booking car rental for the US and Canada until the end of June will receive a free tank of fuel for rentals picked up by December 31st 2005. Sally Hinds, Marketing Director for Alamo comments, “Alamo is committed to providing competitive and fully inclusive rates and for a limited time our all-inclusive rate will include a full tank of petrol. At the end of the rental the customer just needs to drop the car off and hop on the plane with no need to worry about refuelling.” With this special offer customers will make a fuel saving of up to US $44 (GB £25). Fully inclusive rates start from just £119 per week in Orlando. Alamo has a network of 293 locations throughout the US and Canada. www.alamo.co.uk New York USA 1CAR1 MAKES BRITISH TRAVEL EVEN EASIER British car rental company 1car1 is taking the stress out of car hire for US travelers heading for vacations or business trips to Britain. The company has just opened up an office within VisitBritain’s headquarters on New York’s Fifth Avenue and developed a USspecific website in response to the rocketing demand it has seen among American travelers for no-hassle car hire within the UK. smoother collection process by organising transportation from the arrivals hall to the hire car and carrying out the necessary form filling away from busy airport terminals. After a long-haul flight, and the queuing associated with passport control and baggage collection, the last thing that passengers want to do is queue up again at a car hire desk to organise the paperwork and then be left on their own to find the vehicle. 1car1, which operates from all the major UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, is also removing the frustration associated with car rental by ensuring that customers do not suddenly find extra costs such as refuelling charges or mileage penalties added onto their bill when they return the vehicle. 1car1 is hoping that it can offer travellers a good deal for their dollar but also a far Prices for 1car1 rental start from $199.00 a week fully inclusive and travellers can book direct either by contacting the New York office toll free on 1-866-3623121 or visiting the website www.1car1.com/us Matt Carter, 1car1’s US manager explains: “As Britain is North America’s top holiday destination, it made sense to strengthen our connections by having a New York base and American website to take even more hassle out of booking a hire car.” Cool Cars From Avis Travellers to America now have the opportunity to emulate the stars and drive one of the glitz and glamour cars of the moment. Avis Rent A Car has added the prestigious Hummer. The H3 is the latest addition to the specialty and luxury vehicle line up at Avis Rent A Car. Other vehicles available in the cool selection include the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Chevrolet Uplander and the Cardillac Deville. In the UK, one can enjoy a collection of a topless Renault Megane Cabriolet Coupé. Business options Avis is offering prestige cars for a little luxury. They propose a wide range of luxury vehicles chosen for their reputation and status. • A full range of Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Porsche models • 50 years of experience • Short and long term rentals throughout the UK Business Hits Record High For Leading Coach Operator The Kings Ferry Turnover at Kent’s top coach operator, The Kings Ferry, has topped £1 million for the For more information or to make a booking visit www.avisprestige.com • Delivery and collection on request (depending on distance and rental length) • Locations at Kensington, Heathrow and Gatwick month of July – a landmark in the company’s 37-year history. Bosses at the Gillingham-based company say the record sales figures are down to increased business across the board, from holidays and day trip bookings to private hire and commuter services. Managing director Steve O’Neill said: ‘July is always the busiest month of the year for us but this is the best result we’ve ever had. It’s testament not only to the quality of service and reliability that The Kings Ferry offers but also to the hard work and commitment of all our staff. ‘While a number of coach operators have sadly fallen by the wayside over the last few years, The Kings Ferry has recognised the need to focus on its core businesses and to diversify to meet the needs of a changing market. As a result, our bookings are looking extremely healthy and our 38-vehicle commuter operation is as robust as ever.’ Mr O’Neill said the continuing success of The Kings Ferry had allowed the company to invest heavily in the latest, state-of-theart vehicles, improving and expanding customer services and leading the industry with its comprehensive staff training programme. Page 107 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Car Hire News The Kings Ferry Industry First With Unique Coachtrack System The company is pioneering a unique satellite tracking system that’s set to revolutionise the UK coach industry. After trials for commuter coaches on The Kings Ferry fleet, coachtrack is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. It has been specifically designed for the Kent-based operator after managers sought a real-time service that would allow both themselves and their commuters to tap into and check the progress of coaches. By so doing, the company will be able to pinpoint precisely where all their vehicles are located and customers will be able to track any vehicle by logging on to a website or using their WAP mobile phones. The Kings Ferry has invested £350,000 in developing the system – and assures customers that they won’t be footing the bill. Technical manager Danny Elford said: ‘We won’t be passing any extra costs on to our passengers. We pride ourselves on quality and value and this is all part of the service. We expect the system to pay for itself with- in five years. It will cut costs and calls for passengers and ourselves and benefit our logistics and administration.’ Sixteen of The Kings Ferry’s coaches have already been fitted with satellite tracking and the company expects this first phase of the system to be rolled out across the remainder of its 80-strong fleet within three months. Mr Elford added: ‘The next step will be to install in-cab satellite navigation systems for our drivers, designed specifically for easy, safe operation on coaches. This should be possible within six months – and customers should be able to log on to the tracking website with their WAP phones by the end of this year.’ The Kings Ferry began looking for a complete tracking and satellite navigation solution for its fleet more than two years ago. After carrying out trials with a number of companies, it teamed up with transport communications technology specialist Masternaut - and the Coachtrack system began to take shape. Mr Elford said: ‘Masternaut has come up with an excellent product that has been allowed to grow and adapt to our requirements. The system is continuously being updated and The Kings Ferry will be the forerunner of any new developments.’ The Kings Ferry’s managing director, Steve O’Neill, explains how it works: ‘By logging on to the Masternaut website from our head office we can pinpoint the exact loca- tion of each of our vehicles, in the UK and abroad. The data is colour coded so we can tell at a glance which coaches are on the move, those that are ‘idling’, and those that have their engines switched off. What’s more, the screen refreshes every 30 seconds, allowing us to give customers realtime, up-to-date information.’ Mr O’Neill added: ‘The system will have fantastic benefits for customers. For example, commuters travelling home will be able to relax in a café or bar while getting a running report on the location of their coach. ‘It’s also good news for the many clients who hire our coaches. If they are using a number of our vehicles to transport people to a venue for an event, for example, they can monitor them to make sure they arrive safely and on time. Coachtrack is also completely web-based, with no CDs to install and no software, which reduces the risk of computer viruses and provides better online security for our clients.’ The company says that Coachtrack will benefit both customers and The Kings Ferry’s staff. Drivers will be able to download their schedule for the day simply by logging on in their cabs. The satellite navigation system will help them avoid traffic jams or taking a wrong turn, saving time and fuel – and the head office will be able to log the number of hours they have been driving, ensuring they remain within Working Time Directive guidelines. Mr O’Neill said: ‘The Kings Ferry has invested a lot of time and money in this technological breakthrough and we’re proud to be the first coach company in the UK to install it.’ www.thekingsferry.co.uk Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 108 Silver Service Euan Finlayson, Managing Director of Prestige Tours, greets passengers from the first outing of the company’s striking Glasgow: Scotland with style liveried coach with a glass of champagne. The vehicle is an eye-catching addition to the already six-strong Prestige fleet and is available for hire to tour groups, conference delegates and corporate clients wishing to travel in style. increase competition between BAA’s business partners at its airport car rental locations. The awards will recognise and reward the excellent standards of customer service provided by the company’s business partners at its airport car rental and car park outlets. National and Guy Salmon believe the awards will benefit business travellers by raising service standards at airport rental locations. The city of Glasgow launched its Glasgow: Scotland with style branding campaign in March 04 and has had local businesses lining up to lend their support ever since. The Radisson SAS hotel and Princes Square speciality shopping mall have also demonstrated their commitment to the campaign by displaying branded banners. Business travellers are being encouraged to complete the BAA feedback forms at all National and Guy Salmon airport locations. The forms look at factors such as speed of service, helpfulness of staff, available selection of cars and the frequency of bus to terminal services. Customers who complete the survey will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a Tom Tom portable navigation system. Euan commented, “The Glasgow: Scotland with style campaign has been very effective in positioning Glasgow as a vibrant, cosmopolitan European city and this new addition to our fleet not only reinforces that positioning, but also makes a statement about the type of experience you can have on board.” “These Awards recognise that vehicle rental and parking are important components of the traveller’s experience at airports and should be as easy and hassle-free as possible” says Neil McCrossan, Vice President Commercial Development for Vanguard Rental (UK) Ltd, parent company of National, Alamo and Guy Salmon. Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (pictured right) added, “The Glasgow: Scotland with style campaign has resulted in a dramatic repositioning of the city over the last 12 months and we are delighted that Prestige has chosen to support it so visibly.” The awards will be presented by TV personality Richard Hammond, from Top Gear, at an event on event on 28th November 2005 in London’s Waldorf Hilton. Telephone Prestige on 0141 886 1000 for bookings. National Car Rental & Guy Salmon Prestige Rental Welcome BAA Airports 2005 SPARK Parking and Rental Awards National Car Rental and Guy Salmon Prestige Rental welcome the launch of the inaugural BAA Airports 2005 SPARK Parking and Rental Awards. This cross airport, cross operator initiative is set to Vanguard’s commitment to making vehicle rental swift and convenient was recently reinforced with the opening of Guy Salmon Prestige Rental at Heathrow Terminal 1. This offers Heathrow’s only vehicle collection and return service located directly outside the terminal building – no bus, no fuss. Other initiatives recently introduced by the Vanguard brands to help the customer include satellite navigation, mobile phones and Blackberries for hire, and the unique Choice service at Heathrow, which allows customers to choose the vehicle they want to drive from the forecourt. These types of products and services continue to ensure that customers have a high quality experience at Vanguard’s airport locations. Neil McCrossan concludes “We are delighted to be participating in these important Awards. Whilst we are constantly evaluating the service we provide and gaining our own feedback from customers, this Award scheme by BAA is another opportunity for us to measure our- selves and to increase our understanding of the needs of the business traveller.” Sustaining its ongoing European expansion, National Car Rental is boosting its presence in Germany with plans to achieve 100 locations by end of 2005, and a further 50 locations by the end of 2006. The key focus of the expansion is to provide greater network coverage and service for business and leisure travellers throughout the country, both at airport and downtown locations. National Germany currently has 13 major airport concessions, with recent openings including Friedrichshafen and Leipzig airports. The expansion of the company’s locations in major business conurbations and other downtown areas is also a major focus for 2005, with a new location in Düsseldorf and Dortmund due to be opened shortly. In addition, National is continuing to invest in the quality of its fleet in Germany with GPS technology, a natural extension to the quality service already offered to customers. Designed to create a stress-free and enjoyable rental experience for both business and leisure travellers, GPS is available in 40% of its entire fleet and 70% in midsize and luxury class enabling drivers to ensure their rental runs smoothly whilst driving throughout Germany. Furthermore, Germany is investigating the introduction of unique vehicle groups with guaranteed satellite navigation. Ron Santiago, Vice President International Sales and Marketing for National comments, “This is an exciting period for National in Germany, with an ongoing focus on major business centres and the quality of our fleet. A commitment to develop within city locations is a key part of Germany’s strategy for this year, along with a focus on developing our customer proposition at airports, ensuring a premium level of service for business and leisure travellers across Europe. “Our aim is to make National the first choice for business and leisure travellers. Germany is a key part of our European network and its development secures National’s position as a leading rental provider and demonstrates our commitment to continued expansion across Europe.” www.nationalcar.com Page 109 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Forthcoming Highlights Forthcoming Highlights Portugal To Host Stage 1 Of The 2006 Dakar Rally The 28th annual Dakar rally, the world’s most famous all-road rally, will start off in Portugal at the end of this year, making Portugal the 24th country that the rally has passed through. Following the official start of the rally in Lisbon on the 31st December, the teams will head down to Portugal’s Algarve before crossing to Morocco and the African subcontinent. Portugal’s enthusiasm for hosting high profile sporting events, such as the Euro 2004 football championships and this year’s 2005 Algarve World Cup in Portugal, has helped bring the Dakar rally to Portugal’s shores. Indeed, this event is once again set to attract sports fans from across Europe who will come to Portugal to cheer on their favourite teams. For further information visit www.dakar.com Portugal's President Opens New Golf Course Near Lisbon Portugal’s President, Mr. Jorge Sampaio, was the guest of honour at the official opening of the new CampoReal Golf Course near Lisbon on the 10th September 2005. The 18-hole, par 72 championship course is part of the 197 acre CampoReal (Royal Meadows) resort, located in the rural Oeste region, on Portugal’s Atlantic seaboard. Occupying land formerly used by the Portuguese royal family as hunting ground, the CampoReal golf course enhances the already impressive leisure facilities at the complex, which include a state-of-the art Equestrian Centre, three restaurants, two bars, a conference centre, health club, spa, a stunning outdoor swimming pool as well as Portugal’s first five star Westin Hotel and Spa, which will be opened officially in 2007. For further information on the CampoReal Resort visit www.camporeal.pt. golfing paradise with record numbers of people practicing their swing on the Algarve’s world famous courses. Indeed, figures recently released by the Association of Algarve Golf Courses show that the number of people visiting the Algarve golf courses has increased by 2.1% year on year. The summer months of June and July have been the most popular time to hit the greens with the numbers of people playing golf in the Algarve up 15% and 14.5% respectively year on year. Furthermore, with the 2005 Algarve World Cup in Portugal taking place at the new Victoria Course in Vilamoura this November, the popularity of golf in Portugal is set to continue to increase in 2006. Palace Hotel Opens In The Heart Of Portugal See Ponta Delgada In Style From The Comfort Of The New Lagarta Tourist Trolly For further information on Portugal visit www.visitportugal.com Located in the Beira Baixa region of central Portugal, the Fundão Palace Hotel is a newly-opened three-star property with 44 rooms, including four suites. Ideally situated for exploring the Portuguese countryside, the Fundão Palace Hotel is located near to the Serra da Estrela Mountains where a host of activities are available including, mountain biking, climbing, hiking and fishing amongst others. All rooms are fully equipped with air-conditioning, heating, satellite TV and directdial telephone. The hotel also features a superb restaurant offering a range of regional specialities, a bar, garden area, laundry service and outdoor swimming pools for both adults and children. For further information on the Fundão Palace Hotel call 00 351 275 779 340 or visit www.fundaopalacehotel.com The Algarve's Golf Courses Soar In Popularity The Algarve is heaven on earth for golf lovers across the globe and this year even more people have discovered Portugal’s Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 110 When visiting a new destination, we all know that the best way to get around is with someone who knows the top sights and hidden treasures of the area. Now visitors to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, can see the very best of the city from the comfort of the new Lagarta Tourist Trolley. Taking visitors to the most exciting historic and cultural sites on the island, the Lagarta Tourist Trolley will show guests the delights and wonders of Ponta Delgada. With five different tours available offering visitors the choice of historical, heritage, beach, outskirts or garden tours, visitors to the city are now able to experience the true flavour of the Azores. For further information and bookings visit www.lagarta.net For further information on Portugal visit www.visitportugal.com Tralfagar Sq. London - UK Norwegian Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square Following a lighting ceremony on Tuesday 29 November, the traditional Norwegian Christmas Tree will remain in Trafalgar Square until 6 January 2006, the twelveth day of Christmas. There will also be a free programme of carol singing to raise money for charity from 3-24 December. More information about both will be available in due course. Public information: 020 7983 4100 www.london.gov.uk Shugborough Shugborough is busily preparing for Staffordshire’s biggest ever Christmas event as craft workers and stall holders from across the West Midlands get set to descend on the estate for 13 days over the festive period. Officials at The Complete Working Historic Estate are hoping that this year’s nine new Festive Christmas Days and renowned four Candlelit Christmas Evenings will be the county’s biggest ever shopping experience in the region’s most glamorous location. An enormous marquee, set against the elegant backdrop of the Mansion House, will be erected at the end of November housing almost 70 stalls and the area outside the Servants’ Quarters will be packed with people selling traditional wreaths, festive foliage and Christmas trees. The Mansion House and Servants’ Quarters will be transformed into a picture perfect Christmas card scene as tonnes of lush green foliage cut from the estate’s parkland is brought into the elegant interiors and working environments and thousands of candles are lit daily. Costumed historic characters will be busying themselves preparing for a traditional 19th century Christmas cooking, dressing huge Christmas trees and wrapping gifts. Street entertainers, brass bands and carol singers will perform throughout the days and evenings and the homely farmstead will also be providing a festive feel during the daytime opening, when Father Christmas will be putting in an appearance and we ask youngsters to wish for snow and we guarantee it will! General Manager Richard Kemp said: “The frequently televised Candlelit Christmas Evenings have been attracting sell out crowds for over a decade and coupled with the brand new Festive Christmas Days, it is anticipated that over 30,000 people will visit Shugborough over the two week period. “We have been planning this event since last year as a result of the overwhelming success of the sell out evenings. “We hope that this new experience will not only put Shugborough and Staffordshire firmly on the map, but also give the many excellent creative people within the region the opportunity to exhibit and sell their wares to thousands of visitors who are keen to buy high quality, unusual gifts from some of our finest producers.” The Candlelit Christmas Evenings will be hosted from 5.30pm until 9.30pm from November 29 until December 2 and the Festive Christmas Days will open from noon until 6pm from December 3 until December 11. For prices and further information telephone 01889 881 388 or visit www.shugborough.org.uk. Early booking discounts apply. Anyone interested in selling traditional and unusual gifts, produce or goods from a stall at the event can book a place or find out further information by telephoning Shugborough’s Marketing Department on 01889 881 388. Early booking is recommended as spaces are filling up very quickly. Upcoming Events Around China Shanghai Tourism Festival This event opens from September 17 to October 6, with a parade of floats and international performance troupes telecast live to the whole country. Millions of locals and visitors will participate in hundreds of events and activities including a decorated cruise ship parade on the Huangpu River, a musical fireworks festival, a musical laser show, and an “aerial ballet” parachute show. Beijing Art Biennale Dubbed the “Olympics of art,” the September 20 to October 20 event is expected to attract more than 450 artists including John Bellanyn and Allen Jones. Maintaining the artistic integrity of its debut last year, the Biennale continues to present traditional methods of painting and sculpture. The Biennale is scheduled to move to the Shanghai Art Museum, SeptemberNovember 2006. www.bjbiennale.com.cn/english/introduction.asp Xi’an Ancient Culture Art Festival Xi’an adds traditional dance, music, song and opera to its formidable list of attractions for this September festival. The festival celebrates 4,000 years of tradition with a lantern show on the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) city walls during the evening, 10 different forms of local opera, drum dancing, art and music. The Birth of Confucius The celebration of this great Chinese philosopher encourages visitors to learn about the theories, philosophy and ideas formed by the distinguished thinker. Tours of his tomb, temple and birthplace are available September 26-October 10 in Qufu, Shandong Province. International Pottery & Porcelain Festival The kilns of China’s pottery capital, Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Provice, have been burning for over 1,000 years, attracting lovers of the art from around the world. The city holds an international exhibition of ancient local pottery and porcelain products, with tours and lessons, October 11-14. 2005 Sinopec F1 Grand Prix Paddy fields until 12 years ago, the newest circuit in the Formula One Grand Prix, Shanghai’s International Circuit welcomes the world’s finest car racing on October 16. The Chinese Grand Prix circuit is one-of-a-kind. Modeled as the Chinese “shang” character, the course offers wide curves, long straights and hair-raising turns, with plenty of overtaking opportunities. First International Wushu Festival About 145 teams from an estimated 45 countries will take part in a wushu (martial arts) festival, including performances along a 20-kilometre highway, October 16-20 in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Page 111 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk General News province. Shaolin Kungfu, which encompasses 130 different movements, incorporates Buddhist beliefs which form its powerful yet simple style. www.english.china.com. China Shanghai Festival International Arts Shanghai hosts a month-long arts festival with everything from symphony orchestras, dance and opera to acrobatics, magic and drama from October 18 to November 8. and Lagonda. The event is described by organiser Jonathon Lyons as “the most wondrous and astounding experience you will have”. David Symes of the Jordan Tourism Board added, ‘this is without doubt an important event in promoting Jordan as an upmarket travel and leisure destination. We are delighted to support the event again this year and look forward to welcoming the participants in Jordan”. Glasgow: General News City Of Light Bentley Does It Glasgow City Council Lighting Strategy On the 14th September 2005, the most expensive convoy in the world started its monumentous tour of Jordan. “The Jewel that is Jordan Bentley Event”, returning after a two-year break, is internationally known as the most exclusive and glamorous event in the Jordanian calendar. This year the Jordan Royal Family are in attendance at social events and galas during the fifteen-day extravaganza. Throughout September, many of the UK’s industry leaders and aristocracy ship their Bentleys, Rolls Royce’s and other classic cars to the ‘Kingdom of Peace’ to experience its historic treasures and contemporary delights. The world class driving tour passes through stunning landscapes and Historic sites in regions of unsurpassed geographical and historical significance, including: the Rose Red City of Petra, the desert of Wadi Rum, the unique Dead Sea, the Red Sea, Amman, Mt Nebo – from where Moses first saw the promised land - and many other biblical sites, including that of Jesus’ baptism. The first Jewel Rally in 2003 saw participants including Lord Montague (whose 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle was the oldest car present), Lord Cope (1936 Bentley MX), Buzz Aldrin (second man on the moon) and Patty Hearst. Among the 44 cars were classics from Rolls Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Mercedes, Morgan, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo Glasgow: City of Light is Glasgow City Council’s city wide lighting strategy. The initiative was launched in March 2002 for which the council allocated £2.65 million from 2001/02 to 2003/04. A further £2.75 million net capital has been allocated for 2004/2005 to 2006/2007. It advocates a co-ordinated approach to lighting the city and encourages innovative lighting design, all aimed at enhancing Glasgow’s distinctive character, creating interest and vitality after dark and enhancing safety. Light affects how we feel and how we think about our surroundings. Good lighting helps to increase vitality and See Ponta Delgada In Style From The Comfort Of The New Lagarta Tourist Trolly When visiting a new destination, we all know that the best way to get around is with someone who knows the top sights Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 112 improve ambience. It contributes to a sense of identity and place and makes for a safer, friendlier environment. It also supports and complements other regeneration initiatives. Prominent buildings that have been lit include the Gallery of Modern Art, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The City Chambers, St George’s Tron Church, Tollbooth Steeple at Glasgow Cross and Anniesland Tower. On the River Clyde, other structures which have been lit include George V Bridge, Glasgow Weir, Victoria Bridge and Glasgow Bridge. The Kingston Bridge has a major public art commission entitled “Chroma Streams; Tide and Traffic”. Buildings which are due to be lit in the coming months include The Mitchell Library (November 2005) and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (June 2006). The private sector has also become involved by investing more than £2.2 million and has come to the Council for advice on how best to light their buildings. Buildings that have been lit in the private sector include The Sentinel, Waterloo Street; The Corinthian, Ingram Street and Radisson Hotel, Argyle Street. With an investment of £500,000 Radiance will be the most significant and spectacular project undertaken by the lighting strategy to date. www.radianceglasgow.com and hidden treasures of the area. Now visitors to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, can see the very best of the city from the comfort of the new Lagarta Tourist Trolley. Taking visitors to the most exciting historic and cultural sites on the island, the Lagarta Tourist Trolley will show guests the delights and wonders of Ponta Delgada. With five different tours available offering visitors the choice of historical, heritage, beach, outskirts or garden tours, visitors to the city are now able to experience the true flavour of the Azores. For further information and bookings visit www.lagarta.net (AED 13.5 billion) and imports amounted to £0.61 billion (AED 4.03 billion). Dubai Tourism Reviews Bilateral Ties With British Envoy The value of UK exports for the same period to the northern emirates was £0.42 billion (AED 2.8 billion) and the value of imports was £0.25 billion (AED 1.7 billion). Mr Hawkins revealed that the embassy has had to increase the number of personnel in its commercial section. Apart from Dubai, the only other place where this has been done is China. • The Uk Is A Top Source Market For Dubai’s Booming Tourism Industry ABOVE: DTCM director general, Mr Khalid A bin Sulayem (right), holding talks with the British consul-general, Mr John Hawkins (left), at the DTCM head office recently. • Dubai-Uk Trade Increased By 90 Per Cent In The First Half Of 2005 sponding period last year. Cherie Booth Finds Dubai ‘A Truly Astonishing And Breathtaking Place’ A total of 190 tour operators in the UK and Ireland now feature Dubai in their brochures. • The director general of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Mr Khalid A bin Sulayem, hosted the British consul general to Dubai and the northern emirates, Mr John Hawkins, at the DTCM head office in Dubai and reviewed bilateral ties. In his meeting, Mr bin Sulayem briefed Mr Hawkins about developments taking place in the emirate and the department’s role and vision within the fast-expanding tourism industry. Mr bin Sulayem also reviewed the strong and growing relations between the UK and Dubai. The UK is the largest source market of visitors to Dubai. Over 605,000 hotel guests were from the UK in 2004, a 32 per cent increase from 458,451 in 2003. Between January and June 2005, Dubai hotels hosted 333,930 guests from the UK - a 32 per cent increase compared with the corre- Bridgestreet Worldwide And Global Partner Furnished Quarters Expand Florida Presence Four New Locations Enlarge Florida Serviced Apartments Inventory BridgeStreet Worldwide, an international provider of serviced apartments to business According to its latest report, Kuoni, the UK’s long-haul tour operator, revealed that in the 12 months to the end of June 2005 Dubai became the number one luxury long-haul destination. Ranking at the top of this influential report’s list strongly reflects the powerful status that Dubai has been enjoying in Europe over the years. Mr Hawkins said trade between Dubai and the UK jumped 90 per cent in the first half of fiscal 2004-05. The value of trade increased from £1.1 billion (AED 7.3 billion) to £2.1 billion (AED 13.9 billion) during the period. He said: “Dubai is the UK’s largest market in the Middle East and the 17th largest export market in the world. This has been the busiest year we have had.” The UK’s exports to Dubai from January to December 2004 totalled £2.03 billion and leisure travellers, has opened new properties in southeast Florida in partnership with Furnished Quarters, a member of BridgeStreet Worldwide’s Global Partner programme. The apartments extend BridgeStreet Worldwide’s reach into four additional cities: Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, South Miami Beach and Miami, Florida. When added to BridgeStreet Worldwide’s current inventory of serviced apartments in Tampa, Orlando and Panama City, the company now offers a total of 450 apartments in the state. The programme attracts upscale local and regional providers of serviced apartments who share a deep commitment to consistently exceed clients and guests’ expectations and to simplify the serviced apartment experience. Interest in Dubai is set to get a big boost from the UK market following the successful hosting of road shows by the DTCM in the UK which attracted a high level of attendance from reputed companies including major tour operators, travel agencies and MICE organisations. The road shows were held in three UK cities from 28 June to 1 July 2005 - Manchester, Glasgow and London. In her public remarks during her ‘first real visit’ to Dubai including visits to some of the city’s historical buildings, Cherie Booth, wife of British prime minister Tony Blair, said: “This is truly an astonishing and breathtaking place. Like most first time visitors, I suspect, I already have a crick in my neck from looking upwards the whole time.” Over 100,000 UK nationals live and work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE.). “It’s hard to credit that this extraordinary, dynamic city has grown up in little more than a generation. Dubai is continuing to develop, diversify and adapt. It shows what can be achieved by vision, boldness and determination. The city must be an architect’s paradise,” remarked the leading barrister and Queen’s Counsel. “Our Global Partner programme continues to be an important engine of growth for us,” said Lee Curtis, BridgeStreet Worldwide president. “We already had a successful relationship with Furnished Quarters in New York, together offering fantastic locations throughout Manhattan. This winning alliance continues to grow with the opening of corporate apartments in these four key Florida markets. This brings our serviced apartments coverage worldwide to over 90 metropolitan locations. “Our goal is to continue expanding the location choices we provide to our clients, another example of our total commitment to being the easiest serviced apartments provider to work with in the industry,” Curtis added. Page 113 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Hotel News a total of 450 apartments in the state. Based in New York City, Furnished Quarters joined the BridgeStreet Worldwide Global Partner programme in 2003 and has since expanded the number of apartments in the programme in New York City and Florida. “By joining the BridgeStreet Worldwide Global Partner programme, we have been able to provide dramatically improved geographic and product diversification for our customers,” said Gary Brown, Furnished Quarters’ chief executive officer. www.bridgestreet.com Hotel News Bridgestreet Worldwide And Global Partner Furnished Quarters Expand Florida Presence Four New Locations Enlarge Florida Serviced Apartments Inventory BridgeStreet Worldwide, an international provider of serviced apartments to business and leisure travellers, has opened new properties in southeast Florida in partnership with Furnished Quarters, a member of BridgeStreet Worldwide’s Global Partner programme. The apartments extend BridgeStreet Worldwide’s reach into four additional cities: Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, South Miami Beach and Miami, Florida. When added to BridgeStreet Worldwide’s current inventory of serviced apartments in Tampa, Orlando and Panama City, the company now offers The programme attracts upscale local and regional providers of serviced apartments who share a deep commitment to consistently exceed clients and guests’ expectations and to simplify the serviced apartment experience. “Our Global Partner programme continues to be an important engine of growth for us,” said Lee Curtis, BridgeStreet Worldwide president. “We already had a successful relationship with Furnished Quarters in New York, together offering fantastic locations throughout Manhattan. This winning alliance continues to grow with the opening of corporate apartments in these four key Florida markets. This brings our serviced apartments coverage worldwide to over 90 metropolitan locations. “Our goal is to continue expanding the location choices we provide to our clients, another example of our total commitment to being the easiest serviced apartments provider to work with in the industry,” Curtis added. Based in New York City, Furnished Quarters joined the BridgeStreet Worldwide Global Partner programme in 2003 and has since expanded the number of apartments in the programme in New York City and Florida. “By joining the BridgeStreet Worldwide Global Partner programme, we have been able to provide dramatically improved geographic and product diversification for our customers,” said Gary Brown, Furnished Quarters’ chief executive officer. www.bridgestreet.com Another First for Hilton Formula One Global Deal Announced With Team Mclaren Mercedes Hilton International announced a longterm corporate partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes to commence at the 2005 Belgian Grand Prix, round 15 of the 2005 Formula One World Championship. The legendary Spa Francorchamps circuit Team McLaren Mercedes will display the Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 114 iconic Hilton International hotel logo for the first time. The logo will appear on the lower rear wing end plate of its two MP420 racing cars driven by two of the world’s leading F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya. Hilton International’s partnership with Team McLaren Mercedes in the Formula One World Championship supports its international growth strategy to increase the number of hotels in new and existing markets and to position the company firmly among the new generation of young and affluent international travellers. Commenting, Ian Carter, Chief Executive of Hilton International said; “Formula One offers a global stage of unrivalled prominence with live broadcasts to hundreds of millions fans worldwide in 200 countries. We believe that Team McLaren Mercedes, an acknowledged world leader in its field, is the ideal partner to support our growth strategy and keep our brand image fresh and appealing. The corporate partnership is also an opportunity for us to build commercial alliances and to offer our customers new products and packages.” Ron Dennis, Team Principal of Team McLaren Mercedes and CEO and Chairman of the McLaren Group comments; “We are delighted to welcome Hilton International to our team of longstanding valued corporate partners and we look forward to driving both business success and Team McLaren Mercedes success in the Formula One World Championships together.” As part of this partnership, Hilton International has launched ‘Hilton Racing’, a complimentary membership club providing customers with a range of benefits. These include a Hilton Racing membership card; exclusive discounts off select resort holidays and short breaks; ability to purchase limited edition merchandise; access to select ‘Hilton Racing Breaks’ and access to select ‘Hilton Racing Events’. Customers can become a Hilton Racing Member now by visiting www.hilton.com/racing and completing the registration form. Radisson SAS Expands in France Located at the centre the city just 10 minutes from the Eiffel Tower, five minutes from the Parc des Princes or Rolland Garros and 35 minutes from Roissy Airport, the new Radisson SAS hotel is ideally placed to accommodate both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is built over 13000 square metres and features 170 rooms including 9 suites, a gym and a restaurant / bar / lounge. It also caters for conference and events market with 5 flexible conference rooms. As with all Radisson SAS hotels design is key and Fabrice Catellorizios, director of the recently refurbished Radisson SAS Nice Hotel is managing the decor. Decorated with warm tones including plum, beige and chocolate contrasted with dark wood the Radisson SAS BoulogneParis hotel is modern, elegant and refined sitting perfectly in its surroundings in this very chic City. Key features of the hotel include the “satellite receptions” which ensure guests can check in and out seamlessly and informally, the gloss “pampilles” of the lobby, and the vines planted on the terrace which will no doubt tempt guest to try out some of the fantastic French wines stocked in the hotel. Opening room rates are 145euros/£99.58 accommodation only. Breakfast is 22euros/£15.10 per person. www.boulogne.radissonsas.com Swissôtel The Howard, London Swissôtel The Howard, London is inviting kids to join in on the fun with the introduction of dedicated Kids Rooms. Swissôtel The Howard, London, situated on London’s Embankment, has made travelling with the family easier and more enjoyable by providing kids with a unique playroom that will ensure their stay is truly memorable. The Kids Rooms meet the needs of little guests aged two-12 years, providing entertainment from children’s books to colouring crayons, and specially selected DVDs to a large range of toys and play areas. Swissôtel The Howard, London has established itself as a forerunner in catering to the needs and comfort of families travelling with children. Designed to give parents maximum peace of mind while allowing the little ones to play to their hearts’ content, the Kids Room is filled with goodies galore. Brightly coloured walls, special play furniture and soft furnishings allow for child-friendly activities in comfortable and safe surroundings. Each family is allocated a room to use exclusively for the duration of their stay. The Kids Room is set up in the room connected to or just next to the parent’s room so they are always close to hand. Not forgetting those aged two and under, Swissôtel The Howard, London has also excellent amenities to make babies as comfortable as possible. Baby cots, cuddly toys, mini bathrobes, baby toiletries, nappies and even baby bottles with their own warmers are provided on arrival allowing families to travel with a lighter load, safe in the knowledge that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable stay for all the family. www.london.swissotel.com 020 7836 3555 The Leela Expands Into Kerala With The Leela Kovalam Beach Resort Premier Indian hotel group, The Leela Palaces and Resorts opened the largest beach resort hotel in Kerala on 15th July. The resort, located in the coastal town of Kovalam, promises to offer leisure travellers a new destination to complement the service and luxury accommodation that visitors have come to expect from this prestigious hotel group. “Our expansion into Kerala signifies an important strategic move for The Leela Palaces and Resorts. Even though attrac- tive international holiday options are available in plenty, Kerala continues to be hugely attractive for tourists. With Ayurveda and Wellness thriving as a holiday theme, health breaks within southern India are also gaining in popularity. It is the ideal time to establish our brand in God’s Own Country,” said Mr. Peter Leitgeb, President of The Leela Palaces and Resorts. Located just 15 kms from Trivandrum Airport, The Leela Kovalam Beach Resort, with its 194 guest rooms and suites, is spread across 44 acres of picturesque beachfront. The resort is perched on a cliff top cradled between two wide sweeping beaches, offering stunning views of the famed Kovalam coastline. This property was Kerala’s first and largest beach resort. In the last two years the previous owners spent approximately $12 million on renovating the property including the recently opened Beach View Wing. The wing, designed by Charles Correa, has been totally transformed. The 88 stunning beach-view rooms, lobby, infinity pool, coffee shop, bar and conference rooms all have a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and beach. To meet the exacting standards of The Leela Palaces and Resorts, the $30 million resort will see an additional investment of approximately $5 million over a twophased renovation plan. The sea-view wing of 64 rooms will be converted into the premium ‘The Club’ at The Leela Kovalam Beach Resort, in line with the recently opened ‘The Club’ at The Leela Palaces and Resort’s Goa property. The Club is being designed by Mr. Carl Etensperger and will house a Presidential Suite, an Executive Suite, Club Rooms and an array of restaurants and lounges. On completion, expected by November 2005, this will undoubtedly be amongst India’s most superior beach resorts. The Leela Palaces and Resorts is working to reposition Kovalam in general, and the new resort in particular, as Kerala’s premier beach and Ayurveda Spa destination. Mr Leitgeb continues, “We are adding this unique property to our portfolio and are striving to make it the leading resort destination in Kerala, as we believe that this destination as well as the resort have not reached their true potential in attracting quality tourists. The Leela Group is committed to changing the image and fortunes of this most outstanding beach destination in India.” The 8,000 square foot/738 square metre Page 115 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Hotel News ballroom; pre-function area of 6,350 square feet/590 square metres and conference facilities, complete with other meeting rooms totalling over 6,000 square feet/550 square metres, offer guests a fresh alternative for meetings and private functions. The hallmark of the property will be the signature Ayurveda and Wellness Spa. The Spa will boast seven massage rooms including a naturally ventilated foot massage pavilion, large and tranquil yoga rooms and access to a private beach. These outstanding facilities will set the Spa apart and establish the property as Kerala’s premier spa holiday destination. The Leela Palaces and Resorts has established a global leadership position in the luxury hotel and resort industry by offering premier locations, elegant facilities and personalised service to the world’s most discerning travellers. Each of the four properties is individual in design, character and ambience. In the near future The Leela Palaces and Resorts will add to its portfolio properties in Udaipur, Chennai and Hyderabad. Dolce International Celebrates its 25th Year Dolce International Hotel, Resort & Conference Destinations will enter its 25th year in October 2005. The company was founded by Chairman Andy Dolce in October 1981 in Houston, Texas, when it was known as The Dolce Company and grew steadily throughout the United States in the 1980s, building a reputation for excellence and leading the way in creating dedicated conference destinations with universally high standards at every property. In 1993 Dolce brought its special formula for success to Europe when it opened its first property on the continent, Dolce Frégate in Provençe; it was then when the company changed its name to Dolce International. To mark the anniversary, each of the 21 Dolce Destinations will have a special anniversary event held in the last quarter of the year and there are special celebratory promotions available now. Philippe Attia, Senior Vice President Operations Europe commented, “Our twenty-fifth anniversary is a landmark in our company’s history, we wanted to mark it in an appropriate way, so that clients that have supported us, both in Europe and America, can celebrate with us. We think the events and special offers we have put together do this very well, whilst adding a little fun to the celebrations too. ” in Euros) for a unique 4-course menu which was originally served in 1981 8 October, Tickets DM 48 / 24,50 (Same price as in 1981) Dolce Berlin Müggelsee Anniversary Cooking Event 20 October, upon invitation Dolce Chantilly ‘Celebrating the 80s’ Party 18 November, upon invitation Dolce Frégate Wine & Cheese Garden Party The special offers packages are as follows: October, upon invitation Anniversary Free Meeting Offer Dolce Kasteel Vaalsbroek Vaalsbroek’s Event Experience – the Castle will be the backdrop of this exciting evening food & wine experiential event Dolce has a special anniversary offer available to any other company also celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2005: a free meeting in November or December 2005 at any European Dolce Destination*. *Upon request and availability. This offer is available for any company that was founded in 1980 or 1981, for a new meeting of 25 room nights or more, and cannot be combined with other promotions. The free meeting includes the meeting room, standard AV equipment, refreshment buffet and lunch for one day. Dinner, overnight stay and further costs will be invoiced. Proof will be required of each client company’s founding date. Online: www.dolce.com/meetingspecials Dolce’s ‘Born in October?’ Offer For those born in October, like Dolce, a special birthday present: Stay at any European Dolce Destination on a Saturday night in October and Dolce will give you the room on Sunday night for free!* * Upon request and availability. This offer is valid for new bookings in October 2005 and cannot be combined with other promotions. Available to all guests, born in the month October – proof of date of birth will be required upon check-in. Breakfast and further costs will be invoiced. Online: www.dolce.com/leisurespecials An overview of the European Anniversary Events: Dolce Bad Nauheim Dinner Event – a touch of nostalgia: guests can pay in Deutsche Marks (change Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 116 7 October, Tickets 15 Dolce Sitges Dolce’s 25th and Sitges’ 1st Anniversary Gala Dinner 22 October, upon invitation Hotelopia.co.uk launches 10,000 hotel nights for £10pp 10,000 hotel nights at just £10 per person are available to book now on hotelopia.co.uk in selected destinations across Europe and beyond. £10 deals are valid for stays through to the end of December 2006 in destinations including Spain, Portugal, USA, Mexico and Turkey. Hot examples include: 4* Costa Del Sol, Spain £10 per person 5* Hotel, Luxor, Egypt £10 per person 3* Hotel, Las Vegas, USA £10 per person 3* Hotel, Mallorca, Balearic Islands £10 pp 4* Hotel Cancun , Mexico £10 per person 3* Hotel Algarve, Portugal £10 per person 4* Marmaris, Turkey £10 per person 3* Tenerife, Canary Islands £10 per person Prices displayed are based on two people sharing a double or twin room. To quickly find the cheapest prices, simply sort your results by ´price.` The site offers brochure style content on each hotel with detailed information on facilities as well as easy-touse location maps. Hotelopia has added a further 15,000 hotel nights in other popular destinations from just £15 per person, including Paris, Budapest, Orlando, Warsaw, and Tallinn. All deals are subject to availability and are only online until they get snapped up. Sotiris Damianos, general director at Hotelopia said: “Our £10 hotel nights gives everyone the opportunity to search and book quality hotels for truly bargain prices. Hotelopia is committed to delivering unrivalled value on hotels for travellers who are choosing to tailor their travel around the low cost air fares.” Hotelopia.co.uk has been designed to offer maximum simplicity for ease and speed of booking and stays with the consumer every step of the way, with customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whether at home or abroad. Hotelopia has access to a network of 65 offices around the world and ensures it has locally based staff in destinations with first hand knowledge to provide support and expertise as required. www.hotelopia.co.uk Late Deal: £55 a night at Jurys Inn Nottingham £45 Room Rate Guaranteed At All Travelodge Manchester Hotels Until 31st Dec 2005 Travelodge, the UK’s number one budget hotel brand* has reduced its standard room rate within the Greater Manchester region to just £45 per night. Making it the cheapest place to stay in the city centre. £26 rooms will still be available, depending on availability (Strictly dependent on a first come basics) but guests are guaranteed not to pay more than £45 at any Manchester Travelodge. Example of Standard Room Rates in Manchester City Centre Travelodge: £45.00 Holiday Inn Express: £76.33 IBIS: £61.95 Premier Travel Inn: £55.95 ABOVE: Manchester Ancoats Travelodge The offer is available from September to 31st December 2005. Rooms can be booked online at www.travelodge.co.uk or by calling 08700 850 950. Room rates correct as of 20th Sep 2005 Participating hotels include: Manchester Central, Manchester Sportscity, Manchester Ancoats, Manchester Didbury Ashton under Lyne and Oldham. There are a further two new Travelodge hotel openings scheduled for later this year within the Greater Manchester region which include Bury (November) and Manchester Airport (December). Both hotels can be booked from now. Jurys In Nottingham, the largest hotel in the East Midlands, is offering rooms at a special opening rate of £55. Rooms can sleep up to three adults or two adults and two children sharing. All Travelodge hotels offer a choice of either a double, family or disabled room, each offering a comfortable setting with en-suite bathroom, luxury king size bed, colour TV with in-room entertainment which offers pay on demand movies, telephone and Internet services and free tea and coffee making facilities. On site car parking is provided at most Manchester hotel sites. The 264-room hotel is right next to the train station and is perfect for business or pleasure. Nottingham is the capital of the East Midlands and a city rich in history and architecture. Room facilities include air conditioning, 21” TV and high speed internet access. To make a booking please call 0115 901 6700 or email: jurysinnnottingham@jurysdoyle.com All hotels offer a breakfast bag service, which can be delivered to your door between 5am to 7am. The Breakfast bag contains a selection of goodies for £4.45. At hotels with a Bar Café a full English breakfast menu is available -eat as much as you like at £6.50 per head. A full range of drinks, tasty snacks and evening meals are available from the Bar Café. TO MARK the opening of Jurys Inn Nottingham, the hotel is offering a fantastic deal on its superior three-star standard accommodation right in the heart of the city. Page 117 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 News Desk Train News Train News Gatwick Express Gatwick Express is claiming to be the train operating company with the ability to speak more languages than any other TOC in the UK. Virgin Trains Virgin Trains’ busiest First Class lounge reopened at Euston station following a £175,000 makeover. The new look lounge now has three distinct parts for customers to use: • Relaxation area with flatscreen TV and soft chairs. • A working area with tables and chairs set out in bistro style together with high benches, internet points, photocopier and fax. • A “quiet room” with two internet points where the use of mobile phones will not be permitted. This room can be booked for private meetings if required. All flooring and furniture has been renewed, there is a new reception desk and luggage area, and shower and toilet facilities have been upgraded. Andrew Conroy, Head of Customer Services at Gatwick Express, said, “Obviously our non stop rail-air link from Gatwick Airport to London is often the first point of contact for tourists and foreign visitors alike. Consequently our employment strategy has always had a greater international emphasis than any of our fellow train operators.” Helping to launch the new lounge was the renowned Smith Quartet who for over a decade has been at the forefront of the world’s contemporary music-scene. The lounge made a particularly appropriate venue for the launch of their latest CD “Different Trains” a 1988 composition by Steve Reich. The quartet played a ten minutes long piece from the work after which the CD was played in its entirety for customers to enjoy. Visitors to the lounge were then able to indulge in some wine tasting and a selection of food from the new Primo range now being served on Gatwick Express’s strategic approach to ensuring the best customer service for its inbound customers is to provide welcome hosts, ticket office clerks and on train staff who can communicate in a large number of languages. Even the onboard train announcements are recorded in several different languages. Conroy adds, “With over 30 different languages spoken amongst our frontline staff, we think Gatwick Express has the warmest welcome, if not in the world then certainly in the UK.” www.gatwickexpress.com Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 118 trains to passengers travelling First Class. Philippa Cresswell, Virgin Trains Product Development Director, speaking at the launch said: “Our lounges are all part of the total journey experience for First Class customers and in particular allow business travellers to catch up on work preparation while waiting for the train. It’s all part of our aim to provide the best use of travel time for our customers.” Virgin Trains First Class lounges at Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton, as well as at London Euston, may be used by any passenger holding a First Class ticket dated for that day. Lounges provide complimentary drinks and light snacks, telephone/fax machines, wireless broadband internet access and, in addition, at Euston there is a licensed bar. Stress Buster... Top Techniques For Staying Calm At Work Better breathing Even though you don't think about it most of the time, the way you breathe can have a significant impact on the way you feel. Shallow breathing from the chest can contribute towards feelings of tension and anxiety and cause physical symptoms including dizziness, faintness, pins and needles and chest pains. So what can you do to improve your breathing and feel more relaxed? Try the following exercise: • Find somewhere quite and sit down. Assess your breathing patterns - are they fast or slow, deep or shallow? • Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Breathe slowly in and out. • • The hand on your stomac h should rise and fall as you breathe in and out. In contrast the hand on your chest should remain relatively still. If you're breathing from your chest rather than your stomach, try to breathe slowly and deeply through your nose only • The following arrangements, identified in the report of a staff group on managing work-related stress, will reduce risks to staff. You can adopt as goals work towards them in all areas. Primary Prevention Arrangements These are organizational measures which have the broadest effect, acting to reduce the risk of stress for all employees. • • Ensure that the ability to contribute at all levels is valued. • Understand that change can for some be extremely tiring and threatening and endanger morale; have good communication and consultation strategies particularly during times of change. Follow human resources policies and guidance to ensure that the requirements of employment legislation are met. • Ensure that policies have mechanisms for monitoring, review and development to ensure that continuous improvement is achieved All Staff Clear Communication Managers Healthy Working Environment Senior management • Ensure that staff who report to them attend regular department or team meetings at which their contribution is encouraged. • Communicate organizational objectives and performance. All Staff • • Contribute to a positive atmosphere in the workplace; avoid criticizing destructively or undermining colleagues. Be willing to communicate with colleagues, particularly where you have knowledge, which could help others in their work. • Ask necessary questions; use your staff representatives to voice your concerns. • Read notices and give feedback if necessary. Appropriate Reward Managers • Support a clear, consistent and fair pay structure. • Understand that appropriate praise, recognition and responsibility can contribute significantly to work satisfaction. Effective Management Managers Participate in the management development training • Accept that change may be inevitable and necessary; participate in communicating about - and helping manage - change • Co-operate in the production of team work-plans; work together with colleagues to achieve team objectives, if you feel you have a contribution to make than make it. • • Human Resources Policies Managers All Staff Healthy Work - Stress & Mental Health Mental health and well-being of all is essential to the success of an organization. Where causes of excessive pressure are identified in the workplace aim to eliminate, isolate or minimize these and provide training and support to staff to deal with difficult work content or unavoidably difficult organizational issues. Use service level agreements, annual work-plans and objectives to give teams clear goals and enable them to experience the positive benefit of success. Let employees know how they contribute to the organization's success; communicate to individual members of staff that they are valued; acknowledge work well done and suggestions made. All Staff • Maintain skills and knowledge. • Have a realistic sense of self-worth. • Acknowledge others' accomplishments. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 120 • Abide by policies • Work on maintaining healthy personal relationships at work • Take account of current research and good practice when making strategic decisions about the provision of work space, flexible working arrangements, quiet rooms, meeting areas, catering facilities and break out areas. • Facilitate and encourage staff to participate in sports and social activities. Managers • Ensure that their departmental risk assessment includes consideration of the local working environment. • Consider developing departmental codes of conduct for open-plan working. • Manage operations which may affect the working environments of others efficiently and sensitively. All Staff • Be considerate to others when working in an open-plan office. • Participate in the health and safety effort, obey health and safety instructions, and report hazards. Awareness of Personal Responsibility Managers • Make managing pressure an agenda item in staff meetings at least annually. • Direct staff to the HSE guidance on managing work pressure available on the internet ((http://www.hse.gov.uk). All Staff • Make yourself aware of the causes and effect (http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/personal.htm) of excessive pressure which lead to work-related stress • Take action to improve your ability to cope. Executive ETraveller Executive Traveller magazine is a quarterly magazine issued every January, April, July and October. The magazine comes in the form of unique international editions; which makes exciting reading wherever you are in the world. If you sign up for a subscription today, you will receive a FREE digital issue online exactly as it appears in print! Choose the type of subscription you prefer and send your request to us either by fax to +44 20 7231 8897 or by post to 33 Donkin House, Galleywall Road, London SE16 3PQ UK; as soon as we have processed your payment, you are on your way to enjoying one of the new wonders in the world of travel magazines. Please select one of the following options: This offer is valid for subscriptions commencing July-September 2005 4 issues (one year) for £18 plus FREE digital issue. 8 issues (two years) for £30 plus FREE digital issue Name: Billing Address: Delivery Address: Executive ETraveller Email Address: If you would like to receive a digital or printed copy of the magazine for yourself or as a gift please tick here: Print media copies £3.75 per issue. GREAT NAMES BEHIND HOTELS Digital copies £3.50 per issue. Accomplishment: The lives and experiences of some of the names that make hotels deliver Number of Issues: Name: TAKE THE ‘LUG’ OUT OF LUGGAGE Billing Address: First Luggage’s new concept of ‘Baggage Free Travel’ THE WiFi BUG Why travel businesses are all catching WiFi Fever GADGETS More 'toys' to take the trek out of your journeys Delivery Address: Your Chance to Win Hotel Accommodation anywhere in the UK Email Address: Page 121 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Looking for the perfect luxury gift this Christmas? knomo™ has it all wrapped up… As the festive season rolls around once again, the quest for originality when buying something special for your loved one can prove an arduous task; what do you buy the man/woman who has everything? Are you bored of buying books, disillusioned with DVD’s and drowning in a sea of seasonal socks? If so, knomo™ provides the answer with their exclusive collection of luxury laptop carriers. Whatever your loved-ones fashion style/gadget preferences, knomo™ has it all wrapped up! Whether for the tenacious traveller always on the move, media mogul who can’t bear to be parted from his iBook or stylish city type looking for a bit more fashion with his function, knomo™ has it all; but most importantly, a knomo™ doesn’t advertise the fact that they are carrying a laptop. Not only are the bags fashionable, they are functional too. After all, what is the point of carrying a stylish bag if it doesn’t perform the way you need it to? For starters, each bag is constructed of the highest quality materials with a sturdy shock-resistant foam shell and within this is a quilted protection pouch to further protect your hardware and aid the ease of removal. This pouch can also be carried separately with laptop inside for nipping out to meetings or brainstorming sessions over a coffee at Starbucks. Every knomo™ also contains a revolutionary bundle bag to keep those stray cables neat and tidy as well as a unique tracker number to help reunite you with your bag should you misplace it (with a freephone number for the finder to call). Add to this a certified testing by a National Newspaper that their bag (with laptop inside) came away unscathed when thrown down a flight of concrete stairs, and indeed, what more could you ask for in a laptop bag? With knomo™ now stocked all over the UK & Ireland at major department stores it is easy to get your hands on one. knomo™ bags are designed to provide protection for laptops; the bags also have a number of unique features including a handy bundle bag for cables, a tracker ID number and a removable pocket (most styles). Constructed of high quality materials, each bag is equipped with shock resistant high density foam cocooning your laptop and enabling the bag to take severe knocks from any angle without disturbing it. The knomo™ tracker is a non-removable and visible tag. The owner registers his or her contact details against the bag’s unique tracker code on the knomo™ website. In the event of the bag being misplaced and recovered, a 24 hour call centre will help the owner to be reunited with their bag. knomo™ e-shop offers free next day delivery to UK mainland. Prices start from £115 and range up to £185 Christmas Offer TRADITIONAL YORKSHIRE CHRISTMAS AT THE 16TH CENTURY WHITE SWAN HOTEL, PICKERING Three Night Festive Package from £479 Per Person A traditional Yorkshire Christmas is on offer from the White Swan at Pickering, a beautifully restored 16th century coaching inn with a cosy house party atmosphere, roaring log fires and award winning food. Festive three-night packages start at £479 per person from Saturday 24 – Tuesday 27 December based on two sharing a double/twin room. On arrival Christmas Eve guests are welcomed with tea and mince pies in front of the roaring log fire followed by an early evening champagne party and gourmet dinner prepared by head chef Darren Clemmit. The festive atmosphere will be boosted by visits from Santa Claus and a local group of carol singers during the evening. Christmas Day starts with a glass of Bucks Fizz, later there’s a traditional lunch with all the trimmings and a quiz evening – the winner receives a complimentary weekend’s stay for two at the White Swan. On Boxing Day guests can chance their luck at nearby Wetherby Racecourse (£50 per person to include travel, entrance and picnic lunch) and in the evening enjoy a superb five-course dinner with fine vintage wines. For those preferring a little outdoor exercise, the White Swan is a perfect base from which to explore the North Yorkshire Moors either on foot or mountain bike while the coastal footpath with its wonderful views out to sea and the historic port of Whitby are a short drive away. The North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway also stops a short walk from the inn. And the heritage towns of York and Harrogate are within easy reach for sight seeing or seeking out a bargain at the post-Christmas sales. www.white-swan.co.uk. A new online corporate gift service, www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk, claims that it has carried out research to find out what incentives staff really want and when it is deemed appropriate to send gifts to work associates. The survey is reported to have interviewed 1,000 employees and asked ‘which situations in everyday life would you appreciate a gift from your employer?’ The results showed that it was the small acts of kindness such as giving gifts on personal occasions and rewarding good performance at work that were most appreciated. These included: G 75% of employees would like to receive a gift for doing a good job G 46% of employees would appreciate a gift when they got married or celebrated a special birthday (30th/50th) or when they became a new parent or grandparent G 46% would like to be rewarded for exceeding sales targets G 37% wanted to receive a gift to help pick them up after a bad day at work. However, 6 in 10 people would only expect their employer to spend up to £25 on them, with 67% of respondents claiming that ‘it’s not the size of the gift that’s important to me, but the thought that counts’. www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk also asked the interviewees when might b e an appropriate time for suppliers to send a gift to a company. Whilst Christmas proved the most popular, 52% stated ‘to help promote a new product’, 46% thought it appropriate to say ‘thank you’ for an order or for past business and interestingly, 30% of respondents felt that it was appropriate to send a gift to a company in order to help persuade them to award a contract. Cadbury Gifts Direct has a wide range of bespoke corporate gifts available to suit all business needs and budgets, and as the research indicates it’s not the price that matters but it’s the thought, so what better gift than chocolate! The Cadbury Gifts Direct service provides a time saving solution that saves you the trouble of sourcing gifts. Whether you are looking for an incentive to encourage staff productivity or to say thanks to staff and clients, Cadbury Gifts Direct offers a complete service including: distributing products to either single or multiple addresses, discounts on bulk orders, tailor-made hampers to any price point, inclusion of messages or corporate literature within the gift or promotional mail shots. www.cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk has also launched a unique mailer, which can be easily posted to clients and staff. The mailer contains a 200g bar of chocolate and can be tailored to include specific clients’ messages - a great way to target multiple companies or individuals across the country. Something to Sparkle in style Leading French lingerie manufacturer Chantelle is providing the perfect stocking filler this Christmas with an exclusive collaboration with Swarovski, offering a limited edition glamorous lingerie set, finely encrusted with Swarovski Crystals. The sophisticated and luxurious set is designed using the finest, delicate black ‘leavers lace’ – and is encrusted with an elegant pattern of more than thousand Swarovski Crystals over the half-cut bra, the straps and on the boxer briefs. With crystal becoming a contemporary fashion must, this beautifully crafted set will undoubtedly make any woman feel treasured this festive period. The chic combination of black, next season’s key shade, and precious stones create a stylish and highly desirable set - perfect for a Christmas gift as it comes in a unique gift presentation box. Available solely at Harrods from November, this unique lingerie set will retail at £350 and is available in sizes B/C/D/E 3238 and boxer XS-XL. Chantilly Crystal - The Facts Each set has a minimum of one thousand crystals – 489 in the half cup bra (34B) and 594 in the briefs (XS) A limited number of sets are going to be on sale in the UK, ensuring that this will be a collectors item of the future Each set takes six hours to create and comprises of intricate hand stitching from a trained lace technician The lingerie made from Leavers lace – so named after John Leaver, who created the machine on which it is made in 1805, is the most expensive type of lace that can be used in lingerie Like Chantelle the name Swarovski is synonymous with perfection, style and attention to detail, Daniel Swarovski created his crystal cutting machine in 1892 In 1993, Swarovski launched ‘Crystal Fabric’ which fuses fabric and crystal into a second skin and hence opened many windows of opportunity for crystal to be used in conjunction with fashion. About Chantelle Lingerie Founded in 1949, Chantelle is the leading French lingerie brand in Europe renowned for its perfect fit and attention to detail. It was first established in a Parisian corsetry house in 1876 and from then has gone from strength to strength, with expertise in this field now at the highest in the industry. From its elegant and rich lingerie history, it has developed into a recognized and respected worldwide brand. Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 126 Champagne-Ardenne Not Just for Special Occasions 90 Minutes to the east of Paris, the Champagne-Ardenne region is a land of contrasts and history in which lifestyle and gourmet cuisine are paramount. Champagne is the main reason for this. The region is situated in the northeast of France and shares a north-eastern boarder with Belgium and a south-western boarder with Burgundy. Any holiday in Champagne-Ardenne is as light and airy as the bubbles that dance in the glasses. Now with the opening of the Eurotunnel, you can combine business with leisure in the most practical way possible. Champagne- Ardenne is a perfect short break destination for visitors from the UK. There is a bountiful array of things to see and do in the region, with a beautiful landscape, glorious architectural treasures and fascinating museums to enthral visitors from all over the world. Most of the world’s best-loved bubbly-champagne most famous champagne houses- Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, Mercier, Laurent Perrier, Pommery and Piper Heidsieck can be found here. The region has a plethora of accommodation to offer with everything ranging from campsites to self-catering apartments, hotels of all categories, châteaux and Bed & Breakfast establishments. Champagne- Ardenne possesses the qualities of a sound environment openly inviting the presence of business as well as family. ABOVE White Grapes of Le Chardonnay especially used for the production of Champagne - usually found in Cote des Blancs New places to stay in Champagne Ardenne France Hotellerie Le Chateau Fort (3 Star Hotel) Porte des Princes, 08200 Sedan 54 rooms within the Castle of Sedan t. 0033 3 2426 1100 www.hotelfp-sedan.com Hotel Des Canotiers (3 Star Hotel) (Logis de France 3 chimneas) 10360 Essoyes t. 0033 3 2538 6108 www.hoteldescanotiers.c om THIS PAGE Champagne, an excellent celebration drink! TOP RIGHT Bateau Champagne Vallée tour RIGHT Gorges de la Vingeanne Hotel Des Pirates Theme Park 10200 Dolancourt t. 0033 3 2527 9452 www.nigoland.fr Le Moulin De Sauvage 27 Rue GeorgeGuynemer 51260 St. Just-Sauvage t. 0033 3 2681 2470 www.le-koulin-desauvage.com Domain De Foolz RN71 10110 Bourguignons t. 0033 3 2529 0681 www.domainedefoolz.co m Les Grains D'Argent Allée du Petit Bois, 51530 DIZY www.lesgrainsdargent.c om La Villa Eugene (3 Stars) 82-82 Avenue de Champagne, 512 EPERNAY www.villa-eugene.fr Hotel de charme set in woods with 15 rooms including 17 suites. Page 127 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Classified Directory The one-stop page for quality products and services To place a listing contact us on + 44 (0)79 8402 1973 or email classifled@executivetraveller.net Sai & Co Chartered Certified Accountants For all your financial assistance VAT, End of Year Accounts, Advice, Company Formation and more 134 Atkins Road Balham, London SW12 0AR 020 8674 3777 LOSE WEIGHT NOW It is much easier than you think Luzern - Switzerland Hotels & Transport Directory Bürgenstock Hotels & Resorts CH-6363 Bürenstock, Luzern Tel: +41(0) 41612 90 10 Fax: +41(0) 41612 99 11 Email: information@buergenstock-hotels.ch www.buergenstock-hotels.ch Palace, Luzern Haldenstrasse 10 CH-6002 Luzern Tel: +41(0) 41 416 10 24 Fax: +41(0) 41 416 10 00 www.palace-luzern.com Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern Schweizerhofquai 3 CH-6002 Luzern Tel: +41 (0)41 410 04 10 Fax: +41 (0)41 410 29 71 Email: info@schweizerhof-luzern.ch www.schweizerhof-luzern.ch Grand Hotel National Luzern Email: weightloss@executivetraveller.net Haldenstrasse 4 CH-6006 Luzern Tel: +41(0)41 419 09 09 Fax: +41(0)41 419 09 10 Email: info@national-luzern.ch TRANSPORT - Switzerland Hire a bus for big events Luzern Transport Services Verkehrsbetriebe Luzerne AG Tribschenstrasse 65 Postfach CH-6000 Luzern 12 Tel: +41(0)41 369 65 65 Fax: +41(0)41 369 65 00 Email: mail@vbl.ch www.vbl.ch Swiss Railway Congress Special Tickets SBB CFF FFS Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB Bahnreisezentrum Kongress/Grosskunden, Postfach CH-6002 Luzern Tel: +41 512 27 33 20 Fax: +41 512 27 35 04 Email: kongresse.luzern@sbb.ch www.sbb.ch/business Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 128 Doing Business in China? Why waste time in airline queues and flight connections? Let Deer Jet Ltd fly you wherever you want to go in China and get you there on time, in good shape without all the fuss and stress. Info: 0044 (0)79 8402 1973 E-mail: deerjet@executivetraveller.net Advertise With Us A full display advertisement of the size of 7cm x 1 column as illustrated here will cost Ł275 +VAT and Ł175 +VAT for mono. We also have larger sizes for extra impact. 60 words allows ample space to fully describe your product. 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Post Code: Telephone: Signature Colour Full Display Linage 2 Insertions Please print your advertisement clearly and attach it to this order form and send it together with your payment. Cheques should be made payable to LNA Associates Ltd. Thank you. Page 129 • Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 Available solely in Harrods from November Executive Traveller Magazine • October 2005 • Page 132