Business Travel News: February 2024

Industry

UNWTO predicts international tourism to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024

International tourism was at 88% of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1.3 billion international arrivals at the end of 2023, according to the report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the sector’s performance in 2023, tracking recovery by global region, sub-region and destination. Read more.

Managing Your Travel Policy Amid Aircraft Concerns

While some companies are taking a firm approach by prohibiting the use of certain types of aircraft, many are focusing on opening their travel policy to allow more choices for the traveler. Travel policy modifications may include allowing a threshold amount for the traveler to select flights using alternate aircraft. A policy should also be put in place to address previously booked reservations. Allowing changes or cancellations up to a certain amount will help the traveler adjust their flights to an aircraft type that they find more comfortable. Read more.

 

Airlines/ Airports

Malaysia Airlines to offer passengers exclusive luxury private transfer service

Beginning 1 February 2024, Enrich Platinum, Business Suite, and Business Class passengers flying with Malaysia Airlines will get to experience a heightened level of luxury as they will be chauffeured in style with the all-electric BMW i7. The 24-hour service offers a sustainable and premium travel option exclusively for Malaysia Airlines’ passengers, in addition to the Premium Bus transfer currently provided by the airport operator following the temporary suspension of the aerotrain service. Read more.

Apple’s VR headset in Emirates business class

Video screens in business and first class are already pushing the physical boundaries of what airlines can squeeze into these plush suites, but what if you could make the entire cabin into your personal screen? Less than a week after the global launch of Apple’s Vision Pro ‘spatial computing’ wearable, the high-tech headset has been tested inflight on an Emirates Boeing 777 from Seattle to Dubai. Learn more.

Qantas first class: everything you need to know

Qantas first class delivers the airline’s highest level of service on selected international flights and destinations served by the flagship Airbus A380: these are Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, London and Los Angeles. First class is only found on the superjumbo, not the Boeing 787 – though a new first class is coming to the ultra-long range Project Sunrise A350 jets, which will fly non-stop from Sydney and Melbourne to the likes of New York, London and Paris from 2025. Read more.

Hotels

Woman in power at Worldwide Hotels, Singapore

In a highly competitive world of hotel and property business, Carolyn Choo, CEO and managing director of Singaporean firm Worldwide Hotels, has shown the world that she is no shrinking violet. She leads the local firm to consolidation and corporatisation in 2018, rising intact from the destruction of the Covid pandemic with her team – the company is today recognised as Singapore’s largest homegrown tourist-class hotel group and has footprints in Asia. Read more.

Capella to debut in Taiwan with design-led urban retreat

Capella Hotels and Resorts has revealed plans for the late-2024-opening Capella Taipei, which will be located in the city’s vibrant Dunhua North Road area. The urban sanctuary will combine the energy of its surroundings with serenity in contemporary space designed by André Fu Studio according to the hotel’s concept of a modern mansion. Read more.