10 of the hottest start-up locations

Tel Aviv, Israel

Otherwise known as the ‘White City’ for its extensive collection of Bauhaus buildings, Tel Aviv is quickly establishing itself as an international start-up capital. Businesses are often angled more towards smaller, tech-focused markets as opposed to rival Silicon Valley’s large-scale market winners. Israel’s growing entrepreneurial community has earned it the nickname ‘the start-up nation’, and networking events and hackathons are a regular occurrence in the city. Downtown Tel Aviv is said to be the hotspot for new businesses, where hopefuls can set up shop at a relatively low cost and be part of a thriving yet tight-knit ecosystem of likeminded professionals.

Berlin, Germany

berlin
Richard Branson calls Germany’s capital the most cost-effective start-up hub in Western Europe by a stretch. Low rental costs and a high quality labour force put Berlin on the entrepreneurial map, and the city has long been renowned for creativity and diversity. SoundCloud, the biggest streaming site in the world was born here, and Berlin’s vibrant start-up community continues to produce uniquely innovative concepts. The Kreuzberg neighbourhood is a favourite for its reasonably priced office rentals, and St Oberholz cafe in the Mitte district is said to be the meeting place of choice for young entrepreneurs.

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore
Significant government investments aimed at fostering the entrepreneurial community make Singapore’s start-up ecosystem a thriving one. Business people can enjoy a ‘small town in the big city’ atmosphere and convenient access to the larger Chinese and Indian markets nearby. The South East Asian city ranks #1 on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business chart: incorporating a company in Singapore can be done in 1-2 days compared to weeks elsewhere, and an efficient and affordable tax system further boosts the appeal. If you’re staying late at the office, you won’t be alone – according to research by Startup Genome, entrepreneurs in Singapore work an average of 11 hours per day.

Seattle, US

seattle
With a whopping 12.5 businesses per 100 residents, Seattle is rapidly establishing a reputation for more than just coffee, indie bands and rain. The northwest’s trendiest city owes its spot on the list to Microsoft and Amazon in part; global corporations based here that inject inspiration and innovation into the community, as well as an abundance of technical talent. There’s also significant private sector funding available and a strong network of mentors – organisations include the Alliance of Angels and Northwest Entrepreneur Network – making Seattle’s exciting entrepreneurial ecosystem a desirable choice for many.

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver
Canada’s flat inflation rate at 26 percent is a good indicator of a healthy economy, and the cost of living remains relatively low. Vancouver boasts a beautiful setting, high quality of life and a wealth of talent making it an ideal place for living, working and hiring, and the city is praised for valuing a work-life balance above all. From an international perspective, flexible immigration laws make Canada more accessible than the US, and though Toronto might be the more obvious choice, opportunities for venture capital are more abundant in the west. Most start-ups can be found in the city’s hip Gastown neighbourhood.

Sydney, Australia

sydney
Sydney offers the rare combination of a booming business destination with a lifestyle most could only dream of, and its presence on the global radar is growing. Startup Genome praised Sydney’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for its diverse range of new businesses, and Australia’s international city also boasts one of the world’s highest outputs per capita of start-ups. Communities such as Sydstart and Young Entrepreneurs Sydney make networking with and receiving support from other likeminded business people a breeze, and entrepreneurs can reap the benefits of an economy which has seen 22 years of continuous growth.

São Paulo, Brazil

Sao-Paolo
The financial capital of Brazil is host to almost all offices of multinational corporations in the region, and with a population of 11.8m renowned for its interest in new web and mobile services, business opportunities are aplenty. A number of entrepreneurship, business and technology events are hosted here every year, run by organisations such as Brazil Innovators and WomenChangeMakers. As infrastructure improves to support a growing community of entrepreneurs, venture capital prospects from the US are on the rise, and reasonable rental prices further enhance the appeal of São Paulo.

Chicago, US

Chicago
A wealth of resources is available to Windy City-based entrepreneurs, making it an incredibly supportive ecosystem to be a part of. With an average age of over 37 years old, it’s a more mature community, and at least a fifth of those once lived or worked in Silicon Valley. The Midwest is home to more Fortune 500 companies and receives more federal funding than any other US region, and a range of entrepreneur-focused incubator spaces and initiatives continue to pop up across Chicago. When work is over for the day, enjoy exploring a diverse, colourful city with a rich history and booming arts and culture scene.

Paris, France

Paris
The Paris start-up ecosystem has been producing a wealth of successful businesses for years, and is largely dominated by B2B companies. A number of initiatives to improve the appeal to entrepreneurs have been introduced in recent years including tax breaks for new businesses and a smooth company registration process. Choosing to base yourself in this well-connected, fairly compact city will give you access to a thriving market that welcomes new products and services with open arms, but embracing French culture is essential to succeed – at both a personal and corporate level.

Boston, US

Boston
Ranked first in Startup Genome’s funding index, new business funding is plentiful in this vibrant city. The MassChallenge programme which launched in 2010 is already the world’s largest business accelerator, supporting over 100 start-ups annually. The economic and cultural capital of New England enjoys a reputation as an intellectual hub, home to several major universities and institutions. Entrepreneurs in Boston are more focused on creating a high quality product than building a company that can quickly be sold off, according to Startup Genome.

Top 5 city breaks in Europe

Paris

Forever the home of bohemian artists and struggling Left Bank writers, Paris is also a commercial hub housing the biggest purpose-built business district in Europe, La Défense, where towering cosmopolitan glass structures form a stark contrast to the traditional images of steep cobbled streets depicted in old romantic films.

Paris offers diverse attractions and architecture, from its neoclassicist and beaux-arts buildings like the Grand Palais to the 16th century, world-famous Louvre located in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.

To escape the traditional tourist track have a look at Canal St Martin and its street art, wander the eastern neighbourhoods of Belleville, Oberkampf and Bastille, or visit the relatively undiscovered Roman ruins at the Archaelogoical Crypt (near Notre Dame).

Amsterdam

Amsterdam
Stereotypes and red lights aside, Amsterdam offers a unique blend of old and new; it’s a place where 17th century architecture and peaceful canals meet modern culture and world-class museums, and where international cuisine meets some of Europe’s best nightlife.

As a small, quiet city it crams a lot in, with key highlights including the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum (housing over 8000 works by Rembrandt and other world-famous artists) the Anne Frank House, Albert Cuyp (one of Europe’s biggest outdoor markets) and Dam Square in the centre, where Napoleon and troops were welcomed when the city was taken over in 1808.

Stockholm

Stockholm
Sweden’s terracotta-tinted capital is one of Europe’s five fastest growing cities; it’s also one of the greenest, cleanest and most stunning.

As Scandinavia’s busiest city it’s bursting with attractions, from The Vasa Museum where visitors can admire the world’s only preserved 17th century ship, to an entire building dedicated to ABBA.

Other cultural attractions include Baroque-style home of the Swedish king The Royal Palace, and the spectacular Riddarhuset, built in the 1600s when it was used by the Swedish parliament. The city offers hiking trails for nature-lovers alongside boat trips, bustling nightlife, world-class cuisine and, when the holiday season comes into swing, some of Europe’s best Christmas markets.

Barcelona

Barcelona
It’s not often a city break offers the chance to relax on beautiful beaches while also exploring world-renowned architecture, history, culture and shopping, but a Barcelona getaway is one of the exceptions.

The city caters for all tastes, with traditional Spanish cuisine and tapas bars to contemporary cocktail venues. The best spots to admire the city’s characteristically modern architecture by obscure 19th century genius Gaudí are La Pedrera, Park Guüell and, of course, La Sagrada Família, which puts a modern spin on medieval architecture and is still being built more than a century into its life.

Prague

Prague
The Czech capital has grown to become one of the most popular choices for weekend getaways over recent years and it’s no surprise given the city’s distinctive combination of intriguing history and stylish modernity.

Its quaint Old Town and marketplace, characterised by winding cobbled lanes and dating back more than 1000 years, joins a contemporary art and nightlife scene which includes jazz clubs, traditional pubs and world-renowned breweries.

The National Gallery (Veletržní Palác) houses works from Van Gogh to Klimt, while those with an interest in history can explore Prague Castle, the biggest of its age in the world. Those feeling a little more adventurous, meanwhile, can embark on a cycle path which winds its way through the country’s hills all the way through to Austria’s quaint capital, Vienna.

10 best mobile apps for business travellers

From getting a taxi to keeping track of new business contacts, we have rounded up the ten best mobile apps to help your business trip go smoothly.

Expensify: free

Effortlessly track all your expenses from a single app. By uploading your credit card details, Expensify will add each transaction as you go (including mileage and times, where appropriate). The app then compiles a simple report at the end of your trip, and will even email it to you in PDF format.

Mynd Calendar: free

This clever mobile calendar acts as a virtual assistant, syncing seamlessly with your existing apps to generate a summary of your day, complete with weather forecast and planned mileage. Plus, it gets smarter as you use it – within a week, Mynd will have learnt your daily commute and regular meeting spots.

CardMunch: free

With CardMunch you’ll never lose a business card again. Use this handy app to take a photo of the card, and a mobile contact will be created for that person. Since it’s owned by business networking site LinkedIn, information from that person’s account will also sync to the contact.

Uber: free

Uber uses GPS, allowing you to request a driver at the tap of a finger. In more than 40 countries worldwide, you can also compare rates and get real-time fare quotes, track your driver’s location, and use PayPal or a credit card to make in-app payments – so there’s no need to carry cash.

TurboScan: £1.99

TurboScan turns your phone into a multipage scanner for documents, receipts, or whatever else you fancy. Take a photo of the document and the app auto-detects the document’s edges, straightens it and sets the correct contrast and brightness. You can then store or email them as PDF or JPEG files.

LoungeBuddy: free

Your airport lounge companion; supporting over 500 airports worldwide, LoungeBuddy gives you access to prices, photos and reviews of 1900+ lounges around the world, then uses GPS to tell you how long the walk will take. Lounge access can even be purchased through the app in certain regions.

StoryDesk: free

Promising to make professional life easier, StoryDesk can benefit anyone looking to create and deliver quality presentations on the road, by letting you cut and paste text and images into its readymade templates. Plus, most of it can be used offline, so it’s perfect for utilising valuable time spent in transit.

Viber: free

Viber allows you to make free calls and send texts to any device, on any network and in any country using 3G or WiFi. It detects which of your contacts are using the app, and similarly to Skype, also allows you to call mobiles or landlines at a reduced rate.

AwardWallet: free

Reward schemes are great for the frequent traveller – if you can keep track of them. AwardWallet grants quick access to all your balances even without an internet connection. The app currently supports 632 loyalty programmes worldwide, and will notify you if your points are due to expire soon.

SignEasy: free

SignEasy renders the trusty but somewhat outdated fax machine obsolete. With this app, you can sign documents in a variety of formats in less than 60 seconds. Although it’s free to download, there are in-app charges – £20.99 will buy you unlimited document credits for the year.

Data roaming charges must get out of the way of international business

Business travel has a problem. As you read this, hundreds of professionals are preparing to enter radio silence as they switch off mobile data for a business trip. In fact, 60 percent of business travellers are cutting themselves off once they touch down on foreign soil.

After lost or stolen luggage, the second biggest bugbear for travellers is a lack of internet connection followed by concerns over unexpected bills and charges. According to research, a quarter of multinational companies have experienced employees racking up sky-high roaming fees in excess of €1,000.

This lack of continuous access to internet, email and the cloud is stopping staff from staying confidently connected and capitalising on new business opportunities.

[B]usiness travellers can be less productive with too much time wasted trying to establish data access that could compromise security

The growth of emerging markets is driving multinational organisations to look further afield for new business opportunities, with global business travel spending expected to exceed $1.12trn over the next few years.

Some business travellers are familiar with the traditional cost/convenience trade-off when using mobile communications abroad: either they accept the higher charges and work as they would in their own country or they compromise their productivity by adopting an array of different cost-saving measures and workarounds.

A third of enterprises now encourage employees to keep mobile device usage to a minimum while working abroad, causing employees to rely on unsecure Wi-Fi hotspots or even forgo their usual phone number by using a local SIM card. The result is that business travellers can be less productive with too much time wasted trying to establish data access that could compromise security.

Employees need access to wired, wireless and cloud capabilities to be confidently connected in their world and they need to do this without worrying about unexpected charges, added complexity or security risks.

To achieve all of this, organisations need total communications services providers to sidestep the communications challenges of travelling to emerging markets and eliminate the stress of working overseas.

Borderless business
International borders are no longer the barriers to business they once were and the enterprise telecommunications infrastructure needs to reflect this. Take the employee travelling to meet a new supplier or explore a partnership. He needs the connectivity to send and receive emails at the airport, in the taxi and between meetings. He may need to view and edit documents in the cloud to tweak presentations or prevent approval bottlenecks from building up at the office. There may also be a number of enterprise applications, such as payment handling, that he needs access to in order to do his job.

He might also need GPS navigation to locate hotels and offices; he might need to dial in to remote meetings using voice and video or he may simply have family and friends maintaining contact through social networks and instant messaging.

He needs access to all of this from the moment he steps off the plane.

50 percent of large enterprises do not know how many devices have been issued or what their status is

Hitting turbulence
The problem is that employees may not know what they are doing wrong. Either they switch roaming off, making them hard to contact and unproductive, or they roam without knowing whether or not they are on a cost-effective plan.

This doesn’t help the Chief Information Officer, who may have little real time visibility over the mobile estate or roaming spend being racked up by employees. Research suggests that 50 percent of large enterprises do not know how many devices have been issued or what their status is, which makes it hard to predict and budget for communications costs.

Reaching altitude
Employees need to connect to the mobile network without worrying which country they are in. They also need the support of an end-to-end total communications supplier to achieve this in a way that doesn’t break the bank and gives the CIO a clear picture of how and where telecommunications budgets are being spent. It means self-optimising plans that ensure employees are on the best tariffs; data bundles that enable employees to share data across devices; innovative tariffs that allow employees to use their home allowance when abroad and apps that give global visibility of data usage and warnings when thresholds are reached.

Working with suppliers to create and implement these kind of innovative communications agreements not only creates more productive and less stressed employees but it puts businesses on the front foot to compete on the global stage.

Montenegro’s tourism industry turns a corner

Nestled snugly between Croatia and Albania, the ancient state of Montenegro has long gathered dust at Italy’s heel. Where Ottoman armies once clashed with theocratic warrior princes, local bureaucrats now take turns dodging responsibility for the nation’s sociopolitical setbacks. From the collapse of various federal governments to the shortsighted mismanagement of its metal industries, this land is constantly being torn down and rebuilt. But the coming decade promises the start of a new, more prosperous chapter in the country’s erratic history.

Since gaining independence from neighbouring Serbia in 2006, the southern European state has grown by leaps and bounds. Not only does Montenegro now boast the highest income per capita of any of the Adriatic states, but a new government focus on public welfare is seeing the rapid dissipation of poverty. That focus, however, is also leading to a high level of public debt. Yet while President Filip Vujanović and his social-democratic government attempt to eradicate that debt by freezing pensions and hiking individual tax rates, the economy is taking solace in the rise of new industries that promise to help its service-based economy reach a vital period of transition.

Montenegro in numbers

650,000
population

$7.429bn
GDP (PPP)

51%
of gdp is public debt

$1.85bn
Tourism Income

$1.18bn
Capital Invested in Tourism

Source: CIA Factbook, Montenegro Ministry of Tourism & Environment

The old school
Since the late 1970s, the single biggest driver behind Montenegro’s boom-and-bust economy has been Kombinat Aluminijuma Podgorica (KAP) – the country’s bustling aluminium firm. Not only is KAP Montenegro’s biggest national employer, but it’s also responsible for over 50 percent of national exports. Every year, the company produces some 120,000 metric tonnes of aluminium. That equates to just under five percent of Montenegro’s entire economic output.

To safeguard that contribution, the state purchased a third of the firm in 2005 and is now its largest shareholder. Yet reactionary management and encroaching competition have transformed Montenegro’s former industrial powerhouse into a public burden. Despite an aggressive modernisation programme that costs the state $4m per month in subsidies, KAP is facing debts of around $469m. That equates to a tenth of Montenegro’s entire GDP. Consequently, IMF officials have gone so far as to recommend the firm’s complete closure. Yet because KAP maintains a corporate reputation as the country’s backbone, politicians fear the social implications of shutting down operations. Luckily, other firms are stepping in to pick up the slack.

Although government officials are keen to shift Montenegro’s economy away from an overreliance on services, one of the nation’s corporate success stories continues to be its semi-nationalised electricity provider. A joint venture between the Montenegrin Government and Italian giant A2A, Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) is another of the state’s biggest employers. Thanks to a campaign of foreign-backed expansion to increase production capacity, EPCG was recently tipped by Deloitte as one of Southern Europe’s rising corporate stars. Shares have since skyrocketed by a fifth.

Because there are no regulatory distinctions made between domestic and foreign firms, international corporations enjoy full ownership of Montenegrin companies and repatriate profits or dividends without restriction. Consequently, Montenegro rakes in a cool $609m in FDI per annum – accounting for around 10 percent of its annual GDP. The country’s thriving building sector has been bolstered by an influx of foreign ownership in recent years, helping drive the Montenegrin economy’s new ringer industry: international tourism.

A new era
All the pieces are falling into place for Montenegro’s up-and-coming tourism industry. It’s easy to see why. Not only does the tiny country boast a summer climate identical to that of Majorca and the Cote d’Azur, but its 294km of beaches bask in over 240 days’ worth of sunshine each year. In the wintertime, families and world-class athletes flock to the towns of Durmitor and Bjelasica, which enjoy 12 weeks’ worth of fresh snow per year. In the spring and autumn, history buffs gather at the Bay of Kotor to wander through rambling Byzantine ruins, and cosmopolitan shoppers relish the thriving capital Podgorica.

People are finally starting to take notice. Last year, Lonely Planet named Montenegro one of its top 10 must-see destinations – and over one million people heeded the call. During the peak summer season, 35,000 tourists now land in the country each day. What’s more, the World Travel & Tourism Council reckons that number will only rise, with footfall predicted to increase by 16.4 percent over the next seven years. That makes Montenegro the fastest-growing tourist market in the world.

One of the industry’s biggest earners is medicine. Ever since the Middle Ages, cutting-edge physicians have flocked to the small Montenegrin town of Igalo to study the supposed healing properties of its naturally radioactive muds. Doctors at the Institute of Vichy would use a concoction of local sands and seaweed from the coastal town to treat rheumatism, bronchitis and other ailments. By the early 20th century, Igalo had established its own tiny medical centre that became one of the most revered in the Mediterranean.

Little has changed. In a picturesque cove, the Institut Igalo is the spearhead of Montenegro’s rekindled medical tourism industry. Every year, tens of thousands of individuals flock to the specialist medical centre for a wide range of treatments – from cardiac rehabilitation to intensive osteoporosis prevention programmes. A teaching affiliate of the Podgorica Medical School, the institute’s coveted physiotherapy programme is one of the most competitive in Southern Europe. When other European hospitals are unable to secure their own doctors learning places at Igalo, they send patients instead. Earlier this year, the University Hospital of Oslo landed a costly rheumatics deal that will see Institut Igalo treat over 2,000 Norwegians in the next three years. It’s with the aid of these international contracts that the institute is able to rake in a cool $14.7m per year. Private clinics in Podgorica are also increasing in popularity among health tourists. The city’s highly trained but relatively low-cost dentists are particularly soughtafter – helping to drive a holiday health industry that’s grown by nearly 20 percent in the past five years.

Investors are already rallying to accommodate that surge in growth. One third of all capital investment in Montenegro goes towards tourism and hospitality – and by 2021, that share will have increased to well over 50 percent, or $1.2bn. Investors like Barrick Gold’s CEO Peter Munk are leading the charge – he’s already shelled out $670m transforming one of the country’s dilapidated navy yards into a luxury port to rival places such as Monaco. Dubbed one of Europe’s most ambitious leisure projects, the lavish rebranding of Port Montenegro is attracting millions from high-end Russian and Middle Eastern markets – and it’s only a third finished.

Further south, Amanresorts International has signed an exclusive deal with the Montenegrin Government to lease and develop three new hotels on the island of Sveti Stefan. With such an influx of foreign investment, it’s hardly surprising that tourism now accounts for nearly a quarter of Montenegro’s entire GDP, or some $1.85bn per annum. As market demands shift and industries waver, the power of that contribution cannot be ignored. At last, it appears government officials have recognised the lucrative potential of their country’s breathtaking physical features – and although the influence of the country’s old industrial powers may wane, forecasts indicate there’s plenty of hope for Montenegro and its newly focused economy.

Technological advancements give power back to travellers

Organisations are rethinking how corporate travel services are delivered. Many are improving their programme efficiency through more effective booking systems, integration of global booking content, and the implementation of strict travel policies. This change is driven by the growing amount of corporate travel, and Generation-Y executives keen on controlling their own schedules.

Travellers expect more information about trips, and many are planning their own. Travel managers must introduce content filters and corporate collaboration technologies that offer relevant, accessible information. Travel bookers need maps of destination details and key locations for each employee. For travel technology firms, this means creating booking programmes with collaborative maps, allowing travellers to input relevant content. New technology may also add itineraries and appointment emails to the traveller’s calendar.

The surge in self-booking could heighten efficiency and reduce expenses induced by cancellations

Advanced booking systems
“Whether they use CBTs, online travel agencies or TMCs to make bookings, 92 percent of travel bookers are dependent on global travel systems to make their bookings,” said corporate travel solutions provider Travelport in a recent report. “That means the onus is on system suppliers to bring together the full range of booking content needed to find the best travel and accommodation deals, and deliver faster, more appropriate travel services to corporate travellers. Minimising the headache of choice experienced by travellers and travel executives is instrumental in the success of any travel technology provider.”

Some firms centralise their needs via an internal travel manager, who typically relies on a corporate booking system such as AmEx. Others have trips booked by an external firm or by employees individually. Companies with centralised booking typically rely on travel arrangers to organise flights, hotels, cars and trains for over 60 percent of their travellers’ reservations. In Europe, where the centralised model is more prevalent than in North America, travel arrangers make seven times more bookings than self-bookers.

Varying travel needs
Travel arrangers have a mission to secure satisfaction and seek the best value within the limits of a company’s travel policy. Older generations of executives tend to have specific preferences, such as time of day, seat placement, and layover location, and prefer business class flights. Younger C-suites are more concerned with saving time and money, and opt for overnight flights and economy seats. Travel arrangers must accommodate these varying needs.

“They make more advanced reservations, but cancel bookings twice as often as self-bookers,” says a recent Egenecia study. “This could be to make up for a lack of visibility on travellers’ schedules and trip imperatives. Travel arrangers have adopted online booking at a rate upwards of 80 percent and the more they book, the more they adopt online booking over traditional offline methods.”

“Many of our customers use some combination of the two models: more assistance for complex or VIP travel, and more independence for road warriors,” adds Graham Kingsmill, Managing Director of Egencia UK.

Self-booking
Because business travellers, particularly younger ones, are becoming pickier, more firms are allowing employees to book themselves. According to the Egencia study, 100 percent of polled North American multinationals are decentralised, and multinationals in Europe have a self-booking rate of 50 percent. Unsurprisingly, self-bookers favour online over telephone or face-to-face services. Travel bookers typically guard against changing plans by making several bookings at once. The surge in self-booking could heighten efficiency and reduce expenses induced by cancellations.

Considering multinationals are giving travellers more autonomy than local firms are, this self-booking model is likely to gain traction as an increasing number of European companies expand globally. The new, digital generation of business travellers will also affect this trend as they come to expect the same level of usability, choice and transparency in corporate bookings as in the leisure market. Companies should be ready with solutions to accommodate this revolutionary move.

The best places to visit in Brazil

Living up to its reputation as ‘the country of football’, all eyes were on Brazil as it celebrated hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Final figures have been released by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism and show that the number of international visitors to the country during the 2014 FIFA World Cup far surpassed Embratur’s expectations of 600,000. An additional one million foreigners from 203 countries travelled to Brazil between May 23 and July 13.

One of the best ways to take in this city is to take a boat trip along the Capibaribe River and soak up the beautiful architecture

Though the tournament has created a legacy and will have global repercussions for Brazil, the country is gearing up to host the next mega event, the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where attention will turn to the city of Rio de Janeiro. The World Cup has already given us a taste of what Brazil has to offer, but there are plenty more must-visit destinations around the country.

Recife
Recife is Brazil’s fifth-largest city and is the capital of the State of Pernambuco. Nestled in the heart of northeast Brazil, Recife boasts near-perfect weather all year round, with hardly any harsh weather extremes and an average temperature of 25°C, making this coastal city the perfect choice for a winter sun holiday.

Known as the ‘Venice of Brazil,’ Recife is a city of water – from the long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches to the waterways dissecting the city, tranquil aquatics are all around. One of the best ways to take in this city is to take a boat trip along the Capibaribe River and soak up the beautiful architecture, the traditional rhythmic music that seems to constantly resonate around the streets, and the general hustle and bustle going on around you.

The beautiful colonial town of Olinda, now considered a district of Recife, provides a laid-back alternative to the busyness of central Recife. A maze of cobbled streets with white churches, pastel buildings and leafy squares, Olinda is a picturesque place to while away a lazy afternoon. In 1982, Olinda was designated a UNESCO cultural heritage site and has both retained its colonial feel and adopted a bohemian atmosphere as a varied arts and culture scene has grown.

Rio de Janeiro
For a more cosmopolitan break, head to Rio de Janeiro. Not only does the city offer an array of world-famous beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, but you can also take the iconic cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain and take in the breathtaking views of the city.

As Rio prepares to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, new museums and attractions are opening up all the time. Rio showcases the country’s best food, from typical Brazilian cuisine and steakhouses, to gourmet spots and seafood restaurants.

Paraty
Paraty is one of Brazil’s prettiest little colonial towns and is located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Filled with small boutique shops and art galleries, Paraty has a bohemian atmosphere, but is also a traditional fishing village.

Paraty retains an intimate feel with small cobbled streets and beautifully preserved building facades. The streets come alive at night as the small bars and restaurants fill up, with both locals and tourists spilling out onto tables on the street.

Trancoso
This sleepy fishing village has quickly become the most chic Brazilian holiday destination. Beautiful beaches are just the start of the appeal of Trancoso, a destination that now attracts the international jet set, and boasts some of the best restaurants outside of Rio and São Paulo. Luxury shops and pousadas have sprung up, but Trancoso maintains a quaint low-key atmosphere, where locals and tourists can mingle and enjoy each other’s company.

Ski spots still top in summer

Anyone who holidayed in the Alps this summer will know that even without snow, the mountain range is a tourist hot spot. Chamonix in the Savoie region is a hub of summer activities and now receives as many visitors in the warmer months as in winter.

To keep on top of things, the Chamonix lift management company, Compagnie du Mont Blanc (CMB) and the Chamonix council have announced a 40-year investment programme worth $617m, which will see the upgrading of ski lifts and facilities in the area.

Summer sports
For many people, including homeowners, skiing is the main reason to visit the French Alps. However, there is arguably a larger variety of activities on offer in many resorts during summer, and we’re not just talking about walking or cycling along mountain trails. Fancy navigating gorges, floating on snow-melt streams, and sliding down waterfalls? If so, the increasingly popular sport of canyoning is one of the most exhilarating ways to experience the natural beauty of the French Alps. Resorts, in particular Chamonix, have guides who can take you out for a day or half a day.

Rafting or kayaking are popular too, and there are some fantastic rivers in the Haute Savoie that offer this, including L’Isère, the source of which is near the similarly named Val d’Isère, and the Dranse, which is only 30 minutes from the Châtel ski resort. Châtel is also home to one of the world’s longest aerial runways – an extreme type of zip-wire, so not for the faint-hearted.

Horseriding, mountain-biking, paragliding, paintballing, fishing and sailing on Lake Geneva and Lake Annecy are all options as well. There are golf courses dotted around the region too.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of resorts offer excellent tennis facilities – indoor and outdoor. Flaine, part of the Grand Massif, has quality tennis facilities, which are used for tennis camps during the summer. And Les Gets also has two free tennis courts for public use. Serious followers of tennis will know that facilities in Courchevel are of a standard to host international tennis, while Méribel’s tennis club at Le Bois d’Arbin, just above the resort centre, has 10 courts (plus four children’s courts) where you can take private coaching or simply hire a court and racquets.

With this in mind, investing in property in a resort like Chamonix should make sound long-term sense. While income from winter season rentals is regarded as the key to a successful investment, savvy investors will know there’s money to be made from a mountain property even when there’s no snow.

Property options
So if seeking a mountain investment to manage yourself, pick a resort that operates year-round and boasts a full range of outdoor activities. If you’d prefer to invest in a ski property that comes with a guaranteed rental yield each year, a leaseback property would be your best option.

With a leaseback property, the buyer owns the freehold but is obliged to lease the property to a management company that uses it for tourism. Management companies take care of all maintenance and bookings, making it a completely hands-off investment. Leaseback owners can typically include a certain number of weeks’ annual personal use in their contract, usually from two to six weeks.

The amount of guaranteed rental income paid with a leaseback property, typically three to five percent, will fall in line with the amount of personal use an owner receives. It is usually less than letting a property individually, but the investment is hands-off.

Leaseback contracts are fixed for a minimum term, typically nine or eleven years, after which the owner may have the choice to assume outright freehold ownership. Buyers should check these details before committing to a purchase.

When developers in the French Alps build skiing developments, called résidences, they will usually allocate a certain number of properties for leaseback purchase with the remainder available for outright purchase. Built for tourism purposes, résidences usually include communal facilities such as lounge areas, a bar, indoor swimming pool and a spa. Not dissimilar to a hotel, they have a reception that deals with bookings and general enquiries. Owners of leaseback property typically have to pay a contribution towards maintenance charges as well as the tax foncière council tax.

Sochi becomes a MICE hotspot

For many companies, events such as conventions and exhibitions can be a more cost-effective form of advertising and getting to know their customers than traditional marketing. Large-scale and face-to-face approaches often become successful marketing events, which can garner clients and sales, generating revenue in addition to the obvious opportunities for advertising the company and its products. Essentially, meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) are a growing part of the tourism industry and are gaining serious traction with corporates. This has fostered a broader need for suitable locations that can accommodate MICE events on a small and large scale, for various companies with different needs.

The Russian city of Sochi, as a growing tourist location, has become a popular base for international events, both for marketing products and corporate seminars. Following the Winter Olympics, its wide range of facilities are being put to good use and event planning has become one of the city’s specialties. MICE has great potential for development and growth as a key sector in Sochi, despite the political turmoil currently surrounding Russia.

MICE has great potential for development and growth as a key sector in Sochi, despite the political turmoil currently surrounding Russia

The MICE industry is complex. Participants, sponsors, planners, convention and visitor bureaus, meeting venues, accommodations, and suppliers all have to be taken into account when planning an event. The sector has experienced rapid growth as a result of equally rapid globalisation, technological deveopments and the expansion of
service industries.

“This is a sector that has shown significant growth in every single year since the financial crisis hit the world economy in 2008,” says Martin Sirk, CEO of the International Conference and Convention Association. “The international association meetings sector is a solid, reliable performer. I am convinced that every serious meetings destination, internationally ambitious venue, and forward-thinking meetings management company should include international associations in their marketing and development strategies.”

Thriving industry
Recent data from Meeting Professionals International said meeting and event professionals expect to see a significant improvement in the industry as the global economy continues to rebound. US meeting professionals generally expect a 3.9 percent increase in meeting attendance and a 2.4 percent hike in budgets, while the European industry forecasts a 2.4 percent rise in attendance and a 1.6 percent increase in budgets. Overall employment is also picking up.

The Caucaus Mountains, close to Sochi
The Caucaus Mountains, close to Sochi

Not surprisingly, economic uncertainty is still a worry, the data revealed, but this is not necessarily bad news for the industry. The turbulent economic climate in recent years, as well as the changing ways in which audiences consume and are influenced by media to make purchasing decisions, has pushed C-suite executives and the boardrooms of major brands to look to senior marketing and sales executives as a source for innovative strategy, with measurable ROI on every investment. This need for immediate value-creation has led an increasing number of brands to break away from their ad-centric past, and focus instead on campaign strategy across targeted mediums that engage with customers – such as MICE.

MICE in Sochi
Russian Olympic organisers are predicting Sochi will become one of the most important Russian meetings industry centres. They have opened the Sochi Convention Bureau in order to drive MICE traffic to the region. Until the middle of last year, Sochi had some 31,000 hotel rooms, with the majority below modern standards. However, in preperation for the 2014 Winter Olympics, 25,000 new hotel rooms and 17 new hotels were created. Of the latter, almost all have congress centres.

As of February 2014, Sochi had 55,600 hotel rooms, with the majority owned by international hotel chains, concentrated in two main Olympic clusters, 45km apart: the coastal cluster has gained approximately 8,000 new hotel rooms within the Olympic Park; on the coast between the Sochi centre and the Olympic Park there are 5,300 new rooms; and in the city centre, there are 1,200. The Krasnaya Polyana mountain cluster is richer for 1,600 new hotel rooms. This is supported by a slew of infrastructure projects – amounting to a $51bn investment in the region surrounding the Black Sea – allowing easy access to Sochi’s newly renovated airport.

The first major hotel chain to invest in the local meetings industry was Nordic giant Radisson, which built the largest multifunctional congress centre in the Olympic village; the Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre, Sochi. Multiple restaurants and bars cater to guests along with a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 1,300 participants and a fully functioning press room. Such major investments by key hotel chains has transformed Sochi into a destination of diverse convention facilities suitable for all kinds of events.

Sochi's Lighthouse Beach on the Black Sea
Sochi’s Lighthouse Beach on the Black Sea

Post-Olympics
This does of course raise the question of whether or not the volume of rooms and convention halls is oversized due to the Olympic Games, and whether the local industry is sustainable. However, International Meetings Review said hotel investments had remained relatively small and diverse, ensuring a strong MICE industry in Sochi that can accommodate many different events.

What’s more, previous Olympic hosts have proven it is possible to foster a strong MICE industry post-Games, ensuring the usage and sustainability of Olympic facilities for years to come. Vancouver, a popular Winter Olympics choice, is known for its impressive meetings industry, which ranks 43rd on ICCA’s 2012 rankings, thanks to a total of 49 conferences. London, having hosted the Summer Olympics in 2012, ranked seventh in the world in 2013, primarily thanks to the use of the Olympic Park and related facilities for further conferences and events.

Sochi is becoming a competitive choice compared with other Russian locations – including Moscow, which tends to have higher accommodation and events prices. This is a key selling point for the Sochi Convention Bureau, which also points to the spectacular scenery in the area, the historic city combined with modern infrastructure and amenities, and the mild climate, which allows for outdoor events too. It’s not hard to understand why Sochi has long been a destination favourite for Russian tourists, and may soon be the MICE location to know.

Time to invest in a Turkish nest

Erdogan’s government has done much to encourage foreign investment in the past decade, including making the country more attractive to second homeowners and expats. Turkey’s attraction for foreign property-buyers gained momentum during the first half of 2014, with rising property values, booming tourist numbers and ever-improving air access.

Sales to foreigners in Turkey rose 60 per cent year-on-year during the first six months of 2014, totalling 8,507 property purchases. Figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute confirmed that for the same period, Istanbul alone recorded a 150 percent increase in foreign buyers, putting it ahead of the tourist province of Antalya, home to the popular resorts of Alanya, Belek and Kalkan.

Meanwhile, foreign visitors to Turkey increased 3.24 percent year-on-year in the first three months of 2014, reaching 4.35 million, according to Turkey’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture. The second quarter recorded even greater growth; between April and June foreign tourist numbers increased 6.8 percent year-on-year, peaking at 10.9 million. In terms of revenue, tourism generated a record high of $8.9bn in the second quarter of 2014, a 7.9 percent increase on the same period last year.

Turkey welcomed more than 35 million foreign visitors in 2013, becoming the sixth most popular travel destination in the world, but is forecast to receive a staggering 43 million tourists in 2014, with the sector generating revenue of $36bn.

This year has also seen Turkey’s global air links and air traffic continue to grow, with interest in the Middle East driving much of this. In June, a record 16 million passengers passed Turkish airports, while in May, Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport broke a European record for the highest number of landings, namely 1,267, in one day.

What’s on offer?
So why might you consider buying a home there? For Sara Chandler from Essex, waking up to sunshine and sparkling sea views is now a daily treat thanks to her decision to relocate to an apartment on a five-star complex in Turkey. Ms Chandler bought her two-bedroom apartment, located in Tuzla and 30 minutes from hotspot Bodrum, in May 2013, after finding it on the internet and arranging a viewing with agent Spot Blue International Property.

“I fell in love with my property from the photo of the sea view that I saw on the internet,” said Ms Chandler. “I came out to see it two weeks later and was ready to buy from the British vendor, however I spent two days with the agent who wisely made me view other properties, around eight in total, just to check there wasn’t something else I’d prefer. They were very helpful, and assisted me with finding a lawyer and ensured the handover went smoothly and I received my TAPU.”

Ms Chandler paid around £75,000 for her Turkish property, including furniture, using the proceeds from the sale of her UK property. After monthly visits to Turkey, she has now decided to base herself there, returning to the UK to work for a few months of the year.

“Being a self-employed marketing consultant gives me the flexibility to live in Turkey and return to the UK for work purposes – it’s ideal,” said Ms Chandler. “So I have just applied for residency. The lifestyle here is fantastic and I have already made new friends on my complex, both British and Turkish, and I’ve also started learning Turkish.”

Many advantages
When Ms Chandler began her search for an overseas home, Turkey wasn’t her first choice, but she was won over by how far her money would go there, as well as the lifestyle on offer. She revealed: “I went to see a friend in the Algarve who recommended buying there. I knew I had to have sea views and wanted to be somewhere not too built up, but with amenities close by. However, you pay a premium to get all that in the Algarve, so I looked at Turkey, where I hadn’t been for around 20 years, and it ticked all the boxes – I can see the sea from my balcony!”

Extensive facilities, including pools, golf, restaurants, shops and a gym, spa and beauty centre, mean Ms Chandler needn’t leave the complex unless she wants to, but she enjoys a daily stroll to the local fishing village, Boğaziçi.

Montenegro Airlines offers passengers world-class efficiency

Montenegro Airlines, the Montenegrin national air carrier, was founded in 1994. Since then it has developed into a modern institution, operating at the highest world standards – a fact confirmed by satisfied passengers and numerous certificates.

Montenegro Airlines maintains scheduled routes towards London, Frankfurt, Ljubljana, Belgrade, Zurich, Rome, Paris, Vienna, Moscow, St Petersburg, Copenhagen and Dusseldorf, successfully establishing an air-bridge between Montenegro and Europe.

Apart from these scheduled lines, Montenegro Airlines also operates charter flights to many destinations: Bari, Brindisi, Naples, Athens, Corfu, Rhodes, Skiathos, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Riga, Hurghada, Brno, Ostrava, Graz, Klagenfurt, Dusseldorf, Catania and many others.

The award confirms that Montenegro Airlines continues positive development and innovative strategies, and promotes economic potential

Vital links
These destinations are European metropolises and significant transit centres. Montenegro Airlines operates daily flights towards one of the biggest European air transport centres, Frankfurt, whose airport serves more than 250 destinations globally.

A return ticket en route between Frankfurt and Podgorica is available at the price of $268, including all taxes. Frankfurt Airport is a transit point for the majority of transatlantic flights. All major US cities are accessible via Frankfurt Airport – Montenegro is connected to the US through the main European hubs.

Since 2008, Montenegro Airlines has been performing scheduled flights to London, the British capital. The Montenegrin air carrier’s planes operate to Tivat from Gatwick Airport three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The return ticket is available for $328, all taxes included. This direct connection between London and Tivat provides the opportunity to the growing number of passengers to enjoy the rich culture and beauty of Montenegro. It’s expected that the number of passengers from Great Britain will continue to increase.

On July 1 2014, Montenegro Airlines and Air France signed the Code-Share Agreement on cooperation, allowing Air France to use designator codes and flight numbers for Montenegro Airlines’ flights between Paris and Podgorica. Charles de Gaulle Airport is a perfect global transit point, and the signing of this agreement allows Montenegro Airlines passengers the opportunity to visit: Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Toulouse, Manchester, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki, via Paris.

During the summer season, Montenegro Airlines operates daily flights to Paris, and in the winter there are two flights a week. The most favourable fare for the return ticket from Podgorica to Paris is $285. Montenegro is a country of great tourist potential and the interest of French tourists in this destination is growing. The number of French tourists wishing to spend their vacation in Montenegro is increasing, and now the option to buy tickets in all Air France offices makes this even more convenient. The agreement will benefit the passengers of both carriers, with new services such as the ability to check in for your final destination for all passengers with connecting flights in Paris.

Cabin crew on board a Montenegro Airlines flight
Cabin crew on board a Montenegro Airlines flight

Montenegro Airlines also connects Montenegro with Zurich, another transit centre. Flights operate two times a week in the summer, and up to three times a week during winter. Passengers can get a return from Podgorica to Zurich for as little as $249.

Montenegro is also linked to the capital of Austria. Flights operate toward and from Vienna two times a week during the summer season, in cooperation with Austria Airlines. The most favourable price for a return ticket from Podgorica to Vienna is $240.

Montenegro Airlines is now a member of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and a user of the Amadeus System, a leading global reservation system. It also holds the IOSA certificate, which verifies the fulfilment of the most demanding safety and security standards in aviation. For several years now, aviation authorities in Russia have declared Montenegro Airlines the most punctual air carrier of all those operating at the Domodedovo Airport in Moscow.

Montenegro Airlines is also a recipient of the Brand Leader Award. This award has been presented to the Montenegrin national air-carrier based on numerous criteria covering innovation, market recognisability, and product quality. This award is presented once every decade to highlight companies, institutions, individuals and media setting high standards. The award confirms that Montenegro Airlines continues positive development and innovative strategies, and promotes economic potential, creating a competitive tourist image of the region.

Quality fleet
The Montenegro Airlines fleet consists of six aircraft, of which four are brand new Embraer 195 and Embraer 190. These planes have proved to be the most reliable, enduring and efficient in their class, and they meet the most modern criteria for aerodynamics and technology.

Plans for the future of Montenegro Airlines involve further fleet innovation and enlargement. Conquering new markets, launching new routes, increasing the number of journeys towards existing destinations, and increasing the number of passengers are the goals that Montenegro Airlines are pursuing.

Following the global trends and needs of international passengers, Montenegro Airlines offers fast and convenient methods of buying tickets. In addition to online purchase via the carrier’s website, passengers may buy tickets via the call centre.

Despite strong competition from numerous air companies, Montenegro Airlines believes in its potential and stable market position. Visitors and tourists choose the comfort offered by Montenegro Airlines when they choose Montenegro as an attractive tourist destination.

For further information tel: +382 20 228 187

Peace of mind assured at Les Mariannes Wellness Sanctuary

Imagine a 25-room hotel, located high up amid a wave of hilly slopes, with pineapple and sugarcane plantations all around, and an ever-changing vista looking over the emerald seas of the Indian Ocean. This is the idyllic environment of Les Mariannes Wellness Sanctuary, located near the village of D’Epinay and about a 10-minute drive from the famous Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens in Mauritius.

Combined care
This hotel-clinic offers its guests a unique atmosphere in which to relax, recharge and rejuvenate. Wellness programmes keep the guests busy – get involved in outdoor yoga sessions, gain some physical guidance from a personal trainer, join a tai chi class, or try some mindfulness meditation. Massage sessions are also included in all the packages. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can join the sanctuary’s group for mountain trekking, horse riding, or cycling; there are over 100 acres of wild, tropical fields to be explored in all directions. For a calmer day, fishing and catamaran outings are among the other regular activities.

For the past 35 years he has been using his vast knowledge and clinical skills to treat patients suffering from a wide spectrum of disease

A range of superb healthy cuisine provides the guests with nutritious meals that help make their stay enjoyable, while restoring health. All the vegetables served here are farmed within a one-kilometre range, and the pineapples come from the sanctuary’s own garden. Cuisine is focused on vegetarian options and fresh seafood, and many detox recipes are served during the day too.

An outdoor swimming pool with a panoramic view of the countryside and mountains provides guests with a unique experience. A sauna and hammam, with yet another breathtaking view, make detoxing and relaxing a memorable experience. Eleven treatment rooms give guests a choice of over 30 different treatments for mind, body and total rejuvenation. Alongside the aromatherapy mud wraps and beauty treatments, the sanctuary offers physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, body alignment and more.

Les Mariannes has pulled together an international team of gifted therapists and health professionals who focus on the specifics of each client’s condition to develop an individualised treatment programme. Each programme blends western medicine with oriental and natural therapies – including ayurveda, acupuncture, and herbal medicine.

Clients come in looking for a total – mind and body – wellness experience. Programmes can be as short as two nights and three days, or may last several weeks for specific treatment plans, such as those for addiction, weight loss, and serious diseases. All treatments are offered in a very discreet way and many high-profile personalities who are seeking help to overcome their addictions (alcohol, drugs, and other substance abuse) fly in for Les Mariannes’ special 12-step programme, which is enriched with holistic therapies. The mix of clients is truly international and the sanctuary’s staff speaks several languages fluently.

Expert healing
“We are open to treat many types of illnesses, but our focus is on the whole-person approach and we are using evidence-based therapies from east and west, which will induce the person to regain full health. People come to us from all over the world, looking for a sanctuary to heal from the diseases of the twenty-first century: stress, addictions, obesity, burnout syndromes, depressive conditions, and convalescence after illnesses,” says Dr Siddick Maudarbocus, the clinic director and the person whose vision has brought about this unique healing concept on the island.

“At the same time, they get the opportunity to enjoy Mauritius. Our patients have access to the full range of sightseeing and excursion facilities – just like at any hotel on the island.” Having spent the past 25 years delivering medical services to hotels and tourists, Dr Siddick identified the need for such a wellness clinic – where tourists can visit Mauritius and recover their health in a hotel set-up, but where they can also access a lot of holistic and natural therapies to address specific health issues.

Dr Siddick (pictured) is ideally positioned to guide patients through overcoming diseases such as stress, addiction, obesity and depressive conditions, having qualified as an NHS doctor and become an expert in alternative medicines
Dr Siddick (pictured) is ideally positioned to guide patients through overcoming diseases such as stress, addiction, obesity and depressive conditions, having qualified as an NHS doctor and become an expert in alternative medicines

Dr Siddick has the ideal background for this venture; having qualified as a doctor in Dublin, and after a few years working for the NHS, he felt the need to expand his knowledge of different systems of healing. He travelled eastward from the UK and studied in France with the father of modern auriculotherapy (ear acupuncture), Dr Paul Nogier, who could cure many diseases just by inserting a couple of needles into the ear. Dr Siddick then studied energy medicine in Germany, ayurveda in Sri Lanka, and acupuncture in Singapore, Hong Kong and China.

For the past 35 years he has been using his vast knowledge and clinical skills to treat patients suffering from a wide spectrum of disease: stress-linked problems, painful syndromes, addiction problems and burnout syndromes.

Les Mariannes Wellness Sanctuary also offers group health packages. Combinations of physical and mental therapies are tailored to help participants address issues holding them back personally and professionally. Les Mariannes can also provide corporate guests with unique team-building exercises and strategy workshops, overseen by the sanctuary’s expert counsellors and life coaches. Group therapy, stress-management techniques, motivational talks and art therapy come together to provide enriching solutions to professional problems.

Les Mariannes is a fusion of different healing arts, all fine-tuned by a master in restoring minds and bodies to wholesomeness. The sanctuary experience helps guests return to a state of health and, vitally, teaches them how to maintain positive practices when they return to their everyday lives. The environment of the sanctuary offers a cocoon of pampering services that helps remove the blockages in guests’ minds and bodies, and restore wellbeing.

For further information email info@lesmariannes.org