Kuwait is one of the more low-key Arabian Gulf nations, but that’s not to say it’s lacking as an enchanting holiday destination. With its pristine sandy beaches, luxurious resorts and high-end shops, Kuwait is quickly emerging as one of the most covetable Middle Eastern holiday hotspots. The country launched a five-year plan for tourism last year, designed to attract more international visitors. Tourism is a vital part of the local government’s plan to transform this peaceful corner of the Middle East into a commercial and financial centre, unrivalled in the region.
With this in mind, plans are afoot to develop the country’s exhibition and events sectors, in the hopes of enticing corporate travelers and promoting the country as a viable business destination. These developments are creating new opportunities for established hospitality institutions such as the Hilton Kuwait Resort. Already a sought-after base for visitors in the country for tourism or business, the hotel is taking this opportunity to modernise and expand their services.
Ziad Tantawi, General Manager of the Hilton Kuwait Resort, insists the upgrade will ensure the hotel “keeps up the good quality services and meets all guests’ needs and requirements” and that the new facilities will play an important role in “promoting the resort as a leisure destination for locals and GCC visitors”.
A mile of sandy beaches The Hilton Kuwait Resort boasts an exclusive private beach with soft white sand, where visitors can “soak up the sun, unwind and indulge their senses,” says Tantawi. “The hotel’s modern architecture is designed to take full advantage of the views of the clear, aquamarine sea and the 1.75km of private beachfront, where waiters are on hand to bring refreshments and direct you to your sun-lounger.” And for ocean-shy guests the day-spa at the Hilton Kuwait Resort is unique with a state-of-the-art aquamedic pool, with massage jets, jacuzzi, whirlpool and aquabeds. Guests also have full use of the steam rooms and sauna.
A room with a view at The Hilton Kuwait
The Hilton Kuwait Resort combines the best leisure facilities with a top business centre. “The hotel is only a 20-minute drive from the Kuwait International Airport,” explains Tantawi. “And we offer free high-speed internet in all rooms and public areas.” In all, there are 11 meeting rooms and the exquisite Al Dorra Ballroom, which can host up to 1,250 people. When it comes to business travel and events, Tantawi is unequivocal: “We promote the best and most elegant venues for conference and events of different sizes, and create special meeting packages to attract business guests.”
Exclusive offerings
The hotel also offers exclusive facilities for its long-staying guests, including deluxe studio rooms with seating and dining areas, and even a garden chalet. An exclusive presidential villa gives easy access to the sea, and boasts a full kitchen, a dining area, a living room and complimentary breakfast. “The spacious chalet, in cool, calm tones has two bedrooms, second bathroom and a private terrace opening onto the garden,” says Tantawi. But the real crowning glory is the exclusive Royal Villa, says the General Manager. Large enough for eight adults, it boasts floor to ceiling windows, and a breathtaking sea view.
And the hotel will continue working hard to attract these desirable business guests in 2014, mostly through promotions and offers. “For 2014 we are preparing an extensive plan that will attract different segments and will serve all guests’ needs in Kuwait, GCC and internationally – whether for business or leisure,” says Tantawi. There will be “attractive promotions and packages for local guests and GCC, and creative promotional offers related to the hotel food and beverage that will surely cater for many tastes.”
Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, is a port town in Southern Nigeria. It lies by the Bonny River, an eastern tributary of the river Niger. The town was founded in 1913 as a port of the British colonial government to export coal from the collieries of Enugu, 243km north of Port Harcourt. It was linked to the collieries by a railway called The Eastern Line, also built by the British.
When commercial quantities of crude oil were first discovered in Oloibiri in 1956, Port Harcourt’s economy turned to petroleum. The first shipment of Nigerian crude oil was exported through the town in 1958.
Fuelling progress Port Harcourt became the centre of the Nigerian oil economy and it subsequently reaped the benefits of its associations with the petroleum industry by undergoing an impressive modernisation and urbanisation. Rivers State is one of the wealthiest states in Nigeria in terms of gross domestic product and foreign exchange revenue from the oil industry, crude oil being its main export earner.
Port Harcourt city is also known as the Garden City, a throwback to its glorious past as one of the most beautiful townships in post-colonial Nigeria. It boasts a vibrant hospitality industry and one of its major landmarks is the Golden Tulip Port Harcourt Hotel, which sits resplendently in Port Harcourt’s Government Reserved Area. It is just one kilometre from the Aba-Port Harcourt expressway, which connects the city with the rest of Nigeria as well as 35km from the Port Harcourt international airport.
An oasis of serene pleasure in the fast-paced oil city, the 102-room Golden Tulip Port Harcourt boasts six different room types, from standard comfort rooms to a two-bedroom presidential suite. All hotel rooms enjoy free access to high-speed internet.
Comfortable executive suite at the Golden Tulip Port Harcourt Hotel
The Anioma restaurant has a sumptuous array of exotic buffet options and à la carte specialties. The restaurant is famed for its Sunday brunch and serves African and continental European dishes. The Bubbles Bar and Coffee shop is open 24 hours and offers an exciting menu of drinks and snacks.
Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, gym and wellness centre. The outdoor pool and spa, with its extensive menu of treatments, provide relaxation after a difficult day’s work. The hotel is also mere moments from Ifoko Beach, the Polo Park, Delight Zone Amusement Park, and the Port Harcourt Zoo; during your down time, entertainment is not hard to find.
The perfect package The hotel also offers state-of-the-art conferencing facilities, comprising two conference venues, which can accommodate up to 100 guests, a 20-seat boardroom and a 12-seat meeting room for corporate or informal groups and get-togethers. The hotel’s dedicated business centre looks after any secretarial requirements during your event and staff can organise audiovisual extras and banqueting for guests.
Golden Tulip Port Harcourt’s superb conference packages make it the preferred venue for important delegates visiting the region. Its full-day conference facility starts from $72 per person. The package includes coffee break, meeting room rental, internet access and buffet lunch. Prices include VAT and service charge. A minimum of 15 guests is required to book this package. Highly attractive weekend conference packages are also available, as are exciting promotions offering guests high value for money.
The Golden Tulip is the perfect place to hold a business event, with conferencing facilities accommodating more than 100 guests
The hotel’s delegates’ meeting package is only $304 per person. It includes one night’s accommodation in a standard room with buffet breakfast, coffee break with snacks, free internet access, and complimentary tea and coffee upon arrival. The prices include VAT and service charge. As a final deal sweetener, Golden Tulip Port Harcourt offers a free room for every three-night booking, at $295 per night, per standard room, which is inclusive of taxes. It also offers a five percent discount on alcoholic beverages, in the spirit of true hospitality.
With these impressive deals and facilities, it’s easy to see why Golden Tulip Port Harcourt was awarded Business Destinations’ Best Business Hotel, Nigeria, 2013. Nigeria beckons, and Golden Tulip Port Harcourt welcomes you with a warm promise of a deliciously exciting stay. So do yourself a favour and make that trip soon.
Built to invoke modernity, style and luxury, Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai stands elegantly in a 51-storey glass tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, in the heart of cosmopolitan Dubai.
In a strategic location, the hotel is near the Dubai World Trade Centre, opposite the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and just minutes away from Burj Khalifa (the tallest tower in the world), The Dubai Mall and Dubai International Airport. It is also within walking distance of the World Trade Centre Metro Station, allowing guests to reach any city destination with ease. Designed with the business and leisure guest in mind, the hotel’s facilities and services meet the most rigorous guest requirements for comfort, luxury, elegance, stress-free business, cuisine and much more.
The hotel’s facilities and services meet the most rigorous guest requirements for comfort, luxury, elegance, stress-free business, cuisine and much more
Among these facilities are 471 well-appointed guest rooms, suites and luxury apartments, all overlooking either the vibrant Sheikh Zayed Road or the Jumeirah beach. A number of the suites are designed for longer-term guests and feature kitchen areas, espresso machines and work desks.
Full of flavour The Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai offers no less than four restaurants and two bars, a deliciously diverse array of cuisine and venues, topped off with panoramic views of the city. Traditional and authentic delicacies, from Japanese and Asian to Arabic, are served in speciality restaurants featuring unique décor, ambience and entertainment.
The ICHO Restaurant and Bar is a trendy three-storey hub in the heart of Dubai. This Japanese restaurant has customised menus that vary in taste and style. Each floor is dedicated to a different cuisine, from à la carte, to a fresh sushi station, to the entertaining tappan grills. On the 51st floor there is a buzzing bar and lounge with incredible views of Sheikh Zayed Road. It is perfect for drinks after work and cocktails in the evening.
Celsius Restaurant is known for its lavish, rich daily buffets and Italian nights. Whether for breakfast or lunch, a selection of delicious dishes from around the world are available. The array of fresh dishes will ensure that there is something to cater for everyone. In addition to the open-plan dining room, Celsius Restaurant features two semi-private dining rooms to host private parties.
Indo Thai is Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai’s Asian restaurant and bar. Located on the second floor, it serves an array of succulent Indian and Thai specialties, all in a warm and relaxing atmosphere. In addition to the open master dining room, Indo Thai features two semi-private dining rooms allowing you to host intimate parties accommodating up to 12 people.
Located in the lobby on the ground floor, the Lobby Lounge is the ideal place to sit back and relax after a long day. The bar serves hot and cold beverages, snacks and sandwiches throughout the day.
Stop by Gourmet Corner to indulge yourself with a variety of delicious cakes, pastries, chocolates, healthy sandwiches or salads. Grab a quick snack, satisfy your sweet tooth, or take your morning coffee with you either to the office or on your way to discover Dubai’s sights. Takeaway and delivery service is also available.
Massages to meetings Located at the heart of the city of Dubai, Spa Zen is your space to unwind, where wellbeing and beauty are there for you. With refined earth touches inspired by Eastern wisdom, the concept and décor have made it a great destination for indulgence. The spa’s expert multinational therapists are available to offer services that suit your needs – from holistic treatments and massages, to beauty packages and separate male and female saunas.
Beyond the spa, Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai offers guests a health club and an outdoor swimming pool. Guests receive tailored workout plans from personal trainers to get the most out of the hotel’s slick, modern gym.
When it comes to business, in addition to the exclusive proximity to the city’s exhibition and corporate districts, the concept of corporate gatherings and events or casual meetings is completely redefined at Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai thanks to an exclusive 625sq m state-of-the-art modular space. The Origami conference room, found by the hotel’s main entrance, is a complex construction of angular glass panels. At night, coloured projectors hit the nuanced dome, transforming it into a piece of art.
There are also 15 meeting rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual facilities and with wired and wireless access to high-speed internet. Exciting catering options, from coffee breaks and canapés to full dinners, turn an everyday meeting into an impressive event. This year, Radisson Royal Hotel Dubai is our Best Business Hotel, Dubai, 2013, thanks to its innovative scope of corporate provision.
With its flat terrain, Beijing is a breeze to cycle through
Beijing The number of bikes in Beijing has now increased to over 10 million, and for good reason. The width and frequency of bicycle lanes – of which there are three types, some as wide as roads and separated from cars by a line of trees – is an obvious advantage, but Beijing also has another reason for its vast numbers of bikes: The city is flat. Cyclists need no concrete-strong will, no muscular thighs and no outstanding cardio skills. For tourists, companies such as Bike Beijing offer a unique introduction to the city, with the chance to view mountainous landscapes, explore traditional ‘hutongs’ and even visit the Great Wall.
Paris
Paris shares a similar set up to London’s ‘Boris Bikes’
In Paris, conclusion of the Tour de France, two wheels free you from the raucous rush hour. Steer through back streets and charming alleyways, leaving behind the traffic of main roads. There is a network of 440km of cycle paths and routes crisscrossing the city, meaning every corner can be explored. Paris shares a similar set up to London’s ‘Boris Bikes’; you can rent one of 20,000 bicycles for half an hour at no cost and for longer periods of time with a charge, from over 1,000 terminals scattered all over the city.
Cyclists have two options when leaving their bicycles, they can either be chained to a rail or pole specifically for this purpose, or locked in a safe, supervised luggage room in one of two railway stations: the Gare du Nord or the Gare d’Austerlitz. With your bicycle basket filled with baguettes and bouquets, pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral or skirt the Eiffel tower in a romantic bubble of Parisian bliss.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam was ranked the most bike-friendly city for two years running by Virgin Travel
With 400km of paths devoted to bicycles and 400,000 cyclists, it’s no surprise that Amsterdam was ranked the most bike-friendly city for two years running by Virgin Travel. Once in the saddle, you can discover the impressive buildings, vibrant flowers and seventeenth-century web of interlaced canals, from a much closer angle. Warm summers provide great weather and the multitude of coffee shops will ensure you never go thirsty after a long ride.
Half of citizens over the age of twelve cycle daily and the city has adapted well to suit the needs of its cyclists. It is interwoven with safe, bike-friendly routes and scattered with sheds for easy storage. The city is dotted with traffic lights dedicated to cyclists and designated parking zones. Tourists can rent bicycles easily and either join an organised tour or discover the city on their own. The government has published free brochures containing safety tips and has a theft-prevention programme. Amsterdam even has its own Bicycle Hotel, which provides bikes for hire and has a strong sustainable ethos.
Portland
Portland is the only large US city of earn Platinum status from the League of American Bicyclists
Circle the warm waters of Lake Billy Chinook with the kind of intimacy that could never be achieved in a car. Follow the Sandy Ridge Mountain Biking Trail on a rollercoaster of roots and rocks. Chase Mount Hood, until it is a snow-streaked giant and not just a smudge on the horizon.
With 180 miles of bike lanes and 79 miles of bike paths, Portland is the only large US city to earn Platinum status from the League of American Bicyclists. The League is a non-profit organisation that encourages cycling for enjoyment, health and transportation, and is trying to improve the quality of cycling across the US. Portland was the first US city to instigate bike boxes – a road system to improve the safety of cyclists and prevent collisions at intersections by enhancing visibility and awareness. It was also the first city in America to implement elementary school bike commuting trains, where children can cycle to and from school together, improving their confidence.
As well as road cycling, many trails can be reached from the city, varying in terrain and level of difficulty. Organised cycling events, such as the week-long Cycle Oregon, are also very popular. Cycle Oregon has even named itself ‘The Best Bike Ride in America’ and, while modesty is obviously not its thing, its participants seem to agree, with up to 2,000 riders attending annually.
Cambridge
Cambridge is often referred to as the ‘city of cycling’
Its patchwork of parks and open spaces is the ultimate escape. Where better to spin your tyres than along the silky River Cam, while watching passing punters? Its flat terrain and extensive cycle routes make it an idyllic location for cyclists of any skill level. One in five journeys here are made by bike and around 50 percent of people cycle at least once a week.
If you are unfamiliar with the area or want a guide to the best spots, several companies organise cycling excursions, such as Cambridge Bike Tours. This ride takes you along the river to view the college boathouses, the University Real Tennis Club and a great site for photographing Kings College Chapel, with its heaven-high ceiling, coloured panes and ghostly, stone facade
High on the hills in Hong Kong Island, with scenic views over Causeway and Kowloon Bays, sits The Park Lane Hong Kong Hotel, a historic institution with pride of place in the local community for over four decades.
“Park Lane is an icon and point of reference in Causeway Bay, perfectly part and integrated in the luxury and upmarket shopping scene,” says Luc Bollen, the General Manager.
While it is an integral part of the local community it also provides visitors with a quality experience that cements Causeway Bay’s upmarket reputation. “It is a meeting point where local families come to dine over many generations and it is not an unusual sight to find three or four generations dining together. It equally offers trendy places to be seen where young local business people from the nearby fashion walk meet in the evenings for cocktails on The Deck restaurant overlooking Victoria Harbour,” adds Bollen.
In the 40 years since its inception, The Park Lane Hong Kong has consistently delivered superior services and developed a reputation among locals as the place to be seen. “With the local community we connect through our restaurants and bar offerings where local patronage has remained at 80 percent throughout the years,” says Bollen.
Evolving with time and changing customer demands, Park Lane’s rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and bars have seen many upgrades – and in some cases complete overhauls – but the hotel has always retained a strong identity. “Our teams reflect both the wisdom and experience of those who have served The Park Lane Hong Kong over many years and our new generations of hospitality workers bringing in new dynamics,” says Bollen. “Combined they are the magic behind constantly, over 40 years, meeting and exceeding guest expectations.”
Causeway Bay, The Park Lane Hong Kong’s location, is one of the world’s most exclusive shopping destinations. The area is a popular tourist spot, but it’s more than just a retail paradise. This vibrant part of Hong Kong Island, in easy reach of the whole city, offers a pleasant green environment, with Victoria Park and splendid hill views. Add to this the abundant restaurants and leisure activities and it’s easy to see why Causeway Bay is so attractive. “With recent real estate values surpassing even Fifth Avenue in New York, one can imagine the density and richness on offer in the area,” said Bollen.
Business and pleasure The Park Lane Hong Kong does not only cater for tourists, it has exquisite business facilities too, making it ideal for executive travellers and our Best Business Hotel, China, 2013. “For business travellers we have state-of-the-art facilities, rooms equipped with relaxation and working areas, club floors and lounge, business support services, restaurants and lounges for meetings, and a gym to offer an equilibrium between work and private time,” says Bollen.
“For individual travellers we have developed rooms focused on leisure, families, shopping, dining facilities, and a great location in the heart of Causeway Bay and close to the central part of Hong Kong Island.”
“Causeway Bay, where Park Lane is located, is one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in the world”
Hong Kong is a hi-tech city and The Park Lane’s guests expect top-quality infrastructure. The hotel does not disappoint when it comes to technology, and for Bollen it’s an important part of modern hospitality. “Technology is a fast-changing and evolving aspect of a traveller’s journey, while we provide standard frameworks for people to maximise the benefit of their preferred hi-tech gadgets, what differentiates us from others are the technological advances we use back of house to better understand and engage with our customers,” he said. “These technologies allow for real-time engagement, allow us to tailor our offerings and, as such, strengthen the intrinsic relationship between the hotel and its customers.”
One of the rooms on offer in The Park Lane Hotel
Always improving The Park Lane Hong Kong is undertaking an important refurbishment, but guests need not worry – Bollen promises there will be no disturbance to the hotel’s sterling service. “After 40 years of operation and continuous investment in our hotel the art of renovation has become second-nature to us. Again it is a question of engagement and communication with our guests, combined with good planning, limiting noise pollution, and maximising works offsite.”
There is no doubt that The Park Lane Hong Kong will emerge from this fresh wave of investment as a more impressive institution than ever. “For 2014 we have planned an upgrade of our 28th floor meeting rooms with an unique addition of a spacious rooftop garden overlooking Victoria Harbour,” says Bollen. “This will set us apart from our competitors and will offer our guests a privileged space to showcase their brand.
“Further we are looking at conversion of second-generation family rooms. Our first generation is very successful and we have taken into account feedback from guests and associates. We are also renovating a number of rooms and incorporating the latest technologies for our business travellers.”
There is a temptation in a market as buoyant as Hong Kong’s to delay major renovations, but The Park Lane Hong Kong knows better. “We are extremely lucky that our owners have the foresight and believe that continuous upgrading and adapting the facilities to ever-changing demands is the right thing to do. We strongly believe that our guests are our biggest marketing tool, as such we view our continuous investment in the hotel as smart marketing dollars well spent and benefiting all stakeholders,” explains Bollen.
A global brand The Park Lane Hong Kong is an affiliate of Worldhotels’ deluxe collection. Worldhotels extends its heartiest congratulations to Park Lane on winning Business Destinations’ Best Business Hotel, China, 2013.
“The Park Lane Hong Kong commands the very best location in Causeway Bay with some of the best shopping outlets on one side, and stunning views of Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park on the other. The hotel’s spacious guest rooms, well-equipped and newly designed function rooms, as well as renowned service excellence are some of its strengths attributing to winning the prestigious award of Best Business Hotel, China,” says Roland Jegge, Worldhotels’ Executive Vice President Asia Pacific. “It’s always a delight to see the excellence of our hotels recognised at an international level. Kudos to The Park Lane Hong Kong team on winning this amazing award!”
Accommodating up to 400 persons for a cocktail reception, The Park Lane’s function rooms overlook spectacular views of Hong Kong’s renowned Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park, and offer modern audiovisual and conferencing equipment. Other hotel facilities include restaurants, a cigar tasting room, a business centre and a spacious gymnasium with sauna, steam bath, massage and facial services.
Authentically local Modern travellers are well-informed and savvy, desiring to explore new cultures and scouting less-travelled paths. At Worldhotels, guests have their curiosity and spirit of adventure satisfied at any of 250 destinations. Expect unexpected adventures – skiing in Kazakhstan, skydiving in Las Vegas, hot air ballooning in Turkey, bungee jumping in Auckland, or learning the tango on the streets of Argentina.
Staying true to its tagline – ‘Where discovery starts’ – each Worldhotels property offers the authentic flavour and culture of its city, creating a unique travel experience one will not easily forget.
Finally, to make every stay count, guests can benefit from Worldhotels’ extensive list of airline partnerships that includes 26 frequent flyer programmes with premier international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Qantas and more. Book now to enjoy special rates, daily breakfast and 1,000 frequent flyer miles with a minimum of two nights stay between November 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
Portrait photographer David Bailey doesn’t like to talk about the sixties. “It’s a great time now,” he tells GQ. “I have always wanted to live in the present and not the past.” Strange, coming from the man who made the sixties swing.
When Bailey photographed Jean Shrimpton on the streets of New York in 1962 for Vogue’s Young Idea Goes West shoot, he inadvertently revolutionised the fashion industry. Before Bailey, couture was stuffy and unobtainable, fodder for the upper classes. Bailey didn’t ask Shrimpton to adopt a conventional pose and hold it for hours, as his contemporary Cecil Beaton would have done. He wanted to capture her rawness on the streets of Manhattan, hot dog vendors and all.
Now, 54 years later, it still amuses Bailey that, at just 21, he secured this job at Vogue. Having grown up in the East End, he spoke with a strong cockney accent at a time when only the most cut-glass inflections were heard in the magazine’s corridors. In the sixties, Vogue was more about breeding than talent; if you were titled, you had a greater chance of getting hired than an uneducated upstart.
But it is this attitude that Bailey has been so instrumental in eradicating from the fashion industry. The scruffy leather-clad cockney and his tiny muse spearheaded the British fashion invasion of the US, and brought Vogue from the lofty echelons of Mayfair to the gritty backstreets of Manhattan.
Looking back at the 1962 photo shoot, it is hard to see what was quite so revolutionary about it, but it brought about the birth of a new movement, one which Diana Vreeland, then editor-in-chief of Vogue, would retrospectively term ‘Youthquake’.
Always independent Bailey has never changed his work to fit a publication, and photographs however he sees fit. He told Lynn Barber in 2005: “I try to avoid style because if you have style you get dated”. Yet his work is easy to distinguish: black and white, minimalist, high contrast between tones. It has never been about the photographer. The focus is the subject, capturing their personality; for Bailey, it’s all in the eyes. This is why he refused to photograph Julian Assange, seeing nothing in his expression. He also declined to capture Lady Gaga, but that was more because he heard about her diva tendencies and figured she would be trouble. Bailey does not accept attitude in his subjects. He will flirt, flatter, and insult them to get the perfect portrait, but he makes it clear that his direction is final.
In the sixties, Bailey quickly became as famous as the people he was photographing. Friends with Mick Jagger, Terence Stamp and The Beatles, he was part of a youth movement that took London and New York by storm. His life was even turned into a movie as early as 1966, although Bailey commented that Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-up was “a bit silly really”.
Jerry Hall and Helmut Newton, Cannes by David Bailey, 1983
His relationship with model Jean Shrimpton was canonised in a television drama, which aired in 2012. The couple dated for a brief period and enjoyed one of the most famous working relationships in the industry. Though muse is an overdramatic term, Bailey still speaks of Shrimpton as the epitome of true beauty, photographing her for the cover of Vogue on many occasions. She broke off their engagement when she left him for actor Terence Stamp, to whom Bailey had introduced her on a shoot.
If Bailey’s love life has been the subject of controversy, then so too has his work. His first, and most famous, publication, David Bailey’s Box of Pin Ups, which included portraits of Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Andy Warhol, was never produced in the US and no second edition was brought out in the UK. The inclusion of the Kray brothers among the pin ups had offended some of Bailey’s more censorious critics, photographer Lord Snowdon among them, and this ensured the project’s demise.
Provocative pictures More recently, Bailey encountered controversy with his 2005 project, Democracy. The idea behind the project came when Bailey was reading Plato’s Republic. He sought a unique, organic project and organic this certainly was. Anyone who entered Bailey’s studio during the time he was working on Democracy was asked if they would like to be photographed naked. Those who agreed had six shots taken of them in whatever pose they chose. There was no makeup, minimal lighting, and no styling. Bailey published images of everyone who would pose for him, most famously Damien Hirst.
Despite his 75 years, Bailey is not slowing down. A complete workaholic, he is currently planning a new exhibition, Bailey’s Stardust, which will open in February at London’s National Portrait Gallery. It will feature work from across the photographer’s career, including the iconic images of Shrimpton. The draw is Bailey’s new portrait of Kate Moss, which has not previously been exhibited.
There is a theme of mortality in this new exhibition, and Bailey admits that as he gets older he considers his subject’s fragility more readily. Photographs featuring pregnant women will be juxtaposed with images of skulls. The name too serves as a reminder of the transience of humanity. Not one to dwell on the past, Bailey’s new exhibition will be organised thematically rather than chronologically. Alongside his iconic portraits, the exhibition will also feature work from Bailey’s travels around Delhi, Australia, and the Naga Hills.
This new interest in travel and nature photography marks Bailey’s disenchantment with the fashion industry. He resents that photography is digital nowadays and has no time for modern supermodels, with the exception of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. Yet he has no intention of stopping. The retrospective exhibition just marks a new chapter in his portfolio.
Whether you are planning a family gathering, a conference, a top board meeting or an over-the-top employee incentive, Palácio Belmonte combines elegance, old-world fascination and simple luxury in one of the world’s most exciting cities – Lisbon. It is the perfect scene for an unforgettable experience.
Palácio Belmonte enchants guests with its relaxed elegance, attentive hospitality and stately architecture. The Belmonte is about light, privacy and beautiful landscapes. The luxurious house has ten suites set across 3,700sq m, seven terraces, books, art, grand fireplaces, a piano, infinity pool, and a very discreet, attentive and imaginative team to give you only the best.
Exclusive use All of this can be rented for the exclusive use of your party, for top-end meetings. Rental includes a luxury car with chauffeur, a butler, a chef, and breakfast. The entirety of the Palácio Belmonte provides the perfect environment for Board of Directors’ annual meetings, fashion shows, product launches, gala dinners, and more.
Each of Palácio Belmonte’s 10 exquisite suites is an original masterpiece with individual character, blending historic architectural features with the utmost comfort in contemporary design. Visitors are immersed in culture – within the suites, guests discover the remnants of Roman and Moorish towers, and distinctive, blue and white eighteenth-century tiles (azulejos) recalling stories of adventure and romance.
Each suite is named for a Portuguese writer, artist, philosopher, adventurer, inventor or ecologist. Many have beautiful terraces or verandas overlooking the River Tagus, the inviting city of old Lisbon, or the palace’s striking infinity pool. Suites range in size from 29sq m to more than 162sq m.
Palácio Belmonte is Lisbon’s most acclaimed address, where the world’s elites come to experience the essence of Portugal. Surrounded by winding, cobblestone streets, Palácio Belmonte sits atop one of the city’s seven hills, adjacent to the picturesque Castelo de São Jorge. Here, history and modern luxury blend seamlessly to create an aura of peace and exclusivity, where thoughtful service assures a gracious experience, reminiscent of Portugal’s storied past.
Rich history The palace was the residence of the Marques d’Atalaia, Alvares Cabral and the Earls of Belmonte for over 500 years. It all started in 1449, when the first part of the palace was built on top of the ancient fortified Roman and Moorish walls by aggregating three towers, making it one of Lisbon’s most ancient sites. In 1640, the addition of the majestic east terrace and five classical-style facades enlarged the building.
In 1720, the family commissioned two Portuguese master tilemakers, Manuel Santos and Valentim de Almeida, to create a unique collection of azulejos. The 59 panels, consisting of more than 30,000 tiles, can be found throughout the Palace, and are one of its most impressive features. Part of the Palace was officially classified as a National Monument in 1910 and as a site of National Interest in 1997.
When French Frederic Coustols bought Palacio Belmonte in 1994, he committed to an ambitious restoration that would bring the storied building back to its original grandeur. It was vital that the oldest elements of the building were perfectly preserved.
After an investment of €26m and six years, the objective was realised, with stunning results. To ensure the project was architecturally authentic, fifteenth and seventeenth-century construction methods were used, incorporating original building and finishing materials that included the finest Portuguese marble, old wooden doors and metalwork.
Exquisite restoration Many reminders of the past have been lovingly brought back to life. In one hallway, guests find the only piece of furniture that was found in the palace – a nineteenth-century bathtub restored to its original dark blue and fuchsia painted designs. However, the Palace was also updated with modern comforts and conveniences, to better accommodate the lifestyle and expectations of today’s sophisticated travellers.
Even the garden was brought back from ruin, recreating the lush and tranquil environment that had graced the Palace grounds for centuries. It was totally redesigned and planted according to organic principles with many indigenous species of plants, fruits, and flowers. Today, guests can walk in the footsteps of historic figures, strolling the verdant grounds and experiencing a peaceful intimacy with nature in this beautiful little oasis.
In October 2000, the Palacio Belmonte received an Award for Urban Regeneration from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), presented to the Belmonte by HRH Charles, Prince of Wales. The Palacio Belmonte is the foremost example of responsible ecological and environmental management of its type in Portugal. Here, guests will find the comfort of the modern days in tune with Portuguese history, art, and culture in an ambience of total discretion, privacy and ecology.
In addition to this rich history and the 10 sumptuous suites, the palace offers private terraces, breathtaking views over Lisbon and the river, a library with a collection of 4,000 books, a stunning black marble pool, and on-demand catering by Michelin Chef José Avillez. Guests can also request a barber, international newspapers, laundry service, in-suite massages, yoga instruction and private yachts. No luxurious detail is overlooked.
Strapped of the cash to keep hold of their San Francisco apartment, roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia offered an impromptu bed and breakfast service to any takers in a desperate last-ditch attempt to make ends meet. This side-earner would become Airbnb: tourism industry giant and poster child of the sharing economy.
Eccentric Bedrooms
Casa Caracol, Islan Mujeres, Mexico
The Casa Caracol, or Seashell House, was built in the 1990s by architect Eduardo Ocampo and his artist brother Octavio. Inspired by their island setting, they constructed a seashell house. Inside the them continues – from the spiral staircase to seashell headboards and water-emitting shells. Sleeps: 7 Costs: from £143/night Extras: Private pool
Casa Caracol, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Off-grid itHouse, California, US
This architecturally sophisticated abode has glass walls and open-plan rooms, to immerse inhabitants in the surrounding landscape. It’s energy efficient, using solar-panel electricity. In a secluded desert valley, the house is a perfect retreat and provides ample opportunity for stargazing. Sleeps: 4 Costs: from £223/ night Extras: Log fire
Off-grid itHouse, California, US
The Owl House, Sandhills, UK
The cosy little Owl House is an eco-build on the west coast of England. A carefully decorated exterior and strategically placed portal windows create the feathered creature’s face. The house is close to Anthony Gormley’s Another Place sculptures, and only twenty minutes from Liverpool. Sleeps: 2 Costs: from £80/night Extras: Sea views
The Owl House, Sandhills, UK
Since its humble beginnings in 2008, which saw Harvard graduate Nathan Blecharczyk join as the third co-founder, accommodation rental business Airbnb has rocketed to stratospheric success. Having grown from a few airbeds on an unused floor to an industry powerhouse, the company reportedly takes a booking every two seconds and boasts in excess of 500,000 listings in over 33,000 cities.
The most confounding facet of all is that millions of hosts are willing to open their homes to people they have never met. It’s a concept that defies the age-old lesson of ‘don’t trust strangers’ and one that marks a milestone change in consumer behaviour.
While many businesses are keen to flaunt their ‘customer comes first’ mentality, few have gone so far as Airbnb in putting the customer at the heart of their operations. The only thing certifying the trustworthiness of an Airbnb member is a customer review. Both guests and hosts are judged by the feedback they’ve received.
Airbnb’s innovative business model is one born of the sharing economy, at a time when reputations are made as easily as they’re broken by online opinions – and lots of them. Like so many social media sites before it, Airbnb is entirely self-regulated, and though this approach has proven successful on the whole, lessons have been learnt along the way.
Unique six-bed tower home, Hertfordshire, UK
Putting customers first Controversy reached a head in 2011 when a San Francisco resident and Airbnb host ‘EJ’ wrote of how her apartment was ransacked and her identification documents stolen, courtesy of an Airbnb-approved guest: “They smashed a hole through a locked closet door, and found the passport, cash, credit card and grandmother’s jewellery I had hidden inside. They took my camera, my iPod, an old laptop, and my external backup drive filled with photos, journals… my entire life. They found my birth certificate and social security card, which I believe they photocopied – using the printer/copier I kindly left out for my guests’ use. They rifled through all my drawers, wore my shoes and clothes, and left my clothing crumpled up in a pile. They found my coupons for Bed Bath & Beyond and used the discount, along with my Mastercard, to shop online.”
The post quickly proceeded to circulate the blogosphere, drawing widespread criticism of Airbnb, who reportedly took more than 14 hours to respond. Since this incident however, Airbnb has declared its mission to offer unparalleled customer service and set a higher precedent for outstanding customer care in its continued operations. The company now provides a £600,000 insurance guarantee to each of its hosts, employs a staff of 50 investigative agents to track down abusive guests, and a dedicated support line is available in 30 different languages.
Designer loft in Milan, Italy
The company has gone to great lengths to overturn the bad publicity from this case, going above and beyond to reassure its 8.5 million guests and 500,000 hosts. When Adam Jackson tweeted that a guest had stolen his pizza cutter, Airbnb promptly shipped him a new one; when Jessica Dowdy tweeted that she had booked with Airbnb to see Pearl Jam in Seattle, the company shipped her a band t-shirt in time for the show; and when a host cancelled a cottage booking for a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids on the eve of her wedding, Airbnb sent the guests $1,000 in credit to book a replacement.
The company’s dedication to improving customer standards is also seen in its recent appointment of Chip Conley as head of global hospitality. Conley, who founded boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre, has been charged with improving guest experience. He wrote recently: “I became a boutique hotelier because I wanted to shake up the conventional wisdom that, in order to offer quality, hospitality had to be conventional. Nearly 30 years later, Airbnb is now on the forefront of a new type innovation built from the same components: meaningful host connections, great design and local experiences.”
“Hospitality is at the very heart of what we do at Airbnb,” wrote Airbnb CEO, Brian Chesky. “When people think about the meaningful experiences they’ve had through Airbnb, their hosts’ warm welcome or thoughtful gestures are always at the core. No one in the industry is better qualified than Chip to help our hosts redefine hospitality.”
An uncommercial model However, as Airbnb continues to expand it faces challenges unique to its business model. The primary draw of Airbnb – aside from cost – is an experience entirely unlike an impersonal hotel, offering the opportunity to ‘live like a local’. Its therefore important that Airbnb makes every effort to ensure it does not detract from the individual essence of each host and to also maintain a sense of sincerity in all they do.
The Tiny Fern Forest Treehouse Vermont, US. Back on the ground guests also have access to a hot tub
Above all, the success of Airbnb is owed to its focus on personalisation. The company’s culture is firmly rooted in its social, start-up mentality – the same mentality that allows guests to advertise their properties however they please and guests to recommend whichever accommodation they prefer. A private Palm Springs retreat, an ‘Owl House’ with sea view, a 70-bedroom former school, and a Highlands castle are listed side-by-side and are united not by price but by a lifestyle – one that embraces difference and does not discriminate against the weird, the wonderful and the outright unaffordable.
Airbnb’s unusual decision to abide by a distinctly uncommercial business model, however, is in keeping with its best interests. By placing the power in the customers’ hands, Airbnb ensures that the system remains one invested in people as opposed to places, fostering an attitude of open-mindedness and encouraging guests to invest in their host’s life wherever possible.
The sharing economy The company has profited from the rise of a collaborative economy, a shift that has seen multiple businesses sharing goods, data and services with unprecedented degrees of success. The availability of data and the ease with which consumers can make their opinions known via the internet has played into the hands of Airbnb’s success, with the sharing economy gaining ground in troubling economic circumstances.
Airbnb’s innovative business model is one born of the sharing economy
The concept is being touted by many as the future of consumption, and debased by others for impacting on its conventional economic counterparts. Authorities in Amsterdam have used Airbnb as a primary source in clamping down on ‘illegal hotels’, whereas recent New York laws legislate that letting an apartment for less than 30 days is illegal, implicating thousands of Airbnb users in the crime. However, restrictions such as these impact on a relatively small slice of the pie, and have not yet curbed Airbnb’s impressive growth.
The peer-to-peer marketplace is in the process of comprehensive change at present, with platforms such as eBay and Airbnb breeding an entirely new ecosystem of traders. The question remains as to what extent the sharing economy has harmed its conventional counterparts, but with the high street falling out of favour and an increasing number of businesses falling short of technological advances, the future of consumption may well lie with a new age of inter-consumer collaboration.
Seoul, in South Korea, is one of the ‘smartest’ cities in the world; cutting-edge infrastructure is part of daily life. The metro is not only the world’s longest subway system, but also boasts ultra-fast wi-fi. The transport network is meticulously coordinated, with arrival and departure times displayed on laser panels outside stations. But a new development 40 miles outside the South Korean capital is so advanced that Seoul appears positively medieval by comparison. The Songdo International Business District, constructed on an embankment on the Incheon waterfront, is a purpose-built ‘smart city’, designed for efficiency, convenience and pleasant city living.
Building a city from scratch to fulfil a specific need is not a new concept; Canberra, Brasilia and Abuja were all built in the last 60 years as functional capital cities. But Songdo is unique, constructed as an integrated hi-tech environment. Developers describe Songdo as a “global business hub” and “home to a variety of residential and retail developments”, but at a cost of over $40bn is Songdo just a glorified model neighbourhood?
The smart city occupies 1,500 acres of land “reclaimed from the Yellow Sea”, making it the largest private real estate development in history. But it’s not the geographical space that makes Songdo remarkable. The district was built as part of former President Lee Myung-bak’s drive to promote low-carbon and sustainable developments as the principal avenue for growth in South Korea.
For over half a century, the country’s economy has been dependent on exports and South Korea has become known for its hi-tech industry. When the global economic crisis struck in 2007 and 2008, and foreign demand for South Korean products slumped, the government launched a stimulus package aimed at developing the country’s own infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on green investments. Lee launched the Framework Act for Low Carbon Green Growth – a $38bn economic stimulus package 80 percent earmarked for green and sustainable investments. In 2010 the National Assembly of Korea increased the value of the Framework Act to over $83.6bn to be invested over five years.
Songdo has been a huge part of the move towards sustainable growth. The city is a novel model – 40 percent of its area is dedicated to outdoor spaces. Seoul and other South Korean metropolises are densely populated with few open-air areas for residents. Songdo is unique, offering city habitants something they have never had access to before: green space for leisure. The district has been heavily promoting its 16 miles of bicycle lanes, its central park, and its waterways, which are based on New York City’s Central Park and the canals of Venice, respectively.
Songdo’s impressive infrastructure
Sustainable and business friendly
While some South Koreans might be less impressed by the district’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, it has certainly been a selling point for international investors. Songdo is the first district in South Korea to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation, and the largest non-US project to be included in the LEED Neighbourhood Development Pilot Plan.
This means the entire development adheres to the strictest environmental standards for energy consumption and waste. According to developers, over $10bn was invested in the design and build of the 100 main buildings in the district, including the Northeast Asia Trade Tower, which will be Korea’s “tallest building and most advanced corporate centre,” according to Songdo’s promotional material.
Because the district was built from scratch it has given developers the opportunity to invest heavily in technologies that have yet to debut in conventional cities. Take Songdo’s smart rubbish disposal system, a futuristic bit of hardware that spans the whole complex. No rubbish trucks will ever roam the leafy streets of Songdo, instead all household and office waste is sucked through a network of underground tubes to vast sorting facilities where it is all processed, deodorised and treated. The aim is to eventually convert all this sorted and treated waste into energy for the community, but this system is not yet fully operational.
All household and office waste is sucked through a network of underground tubes to vast sorting facilities
In many ways Songdo is a living organism. The city’s infrastructure contains sensors that monitor and regulate everything from temperature to energy consumption and traffic. Essentially, the city can interact with residents on a one-to-one basis. Smart grids and meters are already fairly common in Europe and the US, but the technology in Songdo is more pervasive than anything in the West. Because it was designed to this specification and not converted later like most ‘smart cities’ in the rest of the world, Songdo is completely geared towards sustainability; even the water pipes are designed to stop clean water, suitable for human consumption, being used in showers and toilets, and all of the embankment’s water goes through a sophisticated recycling system.
Everything in Songdo might have been meticulously designed, but there is one key element that has not gone according to plan. Since its official launch in 2009, the sustainable district remains woefully under-occupied. Despite its enviable location close to Seoul and it’s international airport – “just 15 minutes driving time from Incheon International Airport and three and a half hours flying time to a third of the world’s population and regional markets such as China, Russia and Japan,” reads the brochure – less than 20 percent of the commercial space in the district has been occupied.
Songdo is a global business hub
But where are the people? Pre-planned cities have been around for centuries, and they always face the same challenges: how to attract residents and businesses to an untested and unpopulated area. China has faced this problem as the building boom of the early 2000s encouraged developers to invest in new cities and shopping districts that ultimately failed to attract buyers. Songdo is very well connected, and the business facilities are second-to-none, but attracting inhabitants may still be a slower process than developers had hoped for.
In order to speed up the population process, developers have been investing heavily in top-quality international education centres. The hope is to entice a diverse international community. Before the end of 2014 four universities will inaugurate campuses in the business district, including the first overseas university to open a campus branch in Korea, the State University of New York, Stony Brook, as well as George Mason University and the University of Utah, all sponsored at least in part by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. There is also an enormous and exclusive international school catering to children from kindergarten all the way up to high school.
Where to shop
LOTTE Shopping Town
LOTTE Shopping Town Designed by star architect Daniel Liebeskind, the LOTTE Shopping Town will be the most exclusive shopping destination in Songdo when it inaugurated in 2015. With 150 shops, a multiplex cinema and an ice rink, LOTTE will be the focus of Songdo social life.
Spread over 280,000 sq m, the shopping centre will cater to international visitors and local tastes alike, and will appeal to shoppers looking for luxury but weary of overcrowded Seoul malls. With over 7,5000 parking spaces available, LOTTE will doubtlessly attract shoppers from all over the country.
The shopping town is conveniently located within walking distance of the Northeast Asia Trade Tower and the Sheraton Incheon Hotel, overlooking the scenic Central Park.
Sheraton Incheon Hotel
Inaugurated in 2009, the Sheraton Incheon Hotel has stunning views over Central Park, and is within walking distance of most of Songdo’s top business spots like the Songdo Convensia Convention Centre, the Northeast Asia Trade Tower and Riverstone Mall.
As well as 321 rooms and suites, the hotel hosts four restaurants, two bars, a health club and a spa. In addition, club room and suite guests have access to the Sheraton Club Lounge, complete with televisions and office space.
The Sheraton Incheon Hotel embodies Songdo’s eco-friendly values and is Korea’s first fully non-smoking, LEED-certified hotel. It also appeals to Songdo’s business visitors with 16 meeting venues, all featuring complimentary high-speed internet access.
What to see
Songdo’s Central Park
Central Park
Opened in 2009, and inspired by New York’s eponymous park, Songdo’s Central Park is the centrepiece of the district’s green space. Located in the city centre and surrounded by striking architecture including the North East Asia Trade Tower, the park is 4.2 million square feet of vegetation, lakes and canals. Visitors can take a leisurely water taxi around the network of seawater canals that crisscross the park. Central Park has been envisioned as a “beautiful place of refuge, inspiration and relaxation in the heart of the city” and it will certainly become one of the focal points of life in Songdo. Residents and visitors are already enjoying the benefits of an urban green area of this magnitude.
IFEZ Songdo Arts Centre
Opening in March 2015, this multi-purpose centre ticks all the boxes when it comes to culture: challenging and modern architectural design, a music and a design school, a contemporary art museum, as well as a concert hall and opera house. The IFEZ Arts Centre will be Songdo’s one-stop shop for arts and entertainment and will house outposts of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra and Asia Opera Company. Designed to appeal to the most discerning public, the complex is on the edge of Incheon Lake and will offer almost one million square feet of culture and leisure facilities. There is no doubt that IFEZ will quickly become a hub for culture, not just in Songdo, but in the whole of South Korea.
Jack Nicklaus Golf Club
Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Golf course powerhouse Nicklaus Design is behind this 18-hole, championship golf course. Located on the southeastern extremity of Songdo, it is one of only 25 Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses in the world. Complete with a lake and a luxurious clubhouse, the club will be the most exclusive destination in the area, with only 250 full memberships and 250 weekday memberships up for grabs. The course plays over 7,300m, with multiple tees and strategy options, making it accessible for golfers of all levels of ability. For the uninitiated, the clubhouse features a choice of restaurants, a bar and lounge, fitness and swimming facilities, and even a spa. Dotted around the club complex are also 179 exclusive villas.
Where to meet
Songdo Convensia Centre
Open since 2008, Songdo Convensia is the largest column-free structure in Asia and has already achieved landmark status. Donated to the City of Incheon by Gale International and POSCO E&C and managed by Incheon Tourism Organisation, Songdo Convensia is popular with international conferences, trade shows and meetings, and has even become a trendy filming location for commercials and music videos thanks to its striking mirrored surfaces, reminiscent of Sydney Opera House. The 34-acre site includes two exhibition halls, 23 conference rooms and three ballrooms. Support facilities include wireless internet, RFID card systems, voice recognition cameras, and interpretation in eight languages.
Gateway Centre
Songdo’s foremost office complex, the Gateway Centre has already become one of the district’s most iconic sites. The five towers feature curved glass surfaces, giving the impression the buildings are made of glass waves. Designed by Kling Stubbins, the complex is among the most innovative in all of Songdo. Each of the five towers has a rooftop garden, which will offer occupants impressive views of the dramatic Songdo skyline, from nearby Central Park out to the Yellow Sea. Gateway Centre, along with International Plaza, will form the heart of the city’s commercial district. The complex occupies three city blocks and features a 3,480-car garage to cater for its many business visitors.
International Business Square
Songdo’s official commercial hub, The International Business Square was inaugurated in 2011, and has quickly become a destination for multinational corporations. It is located at the crux of the business district and with easy access to Incheon International Airport and Seoul, the striking tower boasts over 4.5 million square metres of business space for commercial projects. The International Business Square is one of the tallest and most distinguished skyscrapers and it dominates the Songdo Skyline. The building is set to become one of the most sought-after office facilities in the region because of its location and cutting-edge design, as well as its flexible leasing and renting opportunities.
Weekend in the city
With Songdo mere miles from Seoul, you’ll be well placed to experience the delights of the South Korean capital.
Seoul Design Festival
COEX December 18-22 Now in its eleventh year, the Seoul Design Festival showcases the best of both internationally renowned and undiscovered South Korean design talent. The event has consistently drawn around 60,000 visitors and will feature the best of handcrafted product design, to digital innovations and graphic design.
K. Will in concert
Kyung Hee University December 24-25 K. Will, South Korean ballad-singing sensation, rose to fame with his first single Dream in 2006. Four albums and numerous awards later, the singer has begun to break the US market, performing a concert in LA in 2013. Spend an alternative Christmas watching him live at the university’s Grand Peace Palace.
Spirit of Chun Kyung-Ja
Seoul Museum of Art Until December 31 Dedicated to the museum by the artist, this collection spans Chun Kyung-Ja’s career, from 1941 to the late 90s. The diverse exhibition includes observational drawing, abstract paintings, self-portraits, and landscapes from Chun’s extensive travels to India, Mexico, Peru, Brazil and New York – where she eventually settled.
Changing of the Guard
Daehanmun, Deoksugung Daily at 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), the changing of the royal guards was an integral part of palace security. After thorough historical research the ceremony was first re-enacted in 1996 and has become a colourful and popular tourist attraction, featuring historical dress, drumming and processions.
Seollul
Seoul January 31 Seollul, or Lunar New Year’s Day, is one of South Korea’s biggest national holidays and celebrations usually go on for three days. The morning begins with an ancestral rite, offering foods and saying prayers together. Everyone then enjoys tteokguk (rice cake soup), before playing games and giving gifts.
And while Songdo is not yet a hit with the international business community, young professionals have flocked to its leafy boulevards looking for a better lifestyle than the hectic streets of Seoul can offer. The district offers over 22,500 new housing units built to different specifications – from garden houses to sleek high-rises – all connected to the district’s energy, water and waste facilities.
But businesses may soon follow, attracted by the skilled workforce provided by the universities, the young professionals, the sustainability credentials and the tax breaks. “It’s the occupants who make a city,” Jonathan Thorpe, CIO of Gale International, the American developer behind Songdo told the BBC. “You’re trying to create a diversity and a vitality that organic development creates, in and of itself,” he explained. “So, it’s a challenge to try and replicate that in a masterplan setting. At the same time, with a masterplan you have the ability to size the infrastructure to make sure the city works – now and in 50 years’ time.”
And the brains behind Songdo have thought carefully about incentives for businesses. Companies relocating to the district will have access to tax reductions, estate support and subsidies. No property tax will be levied for ten years, followed by three years where businesses need only pay 50 percent of taxes due; small and medium companies will also be considered for rent reduction; and employees of companies with over a 30 percent international investment will be able to claim a variety of perks – from location subsidies to promotion results compensation.
For South Korea, Songdo is more than a hi-tech business district, it is also a template for future developments. It is the prototype for the green investment the government wants to build the economy on in the future. It is all designed to appeal to foreign investors, but its manicured gardens and glassy towers also give it an unmistakable air of luxury. This is the aspirational South Korea where everyone is wealthy and your mobile phone controls the temperature in your apartment. Songdo is the city of the future; all that is missing are the residents.
The internet and the explosion of mobile devices have changed the way we communicate globally. More than that though, they’ve changed expectations of how we should communicate. When it’s possible to call across the world in an instant, we expect that we should all be available in an instant too, no matter what.
Yet, despite technological breakthroughs, there’s still a gap between our expectations and reality. The internet may lead us to expect ubiquitous communication, but as soon as we travel abroad it can become difficult to keep in touch.
Business travellers often suffer the most from these issues. Forced to find ways to adapt, many come to rely on wi-fi connections or second SIMs – solutions that limit communication further and make staying connected an inconvenience of SIM, password and bill juggling.
However, there is one mobile operator that is overcoming these limitations: Truphone. Truphone, the world’s only global mobile network without country borders, uses patented technology to close the gap between expectations and reality. With Truphone, business travellers are more productive and more available when they travel – and they can always rely on Truphone’s global service.
Introducing Truphone
Truphone has a lot in common with traditional mobile operators. It uses the same radio masts and provides coverage in over 200 countries around the world. However, where traditional mobile operators connect local networks and then struggle to communicate across country borders, Truphone’s unified infrastructure has no such limitations. This makes it the only mobile network operator in the world that doesn’t restrict your business to the borders of your home country.
Instead, Truphone’s unified global infrastructure expands your reach to cover every country where it operates its own network – currently the US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. This is the Truphone Zone.
Travelling within the Truphone Zone is just like being at home. That means there are no roaming charges, call quality is improved and data is more reliable. This is particularly advantageous for international business travellers, making them more productive by ensuring communication is crystal clear, reliable and cost-effective.
At a time when CCMI research shows exorbitant roaming costs have motivated 40 percent of large businesses to either forbid or curtail travellers’ mobile usage, the fact that Truphone removes roaming fees within the Truphone Zone is especially valuable. It means travellers remain a part of their workforce wherever they are in the Truphone Zone, because communication is no longer limited by cost.
Research shows this doesn’t just make travellers more productive, but also makes international travel less stressful too. Even now, inability to keep in touch with family and work friends while abroad is one of the biggest complaints for business travellers, but Truphone’s approach eliminates that problem to the benefit of both businesses and individuals.
It’s not just international travellers that become more productive thanks to Truphone’s unique approach. Truphone’s global bundles also improve productivity for managers by making it easier to oversee usage. Bundles include a single allowance of minutes, megabytes and messages that work across the entire Truphone Zone and can be both shared across large teams and customised to suit individuals. Truphone’s range of regional add-ons ensure tariffs can be adapted to the needs of each business, supporting users and empowering them to do great work all around the world.
Bringing you closer With unique patented technology, Truphone also bridges the gap between reality and expectation in ways no other operator can replicate. Customers can have multiple international numbers on one SIM, so you can have a number for every country in the Truphone Zone all on one handset. These numbers are always active and are centralised to a single voicemail account, so you never miss a call.
It also ensures global contacts can always call a local number and get in touch at local rates. If you’ve got an Australian number with Truphone then it doesn’t matter if you’re in Sydney or Southampton, your contacts down under can always get hold of you on a local number. That means better sound quality, faster connections and no international charges – all of which encourages closer communication.
Truphone’s patented Smart Caller ID technology even assists in this process by automatically ensuring contacts see the right number for them. Call a colleague in the US and Smart Caller ID will make sure they see your American number, so they always know the best number to ring you back on.
Truphone’s technology doesn’t just offer local calls to others though. Every call within the Truphone Zone is treated as a local call. This eliminates the barrier of cost and ensures business travellers can always get in touch with contacts throughout the zone.
It’s no wonder new Truphone users make and receive an average of seven times more calls to other countries. It’s a figure that’s only likely to rise as the Truphone Zone continues to expand, with Germany, Spain and Poland all joining the Zone by the end of 2013.
A global experience As the Truphone Zone continues to expand, so does the scope of Truphone’s global customer service. Truphone’s dedicated business support team isn’t just available from anywhere in the world, but is also available around the clock and in different languages.
In fact, Truphone will stop at nothing to provide the level of service modern businesses expect. Land in Hong Kong and have a problem with your SIM? A Truphone representative is on their way to help with a new SIM already loaded with your old number – a truly unique service experience that demonstrates how committed Truphone is to improving the way we all communicate, and to finally aligning twenty-first-century expectations with reality.
Scandinavia has emerged as the ideal destination for those seeking a unique corporate and leisure crossover. Having only recently gained widespread popularity as a tourism hotspot however, the Nordic front has very few hotels that are adequately equipped to cater for both business and casual travellers.
First Hotels: Embracing business Business Destinations spoke to First Hotels about the ways in which they have adapted to the region’s newfound status among the higher echelons of European business, and how they make sure their guests have a distinctly Scandinavian experience.
“The Scandinavian market is still growing and we will continue to hone our focus on countries in the region wherever possible,” says André Braathen, Marketing and Digital Director at First Hotels. “The business traveller is our biggest segment for both rooms and conferences. However, the private casual traveller is our most important segment for weekends. We tailor offers to suit each group and facilitate the two.”
First Hotels has capitalised on Scandinavia’s influx of visitors to great effect, utilising this opportunity to develop an impressive understanding of what travellers want. Not content with providing a uniform and predetermined experience for all, as is customary in so many chain hotels, First Hotels, “wants to give our guests top service tailored to each of their individual needs. First Hotels has a wide range of hotels though we do not standardise the look and design, but always give our guests a unique experience.”
Sweden and Copenhagen First Hotels’ principal focus is twofold: targeting the global hub for innovation that is Sweden, as well as Europe’s fresh centre of business, Copenhagen. By addressing these areas, First Hotels reinforces its commitment to corporate clients and demonstrates understanding of Scandinavia’s place in Europe’s corporate landscape.
First Hotels has a total capacity of more than 8,000 for conferences and meetings in Sweden, Denmark and Norway
Considering the region’s importance to European business, First Hotels ensures its services satisfy those visiting on corporate matters. “First Hotels has a total capacity of more than 8,000 for conferences and meetings in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Our First Conference experience sees us creating and facilitating successful conferences, with a particular focus on detail and excellent catering.”
First Hotels also caters for additional leisure activities, lending its local expertise to those unfamiliar with the surrounding region. “Most of our hotels are centrally located and we have a well-trained staff that can offer our foreign guests local experience and knowledge tips. Many of our hotels offer the possibility to experience local events and adventures. As a part of Global Hotel Alliance, we offer our Platinum and Black members ‘Local Experiences’, which is only available for them.”
As a member of the world’s largest hotel alliance, First Hotels has jointly pioneered a loyalty programme so regular guests can enjoy benefits that would otherwise be unavailable. “Before we started cooperating with Global Hotel Alliance we were discussing how we could give our loyal guests not only a good hotel experience, but also value, and in this way exceed our guest’s expectations. We joined GHA and we are now represented in 61 countries and partnered with some of the world’s leading airlines and agencies. First Member is Scandinavia’s most rewarding loyalty programme. First Members have local benefits such as discounted hotel prices at all First Hotels, and worldwide benefits through Global Hotel Alliance such as bonus points on all First hotels in the alliance.”
Abiding by the slogan, ‘Your second home is First’, First Hotels is among Scandinavia’s best in dealing with travellers of a corporate persuasion and, if it maintains its current high standards of service, will no doubt continue unchallenged.
Since its completion in 2010, Fairmont Pacific Rim has offered a modern oasis, looking out across Coal Harbour waterfront. In the heart of Vancouver’s financial district, it boasts five-star facilities, locally sourced food, and is the go-to destination for those seeking the best of contemporary Canada. For a more intimate feel, the Opus boutique is consistently recognised as one of Vancouver’s trendiest stopovers. It offers in-room massages and personal lifestyle concierges to tailor your stay in the city.
Wildebeest grill
Where to eat
In the historic neighbourhood of Gastown, in a lovingly restored nineteenth-century building, critically acclaimed Wildebeest serves a banquet of meats. The restaurant works with local farmers to ensure ingredients are top quality. Their Premeditated Gluttony option is a group feast with slow-roasted lamb leg and charred cabbage hearts. However, if whole-animal cookery isn’t for you, local favourite Vij’s has served the region’s best Indian cuisine since its establishment in 1994.
Vancouver’s Alibi Room
Where to drink
Steadfastly committed to beer, Alibi Room showcases the best local beverages from the province and beyond, with craft-brewed treats aplenty. But man cannot live on beer alone and, fortunately, this modern tavern’s wine and cocktail lists are similarly adventurous. For a decidedly more exclusive affair, Ginger Sixty Two asks guests keep it classy if they’re to mix with Vancouver’s upper crust inside the sexy, lounge-type bar. Live music and cushy interiors mean you’ll be happy here for the whole night.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
What to see
A careful few steps over Capilano Suspension Bridge are a must for those visiting Vancouver. The precarious walkway spans 450ft and overlooks the stunning Capilano River 230ft below. Elsewhere, Vancouver’s Art Gallery houses a great collection of contemporary art and the Museum of Anthropology is a spectacular sight both inside and out. To soak up the city and all its glory, the Vancouver Lookout stands 430ft tall and offers unparalleled views of the city’s skyline.
