Business Traveller Middle East - December 2022

DECEMBER 2022

businesstraveller.com

DUBAI DUTY FREE

WORK , RE ST AND PL AY

SCALING LUXURY

PLUS

Colm McLoughlin on the strong resurgence of travel retail

Hotels are adapting to make the most of remote working trends

Montblanc's CEO talks product and distribution strategies

Elevator Pitch • News • Sustainable Traveller

TAILWINDS Private aviation is soaring to new heights

AIRSIDE

CONTENTS

REGULARS 06

UPFRONT

The latest airline, hotel and travel news 10

GLOBAL NEWS

We cross national boundaries to gather updates from around the world

SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLER 12

Best practices in sustainability from across the region and beyond 38

ELEVATOR PITCH

Guenter Gebhard from the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre 40

AIR MILES

Maral Artinian is the founder of Marli New York 55

HOTEL VIEWS

In conversation with Carlo Javakhia, general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha 56

LIFESTYLE

This month, we’re inspired by in-flight luxe 66

POSTCARD

The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

FEATURES 14

A RETAIL JUGGERNAUT

Colm McLoughlin is confident of a steady growth path for Dubai Duty Free 30

WORK , REST AND PL AY

Hotels are adapting to make the most of the remote working trend 36

ON THE COVER

CLEARED FOR TAKE-OFF

The MEBAA Show 2022 gets underway this month from December 6-8 in Dubai 24

COVER: CLARKWIN CRUZ

DECEMBER 2022

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JET STREAM

Can fractional ownership be the best way forward for private jet buyers?

CROSSING BRIDGES

Israel is ramping up measures to attract visitors from the Middle East 42

THE NEW WAVE

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Boutique hotel concepts in Israel are attracting a set of curious travellers 44 BIENVENUE A MONTRÉAL

Québec’s largest city offers a mix of public artworks, stunning landscapes and amazing cuisines 52

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SCALING LUXURY

Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, talks pressure points in the luxury business

THE REPORT

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TRIED & TESTED HOTELS

60 Mandarin Oriental, New York 61 Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah 62 Sheraton Tel Aviv 63 The Wallace, New York 64 Alaya Dubai

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52 DECEMBER 2022

WELCOME

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he global private jet market is forecasted to reach US$39.84 billion in 2025, a whopping 54 per cent rise from the US$25.87 billion figure in 2021. North America has long been the bastion of this segment – but the Middle East is rapidly ascending the ladder. The number of private jets in the UAE is expected to reach 250 by 2025, up from the approximately 150 currently in the country.

The MEBAA Show 2022, which will take place this month in Dubai (pg14), aims to showcase the strength of the regional business aviation market and has secured the participation of heavyweights including Airbus, Boeing, Comlux, Dassault and Gulfstream, among others.

While the outright purchase of private jets can be an expensive proposition (even the UNHWIs won’t nonchalantly dismiss the US$50 million price tag for some aircraft), fractional ownership seems to be an apt solution. This month, we hopped onboard a Gulfstream G650ER (pg18), courtesy of Flexjet, to understand that model. Flexjet will list next year, and the money raised will be used to expand in this region.

Elsewhere in the issue, we’re looking at the rise of boutique hotels in Israel (pg42), talk to Colm McLoughlin, the CEO and executive vice chairman of the multi-billion-dollar Dubai Duty Free juggernaut which has seen an incredible comeback over the last few months, and also meet with Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki to discuss his strategy and vision for the German company which recently released the Jimi Hendrix writing instrument that pays tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

On a side note, we’re sure you’re following the World Cup as intently as we are. There have been major upsets – Saudi defeating Argentina warranted a public holiday in the kingdom.

The tournament has shaped up to be anything but predictable.

Enjoy the World Cup finals, enjoy the issue.

Varun Godinho, Editor

THIS ISSUE’S PICKS

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Business Traveller Middle East is jointly published

by Motivate Media Group and Panacea Media Ltd M OT I VAT E M E D I A GRO UP

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Managing Partner and Group Editor Ian Fairservice Editor Varun Godinho Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Editorial Co-ordinator Londresa Flores Contributors Melanie Swan, Hannah Brandler, Amy Sessions, Tom Otley General Manager – Production S Sunil Kumar Production Manager Binu Purandaran Production Supervisor Venita Pinto Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne Group Director Andrew Wingrove Group Sales Manager Chaitali Khimji Senior Sales Manager Murali Narayanan PAN ACE A M E D I A LT D

Managing Director Julian Gregory Associate Publisher Middle East Rania Apthorpe Global Editor-in-Chief Tom Otley b us i n e s strave l l e r. c o m

JET STREAM The advantage of a fractional ownership model for private jet investors (Page 18)

DUBAI DUTY FREE Colm McLoughlin is leading a multi-billiondollar travel retail outfit (Page 24)

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NYC We review the hotel in the heart of the city (Page 60)

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DECEMBER 2022

WHEREVER G R U IDE U O Y S E YO U K A T Every journey leads to a hotel by

Members always get the lowest price when you book direct

Sunset Hospitality Group secures US$35 million funding from Goldman Sachs DUBAI-BASED Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) has secured US$35 million in funding from

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Goldman Sachs Asset Management to support its global expansion plans. One of the key projects that the funding will go towards is the opening of its flagship Mett Hotel and Beach Resort, in Marbella, in the summer of 2023. Additionally, SHG aims to open 15 additional international venues, and expand to 14 countries by the end of next year. It is also reportedly actively exploring opportunities within the Mediterranean, UK, the US and Asia.

WALDORF ASTORIA LUSAIL OPENS IN DOHA

DECEMBER 2022

Flydubai adds six new destinations to its network

WALDORF ASTORIA HOTELS AND RESORTS

opened a new property in the Qatari capital of Doha in November. The Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha is located in Lusail’s Entertainment City, and is a 20-minute drive from the airport and 10 minutes away from Doha’s central business district. The resort features a combination of 429 guest rooms, suites, and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. It has a 200-metre stretch of private beach, and its culinary offerings include the likes of Sushisamba, Scarpetta and also The Highmore which is inspired by an original members only London club.

DUBAI CARRIER, flydubai,

will launch flights to six additional destinations. These include Cagliari, Corfu, Krabi, Milan and Pattaya from 2023, as well as the resumption of services to Hofuf in Saudi Arabia, which it did so on November 24. Emirates will codeshare on all these routes.

The addition of these new routes will see flydubai’s network expand to 113 destinations in 53 countries.

Since the start of this year, it has launched flights to over 20 destinations, including Pisa and Catania in Italy, Osh in Kyrgyzstan as well as Samarkand and Namangan in Uzbekistan.

UPFRONT

MANDARIN ORIENTAL CONFIRMS 2028 OPENING OF KUWAIT PROPERTY MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL GROUP will debut in Kuwait. It announced last

month that it will manage a luxury hotel which is scheduled to open in 2028.

The Mandarin Oriental, Kuwait will feature 159 guestrooms, including 33 suites and 10 serviced apartments. Located in the financial district of Kuwait City, it will be housed in an 80-storey tower designed by architects Foster + Partners.

In addition to the hotel, the tower will comprise a podium which will feature international retail and entertainment centres, as well as office spaces.

Marriott debuts its first UAE resort

New arrivals lounge unveiled in DXB PLAZA PREMIUM GROUP has opened its new Their Patio arrivals lounge at Terminal 3

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in Dubai International airport (DXB). Located next to the Duty Free, Their Patio caters to business travellers with its ‘Work from Airport’ concept. The lounge has meeting rooms, a co-working space, phone booths, a printing room and business consultancy services for accountancy and visa enquiries. The 523 sqm lounge features a concierge service, F&B offerings and a pop-up area for small exhibitions. Currently, there are two packages available for use of the facility: Dhs130 for two hours, or Dhs145 for three hours.

THE FIRST MARRIOTT RESORT

in the UAE is scheduled to open this month. The Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah will be a beachfront property in Dubai, spread across 7,000 sqm and will feature 608 guestrooms and suites. Each has floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private balconies, and full-service in-room amenities. The next Marriott resort confirmed for the UAE will be the Marriott Mirfa Resort, Abu Dhabi, located on the coast of the Al Dhafra region. The 114-room beachfront resort in Abu Dhabi is expected to open in 2025.

DECEMBER 2022

UPFRONT

Accor unveils plans for Fairmont Dubai Skyline tower

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ACCOR IS SET to add a new property to its Fairmont Hotels and Resorts portfolio in Dubai. It has partnered with RSG Group of Companies to sign the Fairmont Dubai Skyline hotel which will open in 2024. It will be the third Fairmont property in Dubai and the seventh in the UAE. The Fairmont Dubai Skyline will feature 54 floors across the 226m-high structure. It will include 181 hotel rooms and suites, alongside 121 residences comprising two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. Accor currently operates 425 properties in India, the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, with another 192 in the pipeline.

THE CHEDI ENTERS QATAR WITH A BEACHFRONT PROPERTY IN DOHA THE CHEDI KATARA HOTEL AND RESORT has officially opened in Doha. Located in the

Katara Cultural Village, it is managed by General Hotel Management. It is a 91-key resort with 59 rooms and suites with sea views. The resort also houses 32 villas, each with its own private garden and pool. The Chedi Katara is developed by the Qatari real estate consortium, Triple A Holdings, in partnership with Katara Cultural Village. The resort provides its guests with access to theatres, concert halls, exhibition galleries, mosques, restaurants, shops, a park and an open amphitheatre in the vicinity.

Emirates launches private catering service in the UAE EMIRATES FLIGHT CATERING (EKFC) has

launched a new service to cater for private events within the UAE. EKFC says that its “Michelintrained and award-winning chefs” can cater for events that range from small family gatherings to large assemblies of thousands of people. In June, EKFC entered into a partnership with Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai to become the latter’s exclusive F&B partner for the live entertainment venue. It also recently opened the world’s largest vertical farm, located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, that can produce over one million kilogrammes of vegetables annually.

INAUGURAL MICHELIN GUIDE ABU DHABI REVEALED A TOTAL OF 42 RESTAURANTS were recognised in the inaugural edition of the

Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi. Three of them – Talea by Antonio Guida, Hakkasan and 99 Sushi Bar – were awarded one Star. No restaurants secured either two or three Stars. However, four establishments – Almayass, Beirut Sur Mer, Otoro and Tazal’s – were awarded a Bib Gourmand, a recognition that the restaurant offers good food at reasonable rates. Meanwhile, Rawad Hamdan and team at Li Beirut won the Service Award; Marlon Nuque from Zuma took home the Sommelier Award; and Luigi Stinga from Talea by Antonio Guida bagged the Young Chef Award.

DECEMBER 2022

UPFRONT GLOBAL NEWS

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Two Melia properties announced for Mexico

Melia Hotels International will open two hotels in Mexico next year. It includes a 180-room Gran Melia Riviera Nayarit hotel, as well as a Me Guadalajara property which will comprise 152 rooms and suites. Melia has seven hotels in operation in the region, with another three in the pipeline.

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JFK’s Terminal 6 to open

2 in 2026

Construction on the US$4.2 billion Terminal 6 at New York’s JFK airport will begin imminently. Its first gates will open in 2026, while the second phase of the project will be completed by 2028. The new Terminal 6 will feature ten new gates. The airport’s original Terminal 6 was demolished in 2011.

Emirates resumes flights to

3 Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires

Emirates has resumed flights to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

The two routes were suspended due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The flights will operate four days every week. Meanwhile, both Brazilian and Argentinian nationals travelling to Dubai are eligible for visas on arrival.

DECEMBER 2022

Spain gets first Universal

4 Music Group hotel

Universal Music Group has opened the first hotel under its joint venture with Dakia Entertainment Hospitality Group. Umusic Hotel Madrid which offers 130 fivestar rooms is housed within a building that is also home to the refurbished 898-capacity Albeniz Theater, in the city’s Centro district.

Saudia restarts AlUla-Paris

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Beginning December 4, Saudia will restart a direct weekly flight between AlUla International airport in the kingdom and Paris Charles de Gaulle airport in France. Within the kingdom itself, Saudia currently operates 32 weekly roundtrip flights from AlUla to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Damman.

IHG rebrands three

6 properties in Africa

IHG Hotels and Resorts has rebranded three properties across Tanzania and Kenya. The newly opened hotels include Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers Mall and The Fairview Nairobi in Kenya, and Crowne Plaza Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. IHG currently operates 28 hotels in Africa.

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Air Arabia launches new

7 routes from UAE to Russia

Air Arabia has begun three new services from the UAE to Russia.

The new flights from Sharjah operate to Ufa, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. Air Arabia already operates thrice daily flights between Sharjah and Moscow. Over nine million passengers flew with the carrier from June-September 2022.

Minor takes Avani brand

8 to Maldives

Minor Hotels will open its first Avani property in the Maldives next year. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort will include a variety of accommodation options including pool villas, beach pavilions and overwater villas too.

Dorchester to enter Asia

9 with new property in Japan

Dorchester Collection will open its first hotel in Asia, located in the tallest building in Japan. The hotel is set to open in 2028 in Tokyo’s ‘Torch Tower’, currently under development by Mitsubishi Estate Company and Tokyo Century Corporation. It will offer panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and Mount Fuji.

Marriott to debut St Regis

10 brand in Australia

Marriott International will bring its luxury St Regis brand to Australia.

Slated to open in 2027, the St Regis Gold Coast Resort will be a part of the $1.7 billion La Pelago project within the Budds Beach precinct, and will feature 185 rooms and suites. It will be Marriott’s fourth property on the Gold Coast.

DECEMBER 2022

S US TA I N A BL E T R AV E L L E R

NEOM INVESTS US$175 MILLION INTO VOLOCOPTER

Radisson Hotel Group signs Glasgow Declaration at COP27

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adisson Hotel Group signed the Glasgow Declaration at the recently concluded COP27 assembly in Egypt. The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism aims to secure commitments to halve emissions over the next decade and reach net zero emissions either by 2050, or earlier if possible.

Radisson, therefore, aims to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse emissions by 46 per cent by 2030, compared to 2019 as a base year. It also commits to reducing absolute Scope 3 greenhouse emissions from fuel and energy-related activities and franchises by 28 per cent over the same timeframe.

Over the past 10 years, Radisson says that it has achieved energy efficiency savings of 30 per cent. Additionally, the group has offset over 45,000 tonnes of carbon for clients with its 100 per cent Carbon Neutral meetings.

Neom, the upcoming giga project in Saudi Arabia, has announced a US$175 million Series E investment in urban air mobility provider Volocopter. Neom “will take a significant equity stake in the company as part of its strategic engagement with the global (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) eVTOL industry,” according to a report by Saudi Press Agency.

In collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Neom and Volocopter are implementing a national test bed in Saudi to enable the integration of eVTOLs with zeroemission future urban mobility.

Neom aims to implement a mobility system powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. In December last year, Neom and Volocopter agreed to a joint venture whereby Volocopter will operate electric air taxi services in Neom to connect various regions including The Line, Oxagon and Trojena.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH Our planet is still in the emergency room. The red line we must not cross is the line that takes our planet over the 1.5-degree temperature limit. A fund for loss and damage is essential – but it’s not an answer if the climate crisis washes a small island state off the map – or turns an entire African country to desert Remarks by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the end of the Cop27 conference in Egypt

Etihad partnered with World Energy to operate Net Zero Flight from Washington DC to Abu Dhabi by offsetting 100 per cent emissions through a Book & Claim system:

27,000

5.04 tonnes

98.2%

216 tonnes

The number of gallons of SAF that Etihad purchased from World Energy

Flight load – carbon intensity

DECEMBER 2022

The additional carbon dioxide reduction from flight operation efficiencies

The amount of carbon dioxide burned on the EY130 flight

E T I H A D B E C O M E S T H E F I R S T A I R L I N E TO PA R T I C I PAT E IN WORLD ENERGY NET-ZERO PROGRAMME Last month, Etihad signed an MoU with carbon-net-zero solutions provider World Energy.

The agreement aims to decarbonise flights through in-sector emissions reductions. World Energy will deliver sustainable aviation fuel to Los Angeles airport (LAX), which will displace conventional fossil fuel required by aircraft flying out of the airport. Etihad will receive the emission reductions in the form of SAF certificates (SAFc) once World Energy blends the SAF and it achieves “drop-in” ASTM certification. Etihad will also be able to include its customers on those certificates, which will in turn allow them to mitigate the emissions related to their business flights.

SPONSORED

On a wing Holger Ostheimer, managing director at Dubai-based DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, is optimistic about the growth of the private jet market regionally and beyond

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ive us an overview of the operations of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim is a joint venture between Stuttgart-based DC Aviation, the largest operator of business jets in Germany and one of the leading operators in Europe and Dubai-based Al-Futtaim, a privately owned UAE business conglomerate. We were the first international outpost of the group and began operating out of Dubai in November 2013. We operate ground operations to support aircraft and undertake passenger handling services.

We’ve set up an Aircraft Operators Certificate under UAE regulations. We are an established entity in the maintenance of aircraft with licences from Germany and the UAE. We provide charter services with our own as well as external aircraft, and have two large hangars totalling 13,500 sqm.

How strong is the demand for private aviation and charter services globally?

a standalone facility. From the time you leave your limousine curbside as you arrive here, to walking into the lounges and entering the aircraft, you can do it all in under a minute. We ensure the highest levels of privacy and that interaction with others is kept to a minimum.

What levels of service are required to cater to high net worth individuals using private jets?

A bespoke approach to service is essential. When you engage and interface with a client, it needs to be individualised.

People of wealth have a certain level of self perception and have a high level of expectations. That is something that very much needs to steer the direction in how you approach this clientele.

North America is the largest market for private jets in the world and accounts for nearly two-thirds of the global fleet.

In terms of overall private jet activities – which includes owner aircraft and charter operations – in the US, it’s up 20 per cent compared to pre-Covid levels. In Europe, it’s about 50 per cent higher. In the rest of the world, under which the Middle East is a part, it is 55 per cent higher compared to 2019. Due to the limitation on the available capacity and high utilisation of aircraft, charter rates are approximately 20 per cent higher than in 2019 too.

What are some of the challenges to your business that you foresee for 2023?

As far as forecasts for 2023 are concerned, we do not assume to continue at the same high level [of growth] considering challenges such as inflation. Inflation seems though to have plateaued at the moment. There are other unknowns such as the volatility in the cryptocurrency market and inconsistent trends in worldwide stock markets. It’s very difficult to predict exactly what might happen, but in our region, we have upsides such as a community of high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals who will probably remain resilient to market conditions entering into 2023.

What gives DC Aviation Al-Futtaim an edge over its peers?

Ours is a 360-degree approach. At DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, we are an integrated service provider. Once you buy yourself an aircraft, we will take care of its servicing, registration and compliance too. We have a maintenance organisation and we look after crew members as well.

If your base is Munich or Dubai, we also provide shelter options for you. We have

What are DC Aviation's expansion plans for 2023?

DC Aviation won the bid to begin operations at Nice airport from January 1, 2023. Nice is a very significant location in the international landscape of private aviation. Regionally, in Saudi, we have been discussing with our likely partner to enter for the past few years, but it will take probably a little more time for us to enter that market.

DECEMBER 2022

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Cleared for take-off

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With the MEBAA Show 2022 slated to take place this month, here’s what to expect he ninth edition of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show 2022 will take place from December 6-8 at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site. The business aviation sector will showcase its global and regional might, with the event expected to attract more than 8,000 attendees from over 95 countries.

Timothy Hawes (below), managing director at Tarsus Group which is the organiser of the MEBAA Show 2022, shares his insights on what to look forward to at this year’s mega event.

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DECEMBER 2022

Give us a sense of the scale of this year’s MEBAA show. The MEBAA Show 2022 is spread out over more than 4,700 sqm and features diverse local, regional and international exhibitors. It will see the return of major players such as Airbus, Boeing, Comlux, Dassault, Gulfstream and several others, along with over 40 new exhibitors from 20 countries. This year, we have focused on in-person networking opportunities, with a series of new features such as Connect to generate a return on investment for exhibitors. We have also introduced new lounges and hospitality throughout the static display.

The MEBAA Show 2022 will offer a platform to discuss the latest trends and showcase new aircraft and technologies, including eVTOLs, digitalisation, tokenisation and crypto-based payments.

How does the Middle East’s business aviation market compare to the likes of North America? The global private jet market is projected to reach US$39.84 billion in 2025, up 54 per cent from US$25.87 billion in 2021. While the Middle East is at the forefront of this rapid increase,

the growth is also being witnessed across other regions. Europe, for example, saw nearly 300,000 business jet flights in the first half of the year, a 38 per cent increase over the same period last year, and a 17 per cent rise over 2019. This rise was a result of pent-up demand for travel since the pandemic began, with high net worth individuals opting to fly on private jets rather than first class on commercial airlines.

Meanwhile, the US, which is the world’s biggest business aviation market, saw increases of 11.7 per cent and 14.4 per cent in departures in May and June this year, when compared to the corresponding months in 2019, according to data from Airbus Corporate Jets. Despite the US being recognised as the world’s biggest market, the Middle East – specifically the GCC region – is showing some of the strongest growth in business jet demand, notably from the UAE, where flights were up by 73 per cent compared to 2019. The growth momentum across the Middle East continued into 2022, with flights up by 47 per cent in May, in comparison with the same period in 2019 – compared to 11.7 per cent in the US.

MEBAA SHOW 2022

Are there any firsts for MEBAA at this year’s show? One of the biggest highlights this year will be the launch of the BizAv Talks conference, featuring a line-up of over 20 sessions delivered by 45 global industry leaders and specialists.

There will be a dedicated Operators Programme, created specifically to facilitate business matchmaking and to meet with regional and international operators. We also have our newly launched AI-powered MEBAA Connect app which will facilitate business connections between exhibitors and visitors, and help to pre-schedule meetings.

What are the expected highlights of the BizAv Talks? During BizAv Talks, over 45 industry leaders will join us to share their insights on key themes, with each day focusing on a different theme such as ‘Future private jet business models’, ‘Tomorrow’s customer – Nextgeneration’, and ‘Accelerating business and private aviation with collaboration’.

Some of the key sessions include a presentation on ‘Business aviation industry outlook – new business models and financial planning’ by Holger Ostheimer, managing director at DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, as well as panel debates on ‘Alternative business models for business aviation; financing, leasing, and fractional ownership’ and ‘Creating the ultimate flying experience for the elite’, with a focus on how travel expectations are changing and what business aviation will look like over the next two decades.

Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, founder and executive chairman of MEBAA, will present ‘Emerging markets forecast – Accessing the top countries who are contributing to business aviation growth’, while Eymeric Segard, CEO of Luna Aviation Group, will deliver a session that showcases a market analysis on ‘Critical observation of global business aviation trends’.

Will sustainability in business aviation be an issue addressed at MEBAA? Sustainability will be at the forefront of the MEBAA Show with a number of new aircraft on display. These include the Boeing 737, Dassault Aviation Falcon 8X, Bombardier Aerospace Global 7500, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation G700, Embraer Praetor 600 and Phenom 300E, among others. The MEBAA Show will also feature sustainability as a key topic in some of its conference sessions. For example, Kyle Martin, vice president of European Affairs at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Douglas Carr, senior vice president for safety, sustainability and international affairs at the National Business Aviation Association, and Rolland Vincent, director at Jet Net, will convene for a panel discussion on ‘Strategies for business aviation sustainability’. They’ll discuss the best practices to meet green goals while protecting return on investments, and looking at the shortand long-term perspective of original equipment manufacturers, fuel suppliers and operators.

What are the prospects for business aviation within the region? Within the Middle East, the UAE has witnessed the highest demand for private jet charter services by revenue in 2021, followed by Saudi Arabia. Qatar, Oman and Bahrain are all seeing OPPOSITE PAGE: increasing growth in this sector too.

Some of the The private jet market in the world’s top aircraft manufacturers UAE is predicted to see the number participate in of aircraft increasing to reach 250 the event by 2025 from about 150 private aircraft currently. The UAE is strongly positioned to capitalise from increased foreign investments and high net worth individuals, driven by a strong influx of international wealth and support from the Dubai government to make the emirate the private jet capital of the region.

Royal Jet Abu Dhabi has added another Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to its fleet taking the total number of BBJs to 12. A key part of The global private the GCC’s success in jet market is driving rapid growth projected to reach in private aviation is a result of its US$39.84 billion advanced regulatory in 2025 environment and leading infrastructure.

Skilled talent, a sufficient workforce, high levels of professional services and technical support have all enabled the region to continue advancing the business aviation sector over the past year.

Companies like DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, a joint venture between Dubai-based Al-Futtaim and Germany’s DC Aviation, have experienced a major increase in demand for private jets. Dubai-based private jet operator, Jetex, meanwhile expects to fly an additional 2,500 flights to and from Doha over the course of the World Cup. Mega events like Expo 2020 Dubai and the World Cup in Qatar have led to increased demand for business aviation, a trend which is expected to continue in the months to come.

BELOW: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, cuts the ribbon to inaugurate a previous edition of the MEBAA Show

DECEMBER 2022

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P R I VAT E AV I AT I O N

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

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JETSTREAM

Can fractional ownership be the best way forward for private jet buyers?

Flexjet, which is set to list next year, is making its move into the Middle East

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LEFT: A Flexjet G650 aircraft TOP RIGHT: The interiors of the Gulfstream G650

hile global commercial aviation stumbled down the stairs headfirst in the early months of the pandemic, private aviation stood tall. It seemed to be the first choice of travel when contact with the masses was assumed to be potentially fatal.

Private jets faced explosive demand for their services...and it only got better from there. According to Honeywell’s 2022 Global Business Aviation Outlook report which surveyed private jet operators, it forecasts that there will be up to 8,500 new business jet deliveries worth US$274 billion between 2023 to 2032 – that’s a healthy 15 per cent increase in both deliveries and expenditures for the same 10-year forecast made only a year ago. Next year alone, finds Honeywell, deliveries of new business jets are projected to be 17 per cent more than in 2022, with expenditures on them rising approximately 20 per cent.

While outright purchase and full private jet ownership come with its own field of problems – maintenance issues, underutilisation of the aircraft, high acquisition and fixed overhead costs, and crew retention – a model that alleviates many of those areas of concern is fractional ownership of private jets. “If you are a large multinational or an entrepreneur, you don’t really want to be paying for a full aircraft that for 70 per cent of the time is empty and sitting on the ground or in maintenance. You don’t want to take care of all the dead costs. You only want to deal with the live costs of when you’re enjoying the aircraft...and that’s basically what we allow them to do,” explains Marine Eugene (pictured right), managing director for Europe at Flexjet.

The former Netjets executive who grew up in Normandy notes that the average aircraft owner doesn’t use their aircraft for more than 120 hours a year – yet for an aircraft to be fully utilised, it needs to be operated around 800 hours annually. Flexjet therefore allows a member who wants to sign up for its programme to choose the number of hours they’d require to use the aircraft each year (there’s a minimum buy-in of 50 hours) and pay a proportional share of the purchase price of the aircraft. For example, if a customer intends to fly 100 hours annually – that’s approximately 12 per cent of the 800 hours calculation – then they will need to shell out 12 per cent of the purchase price of the aircraft. “This is the purchase of an asset that’s identified, so you physically own a title of ownership on the aircraft.

They also then pay a proportional fee of the fixed costs associated with the ownership of that aircraft, and will then only pay a nominal fee which covers parking, fuel and handling charges when actually using the aircraft.

The usage is only calculated based on occupied flight hours when the passenger is on-board – we don’t charge for empty legs or waiting time,” says Eugene.

The Ohio-headquartered Flexjet was founded back in 1995 by Bombardier and AMR Combs (the parent company of American Airlines) and was acquired by Directional Aviation led by Kenneth Ricci in 2013.

From its inception, Flexjet was always a US-focused player until around four years ago when it decided to expand into Europe. The US private aviation market for charter, fractional ownership and whole ownership is estimated at approximately US$33 billion.

“Flexjet is a very North American company. It took a while for it to come out of the US. When I met Kenneth and Michael [Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet], they said that Flexjet understands America and finds it easy to operate within that market since there is one language, no borders checks and you can easily travel between the different states and cities. However, they eventually found that their customers were not just going from Washington to New York, but to Dubai, Hong Kong and India. It was a change in the requirements of their customers which led to the introduction of aircraft such as Gulfstream G650 in the fleet. The natural step that they then considered was to expand the programme itself overseas. The next biggest market after America is Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” says Eugene. While she began to head up the European operations four years ago, Flexjet now has plans to expand into the Middle East as well. Last month, Business Traveller Middle East was invited on-board a Flexjet Gulfstream G650ER flight that operated from Dubai to Muscat.

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BELOW: that they are flying. In 2015, Flexjet rolled out what it calls Flexjet’s BentleyOur flight on the Gulfstream G650ER ultra-long-range its Red Label service wherein it assigns dedicated crew and inspired G650 aircraft (it can go nonstop between Dubai and New York pilots to a single aircraft. It says that its average pilot new OPPOSITE PAGE: or Los Angeles to Tokyo) was scheduled to take off from hire has over twice the minimum flight hours required Flexjet collaborated with Bentley for the Execujet terminal at Dubai International airport. As for the position. Its approximately 1,000 pilots make up two special-edition soon as I entered the terminal, a member of the Execujet around a third of its roughly 3,100 employee headcount. aircraft staff took my passport to complete the immigration checks The large oval windows offer great views throughout the while I made my way to the well-appointed lounge which flight, but the best window to look out off is undoubtedly had artwork, books and large-screen TVs. There’s a Duty the cockpit if you manage to find yourself seated on the Free shop located just opposite the lounge should you wish jump seat. This being a private aircraft, a passenger is allowed to pick something up either pre-departure or on arrival. to occupy the jump seat during take-off and landing.

The overwhelming advantage of flying private is the Soon, we landed in Muscat and were whisked from the time you take from entering the airport to boarding the tarmac in Jetex-operated Rolls-Royce and BMW cars to a aircraft. There aren’t any immigration queues to contend private aviation passenger clearance facility. We were then with or any long serpentine security clearance lines. For driven to The Chedi Muscat which is a Flexjet partner hotel. those crunched for time, they could – theoretically – clear Flexjet has partnered with select properties around the immigration and security and be on their flight in under world to offer its customers deals and experiences that they 10 minutes from the time they enter the terminal. couldn’t avail of otherwise. “Rather than giving a free night The G650ER we flew that day had a four-zone or a free breakfast, our goal is to provide something much configuration and could seat 12. The seats could be more experiential. We have partnerships with The Chedi converted into six lie-flat beds too which can be done on in Muscat, the Claridge’s in London, the Iniala Harbour long-haul flights. Polished wood veneers, pillowy carpets House in Malta and The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz. The Kulm and ultra-smooth exotic leather-covered seats were is a good example because when you stay there the trims we found on the aircraft. Soon it was as a Flexjet customer, you get an all-inclusive spa Half of the time for take-off, and what you must know is that experience – you can hire the private spa for the day,” Sustainable Aviation due to the lightweight nature of the aircraft and its notes Tom Ville, director of marketing at Flexjet. powerful jet engines, you will ascend very rapidly.

“Our partnerships aren’t just limited to hotels Fuel used in the Fun fact: Private jets fly at approximately 40,000ft and resorts. It also includes wine and vineyards – world last year, was which is higher than commercial airlines. We didn’t we work with the Château d’Yquem. Our clients used by private jets climb to that altitude since we were only flying to can do exclusive tours of the vineyard which aren’t MARINE EUGENE, managing Muscat which was a 40-minute flight from Dubai. otherwise open to the public. We even have an director for Europe at Flexjet The aircraft had a crew of five – two pilots, an events division where we do bespoke events such as engineer and two flight attendants. The service private tennis clinics with famous tennis players, or included white tablecloths, Georg Jensen tea sets, crystal a wine-tasting event in Bordeaux, or something at flutes and curated menus. Eugene explains that the crew the Palio di Siena horse race. We’ve also done private are given company credit cards and encouraged to make dining at some of the world’s top Michelin Star purchases based on the preferences of the customers restaurants,” adds Ville.

CHARTING A FLIGHT PATH

In October, Flexjet announced plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange. To do so, it decided to combine with billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Todd Boehly’s special purpose acquisition company, Horizon Acquisition Corporation II. Only 11 per cent of the company’s capital will be offered in the IPO. The listing is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2023, and Flexjet’s current numbers suggest that it is doing so from a position of strength.

It has projected its revenue to reach US$2.3 billion this year, a long way up from the US$1.34 billion it recorded in 2019. Its EBITDA too is forecast to have nearly tripled from US$97 million in 2019 to US$288 million in 2022. Furthermore, it expects to have over 235 jets in its fractional fleet by the end of this year. This mix of aircraft includes 49 light jets such as the Phenom 300, 44 midsize jets including the Praetor 500, 92 super-mids which include the Challenger 300/350/3500, 32 large aircraft DECEMBER 2022

like the Gulfstream G450 and 18 long-range jets such as the Gulfstream G650.

“The news that we’re going public was very exciting because it’s been clearly announced that the money raised will be used to expand into Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We will benefit from fleet expansion, infrastructure [projects] and strategic acquisitions,” says Eugene.

While our flight between Dubai and Muscat was supported by third-party entities such as Execujet in Dubai and Jetex in Muscat, Eugene hints that the new capital will allow Flexjet to build its own terminals and ground infrastructure which it has already begun doing in select locations. “Where we have a lot of traffic, for example at Teterboro in New Jersey, we have built our own private jet terminals that we own and operate ourselves. In the US, we have several of them including at White Plains in New York, Dallas in Texas, and Van Nuys in California, among others. We’re opening one in Scottsdale in Arizona too, and are working on some projects in the London area.

At some point, we can look at a dedicated terminal in the Middle East.”

Flexjet doesn’t have to worry too much about customer retention – it has approximately 10,000 committed contracts and says that its retention rate among longtenured relationships stands at approximately 97 per cent.

Over 35 per cent of its fractional ownership customers have been signed with the company for at least a decade.

That extensive and loyal customer base is also pushing forward an important and often controversial subject when it comes to private aviation – sustainability. “Half of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) used in the world

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Number of jets in its fleet

300% Carbon offset percentage for each flight

last year, was used by private jets. Private jet passengers with their money – SAF costs twice more than normal fuel – are helping develop the future network of SAF. If you didn’t have those customers willing to spend more for that fuel, SAF would not stand a chance,” says Eugene while defending the position of the industry in which she operates.

She adds that there are inherent problems with the use of SAF apart from its price – and that is mainly its production and availability. “SAF can reduce your carbon emissions by 80 per cent. The challenge with SAF is that it is not very widely available because the current generation of it is made from recycled frying oil, for example, and it’s not very scalable because you have to imagine going around the country collecting that oil. The future is what we call SAF 2.0. The next generation of SAF is going to be made from forestry products and agricultural waste and will be processed in the same refineries where the current SAF is being processed.

“We actually bought a company in the US called Alder Fuels which is investing in this new generation of SAF. We work with a company called 4Air which does our carbon sustainability programmes and they recommended that we compensate our current emissions at 300 per cent. We were one of the first private jet companies to implement carbon surcharges for our passengers – they don’t even have a choice, which I think is quite groundbreaking.

The cost is immaterial to them, but every single flight we operate currently is carbon offset not just 100 per cent, but 300 per cent,” says Eugene.

Flexjet’s flight compass is pointing in the right direction.

And for now, it’s got clear blue skies on the horizon.

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ON THE EVE OF ITS 39 TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY, DUBAI DUT Y FREE’S EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, COLM MCLOUGHLIN, IS CONFIDENT OF AN UNFLAPPABLE PATH TO GROWTH

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ubai Duty Free is a success story that mirrors the trajectory of the emirate itself. Its business has expanded exponentially from US$20 million in 1984 to recording sales of US$1.4 billion from January 1 - November 8 this year alone. Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty Free’s executive vice chairman and CEO, has been with the organisation from its inception in 1983 and continues to lead the operations of this multi-billion dollar enterprise. Here, in an exclusive interview with Business Traveller Middle East, McLoughlin shares how Dubai Duty Free has risen to a position of strength over the last four decades.

Dubai Duty Free celebrates its 39th anniversary this month. What’s been the biggest personal highlight for you over the past nearly four decades?

I’m very happy personally that I’ve been working in this industry for 53 years, and 39 of which have been at Dubai Duty Free (DDF). I’m very happy that Dubai Duty Free became

the single largest Duty Free operation in the world, in terms of sales.

Dubai Duty Free has won in excess of 700 awards over the years, and I have received some 80 personal awards from the industry and media alike. All of these would not have been possible without the support that I received over the years, from my own boss, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, my team at Dubai Duty Free and my family, especially my wife Breeda.

DDF sales crossed the US$1bn in August and is on course to reach US$1.6 bn by the end of this year.

What are some of its biggest growth drivers? The sales growth and success of the operation are the result of many factors, a key component of which has been our commitment to developing the retail offer despite the difficult retail climate brought on by the pandemic. We kept our development plans in place and as a result, in the past year, we opened several luxury boutiques including Christian Dior in Concourse A and B, Louis Vuitton in Concourse B, and a Cartier boutique too in Concourse B. Since

their opening, these outlets have provided substantial incremental growth in the high-end luxury category. They now rank among the top five luxury brands in Dubai Duty Free, I’ve been working with Louis Vuitton in second place, followed in this industry for

by Dior and Cartier 53 years, 39 of in third and fourth which have been at place, respectively.

And despite the lack Dubai Duty Free of Chinese passengers still, we are seeing Russian, Saudi, Indian, British, and American passengers among the top nationalities who are spending the most on these brands.

DDF is yet to recover to its pre-pandemic sales of US$2.029 billion which it achieved in 2019. When do you forecast for this to happen? Overall, the recovery is doing well and based on the indication and forecast for the traffic growth at the airport, we will likely see a return to 2019 figures in 2024. Currently, we have recovered over 83 per cent of our business for the year to date from January to October, whereas the passenger recovery is about 72 per cent of 2019 levels.

What are some of the digital-first initiatives that DDF has implemented and how does it intend to stay ahead of the curve on the tech front?

We have had an online offer since 2014. Digital marketing is a key factor in reaching and retaining our customers. With a 360-marketing approach, DDF maximised advertising via digital channels which includes e-mail marketing, online and social, promoting various sale days including the Dubai Duty Free Anniversary Sale, seasonal promotions like Eid

ABOVE: Colm McLoughlin LEFT: McLoughlin with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum OPPOSITE PAGE: Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C DECEMBER 2022

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dior boutique in Concourse A; Cartier boutique in Concourse B; Louis Vuitton boutique in Concourse B DECEMBER 2022

and category campaigns focusing on targeted audiences such as perfume and liquor buyers.

Meanwhile, our Distribution Centre in Ramoul, from which all of our products are transported to the retail areas, is 95 per cent automated.

We could not handle the millions of transactions a year, that we do, without embracing the latest technology.

Our investment in technology extends to ensuring convenient payment methods for our customers and as a result we have enabled and accepted different payment methods including Apple Pay and Alipay. In yet another first, we have partnered with WadzPay Technologies to provide our customers with the freedom to pay in digital currencies. We are the first dutyfree operator to accept digital currencies

as payment at any point of sale (POS) terminal and process refunds in digital currencies through POS terminals and merchant dashboards.

Dubai Duty Free is also a big sponsor of sporting events. What is the return on investment that it potentially receives by way of sponsoring such events? Part of our brief from the very beginning of the organisation has been to promote Dubai as a sports and leisure destination, and we have always seen sports as a positive way to reach a wider global audience. We calculate the value of our support in a number of ways, including the important media exposure that covers TV, print, and now social media. We also assess our sponsorships in terms of spectator

turnout, player participation, and the overall fan experience, all of which reflect on our brand.

Some of the biggest events that we continue to support include our firm favourite which is the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

As the tournament owners and organisers, we were very proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Championships in February 2022.

The organisation of the tournament is largely done in-house. Last year’s tournament was played behind closed doors, so it was especially good to see the return of fans at 100 per cent capacity this year.

The two-week tournament results in major TV exposure for Dubai and is calculated independently at around US$1.3 billion.

DUBAI DUTY FREE

Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to maintain its busy events calendar which includes the Dubai Duty Free Sailing League Regatta and the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens.

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Team Great Britain & Ireland won the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in August; Andrey Rublev lifts the 2022 Duty Free Tennis Championships trophy; Dubai Duty Free officials presenting the award to the winning connections of Westover at The Curragh Racecourse DECEMBER 2022

We are also delighted to have returned in person to our overseas event in the UK and Ireland after an absence of two-and-a-half years due to enforced Covid-19 travel restrictions. We support the teams at Newbury, Ascot and The Curragh in staging these horseracing events including the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend in April, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in June, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in August and the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend in September.

All these events have once again delivered highly competitive racing and provided Dubai Duty Free with TV coverage around the world.

The UAE wants to be a net zero country by 2050. What are some of the sustainability measures undertaken

by DDF to support that goal? Since its inception, Dubai Duty Free has long been contributing towards the protection and improvement of the environment. It has been certified by ISO 14001 since 1999, and we strongly demonstrate our environmental commitment throughout our people, processes, and projects. We implement an effective Environmental Management System, and the top management takes ultimate responsibility for ensuring the availability of resources to provide continual improvement.

We also encourage our employees towards sustainable practices both in and out of work. Dubai Duty Free’s Duty of Care ensures that any waste it produces is properly handled and in accordance with the law. Whether recyclable, non-recyclable or general waste, Dubai Duty Free has a system in place to ensure proper segregation, recycling, and disposal.

In addition, we have launched an ecosystem restoration journey called “Plant a Tree, Plant a Legacy,” which calls on the organisation to plant 10,000 trees in 10 years. This project is expected to help sequester carbon and help decrease carbon dioxide levels and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Planting more trees will effectively also support the goal of preserving forests, deserts, and mountain ecosystems.

The Dubai Duty Free Foundation is actively engaged in philanthropic outreach programmes. Which are some of the biggest initiatives it has supported thus far? We are very aware of the importance of corporate social responsibility and of giving back. Our foundation, the Dubai Duty Free Foundation, which was

established in 2004, has donated US$33 million to 114 local and overseas charities, with a particular emphasis on charities benefitting women and children.

Some of the biggest initiatives that we are supporting annually include Sightsavers, which provides primary and secondary eye care, including cataract surgeries and eyeglass distribution; Smile Train which provides cleft lip and palate surgery and related treatment; the Al Jalila Foundation, to help with their medical research specific to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and mental health; and the People of Determination, to provide educational support for its students.

DDF has reportedly rehired nearly 2,000 staff this year alone. What are its plans to grow its human capital?

Currently, our employee count is over 4,500, which includes rehired staff and 94 new Emirati recruits. It is definitely a very good feeling to see former staff return and to welcome the new additions to the company.

What are some of the inhibitors to growth that you foresee in 2023 for DDF? The main concerns are, of course, the strong dollar which reduces the spending capacity of many of our passengers, whether from the UK, Europe or Asia, and the strong likelihood of a recession in Europe. Interest rates are still increasing and this is going to have an impact on those able to travel and spend on non-essential or luxury items. Supply chain issues still persist, but overall these are easing as we come to the last weeks of 2022.

What are the expansion plans for DDF? We are continually looking at improvements throughout the retail operation and there are a number of plans which includes additional retail space in Concourse B – East and West, re-planning of Fashion and Electronics spaces in Concourse D and changes and refurbishment in the Concourse C Control Tower.

THE HARMONY COLLECTION SMOOTH ARABICA The Macallan has unveiled the second global travel retail edition whisky in The Harmony Collection – Smooth Arabica.

The Harmony collection explores The Macallan’s future packaging journey, with each release featuring distinctive packaging that incorporates organic by-products and gives them new life.

The new expression – Smooth Arabica, celebrates the world of coffee and has been inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica Coffee bean. Its hybrid packaging was created using repurposed and recycled materials including discarded coffee bean husks.

Enriched by history and roastery The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner has created the intensely flavoured whisky to pair with coffee. He immersed himself in the art of coffee by hosting a masterclass with world-renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate and has explored the incredible journey from field to cup, uncovering the unique process and distinct flavour profiles at each stage.

Among the coffee masters who shared their knowledge with Steven were Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, whose family works with the Arabica variety showcased by the whiskies; Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, a pioneer of speciality coffee in Scotland acclaimed for her roasting techniques; and award-winning American barista Andrea Allen, renowned for creating incredible

coffee experiences. UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang crafted a range of coffee art, sharing his knowledge of the art of the perfect coffee serve and sensory perceptions, while leading coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris provided an insight into the roots of coffee and how it has become the global phenomenon it is today.

About the Whisky Steven selected a combination of American and European oak casks to achieve the distinctive notes offered by the single malt. Smooth Arabica conveys the flavours of a gently spiced and soft americano which come through at an ABV of 40 per cent and can be paired with coffee to provide a new way to savour The Macallan Sustainability at heart The expression is presented in a presentation box, which incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product in the coffee-making process. Paper expert Michele Posocco from Italian paper mill Favini worked with The Macallan to create the innovative packaging. The vibrant green colour on the pack represents the unroasted coffee bean.

Available at: The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica costs US$185 and is available for purchase at select Dubai Duty Free Outlets.

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Work

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WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

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Hotels are adapting to make the most of the remote working trend, providing flexible workspaces and setting up coworking venues to meet demand

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aptops, tablets and scuffed notepads are dotted across a communal table, behind which people of various ages, professions and nationalities get on with their day’s work, some engaging in stimulating conversations with surrogate colleagues while others are laser-focused on the task at hand, their ear buds blocking out background noise. It’s a scene remote workers will be familiar with – the only difference is that you’re sitting a couple metres from people checking in and out.

In recent years, hotel brands have capitalised on the growth in remote and hybrid working, redesigning public spaces to include shared workspaces, converting unoccupied rooms into offices that can be rented by the day, or setting up standalone co-working venues. On a personal level, this has made my business travel life a lot easier.

Hotel stays now come with comfortable workspaces on my temporary doorstep.

worked from home at some point in the seven-day period of August 17-29.

This percentage oscillated between 33 and 40 per cent in the weeks from March 30 to August 29.

Scandic Hotels launched a network of co-working spaces at 270 hotels across Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Poland in September 2020, in both city and suburban locations. The shared workspaces, open around the clock, can only be booked on a drop-in basis on the day, though it’s possible for small and large companies to book a private office “We are breaking a on a monthly basis. trend here by telling Amenities at the coworking spaces include them, ‘It’s okay to wifi, power outlets, come in; we want complimentary coffee, tea and water, print you to be with us’ ” and copy services and a 10 per cent discount on food. Customers can also add a buffet breakfast or a meeting room for additional fees. Guests, meanwhile, can use the facilities free of charge.

Product of the pandemic

“Just a few years ago [in the Nordic countries], people wouldn’t go into a hotel if they weren’t staying in it. We are breaking a trend here by telling them, ‘It’s okay to come in; we want you to be with us,’ ” says Spjuth.

Meanwhile, Marriott International’s premium brand, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is undergoing a global brand transformation, with 20

LEFT AND ABOVE: Co-working areas at Scandic Hotels

BJORN ENSTROM

Historically, public spaces in hotels have had little function other than to serve as a reception area. Buzzy in the morning and late afternoon, the lull in between calls for activity – preferably one that generates some revenue.

While savvy remote workers have long used such spaces for work, the recent growth in hybrid work lifestyles owing to the pandemic has undoubtedly increased interest and prompted redesigns of public areas.

“I don’t know what’s the chicken and the egg in this situation, but for me this trend is to stay. It just might fluctuate a bit,” says Anna Spjuth, chief commercial officer of Nordic hotel group Scandic Hotels.

Spjuth is not wrong. In its recent report, Public Opinions and Social Trends, Great Britain, published September 7, the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 36 per cent of working adults

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properties to date featuring new work-orientated public spaces.

“The new approach is to create spaces to connect, be productive, and help travellers feel connected to the local community,” explains Amanda Nichols, global brand leader, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.

A signature element of the redesign is its ‘Community Table’, a long oak table with built-in wireless charging, USB ports and plug sockets, welldesigned lighting and space to work, eat and drink. Unlike Scandic, there is no charge for guests or locals, and no assurances you will get a spot either.

“We hear from our hotels that the Community Table seats are the first to go each day, and that guests come down early to get their seat and set up for the day,” adds Nichols. Lobby use at Sheraton’s redesigned properties has also increased, with the space “no longer viewed as transactional or a place to wait” but rather people are “staying for longer and transitioning from breakfast meetings, working to afternoon drinks”.

Design differences

Hotels, however, must tread a fine line as they don’t want guests’ first impressions to be one of entering an office. “We let the hotel decide what is best for the guests coming in. One size does not fit all here, we are one brand, but we have quite different hotels,” Spjuth explains. The design of hotels’ co-working spaces varies across properties, taking into account architectural differences, the location (city or suburb) and clientele.

Scandic, for instance, offers relaxed lounge seating in lobbies at select hotels but takes a different approach for “high-pulse” hotels, such as the Haymarket Hotel in Stockholm where the workspace is located on the quieter first floor.

Hotels must also consider the differing preferences of co-working customers – some look for a more peaceful setting while others want spaces conducive to collaboration.

The Sheraton brand had this in mind DECEMBER 2022

during its redesign. The soundproofed booths in the lobby, designed for those wanting to take a video call or requiring a quieter working space, have proven particularly popular.

“We’re hearing from hotels that both guests and locals are using them for hours at a time,” Nichols tells me.

Meanwhile, glass-walled meeting spaces (known as Studios) can be reserved via a QR code. “They’re designed to give guests their own collaborative space but not remove them from the buzz and energy of the lobby,” Nichols adds. Those looking for a more collaborative process in a “less formal setting” can instead opt for the aforementioned Community Table.

‘We hear from our hotels that the Community Table seats are the first to go each day’

Co-working ventures

Some hotel brands have instead set up standalone venues, separate from their guest operations.

German brand Ruby Hotels, which operates 14 properties across Europe, set up Ruby Workspaces in 2015 and offers monthly membership plans as well as day passes.

“When our old office in Munich became too small due to our strong growth, we took this as an opportunity to launch a pilot,” explains Fabian Zellinger, director corporate development, new venues and workspaces, and member of the Executive Board.

Since its Munich debut, it has added workspaces in Hamburg and Dusseldorf, with a Vienna outpost recently joining the portfolio. The latter is a 4,000 sqm space set in Vienna’s palatial former post office, providing 450 workstations and nine bookable meeting rooms. As well

ABOVE: A Community Table at Sheraton Tel Aviv ABOVE RIGHT: A Community Table at Sheraton Grand Krakow

as day passes, there are flexible contracts for individuals or teams. In a significant incentive for remote workers, all passes include wifi, an allowance for booking meeting rooms, bottomless barista coffee, tea, water and fruit.

The connection with the hotel is also evident, with those on contracts receiving a 15 per cent discount on rooms at every Ruby Hotels property.

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Why not opt for hot-desking in hotel lobbies instead? “Our observation is that these concepts are only moderately accepted by customers, especially if the equipment and service offerings are not geared toward working. Very few hotel operators have really understood that it is not enough to offer free wifi and coffee at a flat rate to be a ‘workspace’,” Zellinger explains.

Ruby Workspaces combine ergonomic office furniture with characterful vintage pieces, antique accessories and a social space that hosts after-work events. “The right atmosphere plays a big role in how we feel, which directly affects our output.

A lot of work goes into selecting materials, finishes and lighting to foster wellbeing,” Zellinger adds.

Company culture

Aside from freelancers and remote workers, a number of companies have abandoned long-term office contracts, instead renting flexible spaces that better fit their hybrid work policies.

Amex Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has designed a solution, predictably called Workspaces, for such clients. The booking platform, launched in partnership with meetingsbooker.com, has 185,000 spaces around the world, with customers able to book space for up to ten people to work or meet. These vary from guest rooms with desks to small meeting rooms in hotels, restaurants, cultural and business centres – all with reliable wifi.

Customers booking a space at hotel destinations will also receive discounts

on food, beverages and parking, along with complimentary bottled water and access to fitness centres and pools for post-work pampering. Clients using Workspaces can also benefit from preferential rates and terms from Amex GBT’s hotel partners, all of which are visible on the search results.

You don’t have to be an Amex GBT client to benefit. The same spaces are available to individuals on meetingsbookers.com where they can view, compare and filter various workspaces based on location, venue type, facilities and sustainability. The drawback is that they won’t get the aforementioned perks for free.

Hotel brands, too, are seeing interest from companies. Aside from freelancers, Ruby Workspaces sees a lot of interest from local companies, DECEMBER 2022

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THE COST OF CO-WORKING Scandic Hotels

Day pass: €9 (€19 including breakfast) Hotel room office: €65 per day; €295 per week (Mon-Fri) Note that prices vary by country

Ruby Workspaces

Day pass: From €30 (€18 for members) Flex desk: From €250-€300 per workstation per month Dedicated desk: From €350-€400 per month Shared office: From €400-€450 per month Private office: From €450-€650 per workstation per month

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts

There are no charges for using the Community Table or Booths.

The charge for Studios varies by property.

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‘It’s a really nice vibe and much more dynamic than a traditional office space’

teams and ‘company outposts’ (employees who work away from their company’s office). Its contracts offer private offices with up to 12 desks, along with meeting rooms, secure storage and a business address.

GREGOR HOFBAUER

Going strong

It was clear from my interviews that the ‘buzz’ element is a huge reason for the success of such workspaces. It’s a win-win for hotels and customers alike, with unused spaces brought to life and remote workers no longer DECEMBER 2022

TOP RIGHT: Ruby Paul Workspace in Vienna ABOVE: Ruby Carl Workspace in Dusseldorf

feeling isolated. “It’s a way of reaching new markets, [gaining] new revenue but also making our properties livelier during the day. It’s a really nice vibe and much more dynamic than a traditional office space,” says Spjuth.

It’s the same at Sheraton, with lots of enthusiasm for the Community Table concept. Nichols says: “I have relished entering a hotel and seeing how much people are loving the feeling of being amongst each other…

It’s refreshing and invigorating, and makes for an inspiring workplace.”

It should come as no surprise that brands are continuing to roll out such offerings. Ruby Workspaces opened an Amsterdam property recently, with three as-yet undisclosed destinations to follow next year. “So, we won’t be bored,” Zellinger jokes. Meanwhile, Sheraton has plans for more than 15 transformed properties by the end of the year – roughly 10 per cent of the brand’s global portfolio. With business travel set for a strong rebound, there’s going to be a cohort in need of hot desks. Sign us up.

CROSSING BRIDGES WORDS VARUN GODINHO

As the number of tourists from Israel to the UAE approaches the half-amillion mark, Israel too is ramping up measures to attract visitors from the UAE and the Middle East

T

he Abraham Accords signed two years ago opened the floodgates to levels of cooperation between Israel and the UAE that have been nothing short of historic. Trade mushroomed between the two countries and in May this year, they signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aimed to catapult the value of non-oil bilateral trade to over US$10 billion within five years.

While the two countries have made deep joint investments in research, technology and financial services, tourism is among the areas that are increasingly ripe for cooperation.

“In signing the Accords, both nations [the UAE and Israel], along with fellow signatories Bahrain and (subsequently) Morocco, were counting on tourism as a critical factor in building economic ties. Tourism and related businesses account for some seven per cent of Israel’s gross domestic product. [By] signing the Abraham Accords in September 2020 and eliminating the need for a visa, we have noticed increased interest from both sides in exploring [each other’s] destinations,” says Larissa Samoilovich (pictured right), director of new markets development at the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT).

DECEMBER 2022

An estimated 450,000 Israeli tourists are believed to have visited the UAE over the past two years, the Israeli ambassador to the UAE told state news agency WAM in September. UAE businesses – including carriers, tour operators, and hotels – responded swiftly to cater to this demand for inbound travel from Israel.

Israel and the UAE signed aviation cooperation agreements. Flydubai became the first airline to begin scheduled commercial flights from the UAE to Israel.

Other major UAE carriers followed suit including Etihad in April 2021. In June this year, Emirates launched its daily services to Tel Aviv. A month later, it added a second daily service to Tel Aviv to keep up with the soaring demand.

There are around 70 weekly flights overall between the UAE and Israel.

To cater specifically to the demand for kosher food in the UAE, Kosher Arabia, a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and CCL Holdings, became one of the earliest registered and certified producers of kosher food in the country. It also opened a new catering facility in Dubai last year. Kosher Arabia, with its facility located in Dubai World Central, can prepare 2,000 meals daily and is certified by the Kashrut Division of the Orthodox Union (OU).

ILAN SHACHAM/GETTY IMAGES; MENAHEM KAHANA/GETTY IMAGES; ITAMAR GRINBERG/ISRAELI MINISTRY OF TOURISM; ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE (GPO) / HANDOUT

ISRAEL TOURISM

Hospitality establishments such as Al Habtoor Hotels announced that it would offer 24x7 kosher in-room dining at select properties in the UAE, while the Armani/Kaf became the first kosher-certified restaurant to open in the UAE, when it set up within the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa. More recently, Abu Dhabi got its first kosher restaurant by way of The Kosher Place at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

Meanwhile, travel between the two countries received a major fillip with eased visa protocols between the countries. Israelis and Emiratis can now avail of visa-free entry to each other’s countries if they are travelling for purposes of business or tourism.

While there has been a steady flow of tourists from Israel to the UAE, the same volumes are yet to commence in the other direction. “Israelis were the first to travel to the UAE in significant numbers; within the first months of the opening of the borders, the outbound traffic to UAE was around 100,000,” says Samoilovich, who was present at the Israeli stand at the TOP RIGHT: Israeli Arabian Travel Market exhibition earlier this year. “Our President Isaac main challenge is in bringing more tourists to Israel from Herzog (left) meets with UAE President the UAE. Most agents and tour operators in the Middle Mohamed East do not know much about Israel as a travel destination. Sheikh bin Zayed Al As a result, we find it necessary to train the travel industry Nahyan (right) at the COP27 in the UAE about the tourist products of Israel. Middle OPPOSITE PAGE: East markets are brand-new markets for the Israeli travel The Tel Aviv industry, specifically for the New Markets Development skyline at night department at the Israel Ministry of tourism. We see great BELOW: Aerial view potential in incoming tourism from these destinations. of Mount Carmel and Haifa Therefore, we have put in action (and are already actively

implementing) a detailed work plan to promote tourism from UAE and Bahrain. IMOT chose VFS Global as its marketing company representing Israel in the UAE.” Samoilovich adds that in 2019, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism recorded an all-time high in the number of tourist arrivals to Israel which stood at 4.55 million. This injected about NIS23 billion into its economy – which was almost four per cent of Israel’s GDP – which she adds benefited over 200,000 people working in that country’s tourism sector. Over the period of the pandemic, Israel had travel restrictions in place to curb the spread of the virus, but relaxed them in March this year. In July, it recorded its millionth tourist for the year – incidentally, it happened to be a traveller from the UAE. “Israel is a relatively small country, only 20,000 sq km, has six climate zones, 60 per cent of its terrain is desert, and we have three seas – the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Dead Sea. Israel is a cradle for three religions: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and is home to the Druze, Bedouin, and Baha’i communities. I know that tourists travelling to Israel from the Middle East region will experience a true co-existence between communities,” notes Samoilovich.

The UAE and Israel both aim to ramp up their tourist numbers. “Our goal is to boost our competitiveness by attracting Dhs100 billion as additional tourism investments and welcome 40 million hotel guests in 2031. Our goal is for the tourism sector’s contribution to be Dhs450 billion of GDP in 2031,” observed Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Israel meanwhile aims to attract 10 million annual visitors by 2030. “We are optimistic about receiving a growing number of tourists from the UAE and Middle East region once we train the agents about the destination, fine-tune and meet the demands of our clients and overcome some obstacles with the visa process for Indian expats, for example. I refer to the UAE market as if I were running a marathon. It is not a sprint. I wish to have 100,000 visitors from the Middle East countries annually. I believe we will see positive results within two-three years.”

DECEMBER 2022

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E L E VATO R P I TC H

ELE

THE

TOR PITCH

Business Traveller Middle East gives Guenter Gebhard, regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, five minutes to pitch his property to prospective guests

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Architecturally, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre is a landmark building and is a highly published image of the country. In the second quarter of 2019, we embarked on an extensive renovation of the property starting with our rooms, suites and signature Presidential, Royal and Kingdom suites. The renovation of the rooms concluded at the beginning of this year with a total spend of US$100 million.

Business travellers, and our guests in general, will appreciate the generous size of our rooms, bathed in natural sunlight thanks to floor-to ceiling windows. High-speed internet access, separate work and dining areas make it convenient for any business stay.

With sweeping panoramic views of the city, our expansive signature suites are a luxurious base from which to conduct business. From dedicated dining and living spaces to personal gyms and well-appointed studies, every need of our guests is anticipated and catered for.

Meanwhile, our dedicated butler and guest services focuses on a generous handful of offerings to take care of the travel needs of our guests.

Pre-arrival communications, in-room personalised check-in, therapeutic baths are just some of these services

that really define the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh experience. We have a lot of repeat guests that actually leave their luggage with us and return every week only with their laptops.

Their rooms are set up just the way they left it the week prior, and that’s where the butler team is very involved in the intricate details of making a home away from home for them.

Our over 7,000 sqm meetings and event facilities are ideal for both largescale galas and intimate board meetings.

The Kingdom Ballroom itself is 4,000 sqm hosting up to 4,000 guests. A collection of four other function and meeting rooms are ideal for smaller gatherings including an open-air, treelined Conference Garden.

“The renovation of the rooms concluded at the beginning of this year with a total spend of US$100 million”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Exterior shot of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre; Guenter Gebhard; The recently redesigned rooms at the hotel DECEMBER 2022

During their stay guests can enjoy delicious culinary experiences at Elements serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and offering global cuisines.

Elements also offers a very successful Friday brunch. As for our Lobby Lounge, it is the place to be seen in the city and offers an eclectic menu and high-end afternoon tea experience.

We’ve recently introduced Le Carré, our offsite catering service delivering exceptional Four Seasons dining to various locations – whether in palaces, exhibition centres or private venues. From a casual luncheon to a multi-course dinner, our talented team provides high-end, curated cuisine and personal service that is smooth and polished, ensuring a delicious, one-of-a kind experience.

As for leisure facilities, our pool is mixed-use for guests, as is the gym, which offers certified personal training services in collaboration with 24N Riyadh. The gym is open to both hotel guests and outside members as well.

The next phase of our renovation will start in the first quarter of 2023.

By the end of 2023, we will have renovated the reception and lobby lounge, and replaced our culinary offerings with three new branded restaurants including one by Daniel Boulud and another by Pierre Hermé.

Following that, we will start with the renovation of our Spa and Wellness Centre, including the construction of a new dedicated female spa with a steam room, sauna, spa bath, as well as a relaxation room. We will also be renovating our ballroom and building a unique venue called the Monogram Room, a luxurious lounge-style venue with its own terrace and garden which should be ready by September 2024.

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AIR MILES

AIR MILES WITH

Maral Artinian

Maral Artinian is the founder and creative director of Marli New York, a luxury jewellery brand with a rapidly growing global and Middle East presence

WORDS VARUN GODINHO

W 40

hat’s been the biggest win for you since you founded the brand, and also what’s been the most humbling moment? The brand to me is like a child…each milestone is significant and leads to a different journey. But certainly, launching Marli and seeing the expression of women discovering the collection for the first time is something I will never forget.

The most humbling point was when a nine-year-old girl walked into our Hudson Yards boutique one day with her mother.

She was really curious and wanted to know more about the jewellery world and the story behind each collection. So, I took her through the journey behind the Cleo and Avenues collections. She was fascinated and told me that she never knew there was so much thought and work that goes behind each collection.

Give us an overview of the scale of Marli’s current business worldwide. Since its launch in 2014, Marli has expanded to include nine standalone boutiques around the world, in addition to our e-commerce platform which has also been growing. The Middle East region is very important for Marli since the clients here can identify well with the creations. I’m proud to say our boutiques are in some of the most prestigious malls around the region including the Dubai Mall, Galleria Mall in Abu Dhabi, Avenues Mall in Kuwait, and recently the Place Vendome Qatar too.

You’re an Armenian, born in Syria and live in New York. Where do you call home?

I have to say, I am fortunate to have had the chance to live in many different cities around the world. It gave me the opportunity to experience several cultures

ABOVE: Maral Artinian BOTTOM (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): Marli New York in Abu Dhabi; Marli New York in Saudi Arabia; Marli New York in Paris

and learn many languages. But today, I consider New York City as my home and it’s where I find my sanctuary.

What is your earliest memory of a vacation?

My earliest memory of a vacation is a trip we took with my family to Europe: Antwerp, Paris and Rome. I was around 10 years old, and I remember going up the Eiffel Tower and admiring the view, and eating ice cream in Rome – the best ice cream in the world.

What are your non-negotiables when you travel? Comfort, impeccable service, and good headsets.

What are the three things that you always pack in your suitcase? I don’t consider myself a light traveller. I always travel with a suitcase and rarely with a carry-on. But if I would pick three essentials, it would be my teeth cleaning kit, exercise outfit and an evening bag.

How do you spend your air miles? I spend most of my air miles on tickets.

What is your choice of in-flight entertainment?

I usually travel overnight, so most of the time I sleep. If I would choose any entertainment, it would be the latest releases or documentaries.

Which is the destination on your bucket list?

I would love to visit Cuba. I love the music and I would love to go there and dance in the streets with the locals.

DECEMBER 2022

wave The new

Boutique hotel concepts in Israel are attracting a set of curious travellers who want to experience the country in the way the locals enjoy it

WORDS MEL ANIE SWAN

T

MAX KOVALSKY

he Israeli hotel industry has undergone a dramatic transformation since the pandemic. An array of boutique hotels are emerging and proving to be tough competition to some of the global brands which, for decades, have dominated the landscape. Until now, that is. One of the major players behind this shift which is challenging the status quo is Leon Avigad, co-founder of Brown Hotels, a home-grown Israeli brand taking the country by storm, and now expanding rapidly into Europe too.

Over the course of the pandemic alone thus far, the hotel group has opened nine new properties in the likes of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eilat. The unique properties range from small boutique experiences to grand luxury hotels, each destination chosen as an authentic representation of both Israeli culture and architecture.

Avigad prides each property as having “a story to tell”. The Lighthouse hotel in Tel Aviv occupies the former Migdalor building, an iconic brutalist architectural-style building that has been transformed into what is now one of the city’s prime hangouts as the brand takes tourists into once-forgotten neighbourhoods, now among the coolest places in the city.

In Jerusalem, Brown JLM Mamilla is housed in a 19th-century historic building, meticulously restored and extended to offer six

ISRAEL HOTELS

extra floors, becoming a go-to for the city’s tourists and hipsters thanks to its prime location, as well as its popular restaurant and rooftop bar.

At the helm of this transformation, Avigad says the hotel group prides itself on its “daring” and creativity, often the first to go into areas but soon inspiring other brands to follow suit, starting in 2010 within the patchwork of his vibrant home, Tel Aviv, now known as the Middle East’s 24-hour city.

Some of those more edgy destinations now include locations next to the arts and crafts market of Nahalat Binyamin and the Carmel food market, experiences which take tourists into the creativity and buzz of Tel Aviv allowing visitors to experience the city the way locals enjoy it. “We are not going to the obvious places, but looking for those that will be up and coming, with a strong notion of coolness that will attract creative people,” says Avigad. “New travellers look for individuality and to be shown the next cool neighbourhood, and Tel Aviv is the city for daring people.”

However, it is not only Tel Aviv where the Brown empire is spreading. Other destinations include the holy city of Jerusalem and the coastal resort town of Eilat in Israel’s south, as well as four countries in Europe, growing to a total of 50 properties by 2024.

“Wherever we go, we are usually the first, like our recently-opened property in Mahane Yehuda [near Jerusalem’s vibrant food market].

We choose places where people once looked at us like we were mad, but where now others are trying to follow,” notes Avigad. Now 50, the entrepreneurial-minded Israeli cut his teeth as a bellboy in Israel’s iconic King David Hotel in Jerusalem in the early years of his career, an experience which would influence the rest of his life, inspiring him to now lead Israel’s fourth-largest hotel group.

Israel’s hospitality sector shake-up by these daring minds has not gone unnoticed by the big established names which admit that the new wave of boutique brands, which also includes the likes of Atlas Boutique Hotels and the Selina group, are OPPOSITE PAGE FROM in turn making them raise their own game.

TOP:The lobby of the Tali Ginot, head of sales and marketing at Brown JLM Mamilla in Jerusalem; the Intercontinental David Tel Aviv, which Leon Avigad; The opened in 1998, says that the last year has seen reception of Brown “drastic” changes in the Israeli hotel scene from JLM Mamilla the emergence of new boutique concepts to BELOW: Images of the Brown JLM Mamilla high-luxury groups such as Soho House and

soon, Nobu, entering the market. “From the perspective of an iconic hotel like the Intercontinental David Tel Aviv, this variety in the hotel offerings is not only a great source of challenges, but also of pride. It means that more than before, Tel Aviv is seen as an attractive worldwide city that drives new hospitality groups,” says Ginot.

The reason for that, she explains, is that the image of Tel Aviv has evolved with its great dining and nightlife options and eclectic arts and cultural offerings. “We went from a very corporate-oriented destination to an exciting city that reaches the top of the global rankings,” observes Ginot. “This new face of Tel Aviv is bringing new kinds of travellers, some of whom will be attracted by boutique hotels.”

This healthy competition amongst hoteliers is pushing the hospitality industry towards raising their overall levels of service, as Ginot admits that standards of service offered in the local hospitality industry have improved dramatically in recent times.

Avigad, who opened the brand’s first property, Brown TLV, in 2010, agrees, explaining that the perception of Israel in general is now radically different, thereby bringing “new more savvy guests to Israel”.

“Right now, Israel is a hotspot. Tel Aviv is not Ibiza or Mykonos yet, but it is known to be a capital of cool and fun, internationally recognised as a place where you can really enjoy the luxuries of life, and yet it’s an hour from Jerusalem with its spiritual vibe,” he says.

“Israel has a lot more to offer than only the holy sites. Slowly, it’s not just Jerusalem that people are talking about, but about Tel Aviv too.”

Isrotel, which now has 23 hotels throughout the country since its first property opened in 1984, is one of the local brands also seeing the demand for more boutique concepts and is adapting the brand accordingly. “Already from before the onset of the Covid [pandemic], we began building several boutique concept hotels throughout Tel Aviv. With the future prediction for incoming tourists to Israel, both large and boutique-size hotels are necessary and in demand,” explains Alona Kosoi, marketing and sales director of Incoming Tourism at Isrotel. “In certain areas of the country, the boutique concept is imperative, especially in secluded areas such as the mountains and in the desert.”

She says that brands such as Brown show the evolution of the country’s hotel sector. “Local brands are always great to see and as Israel climbs the ladder as a preferred destination in international travel, more and more Israeli companies are investing in the industry.”

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ABOVE: The Leonard Cohen mural on Crescent Street in downtown Montréal

D E S T I N AT I O N

A Bienvenue à Montréal Québec’s largest city offers a striking mix of old and new along with public artworks, stunning landscapes and an amazing range of cuisines

sea of blue and white flags wave in time to the beat at the Place des Festivals in Montréal. While it was my first evening in the city, it would be far too vain to assume that the welcome party was designed for me.

My visit coincided with the start of La Fête nationale on June 23, Québec’s national holiday, observed across the city with parades, bonfires, fireworks and street parties.

My trip to Québec’s largest city had been long overdue; initially booked and planned for May 2020 and cancelled due to the ensuing pandemic. What followed were some of the strictest Covid-19 restrictions in North America, with a state of emergency renewed more than 100 times over the course of the pandemic. The Québec government officially lifted restrictions in May, and I finally made it overseas a month later, so I too felt I had something to celebrate amid the crowd of proud Québécois.

While the city is certainly looking forward to leaving the difficult years of the pandemic behind, it’s striking how the old and the new tend to coalesce in Montréal – particularly in its art scene.

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MONTRÉAL MULTIMEDIA

WORDS HANNAH BRANDLER

DECEMBER 2022

SLAVA ABRAMOVITCH/UNSPLASH

You don’t need to be in the city for long to notice that the city itself is a canvas for creativity – from murals emblazoned across buildings to digital projections in underground walkways.

My accommodation provided an introduction to the city’s art scene, with my suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Montréal offering floor-toceiling views of the 929 sqm Leonard Cohen mural on a high-rise façade on Crescent Street, while the brutalist façade of the Hotel Le Germain Montréal is covered in the 52m high Dazzle My Heart mural by Canadian artist Michelle Hoogveld, with 80 different colours in a gradient-like pattern. Fairmont The Queen

D E S T I N AT I O N

MOMENT FACTORY

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Elizabeth takes an equally modern approach, this time in the digital arena, with its two projection-focused art installations. The Interactive River, located in the hotel’s underground passage leading to Place Ville-Marie, features images of the sea, clouds and forest on all surfaces, accompanied by calming music. The Bed In, located in the Agora multipurpose space in the main lobby, depicts John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous stay at the hotel.

The projections are part of Cité Mémoire, a project by non-profit organisation Montréal en Histoires, which includes more than 25 tableaux (or scenes) projected on walls, streets, buildings and trees throughout Old Montréal, the port area and downtown. Created by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, in collaboration with playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, the scenes highlight milestones in Montréal’s history – from social revolution in the post-war years to the commemoration of The Great Peace of Montréal treaty, signed in 1701 by the governor of New France and 39 First Nations communities. Visitors can download the free Montréal en Histoires mobile app to find out more about the historical context for each projection.

The use of multimedia to enhance a city’s infrastructure is a philosophy also shared by Montréal-based DECEMBER 2022

company, Moment Factory. Set up in 2001, the multimedia studio has created more than 500 experiences worldwide under its motto “We do it in public”, with international offices in Paris, New York, Singapore and Tokyo. During my stay, I paid a visit to one of its home-produced projects, Aura at Montréal’s NotreDame Basilica. The Fabrique de la Paroisse Notre-Dame, the church committee, approached the team in 2017 to create an experience that would attract new kinds of visitors to the Basilica – not just those interested in religion. The result is a captivating light show whereby projections enhance the Basilica’s historic artworks and neo-Gothic architecture, accompanied by original orchestral scores (including sounds from the Basilica’s very own organ).

“We now have a lot of young people visit because we use multimedia, new technology and amazing music.

People who are not normally inclined to visit churches [come],” says MariePier Veilleux, director of public affairs and international relations at Moment Factory. I can personally vouch for its appeal to the secular community.

While the show might not be religious, the experience certainly feels spiritual and you quickly forget that you are sharing the space with 690 people, all of whom are a mix of

ages and backgrounds.

I vividly remember the illumination of icons at the altar, coinciding with choral voices to give the impression that they were serenading the congregation.

“We wanted the experience to be universal. The story isn’t about Catholic history or [a means to] showcase the religion. It’s really to embrace the beautiful site… We want to wow people,” says Veilleux.

Without giving too much away, an example of this ‘wow’ factor is the use of laser beams halfway through the show; a feature usually associated with raves rather than sacred spaces.

Nonetheless, the team have remained respectful of the patrimonial site, and you won’t see wires or any paraphernalia during the day.

The multimedia trend has also infiltrated Canada’s oldest art

Projections enhance the Basilica’s neoGothic architecture, accompanied by orchestral scores

TOP LEFT: A projection on the ceiling at Notre-Dame Basilica; part of the Aura project TOP RIGHT: Dazzle My Heart mural by artist Michelle Hoogveld

museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1860. Sabrina Ratté’s Contre-Espace 4K video was projected onto the façade of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion nightly until November 27. Inside, however, the galleries showcase early, modern and contemporary art across five interconnecting pavilions, offering something for everyone.

URBAN OASIS

ABOVE: Mount Royal Park and downtown Montréal BELOW: Farine Five Roses sign – a protected architectural feature on Lachine Canal

On the other side of the city lies the more well-known natural attraction Mount Royal, from which the city takes its name. The lush ‘mountain’ provides a welcome escape from the urban setting with 200 hectares of biodiversity and natural flora and fauna. Skyscrapers are forbidden from exceeding the height of Mount Royal (233m above sea level), making for an incredible panoramic vista at the Belvédère Kondiaronk lookout – I promise it’s worth the steep climb.

The sight of the fiery red, yellow and orange canopy of trees disappears as winter arrives.

MARKET CRAWL

Montréal offers Canadian staples throughout the city, with poutine – a dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy – featuring on many menus. There’s a Tim Hortons coffee shop in every neighbourhood, but its food scene has many cultural influences owing to its history of immigration.

The city is incredibly proud of its hand-rolled bagels, introduced in the early 1900s by Eastern European Jewish immigrants. Poached in honey water before being baked in a wood-fired oven, the chewy golden bagels are found throughout Montréal. You’ll find the best ones in the multicultural Mile End DECEMBER 2022

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JEAN-FRANCOIS SAVARIA/TOURISME MONTREAL; OLIVIER COLLET/UNSPLASH

Much like the public art, Montréal’s natural landscape features vestiges of the city’s past. This is most apparent at Lachine Canal, a 14.5km channel passing through the south-western part of the city from Old Montréal to Lake Saint-Louis, with five waterway locks, urban parks, restored red-brick factories and dilapidated structures along the way – including the glowing Farine Five Roses sign erected above the Ogilvie flour mill in 1948, which became a protected architectural feature in 2020.

The canal opened in 1825 to provide a route for ships to pass into the Atlantic Ocean, bypassing the Lachine Rapids on the St Lawrence River, increasing maritime traffic in the port and attracting manufacturers to the area. The creation of the St Lawrence Seaway led to the demise of the canal’s commercial use in 1970 but its significance has not been

forgotten, with the area designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

The canal reopened for recreational use in 2002 and is well-loved by locals and internationals alike. Small boats navigated along the smooth waters, cyclists shared the canal path with pedestrians and, closer to the old port, sportier types challenged themselves to a triathlon in 30°C heat.

ABOVE: Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy RIGHT: Atwater Market on the bank of Lachine Canal

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KEEP ON YOUR RADAR SEEING LOUD: BASQUIAT AND MUSIC, UNTIL FEBRUARY 19, 2023

KELLY JACOB;/TOURISME MONTREAL

The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts hosts the first large-scale multimedia exhibition dedicated to the role of music in the work of renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The museum provides an augmented reality app (pictured below) so visitors can explore interactive content.

DECEMBER 2022

neighbourhood, home to St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel.

There are also plenty of food halls for those who want to combine cuisines. I found it to be an ideal spot for solo travellers, offering the opportunity to strike up conversation with other like-minded souls over a packed Poke bowl.

It’s the city’s old markets, however, that give you the chance to feel like a local.

Founded in 1933, the year-round Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy is one of the city’s oldest public markets and one of the largest openair markets in North America. It is filled with fruit, vegetable and flower stalls along with Québec specialties, fishmongers and butchers. Walls are put up around the central section of the market in winter to shelter visitors from the cold weather.

My favourite spot, however, is the expansive Atwater Market, located within an Art Deco-style building on the bank of the aforementioned Lachine Canal. Merchants’ stalls overflow with fresh produce inside, while the alfresco Pôle des Saveurs area is a must-visit in the summer months, populated by picnic benches and Vietnamese and Réunion-style

Jean-Talon Market is filled with fruit, vegetable and flower stalls along with Québec specialties

cuisine. The peach-coloured Le Petit Sao stand is recommended, selling Banh Mi and Vietnamese salad bowls, alongside Québec-brewed beer and refreshing homemade lemonade.

Full of Banh Mi and camera at the ready, I joined Montréalers at the Old Port for the 36th edition of the LotoQuébec International Fireworks, an annual event that had been suspended for the past two years because of the pandemic. The 2022 season began with a spectacular display above the Jacques Cartier Bridge under the theme ‘Je me souviens’ – I remember.

And so my trip ended much as it began, with a celebration marking the start of the city’s post-pandemic era.

Merci Montréal and à bientôt.

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SPONSORED Four Seasons Hotel Madrid

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Rediscover Madrid The capital of Spain appeals to a diverse set of business and leisure travellers who want to indulge in unique experiences

S

pain has bounced back handsomely from the pandemic’s effect on its tourism industry. In fact, in September this year, a total of 7.8 million international tourists visited the country which represented 88.4 per cent of the visitors it received in the same month back in 2019. These travellers also spent €9.24 billion during their travel and stay in Spain in September which was only four per cent short of the figure in September 2019.

Overall, in the first nine months of the year, the number of international tourists who visited Spain exceeded 55.9 million, with their expenditures reaching €68.13 billion.

DECEMBER 2022

Madrid has proved to be a key destination for tourists visiting Spain. It has an enormous historical heritage, and several cultural, gastronomy and shopping offers to cater to a diverse set of visitors.

A major commercial hub, Madrid is home to the headquarters of 90 per cent of the large companies that operate in Spain and is the third largest European

Santo Mauro

city in terms of multinationals. Madrid has proved to capitalise on the “bleisure” category with hotels offering not just stellar conferencing and events spaces, but with the city also displaying a curated set of leisure options as well.

Stay

There are several properties located in historic buildings that were former noble properties. These include the AC Palacio del Retiro which is a mansion that was built in the 20th century and has commanding views over Retiro Park. The Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel is a Parisian-style building with an enclosed garden near Paseo de La Castellana, while the Orfila is a palatial hotel with old-world charm whose décor and furniture takes you back to the 19th century. For a traditional-meetsmodern hotel, there’s also the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in a Bell Epoque building, The Westin Palace which is located close to the city’s main museums and the Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques that is situated near the Royal Palace and Opera House.

Another iconic property to stay at in Madrid is the landmark Four Seasons Hotel Madrid located in the Canalejas Complex, close to Puerta del Sol.

Shop

The rich luxury shopping offering in Madrid is embodied by the Galería Canalejas which has over 40 boutiques selling fashion, accessories, perfume, high-end jewellery and timepieces from some of the world’s biggest luxury brands including Hermès, Cartier and Rolex. Navigating the 15,000 sqm shopping centre will result in you likely working up an appetite. Head straight to the 4,000 sqm Galería Canalejas Food Hall. It has over 13 restaurants serving a selection of food from around the globe.

Chef Julián Mármol, awarded a Michelin star in 2019, helms two restaurants: Monchis and The Eight. Chef Rubén Arnanz, also with a Michelin star under his belt, operates the 19.86 restaurant that features an exclusive space where a limited number of diners can watch Arnanz at work. At Le Petit Dim Sum, diners can choose from a wide variety of handmade dim sums. Don’t miss the 650 sqm MAD Gourmets which has 20 unique gastronomic spaces serving a variety of specialities, from typical Spanish tapas to international cuisine featuring the latest worldwide trends in gastronomy.

Continue your shopping experience in Madrid by visiting boutique shops such as La Moderna Apicultura which was inaugurated in 1919 by King Alfonso XII. For an equally extravagant offering, visit La Melguiza which is the only store in Spain dedicated entirely to the sale of saffron.

Apart from the Galería Canalejas, there’s also the Wow multi-brand store in Madrid located in the Gran Via district which is divided across eight floors and houses brands such as Collina Strada, Lacoste and Cecilie Bahnsen.

If you have the time, stroll the streets of Lavapiés, the Barrio de Las Letras Literary

Galería Canalejas

Quarter, Chueca, Las Salesas, Malasaña, Conde Duque, La Latina, and Hapsburg Madrid in search of exquisite artisanal shopping experiences that pay tribute to the local culture.

Don’t leave without securing a Madrid Designation of Origin product which includes wines, oils and olives, among other products, which have been given the specific designation in recognition of the quality of their products and their reflection of local expertise.

Bodega Coque

Dine

The 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide for Madrid revealed a total of 21 restaurants with the coveted Michelin Stars. DiverXO, has three Michelin Stars; Smoked Room has two, while Paco Roncero, Ramón Freixa Madrid, DSTAgE and Coque have also retained their two stars. Coque also has a Green Star which recognises its efforts in the field of sustainable gastronomy. Other restaurants which have at least one Michelin star in Madrid include Kabuki, Ricardo Sanz Wellington, Lúa, A’Barra, Gaytán, Cebo, Yugo The Bunker, La Tasquería, Clos Madrid, El Corral de la Morería Gastronómico, El Invernadero, Gofio, Saddle, Deessa, Quimbaya and Chirón.

VIP experiences

For visitors who want to have a VIP experience during their visit to Madrid, there are many ways to do so. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium offer the public a VIP experience. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium offers the VIPCorporate Hospitality Area and a VIP ticket to any match throughout the season. For a dose of culture, there are VIP seats available at The Teatro Real

Private visits at museums

Opera House that features a behindthe-scenes tour of the theatre as well.

You can opt for personalised routes and private visits at some of the world’s leading museums including The ThyssenBornemisza National Museum and The Reina Sofía Museum. The Sorolla Museum, for example, also offers a private experience that allows you to discover the work of the famous painter from Valencia, Joaquín Sorolla, while you study his method and life in-depth.

Coming soon

There’s much more to look forward to on your next visit in Madrid as we move into 2023. The end of the year has given us reason to cheer about football with the FIFA World Cup, and as we enter next year, watch out for the Legends museum which is expected to become the world’s largest museum dedicated to football when it opens in Madrid in 2023.

There are seven floors of entertainment right at Puerta del Sol. It will chronicle the history of the sport and of its biggest stars including the likes of Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo.

There will also be a gastronomic space on the rooftop, a store, and a game area, among other features. esmadrid.com

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WORDS VARUN GODINHO

Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, is leading the Hamburg-based brand’s product and distribution strategy through a time when the luxury industry is facing several external pressure points

Scaling Luxury

I

t’s good to have scarcity, but not frustration.” It’s prescient advice coming from Nicolas Baretzki, CEO of Montblanc, a Richemont brand, that is built around desirability.

At various points, it has had the likes of superstars such as Hugh Jackman, and more recently Zinedine Zidane, become the face of the brand. “My main concern is keeping scarcity at a certain level because it demonstrates your desirability. People are prepared to wait for something worthwhile. But frustration is never good for anyone.”

Walking the tightrope between controlled scarcity and avoiding the ire of frustrated customers is

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something that Baretzki has to contend with daily, heightened perhaps by the launch of the new Jimi Hendrix writing instruments collection last month. Jimi Hendrix’s professional career spanned just four years – although his impact on the cultural zeitgeist and diverse music genres has traversed several decades.

More than half a century after his death in 1970, the influence of Hendrix hasn’t waned. Montblanc recently launched a series of writing instruments dedicated to the American guitarist and the biggest moments in his short-lived career.

The collection includes the Great Characters Jimi Hendrix Special Edition with the name of the artist’s debut album – Are You Experienced

MONTBLANC

– noted at the top of the clip. The date of 18-06-1967 is engraved on the platinum-coated barrel ring which refers to the date of his performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. The Jimi Hendrix Limited Edition 1942 is limited to 1,942 pieces and is a tribute to his birth year. The Jimi Hendrix Limited Edition 99 meanwhile is the most limited offering in the collection and is restricted to a set of 99 fountain pens. Cleverly, just as Hendrix was capable of turning around righthanded guitars to play left-handed, here too instead of removing the cap to reveal the nib, it is the barrel that needs to be unscrewed to reveal the nib on which his portrait is engraved.

“There has been such resilience within the writing instruments segment. Right from the Victoria and Albert Limited Edition collection [launched earlier this year] leading to this Jimi Hendrix collection,” observes Baretzki. The luxury writing instruments segment is one in which Montblanc has the lion’s market share worldwide. Capitalising on that lead, in May, it opened the doors to Montblanc Haus located close to the brand’s headquarters in Hamburg.

Montblanc Haus is dedicated to furthering the art of handwriting, and includes the likes of handwritten texts by five Nobel laureates, an autograph by

French writer Voltaire that dates back to the 18th century, several writing desks and, of course, historic writing instruments from Montblanc’s own collection. “The idea for Montblanc Haus started from my predecessor, and was one of the best decisions taken in the last five years in the company.

Today, we own the segment of luxury writing instruments, and it’s our duty as a maison to promote that world of handwriting and educate people that writing is at the very root of who we are at Montblanc,” says Baretzki.

Another factor that is contributing to the popularity of Montblanc Haus, according to Baretzki, is its location in Germany. “Hamburg has become a cool place in Europe ever since the Elbphilharmonie launched five years ago. All of a sudden, Montblanc Haus is becoming a landmark next to all these beautiful buildings in Hamburg.”

While writing instruments is Montblanc’s existential category, its watches and leather offerings are its two other core categories. This year’s watch novelties included the 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date diver’s watch and the 1858 GMT Automatic Date – both excellent sports watches in their own right. The Monopusher Chronographs with Minerva movements meanwhile show how the Laurent Lecamp-led watchmaking department at Montblanc

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can dig into its archives and create modern interpretations of its vintage classics. Its other big release for the year, the Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290, was entirely encased without oxygen. This watch was significant because alongside its launch Montblanc also appointed Nimsdai Purja – the record-breaking mountaineer – as its ambassador. As Baretzki explains, when it comes to sporting sponsorships, Montblanc would rather consider the person – Purja or even Zidane – rather than sponsoring sporting championships and events. “When we collaborated with Nimsdai, for example, I was not looking for an alpinist, but really a man who is challenging so much of what can and cannot be done. Here is someone who has climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres in six months. The same goes for someone like Zidane. He could have been from any sport, but what I love about him is his values, his style and the fact that he’s always striving to come out on top,” says Baretzki.

ABOVE: Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki BELOW LEFT: The collection inside the Montblanc Haus OPPOSITE PAGE: Montblanc Great Characters Jimi Hendrix Limited Edition 99

DECEMBER 2022

FROM TOP: Montblanc Haus in Hamburg; A piece from the Extreme 3.0 leather collection; Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date

On the leather front, Montblanc’s creative director Marco Tomasetta is steering the ship. This year, it unveiled its Extreme 3.0 collection of leather accessories including a backpack, crossbody sling bag, belt, laptop case and a key pouch, among other items.

Here too, Tomasetta stepped into the brand brand’s archives and was reportedly influenced by its Bauhaus-style advertising campaigns from the 1920s.

Tomasetta and Lecamp both took on their high-profile roles at Montblanc last year. “Both have very similar characters, which is quite rare for creative people. They work at the service of the maison and not at the service of their ego or their characters. Both dwell on the roots of the company and use that as a starting point. Before even the public debut of the Iced Sea [watch collection] by Laurent and Marco’s Meisterstuck collection, I was convinced that I had hired the right persons,” says Baretzki.

While Montblanc’s product strategy across its writing instruments, leather and watches is barreling down the right path, Baretzki is increasingly turning his attention to distribution.

He says that from Dubai, it oversees key markets including the GCC, Africa, Levant and India. One of the most significant markets for

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DECEMBER 2022

it regionally is Saudi Arabia. “We already have six directly operated boutiques in Saudi Arabia. I was in Jeddah a few days ago and what I see is a very strong and buoyant market in Saudi,” notes Baretzki. He says that globally, the expansion of the luxury market will be strongest in secondand third-tier cities, especially in Southeast Asia where a strong surge of demand is underway in Thailand.

This year, Montblanc has revamped its flagship boutiques in a few destinations because, as he says, it is intended to give its customers a uniform Montblanc experience across markets that they may visit. “Our VIP customers travel around the world – from New York and Paris, to Dubai, London, Milan, and so on. There are probably 15 top cities in the world where we most often see those clients travel. I want to be able to offer them a similar experience of Montblanc in those boutiques, but each with a local flavour.” He points to the example of the Montblanc Suite 4810 Paris concept boutique on the ChampsElysées where customers who purchase an item are given a key to open a safe to collect their item. It’s a model that he wants to replicate across its other major boutiques around the world.

Looking into 2023, when asked to make a quick SWOT analysis for Montblanc, he’s quick to identify the strengths (“writing instruments”) and opportunities (“definitely leather”), but is a little more pensive when considering the weakness and threats to the brand. “The weakness is still production. I’m spending a lot of time [working on] the supply chain. We all need suppliers, no matter what our levels of integration may be, and we are all facing difficulties to get those raw supplies. As for threats, these will come from the outside. We could all do with a little de-escalation so that we don’t face unnecessary pressures and uncertainties. What I can tell you is that any threat to Montblanc will be from the outside, and not from the inside.” That isn’t likely to change at Montblanc as long as Baretzki is its inside man.

HOTEL VIEWS

Leading the charge W

hat makes your property stand out compared to other high-end hotels within Doha?

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha is set on an exclusive island. We are located next to the futuristic Lusail City, the Lusail Stadium, Katara Cultural Village and Lusail Circuit. I can most definitely say that we do have one of the best views in the city, especially our suites – all our suites boast sea views.

When it comes to dining, the hotel has seven restaurants and lounges. It also features exceptional leisure facilities such as a semi-Olympic indoor pool, indoor squash and tennis courts, as well as a 24-hour fitness centre overlooking the marina. Furthermore, for over 20 years, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha has become one of the favourite venues for local and international high-end weddings, ceremonies and conferences too.

The Grand Amiri suite is regarded as one of the finest in the country.

What sets it apart? I am very proud to share the news that our Grand Amiri suites were crowned “Qatar’s Leading Hotel Suite 2022” at the 29th World Travel Awards, for the second consecutive year. In a city where luxury is synonymous with everyday life, winning this award once again is a big testament to the distinctive design and overall product. The four Grand Amiri suites are designed to celebrate Qatari

Carlo Javakhia, general manager of The RitzCarlton, Doha is at the helm of a property that has existed for over two decades and is still a strong contender in the country ’s luxury hospitality segment

heritage by combining chic styling, architectural detailing, vibrant hues, metallic accents and custom textures.

Each suite has its own identity and theme, and that is what makes it stand out in such a competitive market.

What are some of the culinary highlights available at your property? The hotel has seven restaurants and lounges.

You can try premium sushi, sashimi and ceviche at the glamorous B-Lounge. STK Doha has premium and rare cuts from around the world, including Japanese Wagyu and Australian Tomahawk.

My personal favourite, Sel and Miel brings an authentic slice of France to Doha with a menu of classic French favourites.

Our Friday Parisian Breakfast and Wednesday Raclette offers

FROM TOP: Carlo Javakhia; The Ritz-Carlton, Doha; Grand Amiri Ivory suite

are very popular in the city. Habanos, with an outdoor terrace, has a menu inspired by Latin America. Flamingos, our pool bar, offers beverages and light bites throughout the day. Sample our signature Afternoon Tea at The Lobby Lounge too.

What are the key spa and wellness offerings at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha?

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Doha was awarded Qatar’s Best Hotel Spa 2021 by the World Spa Awards and it is also inspired by the country’s heritage and Arabic rituals. Our newly renovated outdoor swimming pools with inlets and waterfalls, as well as the private beach, are perfect spots to soak up the sunshine. The junior-sized indoor pool and Moroccan hammam make the spa offering stand out.

It’s been over two decades since the hotel opened. What are some of the expansion plans in place for it?

This year, the hotel team has done a tremendous job upgrading and beautifying the hotel facilities such as the outdoor swimming pool, spa, lobby lounge, Habanos as well as the meeting space. In 2023, we are going to be renovating our all-day dining restaurant The Lagoon, as well as ensuring the other spaces remain in good condition.

As a general manager, what’s the toughest part of your job? One of the toughest parts of my job is balancing all the stakeholders: family, owners, company staff, my team members, guests, authorities, and so forth.

For example, when it comes to the employees, I need to create an environment where they can progress in their careers. Money is not always the main driver, and I need to make it exciting for them to work here, as well as help in their future roles. For the owners, I need to give them the confidence that their assets are safe.

Guest expectations, understanding the trends and the competition, and also being physically on the floor and assisting our guests, can get tough… but this is what makes the hospitality industry special and fulfilling.

DECEMBER 2022

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Airplane bound

WORDS & STYLING AMY SESSIONS

LIFESTYLE

Whether you’re flying commercial or private, it’s time to head some place nice for the holidays. This month, we’re inspired by in-flight luxe

Reverso Tribute Duoface Calendar Ref. Q3918420 Dhs53,500 Jaeger-LeCoultre jaeger-lecoultre.com

DECEMBER 2022

Cashmere Sweater Dhs1,320 Allude mrporter.com

Performance Tapered Cashmere-Blend Sweatpants Dhs1,560 Johnstons of Elgin johnstonsofelgin.com

Ribbed Cashmere Socks Dhs1,323 Brunello Cucinelli shop.brunellocucinelli.com

LIFESTYLE

Brushed-Cotton Eye Mask Dhs76 Desmond & Dempsey desmondanddempsey.com

Cedar and Citrus Lip Salve, 9ml Dhs50 Aēsop aesop.ae

Deep Hydrating Mask, 50ml Dhs350 Dr. Barbara Sturm en.drsturm.com

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Bank S Spinner 53cm Aluminium Carry-On Suitcase Dhs2,884 FPM Milano fpm.it

DECEMBER 2022

AN ISLAND FOR EVERYONE

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Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi is poised to play a major role in boosting the country’s tourism sector

G

rim global economic forecasts, the pandemic and conflicts in eastern Europe over the preceding months notwithstanding, the UAE’s tourism sector has remained resolutely at the top of its game.

As recently as last month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 under its ambitious ‘Projects of the 50’ programme.

The strategy aims to attract Dhs100 billion in additional tourism investments and welcome 40 million hotel guests by 2031, while striving to raise the sector’s contribution to Dhs450 billion of the national GDP. All the emirates are working on robust strategies to ensure that these figures are attainable. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), for example, said that in the first half of this year, its hotels received 1.84 million visitors, DECEMBER 2022

an increase of 22 per cent year-on-year. In Abu Dhabi, areas across the emirate are being developed at a rapid pace, among them being Saadiyat Island which is a mixed-used development with hospitality, tourism and cultural attractions that appeal to a wide audience.

Saadiyat Island is forecasted to attract 19 million visitors and contribute Dhs4.2 billion in direct tourism revenue by 2025, thereby playing a pivotal role in the country’s overall tourism ecosystem. At the Arabian Travel Market 2022 earlier this year, DCT Abu Dhabi and Miral, which creates immersive destination experiences in Abu Dhabi, unveiled the Saadiyat Vision 2025.

Spread across 2,500 square hectares, there are plenty of projects around culture, hospitality, education and conservation that have in turn made the destination particularly appealing. The first international outpost of the Louvre opened on the island in 2017. For culture enthusiasts, there are three other world-class museums set to open over the coming years: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. For those who

want more immediate gratification on the arts scene, they can visit Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District which hosts exhibitions and community-oriented events.

Close to Manarat Al Saadiyat is Berklee Abu Dhabi – the international wing of the prestigious music college based in Boston, Massachusetts. Apart from Berklee, another outstanding college instructing on liberal arts and science academic programmes on Saadiyat itself is the New York University Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, playing a vital role in Saadiyat Vision 2025, is the island’s hospitality industry.

Six hospitality majors have significant properties here. The 306-key Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas has 23 suites and 18 villas; St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi is famous for its bespoke butler service; Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort strives consistently for sustainable practices in its operations; seven dining options shine through the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas; the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island became the first all-inclusive hotel in Abu Dhabi; and the Nurai Island is a boutique private island resort that features 42 villas.

With a strong overarching focus on conservation, Saadiyat’s ecosystem of protected wildlife and marine life includes endangered hawksbill turtles, bottlenose dolphins and humpback, the native Arabian gazelle and more than 300 species of birds.

For those searching for vibrant and lifestyle-driven experiences on the island, they only need to consider one of the several beach clubs including Saadiyat Beach Club, Soul Beach and Kai Beach. The Saadiyat Beach Golf Club features the region’s first ocean course, while the Mamsha Al Saadiyat community has top-notch dining, entertainment and shopping outlets.

There’s much more to come at Saadiyat Island. The Abrahamic Family House consisting of a mosque, a synagogue and a church will become a beacon for interfaith dialogue when it opens, while the 17,000sqm teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi set to be operational by 2024 will showcase an immersive multi-sensory experience where science, technology, nature and art will intersect. Come 2025, the anticipated 19 million visitors to Saadiyat Island won’t leave the island before finding exactly what they came looking for – no matter how wide the brief. Varun Godinho

LOUVRE ABU DHABI - PHOTOGRAPHY ROLAND HALBE

S A A D I YAT I S L A N D

the

eport Tried, Tested, Tasted.

TR IED AND TE S TED HOTEL S

TR IED AND TE S TED R E STAUR ANT

Mandarin Oriental, New York

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Sheraton Tel Aviv

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Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah

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The Wallace, New York

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Alaya Dubai

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Mandarin Oriental, New York B A C K G R O U N D The property has been a part of New York City’s luxury hospitality setting since 2003. Two decades on, it shows no signs of having aged and instead manages to hold its own while several newer brands have flooded the market over the last few years.

W H E R E I S I T ? It is located at one of the most coveted addresses in the city – more specifically on Manhattan’s Westside at Columbus Circle and at the southern entrance to the sprawling Central Park. The hotel is a part of the Deutsche Bank Centre – in fact, the third-floor lobby has an exclusive entrance to the retail floors of the centre.

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? You’d be hard-

pressed to find a better location than this.

There may be only one dining option in the hotel itself, but there are plenty more among the wide selection of shops on the expansive retail floors. The lower lobby houses one of the largest Whole Foods shop that I’ve come across in New York and you are a hop, skip and a jump from Central Park. The staff are extremely welcoming and the MO Lounge offers breakfast, all-day dining and dinner with spectacular views.

R O O M S There are 244 rooms and suites in the hotel. We stayed in the spacious 75 sqm Hudson River View suite, whose shades of teal are a nod to the river. It features floor-

L E I S U R E A 1,350 sqm spa spans both the

The hotel is located at one of the most coveted addresses in New York City to-ceiling windows that fill the room with light and there is a large desk to work, a sofa and a dining area for four, while the master bedroom has a king-size bed. If you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious experience at this hotel, there’s the 207 sqm Presidential suite that also features stunning 250-yearold parchment calligraphy.

F O O D A N D D R I N K On the 35th floor is the MO Lounge whose contemporary furnishings and décor give it the feel of a by-invitation-only members club. However, all are welcome to this space which is open throughout the day. Its lunch and dinner menu is restricted to a page – but each item has been crafted to perfection. Hands down, the soup we ordered was the best soup we’ve tasted in all of NYC. The burrata, risotto, and salmon croque monsieur – with the option to add Golden Ossetra caviar – are all highly recommended.

M E E T I N G S There are

stunning events and meeting spaces on the property – perhaps the most impressive of them is the pillarless 550 sqm ballroom with commanding views over Central Park. There are three smaller rooms for board meetings, as well as The Gallery space where events are held amidst unique art pieces.

DECEMBER 2022

34th and 35th floors. Rather than choosing a treatment type, you can opt for the Time Ritual wherein you specify a length of time and the therapist will offer a bespoke treatment to fit within that time slot. You can drop by the Technogym-fitted gym on the 36th floor, and you can also request a personal session with an on-call trainer. On the same floor is a 75ft lap pool with great views of the Hudson River.

V E R D I C T We thoroughly enjoyed our

stay here and whatever requests we had including transportation, etc. were dealt with very efficiently. It may be a hangover from the bad old days of Covid, but when we checked in there were no coffee and tea amenities in our room which we discovered needed to be requested – and were promptly provided by room service. The same applied to our mini bar which, although fully stocked, was not unlocked until we contacted reception. Probably a good idea to organise that at check-in. David Roberts

BEST FOR

Sweeping views of Central Park, NYC’s skyline and the Hudson River

DON’T MISS

A meal at MO Lounge

PRICE

Internet rates for a weeknight in December for a Hudson River View suite start at US$3,075

CONTACT

80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, New York 100023, USA; +1 212-805-8800; mandarinoriental.com

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

new dining concepts including Zing Beach The F&B variety at the property Bar which offers craft drinks and a wide DON’T MISS selection of light bites, The locally sourced honey at SocialBee Lobby Lounge and the SocialBee Lobby Lounge that PRICE has a wonderful menu Internet rates for a weeknight in December designed around locallyfor a King Deluxe Room with Sea View sourced honey. Mowsem and Balcony begin at Dhs1,280 is where you can head to for your breakfast CONTACT buffet. The very popular Palm West Beach, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Jones The Grocer is +971 (4) 230 0000; hilton.com located on the beach. To catch a game, drop into Factory by McGettigan’s.

If you have kids, make your way to Claw BBQ for Southern hospitality and a great selection of grills, seafood and shakes. It also has retro arcade games, Air Hockey and a mechanical bull. Barfly by Buddha Bar meanwhile, located on the 13th floor of the property, offers great sunset views. deep-soak bath and two vanity units. The complimentary wifi was efficient and coped with multiple devices in the room.

BEST FOR

Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah B A C K G R O U N D The hotel is Hilton’s newest flagship to launch in Dubai on the Palm Jumeirah. It offers a fantastic range of ten culinary experiences, and has a spa, meeting and events spaces, executive lounge, kids club and a pool that runs the length of the beach that sits in front of the property.

W H E R E I S I T ? Located at the foot of the Palm West Beach, it is next door to the lively Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel. Don’t let this put you off as you cannot hear the neighbours, such is the large area in front of the hotel. Departure from the hotel requires a double U-turn, so choose your departure and arrival times carefully if you can to avoid the rush hour traffic.

F O O D & D R I N K If you are staying for the week, you will be delighted at the variety of restaurant options on offer within the hotel. The hotel has launched a number of

The hotel offers a smart and extensive selection of F&B options

B U S I N E S S The property boasts 12 meeting rooms on-site, and a dedicated events team to ensure your corporate experience runs smoothly. In addition to the Nakhla Meeting Rooms, the facility also offers the Ocean Terrace which is perfect for a networking event. The beautiful Mazli Ballroom is ideal for conferences, awards dinners and boutique exhibitions.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E The hotel entrance is a

L E I S U R E The hotel has the longest

R O O M S The 608-key hotel includes guestrooms, executive rooms and suites.

Our room had a lounge sofa, coffee table, work desk and a balcony that looks out over the marina and the hotel’s sizeable pool. With a king-size bed and large TV on the wall, the bedroom offered everything we required. The bathroom was sizeable featuring a very large walk-in shower, a

V E R D I C T If I was travelling to Dubai on business and wanted to bring the family for an extended stay, I can think of no more perfect hotel as it offers everything.

The five-star facilities and smart as well as extensive selection of F&B options make this new palm resort a one-stop shop for all of your needs. Andrew Wingrove

grand affair with lots of space to valet or pick up a taxi, unlike some of the entrances to other hotels on the Palm which are cramped.

Once in the reception area, you are faced with an enormous beautiful white area with a mass of desks to your left for check-in.

pool I have ever seen in a resort, so if you like to get your laps in, you will not be disappointed. Additionally, the hotel offers a state-of-the-art gym with all of the latest Technogym equipment. The gym also has a private training room and dedicated changing rooms too.

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TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

Sheraton Tel Aviv B A C K G R O U N D The Sheraton brand has been in Tel Aviv since 1961. The original hotel was about a mile north of the current one, which was built in 1977 and has had several renovations in the intervening years, with the most recent being completed this year.

W H E R E I S I T ? On the beachfront overlooking Shlomo Lahat Promenade.

Ben Gurion airport is around a 30-minute drive away (traffic permitting).

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? From the outside the hotel is a fairly anonymous rectangular tower, but the lobby opens up to an atriumlike space with a branded café (&more

by Sheraton) serving Illy coffee as well as alcohol. The interiors are by HBA design.

To the left is the concierge desk and reception, while to the right is the new Sheraton lobby with its long community table with multiple power points and lockable drawers so you can step away from

the desk (keys available at reception). There are phone booths to take and make calls without disturbing others, comfy seating, and small meeting rooms for rent – three off reception, and two larger ones further back in the lobby. It’s a popular space, and well air-conditioned, which was welcome after a walk along the beachfront.

R O O M S There are 320 rooms and suites, all recently renovated, with blue rugs matching the sea views and wooden floors with beige and sandy-coloured furnishings.

The aim is for a homely feel so work desks have been replaced with a circular table for eating and working. I was staying in one of the rooms with Club floor access which, although it is the same size as a standard room, saved money on both breakfasts and an evening meal. It also meant I could work there in the evening.

Entry level Deluxe sea view rooms are on floors 3-11 and are 25 sqm, with views of either the marina or Jaffa (depending on whether you are on the north side of the building or the south). Deluxe seafront rooms are the same size but face out to sea and so have the full view. Then, ascending in terms of price (and of floors), the Premium sea view rooms are on floors 12-15 and are the same size. Club floors are on 1620, with access to the Club on the 18th floor.

There are 42 suites – junior suites, Marina, Jaffa, Mediterranean and Ambassador, and a duplex Presidential suite on the 20th floor.

All rooms have a balcony.

Inside there’s a laptop safe with a power point inside so it can be left charging and

The Club lounge on the 18th floor offers great views and is a lovely, calm space secure, a good-quality hair dryer, and a minibar as well as a coffee machine with Illy coffee.

The rooms have a divided bin for recycling, there are large dispensers in the showers – so no miniatures, and there’s a master switch by the door so you can turn off all power when leaving the room, or, if you prefer, keep the air conditioning on so it is cool on your return.

Each room has a large bottle of water, replenished daily. There is a sofa bed for a child, if needed, DECEMBER 2022

and some rooms have baths in addition to showers – most rooms are shower only.

The Club lounge on the 18th floor offers great views and is a lovely, calm space, with complimentary breakfast and an extensive buffet of healthy food in the evening along with free drinks.

F O O D A N D D R I N K Manara Restaurant on the ground floor offers Levantine-Israeli cuisine for lunch and in the evening, with a good choice of cocktails. On the lower level, Surfside Seaview Restaurant serves an outstanding buffet breakfast. On the second floor there is a poolside bar – Deck 115.

M E E T I N G S There are 16 meeting rooms;

1,214 sqm of space in total. The Diamond Hall can seat up to 180 for a banquet. The third-floor business centre has four meeting rooms which can be combined.

L E I S U R E There is a gym on the second

floor, and an open swimming pool and sun deck. This area will be refurbished over winter 2022.

V E R D I C T This is an excellent hotel with first-rate service, an enviable position and a thorough refurbishment which makes it one of the favourite spots in the city. Tom Otley BEST FOR Reliable service in a lovely refurbished hotel

DON’T MISS Watching the sun setting on the Mediterranean in one of the bars

PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in December start from US$399 for a Queen room

CONTACT 115 HaYarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63573; +972 (3) 521 1111; marriott.com

TRIED & TESTED HOTEL

The Wallace, New York B A C K G R O U N D The Wallace opened late in 2021, and feels like a sanctuary in a fast-paced city. Set in a glorious tree-lined street, the 1930s building is quintessentially New York.

W H E R E I S I T ? Located in the gorgeous Upper West Side of Manhattan, the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Central Park, the Hudson River and Riverside Park, as well as just four blocks from the subway which is one stop, or three minutes, to Times Square. Situated just off Broadway, there are a plethora of shops and dining destinations nearby, as well as some of the city’s best museums and theatres. It has a very residential feel to the neighbourhood.

W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The hotel feels extremely cosy and homely, while luxurious and very charming. It has the sense of a luxury apartment complex with all the convenience of a hotel.

R O O M S There are 124 rooms including 50

suites at The Wallace, though you’d never feel it. Each is designed along a similar theme – modern and stylish, yet homely.

Each has unique pieces of art as well as different rugs and throws to set them apart.

Five rooms have terraces for those in the know – and this is not advertised on the website for the hotel which already has a range of 14 room categories. If you’re a bath fan, only six rooms have tubs, so request one if that’s what you want. I stayed in the Deluxe Queen One Bedroom suite which felt like an apartment – spread over 54

sqm – with a small kitchenette and large living room which is great to host friends or colleagues, and has a huge Art Deco style bathroom with a walk-in shower too.

In-room technology included touch-button customisable lighting and shade control, USB sockets in the bedside clock, and two huge flatscreen TVs. Even the most basic room, the Superior Queen, is large with the same hardwood floors, a fridge, a beautiful bathroom and work desk. For families, 21 rooms have two queen beds – the One Bedroom Double Queen suites.

The neighbourhood has a very residential feel to it

BEST FOR Location. While the hotel is fairly centrally located, it is still far enough from the more chaotic part of town to offer a sense of respite from the city

DON’T MISS A 15-20 minute stroll to the stunning Central Park’s Belvedere Castle offers incredible views across the city from the park’s highest point.

PRICE Internet rates for a weeknight in December for a Deluxe Queen One Bedroom suite begin at US$890

CONTACT 242 W 76th Street, New York, NY 10023; +1 212-362-1006; thewallace.com

F O O D A N D D R I N K The hotel will soon open its cocktail bar and lounge bar on the ground floor, which will operate from 4pm for drinks and light bites. There is no restaurant in the hotel, which some may find inconvenient. But there are plenty of places around the area to explore a wide range of cuisines and coffee shops, and there are tea and coffee-making facilities in the room too.

B U S I N E S S A new functions space is opening in the coming months to allow for conferences and business events. The wifi is very fast and reliable which makes working at the hotel easy too.

L E I S U R E Despite being a small property, there is still a very functional gym in the hotel, which is well-equipped and clearly designed by someone who uses a gym.

V E R D I C T This is an urban sanctuary and I would absolutely recommend anyone going to the city to stay here. The staff are incredibly warm and helpful. Melanie Swan

DECEMBER 2022

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T R I E D & T E S T E D R E S TAU R A N T

HOURS

Alaya Dubai

Daily 12pm-4pm; 7pm-11.30pm

LOCATION Gate Village 4, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai.

B A C K G R O U N D Chef Izu Ani is

undoubtedly one of Dubai’s most wellknown chefs. Greek restaurant Gaia which opened in 2018 is what put Ani firmly on the city’s culinary map, the likes of Shanghai Me and La Maison Ani are what have kept him there. His restaurants are where you’ll find UAE royal family members visiting – his Instagram shows images of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, dropping into Alaya for a meal.

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W H A T ’ S I T L I K E ? The licensed restaurant is a masterclass in interior design and doesn’t look out of place compared to the high-end art galleries which are only a stone’s throw away. Curated by interior design firm Sagrada, Alaya has geometricpatterned wooden floors, ceilings with a combination of cane, wood and velvet, as well as an open kitchen with marble lining its walls. Above the leather couches at one end of the restaurant hangs a majestic large oil on canvas piece, Cinco Cames, by Lebanese artist Marwan Sahmarani.

T H E V E N U E Located in DIFC Gate Village

4, it’s only a few metres away from stellar competition including Zuma, Cipriani, Clap, Roberto’s, the Four Season and from sibling rivalry by way of Gaia and Shanghai Me. Yet, there’s a confident vibe all around this fine-dining restaurant which brings a level of service and quality of food that doesn’t need to play catch-up to any other restaurant in the vicinity.

CONTACT +971 4 570 6289; alaya-dubai.com

The fine-dining restaurant is a masterclass in interior design

F O O D A N D D R I N K The LevantMediterranean menu is neatly divided into starters which include a selection of mezzes, a rotisserie selection, and the mains. Freshly baked bread is served with comforting feta cheese once we are seated.

We opted for the fried calamari – covered in semolina crumbs – a shish kofte which was succulent and presented on a bed of tomato sauce, and a cheese borek that consisted of a flio dough filled with a combination of five kinds of cheese. From the rotisserie section, we ordered some brilliant tenderloin wagyu beef from Australia. For the mains, we opted for the seafood manti which was a delicious preparation that included king crabs, prawns and lobsters. For dessert, the chocolate cake is an excellent choice, nearly as much as the vanilla ice cream which accompanied it. Although we didn’t ask for it at the time, Alaya is one of only a few high-end establishments in the city with a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu too.

S E R V I C E Impeccable. The staff are

highly-trained, amiable, can strike up a conversation and also know how to ease out of one the moment your food arrives in order to leave you to enjoy your meal.

They’re very well-versed with the menu and make excellent recommendations if you ask them to assist.

V E R D I C T Izu Ani is a name that alone will pull patrons through the door. But as can sometimes happen with the celebrity-chef phenomena, it fades as does the appeal of the restaurants that they are the face of.

Ani’s star is only rising though and Alaya makes it clear that he’s very much at the top of his game. Where Ani goes, we’ll happily follow. Varun Godinho DECEMBER 2022

POSTCARD

Champion of the world The opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Al Bayt Stadium marked a historic point for the region – it was the first time an Arab country hosted the mega event. The show was narrated by Morgan Freeman and featured Jung Kook from BTS, as well as Qatari stars including Ghanim Al Muftah and Fahad Al Kubaisi. The eight-part opening ceremony concluded with giant jerseys of the 32 participating nations and every mascot in FIFA World Cup history taking to the field.

At the time of going to press, this year’s World Cup has already thrown up several major upsets – Saudi Arabia defeated South American giant Argentina 2-1 (a win that resulted in a public holiday in the kingdom the following day), Japan pulled off a 2-1 victory in their opening match against Germany, and Spain defeated Costa Rica in a hard-tobelieve 7-0 scorecard at the time of the final whistle bringing back memories of the Brazil-Germany match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Come December 18, a new world football champion will be crowned.

DECEMBER 2022

ROBBIE JAY BARRATT - AMA / GETTY IMAGES

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