Author: Charlotte Gill

Six cities fight against rising sea levels

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Venice

A number of years ago, the Maldivian Government held an underwater cabinet meeting in an attempt to demonstrate the massive threat that rising sea levels, brought on by climate change, posed to their – and other pacific islanders’ – way of life. The tactic, although a little extreme, was deemed necessary in order to drive the point home – because, while for many people rising temperatures and tides are not something to be contended with in the course of their daily lives, by the end of the century this could all change.

€5.4bn

Has been spent on the MOSE flood barrier project

1m

Venice currently sits only this high above sea level

In Venice, however, this is already a bitter reality. Each winter the city and its inhabitants must compete with the acqua alta – the name given to the abnormally high tide that sees floodwaters cascading through the city’s streets, damaging property and disrupting the day-to-day activities of Venetians and tourists alike. The destruction that has been caused by the annual floods, which have become a part of everyday life for the city’s 260,000 residents, is difficult to quantify. However, over the years the waters have caused a number of ornate buildings and historical monuments to suffer immense structural and cosmetic damage. One of the worst incidents occurred on November 4 1966, when the high tides left thousands of Venetians homeless and inflicted irrevocable damage on numerous artworks and books.

In a bid to push back the ever-encroaching waters and stop Venice from sinking into the sea, the government began work on the MOSE flood barrier project back in 2003. The €5.4bn ($5.9bn) installation is now in the concluding stages of its development. “Once the gates are in operation there will be a much better management of the lagoon”, explained MOSE’s General Manager, Hermes Redi, in an interview with The Guardian. “We haven’t had a problem with Venice sinking for the past 50 years – now our problem is the sea-level rising… With these barriers we will be the only city in the world which will be protected if the sea-level rises up to [one] metre. If water goes up more than [one metre] it is not Venice that is in peril, it is Italy.”

But despite Venetians’ best efforts, scientific research indicates that sea levels worldwide have been rising at an alarming rate and are likely to put many coastal and low-lying cities at risk of being reclaimed by the sea. In fact, according to National Geographic, a recent study claims that sea levels could “rise between 2.5 and 6.5 feet (0.8 and two metres) by 2100”, while other reports argue that “a complete meltdown of the Greenland ice sheet [could] push sea level rise to 23 feet (seven metres) – enough to submerge London”.

Amsterdam

There is a popular proverb in the Netherlands that states: “God created the earth, but the Dutch made Holland” – meaning that, when it comes to fighting against the forces of nature, the Dutch are in a league all of their own. After all, the Netherlands consists mostly of reclaimed land, with the majority of the country lying below sea level.

150

In this many years, Amsterdam could be wiped out by rising sea levels

€2.2bn

Has been spent on the city’s newest flood defences

Over the years the Dutch have built a complex system of dykes, dams, levees and floodgates that collectively prevent storm surges and rising tides from taking back the land they already recovered from Mother Nature. Nowadays the Netherlands’ defences are more robust than ever – however, experts are reluctant to rest on their laurels, and so are constantly evaluating the flood protection system for any weaknesses. Not only that, but with land continually subsiding and global warming exacerbating the rate of sea level rise, the flood controls will require incremental upgrades in order to prevent a disaster from occurring in the future.

But the Dutch may be fighting a losing battle. Irrespective of the defences they have put in place, it is estimated that in 150 years from now, the water level may rise significantly and quickly enough to overwhelm Amsterdam’s defences entirely, allowing the ocean to reclaim what mankind once stole. However, not being the type of people to take defeat lying down, the Dutch Government began work on the Room for the River project in 2006: the plan, which has cost the government a little over €2.2bn ($2.6bn) to implement, will be completed later this year and hopes to address the issues surrounding flood protection and water management in the areas around the Netherlands’ four major rivers.

Hamburg

Venice and Amsterdam are certainly obvious candidates for nature’s hit list, but the second largest city in Germany is also at serious risk from flooding. After the Dutch capital, Hamburg is the next city in line to feel the full impact of global warming.

20trn

Litres of rain fell on Germany in the summer of 2002

2030

Flood defence improvements will be completed in 15 years

One of the worst floods to hit Hamburg occurred in February 1962, when waters from the North Sea caused the River Elbe to burst its banks, killing more than 300 people in the process. The memory of that event lives on among the local population and is often commemorated in the media. Since then the situation has improved considerably, as extensive protective measures have been installed – however, from the 1970s onwards, the frequency and intensity of high storm surges has increased, putting the city at even higher risk of flooding.

It has become quite common for the city to suffer flooding as a consequence of severe rainfall. Back in the summer of 2002, more than 20 trillion litres of rain fell over Germany, leading to what is known in the German media as the ‘flood of the century’. The event not only devastated Hamburg, causing millions of euros worth of damage, but also wreaked havoc on the city of Dresden, which is situated near the Czech border.

Climate change is expected to worsen conditions further over the coming decades, causing rising sea levels and intensifying storm activity across the North Sea region, which is in turn likely to put Hamburg and its state-of-the-art flood defence system at greater risk of being overwhelmed. To cope with the worsening conditions, the city’s barriers will be improved by 2030 – but no matter how good the city’s defences might be, if sea levels continue to rise as predicted, they will become rather redundant within a couple of generations.

Saint Petersburg

Nicknamed the Venice of the North, Saint Petersburg is one of the cities along the coast of the Southern Baltic Sea most at risk of being swallowed up by the rising tide. The impact of climate change is evident in the northern capital of Russia, with incidents of flooding expected to rise in conjunction with the increasingly warmer temperatures that the city has seen over recent years.

2x

Impact of climate change is twice as severe as in some other countries

6m

Defences will protect the city against a six metre sea level rise

“In Russia, global warming is happening even quicker than average on Earth – in some parts of the country, especially in Siberia and in the Arctic, up to two times faster”, explained Vladimir Katsov, Director of the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory in Saint Petersburg, in an interview with Reuters. However, unlike other cities around the world, Saint Petersburg appears to be inadequately prepared for the worsening weather conditions and the increased probability of flooding that they could bring. As it stands, the Saint Petersburg Flood Prevention Facility Complex has built a barrier that is capable of resisting a sea level rise of up to six metres: while this is substantial in the short-term, additional work will need to be done to the city’s defences if sea levels continue to rise at such an alarming rate. However, there are those within Russia that question whether the country is even capable of covering the cost of such a project – or, incidentally, the cost of the consequences should no further action be taken.

“Russia’s economy is not ready for such risks, lacking adequate adaptation plans”, said Yury Safonov of Moscow’s Higher School of Economics in an interview with Reuters. He continued, “We’re seeing more last-minute action to tackle the actual emergency than a worked-out programme.”

Los Angeles

The City of Angels will eventually secure itself a much better view of the Pacific Ocean, with sea levels expected to rise by more than two feet by 2050, according to predictions made by climate researchers.

$410m

The estimated damage if a superstorm were to hit LA

3m

LA currently sits only this high above sea level

Climate change will bring higher temperatures and increased rainfall to Los Angeles, while simultaneously forcing its 12 million-plus inhabitants to endure even longer droughts. The rise in temperatures will also bring higher tides, bigger waves and larger storms, which might make surfers and beach bums rejoice, but will also give owners of beachfront properties serious cause for concern over whether their homes will get washed away by the ever-intruding shoreline. The fact that the city sits just three metres above sea level will also intensify the problem posed by global warming – in fact, according to climate researchers at the University of Southern California, by 2050 sea levels could rise so significantly that they begin to threaten public infrastructure, businesses and even negatively impact tourism.

“Some low-lying areas within the city’s jurisdiction, such as Venice Beach and some areas of Wilmington and San Pedro, are already vulnerable to flooding”, said Phyllis Grifman, lead author of the university’s report and Associate Director of the USC Sea Grant Program. “Identifying where flooding is already observed during periods of storms and high tides, and analysing other areas where flooding is projected, are key elements in beginning effective planning for the future.”

Luckily, the local government has been extremely proactive and is already in the process of identifying where the city’s major weaknesses lie, developing innovative solutions to the problems that they present in the process. However, if a storm on a similar scale to Hurricane Katrina were to hit the home of Hollywood, causing sea levels to rise just 0.5 metres, the cost of the damage could easily exceed $410m, according to the authors of the report. In addition, that cost could rise to more than $714m with a 1.4m sea level rise.

New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina – the third strongest hurricane to ever strike the US – hit the country 10 years ago, destroying the homes and livelihoods of millions of people all along the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas. One place suffered more than any other, however: New Orleans.

10 ft

The bottom of the New Orleans bowl sits this far below sea level

80%

Of New Orleans was underwater when Hurricane Katrina struck

In just one day in late August, 53 of the Big Easy’s levees were breached by the storm surge, leading to severe flooding throughout the city and the deaths of more than 1,500 people. The failure of the city’s flood defences was due, in part, to the fact that its levees were only capable of withstanding category three winds (up to 130mph), but Katrina ranked at a five (exceeding 155mph). After the storm hit, more than 80 percent of the city was left underwater, with the severity of the flooding ending up costing the city more than $80bn in damages.

The reason the flooding and subsequent damage was so acute in New Orleans in particular is down to its geographical position: the majority of the city sits in a bowl-shaped dip which, at its lowest point, is situated more than 10 feet below sea level. The city’s low-lying location is why it has struggled – and will most likely continue to struggle – in its attempts to hold back the rising tides.

However, the municipality has since managed to step up to the challenge and has greatly improved its flood defences; installing a vast network of flood gates, dams and fortified levees in a bid to protect the birthplace of jazz music from ever having to relive the devastation that gripped the city just a decade ago. But despite the US Army completing the construction of the new multi-billion-dollar flood protection system in New Orleans late last year, there are a number of engineers and local officials that have expressed concerns about whether or

not the new system is fit for purpose. “Now, is what they built a good system, better than what it replaced? Yes, no question”, explained Bob Jacobsen, an engineer for the local Flood Protection Authority in an interview with The Lens. “But is it adequate? No, not given what’s at risk here.”

Mecca’s millions

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Mecca holds a sacred place in the hearts and minds of Muslims around the world. Located in Saudi Arabia, the city is Islam’s holiest – an incomparable ideological symbol. For centuries, pilgrims from near and far have made their way to the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed once a year in order to undertake a series of rituals. As travel becomes easier, an increasing number of individuals are able to perform the Hajj, as it is known, and fulfil what is recognised as the fifth pillar of Islam. Together with the religious significance of having such an important site located within its nation’s borders, Saudi Arabia’s sacred city is a thriving centre for tourists.

An increasing number of sites of cultural and historic significance have been destroyed in order to make way for sprawling hotels

In catering to the guaranteed influx of visitors, the city has undergone a drastic renovation in recent decades at an accelerating rate. The skyline is now populated with high-rise towers and mammoth hotels that offer their guests an indulgent stay amid luxury surroundings. Transportation infrastructure is also being developed in order to facilitate entry in and out of the holy city for the expanding crowds of religious pilgrims that pay their respects each year.

Recession-proof tourism
While the economic opportunities for the city increase with every passing year, the subject of Mecca’s comprehensive development is a matter of contention and controversy – namely as an increasing number of buildings and sites of cultural and historic significance have been destroyed in order to make way for sprawling hotels in the centre of the city. “Over the past 50 years, Mecca has changed tremendously: it has been systematically demolished to make way for newer buildings and towers, which accommodate pilgrims, [but] don’t have any Islamic architecture”, Dr Irfan Al Alawi, Executive Director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, told Business Destinations. “The excuse is that there is a need to accommodate more pilgrims. Now, we understand that there is a need, but at the same time, there is not a need at the cost of heritage that can never be replaced”.

As one of the fundamental practices of the Muslim faith, the location of the Hajj affords Saudi Arabia with a unique and sacred status within the Muslim world, while also providing a reliable stream of revenue through religious tourism. The Koran dictates that “all physically and financially able Muslims” should make the journey to the holy city at least once in their lifetime. As it is an obligatory undertaking, the pilgrimage guarantees tourism from a portion of over 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide; a number that equates to almost a quarter of the globe’s total population. Arab News reported that a new record was reached this year when more than 14 million people visited Mecca during the first fortnight of Ramadan – an increase of 40 percent in comparison to 2014. The figures were revealed at a meeting of the Central Haj Committee, as discussions took place regarding the logistics of transporting 25 million people within the 30-day period.

The heart of the action
Currently holding the title of the tallest hotel in the world, the Abraj al-Bait – also known as the Makkah Clock Royal Tower – has become the pinnacle of the city’s transformation. The mammoth complex consists of numerous luxury hotels, 15,000 homes and 70,000sq m of retail space. Among those hotels situated within the complex are the Fairmont Hotel, Swissôtel Makkah and Raffles Makkah Palace, each offering lavish suites, extravagant amenities and a personal butler service, together with breathtaking views of the Kaaba – the cuboid building at the centre of the mosque, and the most sacred site in Islam. Within the hotel complex there are numerous business centres that offer state-of-the-art technology, as part of the tower’s drive to cater for corporate travellers. Indeed, these facilities and their luxury surroundings are making Mecca’s hotels increasingly popular for corporate events and conferences, while the five-star food, opulently decorated ballrooms and teams of wedding planners on stand-by are attracting more individuals to take their nuptials in the heart of Islam’s holy city.

14m

Muslims visited Mecca during the first fortnight of Ramadan in 2015

90%

Of Mecca and Medina’s historical sites have been lost to redevelopments

$10,000

Hotels in the holy city can cost this much per night

Making room
A $60bn expansion of the Grand Mosque was recently completed, just in time for the start of Ramadan in June. The courtyard and floors, as well as the mosque itself, were all extended with the target of accommodating 100,000 worshippers per hour.

On the first Friday prayer of the fasting period, local media reported that one million worshippers had piled into the newly renovated site. According to the Saudi Gazette, the development includes plasma screens and speakers erected throughout the mosque and surrounding courtyards, which broadcast prayers in multiple languages. To improve access for visitors with special needs, escalators and electronic wheelchairs are now available, as well as signposts and brochures in braille.

Transportation infrastructure has also been recently overhauled in order to accommodate the swelling crowds visiting the city. In 2011, the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line (MMMP) became fully operational and now has the capacity to transport approximately 72,000 people an hour in both directions. The 18.1km line, which connects the holy sites between Mecca, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifa, has had a considerable impact on alleviating the heavy traffic that accumulates during peak seasons in Mecca. The Saudi authorities have plans to further expand the MMMP in order to meet mounting demand.

In terms of airport infrastructure, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation has plans to develop the country’s 27 airports over the next five years as part of its 2020 strategy. The country’s busiest airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, is already in the first stage of an elaborate three-part project, which is due for completion in 2035 and will bolster annual capacity to 80 million passengers. Other steps are also being implemented by the Ministry of Hajj to simplify procedures for those conducting the pilgrimage and to reduce overcrowding, such as the recent allocation of weighing centres to transport luggage before pilgrims arrive in the city. Furthermore, mobile technology is now employed to facilitate the trip for inbound tourists, including a new app that guides pilgrims through the ritual cycle in over 30 languages.

Cultural sacrifice
While such measures have improved the Hajj for many, the city’s development has been detrimental to those living in Mecca. Thousands of traditional homes have been demolished to make room for enormous luxury hotels, while the hefty bills that come with five-star accommodation and fine furnishings have priced out many Muslims visiting Mecca. As such, those without the means to afford accommodation that ranges in price from $5,000 to $10,000 per night are confined to the outskirts of the city, facing a difficult commute to the Grand Mosque each day through gridlocked roads. “The average pilgrim is being pushed perhaps four to five miles away from the Grand Mosque in accommodation that says it’s four-star, but is more like two-star. They then have to catch a cab, which have extortionate rates to get through the traffic jams leading to the Grand Mosque”, explained Al Alawi.

Even the religious sites where the founder of the Islamic faith lived or frequented are being knocked down as part of the city’s redevelopment and modernisation. According to Al Alawi, approximately 90 percent of the historical areas of Mecca and neighbouring site Medina have now been lost. In one recent case, the home of Mohammed’s wife – where he also once lived – was demolished and replaced by public toilets, to the outrage of many across the globe. While Saudi authorities insist that such projects are necessary in order to boost the city’s capacity, there is an ideological undertone to Mecca’s drastic development: according to Wahabbism, a denomination of Sunni Islam that is often described as radical and ultraconservative, placing such an importance on cultural and historic sites leads to idolatry worshipping. As Wahabbi clerics have a very strong role in the kingdom’s governance, many hold them responsible for the destruction of monuments related to the life of Mohammad.

Damaging the desert
The damage to Mecca’s cultural and religious heritage is an irreversible aspect of the renovation strategy that is being conducted by the authorities. Once such sites are destroyed, they can never be resurrected – confined to the pages of history, they may even be forgotten by new generations. Yet these sites are what make Mecca unique, particularly as a destination for religious tourism. “The spiritual aspect of the pilgrimage is being lost because of these seven-star buildings”, said Al Alawi. “They resemble the Manhattan elite hotels: if you were not overlooking the Grand Mosque, one would never imagine that you were in Mecca. You would think that you were in a metropolitan city somewhere in the West – but never Mecca.”

Of course, the Grand Mosque itself still stands strong, but there are an increasing number of other sites of historic and religious significance that are no more. Although the Hajj to Mecca will likely continue for as long as Islam exists, the annihilation of history also serves to eradicate the area’s cultural identity, while important lessons in Islam, which Al Alawi explains are illustrated through the life of Mohammed, may also be forgotten.

Then, of course, there is the issue of pricing out Muslims hoping to make the once in a lifetime trip to Islam’s sacred city in order to fulfil their religious duty. Aside from the moral implications, this deters thousands, if not millions, of tourists from visiting Mecca. Yet if affordable accommodation was included in the development of the city – and certainly within the centre – tourism would increase at an even quicker rate. Moreover, providing fast and cost effective transportation from the outskirts of the city to the Grand Mosque will also serve to bring in those that cannot afford to stay in the five-star hotels located within the Abraj al-Bait complex. The funds to make such investments already exist, as shown by the multi-billion-dollar projects that have recently taken place – it is the will to do so that is perhaps missing.

Worryingly, sustainability is another factor that seems to be left out of the equation in Mecca’s modernisation efforts. At present, there are no recycling schemes in place in the entire city: “About 40,000 tonnes of garbage are collected everyday from the Grand Mosque and just disposed of, perhaps even buried because there is no recycling”, according to Al Alawi. Moreover, despite the abundance of alternative energy, Mecca is powered by fossil fuel-based energy alone. “Saudi Arabia lives under tremendous heat and sees a lot of sunshine, but we still don’t have solar energy being implemented in Saudi Arabia, let alone in Mecca.” Given the current rate of expansion and the millions of people that flow in and out of the city on a regular basis, it is crucial that authorities implement sustainable policies in order to secure the continued growth of religious tourism to Mecca, without causing long term damage to the city – which, unfortunately, is already in play, and will likely only worsen in the coming years.

The Hajj

A series of rituals are undertaken in order to fulfil the pilgrimage of Islam:

  • Pilgrims firstly circle the Kaaba, a titanic black cube that stands at the centre of the Grand Mosque. The structure is the symbolic centre of the Muslim world and the religion’s most sacred site.
  • A journey is then made between the hills of Safa and Marwah.
  • Pilgrims stay overnight in Mina, a small town located 5km away from Mecca.
  • A day-long vigil takes place among the plains of Mount Arafat.
  • After sunset, pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah, where they collect stones and stay overnight.
  • A trip back to Mina is made, where the stones are thrown at pillars that represent the temptations of Satan.
  • An animal is slaughtered in order to represent Abraham’s gesture to sacrifice his son.
  • On returning to Mecca, the Kaaba is encircled seven times.
  • Another seven passages between Safa and Marwa are taken.
  • Pilgrims return to Mina for a second stoning ceremony and stay for two to three nights.
  • The final journey back to Mecca is made, where pilgrims encircle the Kaaba for the last time.

Sustainable growth
As the centre of the Muslim world and the point to which all prayers around the globe are directed, Mecca naturally draws in visitors from all continents every year. As such, its appeal is far greater than that of the opulent accommodation and world-class service on offer by the top hotels located within view of the Grand Mosque. The lure is one of creed, obligation and custom, and so it will never disappear as long as the Muslim faith exists. The flow of visitors may ebb during times of financial crisis and hardship, but it will always bounce back along with the growing wealth of both individuals and Muslim-populated states.

Of course, growing visitor numbers do demand the undertaking of projects to expand infrastructure and transportation, while current trends in technology and travel lead to a strong desire for the city’s modernisation. For practical reasons, Saudi authorities are ploughing vast sums of money into enlarging the capacity of transportation and places of worship, while hospitality groups provide the best standards of luxury and amenities in beautifully decorated hotels – a huge draw for wealthy Muslims across the globe. Mecca’s five-star accommodation therefore has appeal not only for the purposes of Hajj and Ramadan, but an increasing number of individuals and companies are now choosing to hold large-scale events and conferences in the holy city. As such, Mecca has opened itself up to the vast potential for these markets, whose possible growth in the coming years is incalculable.

As indicated by the numbers of visitors that have journeyed into Mecca for this year’s Ramadan, the formula is working: the various facets of Mecca’s tourism industry are operating together successfully to push numbers up year after year. While the increasing numbers of visitors to Mecca is a source of bustling economic activity that spills over into numerous markets within Saudi Arabia and beyond, it is also a matter of national pride for the kingdom. By having the sacred city within its borders, Saudi Arabia has incredible ideological influence within the Muslim world. In order to maintain this precedence, together with the rate of growth in the long-term, it is crucial for Saudi Arabia to employ more sustainable practices so as to ensure the success of Mecca in the future, both as a city and as a destination for religious tourism. Furthermore, excluding less wealthy Muslims from Mecca and denying their right to visit along with princes and magnates is not only a crime against the faith – it is bad for business.

Mecca has come a long way since the days of shared lodgings and traditional architecture, but it still has far to go in terms of becoming sustainable. On this journey to greater prosperity, hospitality and convenience, it would serve authorities well not to forget the city’s roots and its essence. By embracing what makes Mecca unique, and so elevating the care given to both old and new, the city can flourish to untold heights and maintain its place at the centre of the Muslim world.

Jules Gray’s piña coladas cost him more than a hangover

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Everyone likes going abroad – the exotic foods, the strange cultures, the prospect of being able to see the actual sun. But as ever with leaving the house, such activities cost money. When going abroad, it’s not quite as easy as handing over a crumpled note in your usual currency, safe in the knowledge that you understand the real price of things: instead, other countries outrageously choose to have their own currencies, and they expect you to use them while visiting. Furthermore, these often come in vastly different denominations than what you’re used to.

While it many not seem like real money while you’re frivolously paying for things, it can sometimes have a devastatingly unforeseen effect on your bank balance when you return home.

Tumbling currencies
A recent, well-earned holiday to Mexico was spent rooted to a barstool ordering margaritas ‘on the tab’. Looking at the 250-peso price on the menu seemed pretty meaningless to me – how much could a drink made primarily of tequila and lime juice, made in a country so rich in both ingredients, possibly cost? It would certainly be cheaper than in London, right?

Wrong. Upon paying my fortnight’s worth of bar and room service bills, printed on a never ending piece of paper that resembled the Bayeux Tapestry (did I really wash down breakfast with a piña colada most days?), I discovered that each of those margaritas seemingly cost around the same amount as a vintage bottle of champagne at the Ritz. Either that, or the barman had been taking full advantage of my inability to use a calculator.

In these times of economic mayhem, it is hard to get an estimate on how much things actually cost

Now, the last thing any traveller wants to do while they’re on holiday is feverishly check the current exchange rate to make sure they know what they’re paying for a hotel bar’s signature cocktail, but in these times of economic mayhem it is hard to get an estimate on how much things actually cost: at the start of this year, the Swiss franc soared by 30 percent on the back of a decision not to peg it to the euro, meaning that any time a Swiss fashionista popped over the border to, say, Milan, they would find that the expensive Italian handbag they’d budgeted for was even more ludicrously overpriced than usual.

A single solution
It’s not all bad, however. Such is the pace with which things move that a British holidaymaker flying to Greece on holiday might find that during the nearly four-hour flight between London and Athens, whichever government was in charge of the embattled birthplace of democracy might have missed yet another debt deadline and been booted out of the eurozone. Upon landing, the lucky traveller could find that instead of enjoying a long weekend renting a villa on an island in the Aegean, they are in fact able to buy the whole of Corfu.

But really, who can ever remember whether the dollar is high or low? Or how many zeros should be added to an Indian rupee when calculating the exchange rate? Or whether the euro has collapsed completely in the last five minutes?

To solve the terrible problem of morons like myself failing to pay attention to exchange rates, I propose something that I suspect may not be particularly popular in the current climate – a single currency. Not just for Europe, however, but for the entire world. That way, travellers would know exactly how much a cup of coffee – or a margarita – actually is, without having to whip out a calculator first to make sure they’re not being ripped off.

Money can buy you happiness

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Everyone knows that money can’t buy you love. However, it seemingly can buy you happiness if spent correctly, according to Dr Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University. “One of the enemies of happiness is adaptation”, Gilovich explained in an interview with Co.Exist. “We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed. But only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.”

Put simply, no matter how lavish the item or how expensive it is, eventually a brand new sports car becomes just another car, and that limited edition designer watch starts to lose its appeal. That is why the professor suggests that, rather than splashing out on possessions, people should spend their money on experiences that last.

Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods

“Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods”, Gilovich said. “You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you.” So rather than wasting money on material possessions, Business Destinations recommends that travellers heed Gilovich’s advice and spend their earnings on some of these truly incredible experiences that will last a lifetime.

Dinner in the Sky

This dining experience is what happens when gourmet cuisine meets the thrill of an amusement park ride: a dinner table is suspended high above the city skyline, providing a platform for some of the best chefs in the world to showcase their culinary skills in the most surreal of settings.

The team behind Dinner in the Sky first dreamt up this beautifully bizarre idea nearly a decade ago. Hakuna Matata, a Belgian communications agency that focuses on high-end gastronomy, made the decision to team up with theme park installation company, The Fun Group, which specialises in the deployment of cranes. On paper, many people would be forgiven for thinking that this business venture would turn out to be a massive mistake. But they would be wrong: the experience combines luxury and innovation in equal measure to cultivate a truly unforgettable experience.

This gravity-defying dining experience is a huge hit with gourmands and thrill-seekers alike. Since its inauguration, the team behind this daredevil dinner table has organised more than 5,000 events in some of the world’s most iconic cities. “All these events were unique, one of a kind”, reads the company’s website. “We can cite, for example, the event organised in the skies above Monaco for Prince Albert with France’s most highly ‘starred’ chef, Joel Robuchon, in command. But [we] also introduced new creative concepts, such as a Beach Bar in the Sky; an Opera in the Sky, with Lesley Garrett singing at the Tower of London; an Internet Café in the Sky for Nokia in Las Vegas; and a Poker Match in the Sky at the Grand Prix Moto of Jerez.”

The versatility of the offering makes it the perfect venue for a corporate event or private party – although it is probably worth finding out if any of the guests have a fear of heights first.

Sublimotion restaurant

For most chefs, creativity begins and ends in the kitchen. But for the Spanish chef Paco Roncero, the concept behind his own revolutionary dining experience, Sublimotion, started inside a research workshop, of all places.

The two-star Michelin chef believes that exquisite-tasting food is just one part of the dining experience, and set out on an incredible journey back in 2012 with the intention of creating the perfect environment in which to sample the many flavours of his signature dishes. For two long years, he swapped sous-chefs and saucepans for a team comprising of set-designers, architects, engineers, choreographers, screenwriters and even illusionists to create “the first gastronomic show in the world”.

What he and his team came up with somehow manages to combine state-of-the-art technology with extraordinary cuisine, creating one of the most unique culinary experiences in the world. Sublimotion, which opened in Ibiza’s Hard Rock Hotel last summer, sees 12 lucky diners seated at a table inside a 350sq m room that acts as a digital canvas, capable of rendering a host of audio-visual displays that help to uniquely complement each of the 20 dishes served. Diners will even experience literal changes to the restaurant’s atmosphere, with the temperature and humidity of the room being altered throughout the service with the intention of further immersing customers’ senses.

“We are very excited about the opening of Sublimotion and believe our guests will enjoy a culinary experience they’ve never previously encountered”, Roncero said in a statement. “We are so delighted to be working with Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza in one of the most international islands in the world.” Roncero first made a name for himself cooking avant-garde cuisine inspired by dishes from his native country. For those interested in a visit to this one-of-a-kind restaurant, the cost is around €1,500 ($1,670) for a 20-course taster menu.

Château Margaux

This French château is one of the most famous wine estates in the world. Known for producing one of only four wines to ever achieve premier cru (‘first growth’) status – a term used to signify a wine and/or vineyard of superior quality – it is also the maker of the most expensive bottle of red wine to ever be retailed: a $195,000, 12-litre Balthazar of Château Margaux 2009.

“The merlot is the ripest I’ve ever seen”, said the estate’s Chief Winemaker and Managing Director, Paul Pontallier, of the bottle during an interview with The Wine Cellar Insider. “[2009] offered much better conditions at harvest, which finished in dream-like conditions for Château Margaux.” The bottle, which went on sale at the flagship store of the fine wine and luxury spirit merchant, Le Clos, in Dubai, resides in a beautifully engraved oak case. Adding to its value, the buyer of this exclusive bottle of Bordeaux will also receive a private tour of the Château Margaux vineyard, capping off the day with a dinner at La Mothe de Margaux, hosted by Pontallier himself.

“Château Margaux’s history stretches back over 400 years, during which the estate has produced some of the world’s best wines time and again”, said Pontallier. “The Château Margaux 2009 vintage is one of the finest we have ever produced, hence why we chose to bottle it in this magnificent format.” For centuries, the wines produced at the Château Margaux have been heralded as some of the best the world has ever known. The high quality of this claret is due, in part, to the unique characteristics of the soil in which the grapes are grown, along with the hard-work and dedication of successive generations.

Hotel President Wilson

Switzerland and luxury goods go hand-in-hand, with some of the world’s best watchmakers – including Patek Philippe, Breguet and Rolex – calling Helvetia their home. It also boasts some of the best chocolatiers and cheese-makers anywhere in the world, as well as being one of the most popular holiday destinations for the rich and famous.

Located in one of the most expensive cities in the world, it seems fitting that The Royal Penthouse Suite at the prestigious Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland is – for now, at least – the most expensive hotel room in the world, costing CHF 60,000 ($63,842) per night. For those able to afford a night in the luxury suite, the first thing they will appreciate is its sheer size: with 1,680sq m of space, it is easily one of the largest hotel rooms in Europe.

The Royal Penthouse Suite houses 12 bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, as well as a host of amenities that guests have come to expect – plus a number of ones they probably haven’t: features of the suite include one of the largest Bang & Olufsen flat-screen TVs in the market, a Steinway grand piano, a billiards table, a collection of fine art, and even its own private gym. But easily the room’s best feature is the sublime, panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the Mont-Blanc.

The suite also offers substantial security: fitted with bulletproof windows, a state-of-the-art safe to guard visitors’ valuables and even a private lift to ferry visitors, high-profile guests are able to avoid any unwanted attention during the course of their stay. This impressive offering has attracted everyone from former US President Bill Clinton to the late Michael Jackson.

Laucala Island, off the coast of Fiji, gives travellers a chance to experience what it is like to own a private island
Laucala Island, off the coast of Fiji, gives travellers a chance to experience what it is like to own a private island

Laucala Island

Owning an entire island like Virgin boss Richard Branson requires a massive financial commitment and a whole lot of free time. So for those that would like to have all the fun that comes with having their own private island but without all the hassle, then perhaps Laucala – an island located off the coast of Fiji in the South Pacific – is the answer.

Though a visit to Laucala involves travelling slightly further afield from the rest of our luxury offerings in Europe, the island is set over 1,400 hectares, combining luscious rainforests, beautiful white beaches, and all the amenities that people come to expect from a five-star vacation. The resort itself is located on the northern tip of the island, leaving the rest of the island under the stewardship of Mother Nature. But should visitors want to exchange the jaw-dropping wilderness for some man-made luxury, they needn’t travel very far.

Just a short walk from the resort is the island’s water sports centre, which boasts 14 boats, including the Riviera Open Flybridge, which is designed specifically for game fishing, as well as several Dragon sailboats and traditional Fijian outriggers, which are ideal for watching the sunset or exploring the waters surrounding the island. It even has its very own 18-hole championship golf course, which was designed by the renowned course architect, David McLay Kidd.

After spending the day on the beach, guests can head to one of the island’s many bars and restaurants. One of the first things they will notice about the food and drink that they sample is its quality, with Laucala using nature’s bounty to its benefit: the island is home to a host of organic farms and gardens that provide fresh ingredients for their vast selection of eateries. A villa at the Laucala resort will set visitors back $4,200 per night, with food, drink and activities all included during the course of the stay.

India’s luxury hospitals spur health tourism

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

In recent years, a rapidly growing industry has emerged in India – one that holds considerable promise for the country’s economy, and the potential to propel its healthcare sector into the spotlight as one of the world’s best. Recently developed luxury hospitals in India’s largest cities offer a lavish setting for patients, top-class amenities and personal attendants as part of a big push by both the government and the private sector to promote medical tourism. Some with cinemas on site, others with personal concierge services, private hospitals in India strive to offer an opulent touch that can tempt visitors from across the globe.

“The Indian medical tourism industry is pegged at $1bn per annum, growing at around 18 percent, according to India Brand Equity Foundation, an initiative of Ministry of Commerce and Industry”, Amit Mookim, Head of South Asia Consulting at IMS Health, a global consulting, analytics and informatics firm, told Business Destinations. Given the accelerating rate of development and the various governmental initiatives that are already in place, plans to double these figures by 2020 seem feasible – more than one might expect, in fact, because of the world’s ageing population and mounting medical costs in developed nations. As such, there is a growing demand for healthcare that meets high standards within a comfortable environment.

Industry players are endorsing India as the ideal destination for treatment by creating the idea of making a holiday out of the trip

Inexpensive luxury
Although the rates for treatments and procedures in India’s luxury hospitals are relatively expensive, they are far cheaper than those in other countries. The biggest factor drawing medical tourists to India is therefore the cost-effectiveness factor: according to research conducted by KPMG, patients travelling to India can save anywhere between 30 and 70 percent; a comparative advantage that still holds even when taking into account flight costs and accommodation for those travelling with the patient. As such, India now hopes to raise its stakes in the global medical tourism game and become a top competitor.

“India has witnessed a thriving healthcare industry – that includes providers, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and technologies”, according to Mookim. While all aspects of the industry are growing, the southern states are at the forefront of the nation’s medical revolution. This is because the country’s first medical schools were established in the area, which has in turn led to the best healthcare infrastructure in India. The influx of medical tourists to the south is further enhancing its progress, particularly in Chennai, which accounts for 40 percent of the inflow.

“[The] availability of a large pool of highly skilled clinical experts across specialties with world class infrastructure and technology, coupled with national and international accreditations of healthcare providers, are key assets of the industry,” Mookim said.

Along with greater confidence in equipment and facilities, the doctors themselves are a major factor in promoting medical tourism to India, particularly as Indian practitioners based overseas have gained a worldwide reputation. Also at play is an emerging trend of highly trained practitioners moving back to India – a shift that has been driven by strong family ties and, more simply, the fact that doctors now have access to vastly improved medical technology at home.

India’s potential
Firmly established hospitals in India have new strategies in place to promote their international appeal, such as the Apollo Hospital Enterprise, which provides a host of translators and a dedicated area on site for foreign visitors. Moreover, the considerable potential of the sector has also piqued the interest of international investors: venture capitalist firms from Dubai in particular are taking note of the growing numbers of medical visitors to India; a market that is still far from the point of saturation.

ABV Group recently received widespread attention for its plans to open the country’s first luxury hospital chain, which will have suites that resemble those of five-star hotels, à la carte menus for patients and airport transfers in Rolls Royces. With $80m to invest in the project, ABV plans to open the first site in Mumbai in 2017, which will be closely followed by a second hospital in New Delhi. Dubai-based Aster DM Healthcare is also making headway in the still nascent market, taking advantage of the weaker rupee and lower costs to offer international patients favourable prices for high quality healthcare services. Meanwhile, hospitals such as the Fortis Memorial Hospital in Gurgaon are already open to the public, offering facilities including in-house cinemas and state-of-the-art spas and health clubs.

Overcoming challenges
A further advantage that India has over its competitors for medical tourism is its offerings of alternative treatments, such as yoga and meditation. By accommodating current trends in wellbeing and mindfulness, alternative therapy is becoming India’s unique selling point in the global market. Mookim noted that “the potential of the AYUSH [Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturotherapy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy] system of medicine should be harnessed to carve out a competitive edge, coupled with greater use of technology and clinical coordination across borders, [which] would support patient centric services and post treatment care”.

Creating value for medical tourists has thus become a pillar of the market. Industry players are endorsing India as the ideal destination for treatment by creating the idea of making a holiday out of the trip, while specialised tour groups are also emerging, offering packages that include hospital visits together with tours of local attractions. “Along with medical treatment, we provide facilities such as hotel accommodation, airport pick-up, forex and visa assistance”, said Anurav Rane, Director of PlanMyMedicalTrip.com. “We also offer food arrangements, translators and sightseeing across the country.”

Various challenges still face the sector, such as India’s poor transportation infrastructure and levels of sanitation and hygiene, which are off-putting for a number of tourists. There is therefore a higher urgency to improve facilities, particularly in the most popular medical hubs in the country, such as Chennai and New Delhi. That being said, a greater consistency in standards and technology is required across the entire country: “The fragmented healthcare industry has been a challenge to develop a well-coordinated and harmonised ecosystem to promote international medical tourism”, said Mookim. “Standards, right from coding systems, clinical procedures to diagnosis, need to be consistent across the value chain.”

However, these challenges can be overcome with greater investment and government-assisted coordination. “A single window mechanism with representatives from all the stakeholders in the medical tourism value chain can be established to promote patient awareness, assist in travel and logistics on a common platform”, Mookim concluded. Given the rate of progress achieved in recent years and the sector’s continuing development, which is driven by both the private sector and government initiatives, India’s healthcare sector is on course to become one of the best in the world. Medical tourism could therefore become the pinnacle of India’s travel industry and a pillar of the country’s growing economy.

China is far from a ‘new normal’

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

China is generating a lot of confusion nowadays, both at home, where senior officials now tout the economy’s ‘new normal’, and abroad, exemplified by the US’ embrace of Cold War-style tactics to contain China’s rise. On both counts, the disconnects are striking, adding a new dimension of risk to the impact of the ‘China factor’ on a fragile world.

The official view in China is that its economy has already arrived in the promised land of the ‘new normal’. Indeed, that was the theme of the just-concluded China Development Forum (CDF) – an important platform for debate among China’s senior officials and a broad cross-section of international participants that occurs immediately after the annual National People’s Congress.

Since the CDF’s inception in 2000, the Chinese Government has used the event to signal its policy priorities. In 2002, for example, the CDF focused on the impact of China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation – a precursor to a spectacular surge of export-led growth. In 2009, the emphasis was on China’s aggressive post-crisis stimulus strategy. And last year’s event addressed implementation of the so-called Third Plenum reforms.

It is no surprise that the US is bristling over China’s ascendance – dominant powers have always struggled to cope with rising ones

This suggests that China’s ‘new normal’ will be the government’s top priority this year. But there remains considerable ambiguity as to what exactly the new normal entails – or whether it has even been achieved.

Keeping up appearances
In his keynote speech at the CDF, Zhang Gaoli, one of the seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee (the Chinese Communist Party’s highest decision-making body), declared that the senior leadership has rendered the “strategic judgment that China’s economy has entered the stage of the new normal.” Yet, at the CDF’s wrap-up session, Premier Li Keqiang suggested, a bit less decisively, that China is basically following the world economy in its transition to a new normal. In short, China’s government is confusing a path with the final destination – a point that I stressed in my remarks to the CDF, in which I argued that China is in the early stages of rebalancing its economy toward services and consumption. In fact, China is far from settling in to a new normal.

The best way to measure how far China still has to go is to consider the development of its services sector – the infrastructure of consumer demand in an economy. The good news is that services are now growing faster than any other sector, having reached 48 percent of GDP in 2014 (thus surpassing the end-2015 target of 47 percent well ahead of schedule). The tough news is that this remains significantly lower than the 60-65 percent share typical of a more ‘normal’ economy.

Given this, it is worrying that China’s leaders believe that the new normal is already at hand. The notion that this critical transition has occurred risks generating complacency at a time when China should be focused on the wrenching, but essential, process of structural adjustment – one that will take at least another decade to complete.

Continuing the shift to a services-led growth model is important for a number of reasons. With services in China employing 30 percent more workers per unit of output than manufacturing and construction, the sector’s expansion will help to preserve social stability, even as economic growth slows to seven percent. Observers in the West, focused largely on the slowdown of headline GDP growth, continue to miss this key point. Moreover, because the services sector also requires fewer commodities and less energy, this transition will help China address its serious environmental problems.

The US’ roadblocks
In the meantime, China faces another, equally daunting challenge: the US’ growing determination to contain its growing influence. At this year’s CDF, tensions between the hegemon and the rising power were widely discussed, both in the formal sessions and on the sidelines. Three developments were especially noteworthy: US resistance to China’s efforts to establish the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – a stance now rejected by most of the US’ closest allies; President Barack Obama’s signature trade initiative, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which excludes China; and yet another effort by the US Senate to enact legislation on currency manipulation that takes dead aim at China. Combined with ongoing disputes over cyber security and territorial claims in the East and South China Seas – not to mention questions about the US’ geostrategic ‘pivot’ towards Asia – these issues have chilled the Sino-American relationship.

It fell to Henry Kissinger, who was present at the dawn of the modern US-China relationship, to put it all into context. At the CDF, he stressed how different the situation is now, compared to 1972, when he and then-President Richard Nixon first met with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Unlike the immediate military threats back then, today’s challenges – such as climate change, cyber security, and global health – can be addressed only through collaborative strategic engagement.

The imperative to cooperate is an inevitable outgrowth of globalisation. As Kissinger emphasised, the Middle Kingdom of China’s dynastic era knew nothing of the Roman Empire, and vice versa. In today’s world, however, no great power can afford to operate in a vacuum. They receive instantaneous feedback from one another – especially on shared challenges – whether they like it or not.

In a sense, it is no surprise that the US is bristling over China’s ascendance. After all, dominant powers have always struggled to cope with rising ones. Nonetheless, China, burdened by 150 years of perceived humiliation by the West, does not take kindly to that reaction. As China confronts the challenges of its economy’s shift to a new normal, it will need to find common ground with the US – and the US will need to work to deepen its understanding of China’s transition. Both countries will have to show leadership, vision, and openness to collaborative engagement. Sadly, there was little sign of that at this year’s CDF.

Where is it cheapest to live in Europe?

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The strength of sterling in 2015 has meant that living abroad is more affordable than it has been for a while. But the consensus that living on the continent is always cheaper than living in the UK may no longer be true.

The OGC has surveyed the cost of the most common grocery items – such as bread, milk, teabags, pasta, washing up liquid and laundry detergent – comparing the cost of these items in the UK versus France, Spain, Portugal and Italy (the most popular European destinations with British expats).

The most expensive grocery basket was found in France

The most expensive grocery basket was found in France, with the grand total 18 percent higher than a basket of the same items in the UK. It was also a massive 41 percent more expensive than the cheapest grocery basket – found in Spain.

Spain’s low cost basket was due to the particularly low price of apples, cornflakes and chocolate – but for most items, was a relatively inexpensive place to live.

The shopping basket from the UK, on the other hand, was priced in the middle – cheaper than in France and Italy, but more expensive than Portugal and Spain. This is a promising sign for the British economy, especially given the turbulence of recent months. 

The OGC also looked at the wider cost of living, opening up the research to compare the cost of getting around by car and eating and drinking out in Europe and the long haul destinations of the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This is where the UK prices come in higher than elsewhere, with the cost of petrol and diesel most expensive here; conversely, the UK is one of the only places in Europe where diesel is more expensive than petrol. The USA, on the other hand, had the cheapest petrol and diesel by far – coming in at 66 percent less than the UK cost.

The average cost of a meal out, and for a bottle of beer, was much higher in the UK than in any other country – while the average cost of a glass of white wine was only more expensive in Canada and New Zealand. The lowest cost for these was in Portugal – well-known for its quality of life – with the cheapest glass of wine to be found in Italy.

How to travel wisely

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

When Germanwings Airbus A320 crashed in the French Alps on March 24, the tragedy brought home in the most telling way the dangers often faced by employees who regularly travel on behalf of their companies. Several of the 144 passengers on board the aircraft were businesspeople that had regularly commuted between Barcelona and Dusseldorf. Given how safe commercial aviation is within Europe, it seems unlikely that any of them would have thought for a moment that Flight 9252 would be their last.

However, it’s important to recognise that the vast majority of foreign business trips are incident-free. The road warriors fly in, transact their business, and return home safely – but even so (as insurers are keen to point out), it’s statistically impossible for every single one of the millions of business trips undertaken every year to end happily. As the frequency of business travel rises in direct correlation with the increase in exports, it brings a proportionate number of risks to these so-called road warriors. Indeed, the files of insurers are full of accounts of employees who have run into trouble in foreign climes – sometimes, but not always, through no fault of their own.

As the frequency of business travel rises in direct correlation with the increase in exports, it brings a proportionate number of risks

The UK’s Healix International, which provides medical and security services for business travellers, comes to the rescue in acute inpatient medical cases no less than 35,000 times a year – and that’s in more than 160 countries. The company supplied 2,200 medevac flights in more than 110 countries last year – the cost of which, incidentally, starts at around £15,000 per flight. As such, few private aviation companies will even consider sending in an aircraft without prior guarantee of payment, no matter how serious the emergency.

Duty of care
Given the risks and complications of foreign duty, more and more countries now impose a duty of care on employers. Although many insurers provide off-the-shelf tips for different locations, especially the hot spots, the company is obliged to take precautionary measures on employees’ behalf in the form of pre-travel training.

Although companies can – and usually do – buy insurance cover for overseas staff, this may not cut it in the courts. “The financial risks can be transferred to insurers”, explains Guy Wilson, Head of Group Insurances at Chartis Europe. “But proper attention to travel safety and security is necessary to reduce the potential for legal action brought by employees”. To win such a case, all an aggrieved employee has to do is prove that they did not receive adequate advice or support.

Before long-term postings, that support should include a thorough physical examination, including screenings of lungs, hearing, vision, height and weight, body mass index, hypertension, and liver and kidney function, among other possible medical risks. “It’s not just a question of ensuring the destination is safe and employees know who to call in case of emergency”, adds a spokesman for Healix. “Employers need to be certain their workers are healthy enough to even do the trip in the first place.” Companies must also be certain that employees will have access to any medication they may need – in China and some other Asian countries, prescriptive medicines may be unavailable.

Protecting your identity
An employer’s obligations continue when employees are out in the field. In practical terms, that means protection, support, provision of a safe system of work and, in an emergency, rescue. But while an employee’s welfare remains a top priority, the risks of business travel are on the rise – in particular, the loss of intellectual property has become a major consideration because of the rise in the theft of laptops, phones and other electronic devices.

Similarly, identity theft has become a serious problem. In their naivety, employees regularly leave passports, driving licences and credit cards lying on desks or beds – and even if they don’t, it takes just a few seconds for a dishonest staff member, who may be in the pay of a criminal gang, to rifle through drawers, pockets and luggage. Skilled operators can quickly build up a profile based on a stolen passport, airline ticket, credit card, driver’s licence or a wallet containing a few scraps of personal information. Mobile phones, which are often stolen from pubs and bars or restaurant tables, may also contain a wealth of personal data.

“Sensitive information should never be left in hotel rooms where local police and intelligence services have easy access”, warns Ackermann group, the US security specialists. “They can steal, photograph and return documents in the space of a few minutes without arousing your suspicion.” Such is the increase in identity theft, that more and more companies, such as TravelAXIS, are offering specific insurance against it.

Expert advice
Vehicle accidents, especially in rentals, often cause financial and physical damage. As road transport police told me in New Zealand a few weeks ago, a disproportionately high number of fatal or serious crashes occur because Asian businesspeople are not used to driving on the left-hand side of the road or at the high speeds possible on New Zealand’s open roads. Australian accident statistics reveal the same trend.

But even minor incidents may cause a headache. “Do not use rental cars because you may be subjected to exorbitant fines and even detention for minor traffic offences and accidents”, adds Ackermann in a research paper. Prevention is, of course, preferable to cure – or, in some cases, calamity. Insurance and emergency firms have collated a series of tips and potentially vital information for keeping business travellers out of such trouble – these include taking just one credit card abroad, not all of them, and leaving all personal letters and documents that you are unlikely to need at home. They also suggest that, except when local law requires it, you shouldn’t take passports out onto the street – however, travellers should keep a photocopy, as key information will speed up the replacement process in the event of theft.

If case of a terrorist attack (an admittedly rare event), travellers are encouraged to carry on them a piece of paper specifying their blood type, chronic ailments and employer’s phone number. Avoid dives and bars in unfamiliar places – security experts suggest that it is far better to socialise in establishments that are frequented by other businesspeople. The hotel bar is usually the safest bet. Rather than rental cars, take taxis from a reputable firm that has been recommended by your hotel, and be sure to take vaccines against the risk of long-term illnesses, including hepatitis A and B, typhoid and, where appropriate, malaria. “Malaria doesn’t just affect people travelling rough or for extended periods of time”, explains a spokeswoman for the UK’s Royal College of Nursing Travel Health. “It can affect anyone, even if they are on a short business trip and staying in five-star accommodation.”

When the worst happens
It’s of little comfort to those who lost their loved ones in the Germanwings disaster, of course, but the families will nonetheless receive substantial financial compensation: in the case of airplane disasters, the amount varies greatly depending on several factors, including the victim’s nationality, number of dependents and even where the ticket was bought. As James Healy-Pratt – attorney at New York-based Stewarts Law and an advisor to the families of the victims of the Malaysian Airlines disasters – points out, the British parents of an adult passenger killed in such a crash can expect compensation of around £20,000, compared with $1.5m for American parents.

Travelling to a foreign country will always carry significant risks, for both regular and infrequent travellers. Suffering any kind of illness or injury, especially in a non English-speaking country with an unfamiliar medical system, is the worst nightmare of most businesspeople. The solution? Be sure to have medical insurance with a firm that has local representatives in place to help you.

China revs up economic ambitions – at the cost of its people

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

This year has once again seen China adjusting its economic sights, with the People’s Republic setting an economic growth target of seven percent – down from the 7.5 percent it forecasted last year, making it the slowest rate of expansion that the country has experienced in the last 20 years. When asked about the thinking behind its more modest economic target for 2015, Premier Li Keqiang, in a report to the National People’s Congress in central Beijing, said, “We need to maintain a proper balance between ensuring steady growth and making structural adjustments”.

In many ways, the country’s steady slowdown is unavoidable: for the last three decades China has experienced unprecedented expansion in nearly all sectors of its economy, and – as the saying goes – what goes up must inevitably come down.

For the last three decades China has experienced unprecedented expansion in nearly all sectors of its economy, but what goes up must inevitably come down

“China’s economic growth projections in the near term remain robust, which bodes well for a strong business travel market, growing more rapidly than the other major markets globally”, says Stanford Lin, Vice President and Head of Products at Visa China. “Visa is committed to working with financial institutions and merchant partners to offer value-add benefits that help companies and business travellers better manage their travel expenses.”

In order to facilitate its strong economic output, China has taken on a lot of debt, with its total percentage of debt to GDP now sitting at just over 250 percent. Much of that borrowed money has been spent on housing and infrastructure projects, both of which are essential for supporting the economy over the long-term and assuring investors at home and abroad that Beijing won’t allow the economy to slow too much. But the accumulation of debt that permitted these high levels of spending eventually has to contract at some point – the government’s decision to adjust economic forecasts is a sign of prudency, therefore, rather than a signal of any inherent weaknesses in its economic structure.

Steaming ahead
But even though the country has had to concede slightly on its growth targets, China is still streets ahead of other countries, with the US – its closest economic rival – forced to settle for a growth forecast of just 3.2 percent in 2015. To add insult to economic injury, this is the first time in over 140 years that the US economy has been usurped, with the People’s Republic taking the number one spot in the final quarter of 2014. But not content with leading the economic tables, China is also set to overtake the US as the world’s top business travel market, according to a report sponsored by Visa and released by the GBTA Foundation; the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association.

The report praised Beijing for managing the country’s so called ‘soft landing’ during the second half of 2014, where central authorities opted for more moderate expansion and so began shifting away from investment and exports as the main drivers of that growth, moving in favour of an economy based around consumerism. As perplexing as it has been for political commentators to discuss the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) decision to cultivate a culture of consumption, it has been a stated goal of the leaders of the People’s Republic for some time. The government’s choice to spend more on healthcare and pensions was made, in part, to remove the economic burden from families, in the hope that they would then spend that extra disposable cash on the high street. Combine this with the fact that wages in China have continued to rise steadily year-on-year while household debt – although on the rise – has remained relatively low, and it is easy to see why the cultural shift towards consumerism has been so swift and substantial.

Booming markets
Probably the biggest benefactor from this consumption boom has been the luxury goods market. Bain & Company – one of the world’s leading consultancy firms – has reported that, despite the economic slowdown and the central authorities that are opting for more sustainable, long-term growth, mainland China spent approximately CNY 115bn ($18.5bn) on the sector in 2014.

“The field of luxury brands in China is breaking wide open”, says Bruno Lannes, a partner at Bain. “This creates a new window of opportunity for emerging brands. At the same time, it is imperative that more established brands don’t grow complacent as China’s luxury market continues to evolve, or they risk falling out of favour with consumers. Brands’ future positioning and popularity within the luxury market hinges on their willingness to revamp concepts to serve the needs of the increasingly sophisticated and well-informed Chinese consumers, while managing the growing diversity of sales channels, such as daigou [overseas personal shoppers].”

The GBTA’s report also commended the government on skilfully applying the fiscal, banking and regulatory policies necessary to avoid a rapid increase in inflation or overheating on local government debt, despite slightly downgrading its forecast for Chinese business travel from the one it published in the second half of 2014 in order to account for the slower economic growth in China, coupled with continued uncertainty in the global economy. In spite of this, total spending on Chinese-originated business travel grew an estimated 16.6 percent in 2014 to $261bn, and GBTA projects that it will continue to grow 14.2 percent in 2015, down from its previous projection of 18 percent, and will grow another 12 percent in 2016, reaching $334bn in total.

“While this is slower growth for China, it is all relative”, says Michael W McCormick, GBTA Executive Director and COO. “There is simply no other market to compare China to, as their economic engine continues to move forward at a phenomenal pace, producing double digit business travel spending growth. Whether China becomes the world’s largest business travel market at the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017 does not matter – what matters is that economic policies being set are showing signs of having a long-term positive impact on the economy, which points to a healthy business travel industry for years to come.”

Unrivalled dominance
According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2014, China’s rapid socio-economic change has been accompanied by the relaxation of some restrictions on basic rights – but even so, the government remains an authoritarian, one-party state. It has placed arbitrary curbs on expression, association, assembly, and religion, as well as prohibitions on independent labour unions and human rights organisations. The most recent high-profile example of the party’s power was when it squashed any hope that elections would be open and free in the liberal bastion of Hong Kong, with Beijing making it clear that only candidates who did not “oppose the central government” would be allowed to run.

The People’s Republic produces mixed emotions from those looking in. On the one hand, the centralised power that is wielded by the CPC undeniably plays a part in the economic success of the country. Yet at the same time, its unfettered and unrivalled dominance, while crucial in the country’s expansion, creates volatile living conditions for those citizens that stand in the way of its economic goals. The Human Rights Watch report explains how citizens face land seizures, forced evictions, environmental degradation, miscarriages of justice, abuse of power by corrupt cadres, discrimination, and economic inequality – all of which are consequences of the CPC’s relentless economic ambitions.

Meliá Hotels International offers the authentic Spanish experience

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Barcelona is a dynamic city. It can take days, weeks or – for the more intrepid traveller – even months to fully explore and appreciate its ancient streets. The city’s roots spread as far as Rome and as deep as the Middle Ages, although it is also known for characteristics that appeared much more recently: the modernist architect Antoni Gaudi is responsible for some of the city’s most famous icons, including Casa Milà and the unfinished church, la Sagrada Família.

Authentic experiences
The urban widening and redistribution of Barcelona, planned by Idelfons Cerdà in the 19th century, has stamped the city with a rationalism that perfectly contrasts the chaos of the old city. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, situated in the centre of Raval, is one of the city’s main tourist attractions, while Torre Agbar, designed by Jean Nouvel, has become the gateway to the technological distract of Barcelona known as ’22@’.

Meliá Hotels International offers visitors a wide selection of accommodation options that provide an authentic experience of Barcelona or Madrid

On the east coast of Spain, the city of Barcelona is a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to truly experience the atmosphere, traditions and tastes of the country. Visitors can soak up the city’s history and unique way of life as they get lost among bustling streets and breathtaking landscapes.

Madrid – Spain’s capital and the third-largest city in Europe – offers a unique cultural experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere, where a lively social life and a wide range of leisure activities continue to draw in both visitors and locals. The city boasts 73 museums, including the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which each house culturally significant paintings by Picasso, Dalí, Goya and Velázquez.

Sampling Spain
Boasting a catalogue of 28 hotels across both cities, Meliá Hotels International offers visitors a wide selection of accommodation options that promise to provide an authentic experience of Barcelona or Madrid. The hotels are located across a variety of areas, including the city centres, financial districts, shopping districts or within easy reach of the airports. Gran Meliá Fénix, for example, is one of Madrid’s most emblematic hotels and has consequently been recognised as part of the Leading Hotels of the World programme. It is located next to Paseo de la Castellana in the bustling Plaza de Colón, offering guests a truly opulent experience of Madrid city life. Meliá’s additional range of accommodation under the ME by Meliá marque breaks tradition within the hotel industry, focusing on the nonconformist spirit of travellers who are looking for a more creative and stimulating experience.

ME Madrid Reina Victoria is situated in the city’s liveliest district, and has brought about revolutionary change through its creation and installation of cutting-edge technological systems. Its Ana la Santa restaurant and The Roof terrace are as innovative and spectacular as the rest of the hotel, with the latter’s vibrant atmosphere ensuring it has become a popular venue for locals.

The Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand offers unique experiences in both Madrid and Barcelona. One of Barcelona’s most attractive offerings is the cutting-edge hotel Meliá Barcelona Sky Hotel, situated in the 22@ district. The modern skyscraper, designed by Dominique Perrault, offers impressive facilities including an outdoor pool, Michelin-star fine dining at Dos Cielos restaurant, a well-equipped congress centre and terraces providing spectacular panoramic views of the city. By offering such a wide range of accommodation, both cutting-edge and luxurious, Meliá is succeeding in bringing its distinctive touch to the daily lives of business travellers.

The Sky Lobby Bar at Meliá Barcelona Sky Hotel
The Sky Lobby Bar at Meliá Barcelona Sky Hotel

Madrid: the perfect meeting point

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Madrid’s economic vitality is on a level that few other cities can claim to match. The city’s enviable commercial conditions, which include its excellent infrastructure, modern congress facilities, specialist services and an exemplary selection of hotels, make it the ideal location for hosting professional meetings, conferences, conventions and incentive trips.

However, it is not merely the city’s material advantages that give it such a strong footing as a leading meetings and events destination: Madrid’s capacity for offering both business and leisure sets the city far ahead of the rest, signalling its conviction that work and play are complementary concepts, rather than mutually exclusive ones.

Madrid’s capacity for offering both business and leisure sets the city far ahead of
the rest

International gateway
With over one million business travellers visiting the city every year, Madrid acts as a gateway of sorts between Europe and South America, making it one of the busiest commercial hubs in the world. The city also has the potential to become the continent’s primary gateway to North America, with Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport currently offering direct flights to 200 destinations across the globe. Additionally, the city boasts a modern urban and intercity public transport network, offering more high-speed rail links than any other European capital. This extensive high-speed train network, which covers more than 2,600km across 80 destinations from Madrid to the rest of Spain, makes travelling in and around the city quick and convenient.

Madrid offers 242 hotels across the three-, four- and five-star categories, giving the city a capacity of more than 42,000 beds and the region as a whole a capacity of over 81,000. What’s more, the city prides itself on offering a highly competitive quality to price ratio, ensuring that business and leisure travellers with any kind of budget can find a welcoming room in the city.

Endless options
If Madrid is to be given a single defining feature, however, it must be its determination to make meetings and conferences a truly enjoyable experience. In this city, the line separating the corporate and leisure spheres is deliberately blurred, making it possible to close business deals and hold meetings while enjoying the city’s unbeatable food, entertainment and culture at the same time: the kilometre-long Art Walk, which is home to three of the world’s finest art galleries – the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía – receives more than seven million visitors every year.

In 2013, the Globe Shopper Index ranked Madrid as the second best city in Europe for shopping. Given its variety of world-class retailers and boutique stores, shopping in Madrid is certainly a tempting option – visitors will find products for every taste and every price range, with shops ranging from the most avant-garde establishments to traditional boutiques in the oldest parts of town.

Madrid has been ranked as the second best shopping destination in Europe
Madrid has been ranked as the second best shopping destination in Europe

Perfect climate
With almost 3,000 hours of sunlight every year, Madrid is a bright and welcoming city. Dozens of parks are scattered throughout it, which couple with the city’s beautiful Mediterranean climate to create one of Europe’s healthiest and most pleasant environments, as well as one of the greenest cities on the continent.

Madrid is also the only city in the world located within 100km of six UNESCO World Heritage sites – Toledo, Ávila, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial and Aranjuez. These historical sites blend seamlessly with the city’s modern infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities and devoted professionals to create an environment that offers culture, beauty, an exceptional quality of living, and a multicultural ambience that permeates through all aspects of daily life – a unique combination that creates the perfect fusion between business and leisure that the city prides itself on.

For further information email info.mcb@esmadrid.com, or visit www.esmadrid.com/mcb

Media Rotana Dubai: a warm welcome to the UAE

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Media Rotana Dubai, a five-star hotel in the heart of the new Dubai TECOM business park, is strategically located close to some of Dubai’s key financial, technological and cultural hotspots. Just a short walk away from the Dubai Internet City metro station, the hotel is easily accessible from Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Knowledge Village, Barsha and Jumeirah Lake Towers, among countless other key sites for visiting business travellers. Additionally, Media Rotana Dubai is just 20 minutes away from the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial Centre, while Dubai International Airport is only 30 minutes from the hotel’s doors. One of Dubai’s major shopping malls, the Mall of the Emirates, is also only a few minutes from Media Rotana.

Every element of the hotel was designed with luxury and international flair in mind

The hotel has 536 spacious guest rooms, where even the smallest is sized at 33 sq m. Every element of the hotel was designed with luxury and international flair in mind, suiting the needs of guests who rank privacy, personalised service and outstanding quality above all else. The hotel’s VIP lounge, Club Rotana, offers lavish, personalised services and values that promise to make any stay at Media Rotana Dubai truly memorable.

Media Rotana’s business centre gives visiting delegates a dedicated space in which to take care of their day-to-day working needs. Services such as printing, photocopying and scanning are available, while guests can also make use of the area’s peaceful atmosphere to get some extra work done before or after a meeting in the hotel’s conference centre. Comprising 15 contemporary, flexible and fully equipped meeting rooms, the congress centre boasts ample natural daylight and the very latest audio-visual equipment and IT facilities. Wireless internet is available throughout the hub, making it the perfect venue to suit any event organiser’s needs. Additionally, Media Rotana’s own professional events team is on hand during each and every event, offering personalised services and industry expertise for a whole range of events, including gala dinners, weddings, business conferences and birthday parties.

Outstanding eateries
Media Rotana Dubai prides itself on its range of dining venues. Whether guests are visiting on business or leisure, one of the hotel’s five exquisite restaurants – serving a range of international cuisines in a variety of different settings and ambiences – will be sure to meet their personal tastes.

Prego’s provides guests with a warm welcome and outstanding Italian cuisine. Known across Dubai for its authentic atmosphere and vibrant flavours, Prego’s is commonly regarded as one of the finest Italian restaurants in the city. An open kitchen showcases the team of dedicated chefs as they create the restaurant’s culinary triumphs; from thin-crust pizzas to freshly baked breads blazed in a wood-burning oven.

The restaurant’s ‘bubbly brunch’ is an extremely popular event, where all-time culinary favourites and delightful monthly specials are combined to create menus centred on rich Italian flavours and unique delicacies. Prego’s also embraces the traditional Italian ‘enoteca’ wine bar, which provides an enticing selection of the finest white, rosé and red wine in a cosy, convivial ambience. The restaurant’s warm and friendly interior makes it the ideal location for a relaxed evening meal with friends or colleagues.

Media Rotana’s international buffet restaurant, Channels, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can have their favourite dishes prepared for them at a variety of live cooking stations, or help themselves to the supply of fresh salads, delicious pastas and mouth-watering desserts. With each night of the week themed around a particular cuisine – including English, Asian, Pacific, Japanese, Mexican and Mediterranean – the Channels buffet and its vibrant, social atmosphere is ideal for group bookings of friends, families or colleagues.

Nelson’s is a Victorian pub with a modern twist, providing a trendy, late-night destination in the heart of Dubai. With a menu full of designer beverages and upscale snacks, Nelson’s has a top-of-the-range video screen and sound system that frequently displays major sporting events, including English Premier League football. An extended happy hour and regular DJs give this pub a laidback atmosphere, making it one of the most popular spots in the city for relaxing with friends or enjoying a drink with co-workers.

The hotel’s dynamic outdoor lounge, The Terrace, is located near Media Rotana’s spectacular poolside. Complete with shisha, great music and some of the best cocktails in the city, the bar’s relaxed vibe makes it increasingly popular with those looking for a relaxing drink after work. Lastly, Connexions is a lobby lounge that serves refreshments, light snacks, afternoon tea and homemade pastries in a refined, contemporary setting.

The welcoming lobby at Media Rotana Dubai
The welcoming lobby at Media Rotana Dubai

Feeling at home
Media Rotana Dubai also caters for its guests’ wellness and relaxation needs during their stay. The hotel’s Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club provides the very best in gymnasium and massage services, offering state-of-the-art facilities including a sauna, hot tub and steam room, as well as five luxurious massage options and a temperature-controlled swimming pool. Bodylines promises to help guests relax and unwind during their stay; something that is particularly appealing to guests visiting on business. Competitive annual membership rates for the recently revamped fitness club are available for those who are local to the area. Those who aren’t, however, can still make use of the hotel’s extensive gym facilities, ensuring that they are able stick to their usual fitness regimes during their stay at Media Rotana and feel healthy and energised throughout their visit.

For those bringing their families on their trip to Dubai, the Flipper’s Kids Club is a vibrant, social and secure place for children to spend their day. Here kids are given the opportunity to play, explore and make new friends, with activities including bouncy castles, game consoles, stuffed toys, educational games and more. Guaranteeing that your children will be kept entertained throughout the day, Flipper’s Kids Club gives adults the time to relax and enjoy their stay without having to worry about the little ones.

Media Rotana is well known for its dedicated staff and personalised services, from the warm and welcoming front desk staff and hospitable waiters to the heads of departments and managers who work behind the scenes. The main goal for the entire team is to ensure that each and every guest is delighted with their stay, and so leaves the hotel feeling appreciated and refreshed.