Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2025 i Business Traveller

WELCOME TO THE summer issue. Our dreamy cover invites you to explore Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way, where the centuries-old tradition of seaweed harvesting is enjoying a vibrant revival. From natural wellness to windswept views, it's the perfect place for a summer getaway (page 60). Speaking of embracing the wild outdoors, we're using the warmer summer months to plunge into the invigorating waters of wild swimming, another back-to-nature trend that's taking hold (page 32). We also take off on the first-ever Wine Flyer x Avios chartered journey to San Sebastián, where world-class wine country meets Basque gastronomy – an experience entirely paid for by points (page 66). Elsewhere in the issue, we unzip amenity kits to decide if these personal pouches are a waste of material – or coveted collectables…

REWARD ROULETTE I recently read the positive letter by Adrian Furnham about BA. My experience has been far from positive. When I retired, I wanted to treat my wife to a holiday in Japan with return business class flights. I had amassed almost 400,000 miles through business flights and my BA Amex credit card over a six-year period, and booked reward flights some ten months in advance. Weeks from flying, my wife was called forward to have a new hip. We gave BA a letter from the consultant confirming she should not fly during that period and were advised we could reschedule our flights. We spoke to several customer service people and were given conflicting advice – from, “you must book both legs within a month” to “I don't think…

Avoid withdrawing cash at ATMs – you'll usually pay a fee and, if you're using a credit card, most charge interest from the minute the cash is in your hand. If you're offered the choice to pay in pounds sterling or the local currency, always stick with the latter. Paying in sterling typically means a poor exchange rate. If you opt for an American Express card for the perks, carry a back-up such as Revolut or Starling as Amex isn't universally accepted.…

New York EAT: Koneko Cat Cafe – play with furry feline friends while enjoying cake. SEE: Bronx Zoo – one of the largest zoos in the world. VISIT: Legoland – 90 minutes from downtown, with rides, shows and themed lands. London EAT: Inamo Covent Garden – expect interactive tabletops, a games room and even karaoke. SEE: Natural History Museum – start with a life-size skeleton of a blue whale. VISIT: Warner Bros. Studio Tour – spellbinding adventures for the whole family. Hong Kong (SAR) EAT: Yum Cha – the child-friendly dim sum includes BBQ piggy buns and cartoon-style baos. SEE: The Peak – ride the Peak Tram up the mountain for amazing views VISIT: Ocean Park – the mountain-side theme park with two resident pandas.…

A global hub for technology, cutting-edge luxury retailers and start-ups, Tokyo is one of Asia's most lively commercial centres – and home to an estimated 14 million people. Travellers will enjoy dipping into the Japanese capital's unique cultural history and passion for the new. From the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Tower (pictured) to the neon streets of the dazzling Ginza shopping district and the skyscraper-clad Shinjuku, this bustling metropolis is irresistible. An extra 24 hours will barely whet the appetite for what Tokyo has to offer, but expect a kaleidoscope of special experiences that live long in the memory. The New Otani Almost a city within a city, this hotel in Chiyoda City celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Despite its age, The New Otani offers every facility a modern…

IN RECENT YEARS, the aviation industry has experienced positive changes as more women move into leadership roles. In North America, however, only a small number of women -just four – lead major airports, bringing unique perspectives and innovative ideas. One such leader is Christina Cassotis, whose journey from being the daughter of a Pan Am pilot to becoming the CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is truly inspiring. Cassotis grew up in a household connected to aviation, influenced by her father who moved from Pan Am to United Airlines. Living with her family in New England, she experienced the realities of airline life. Despite limited vacations due to her father's preference for staying grounded when off duty, a family trip to London when she was ten years old sparked her…

HAVING COACHED THOUSANDS of artists and business professionals, I've noticed that the same challenges emerge – overcoming imposter syndrome, clarifying their voice and honing creative ideas. But real breakthroughs don't come from playing it safe. They happen when people embrace their quirks, contradictions and personal stories. This authenticity creates emotional connections, fuels innovation and sets true artists and leaders apart. If you want to make a lasting impact, it's time to get weirder. A common fear is that embracing uniqueness will alienate others. Many worry that standing too firmly in their eccentricity will lead to rejection. Yet the opposite is true. The more clearly you define your perspective, the more you attract the right opportunities. Take the tea brand PG Tips, for instance, which last year partnered with Oscar-winning filmmaker…

How long have you been designing amenity kits and was this always your dream job? It's been more than 15 years since I joined the industry. I came from a fashion design background and was designing luxury handbags. I have always been designing for fashion or luxury brands and creating collections of accessories for their retail networks. But in moving to designing amenity kits and sleepwear for airlines, I get to work with so many brands and customers, understanding them and curating one-of-a-kind products, presenting our stories and getting to see them onboard. I am still as excited to work on every project as I was on my first day. I think I am one of the lucky few who gets to do what I love on a daily basis.…

CONTAINS MORE CALCIUM THAN MILK Some seaweeds, like kelp, pack more calcium than milk, helping your bones stay sturdy, straight from the sea. GREAT FOR YOUR HORMONES Seaweed is loaded with iodine, which your thyroid needs to keep your hormones ticking nicely. NATURE'S BUILT-IN SUNSCREEN Certain seaweeds can absorb UV rays and scientists are studying them as an eco-friendly sunblock option. CLEANS THE AIR, FEEDS THE EARTH Seaweed soaks up CO2 like a natural air filter. When dried and crumbled onto soil, it can help crops grow.…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU'LL BE HARD PRESSED TO flick a few scrolls on foodie TikTok without being served some clips from the iconic, Aussie Daisy Green Collection. Spanning underground speakeasies, water-top terrace boats and vibrant street-side bistros – these stunning venues have the menus to match. If you're plotting a city break to the Big Smoke, you need to stop by some of these gems. Here's how we'd do it: DAY 1: AM Check in early and head straight to the original Daisy Green, a quaint Grade II listed corner café tucked just behind March Arch Station. Buzzing from 7am, you can grab your signature flat white and a very ‘Fancy Bacon Roll’ and slip straight into London village (20 Seymour Street, W1H 7RF). A brisk two-minute walk and you're…

BOYD FARROW WRITER Boyd writes about business and tech for publications including the Financial Times. On page 54, he looks at cities that have revitalised how residents live, from San Francisco to Berlin. He says: “It's inspiring to see so many cities being reimagined as healthier, greener places.” KATE BETTES WRITER Kate is an Australian journalist based in Berlin. Her writing has appeared in BBC Travel, Business Insider, Travel + Leisure, Grazia and more, and she loves to reveal the unexpected. In this issue, she takes us on a seaweed-themed adventure along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Turn to page 60. ENRIQUE PERRELLA WRITER Enrique is the aviation director at Business Traveler US, and has previously contributed to the likes of CNN, The Washington Post and France 24. In this issue,…

AVIATION United unveils its new Polaris cabin HOTELS Luxury merch to take home TRAVEL Smart ways to pay abroad SUSTAINABILITY Shifting attitudes and net-zero hotels IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON in Edinburgh, with the famous Fringe kicking off at the start of August. Visit this summer to enjoy well-known names and rising stars in over 3,000 shows spanning comedy, theatre, circus, spoken word events and concerts until 25 August. Highlights include murder-mystery musical The Detective's Demise and Shakespeare for Breakfast (both showing until 24 August), plus acclaimed comedian Nish Kumar is bringing his solo show Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe to the Gordon Aikman Theatre for the first ten days of the month. For performances from more big names in the arts industry, the Edinburgh International Festival runs in parallel with the…

Aman Resorts The ultra-luxury resort group has its own retail concept to let guests bring home some magic from their stay. The collection starts off more affordably with a £30 hand lotion, but prices steadily climb from there: think £360 bikinis, a £1,800 leather washbag, and a £3,460 cashmere blanket, complete with the subtle A monogram. This is understated style at a suitably extravagant price point. FORGET THE STANDARD logo-stamped slippers, hotels are now teaming up with luxury brands to sell a coveted lifestyle and reach new audiences. While hotel products have always reinforced brand identity, they've now evolved into slick, stylish status symbols and a signifier of insider luxury. The pandemic accelerated this trend as hotels sought to diversify their income and find new ways of connecting with potential…

BOOKING.COM HAS RELEASED its 10th annual Sustainability Report, revealing a major shift in global awareness about sustainable travel since the platform launched its first report in 2016. Over the past decade, Booking.com has surveyed nearly 230,000 travellers in 35 markets, with this year's report alone canvassing 32,000 travellers in 34 markets. Destination diligence In positive news, 93% of global travellers want to travel more sustainably in 2025 – a huge upswing from the 42% statistic in 2016. When it comes to choosing a destination, travellers want to minimise the impact on the location they visit. As a result, 39% seek advice on travelling at other times of the year, avoiding peak periods, while 36% head to alternative destinations to avoid overcrowding. Stay eco During the trip itself, travellers are increasingly committed…

LUXURY FASHION BRANDS are launching bars and restaurants around the world inspired by their stylish designs. At Harrods in London, for instance, you can enjoy Breakfast at Tiffany's for real at the Tiffany Blue Box Cafe. Expect croissants in the shape of the jeweller's iconic box, Fifth Avenue salmon and cream cheese bagels, New York pancake stacks, plus blue and white chinaware. In Rome, meanwhile, Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel, has debuted an alfresco bar with Aquazzura just in time for summer. Inspired by the Italian brand's Casa Secret Garden tableware collection, the botanical-inspired bar in the hotel courtyard (pictured right) features lemon trees in striped planters and tapas on Aquazzura Casa porcelain. Several brands have a whole family of restaurants in fashionable cities. In the restaurant business…

WHEN STRESS FEELS all-consuming, it could be time for a swim – or better yet, a wild swim. Wild swimming, the act of submerging into an open body of water, attracts wellness seekers with its benefits. It blends the soothing effects of time outside with cardiovascular exercise to minimise stress, fatigue and anger while improving your mood and enhancing overall wellbeing. “Any body of water outdoors is going to be scenic. It's going to make you feel immersed in nature,” says Emma MacDonald, founder of Wild Hebridean Swimming. “The experience is different from being in a hot swimming pool.” MacDonald, who runs open-water swim retreats on the Scottish isles of Mull and Iona, says interest in the activity soared during the pandemic. “People have done wild swimming for millennia,” she…

LEARN TIPS FOR success in this podcast by Robin Sharma, the leadership expert and author of The 5am Club and The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari series. The snappy, five-minute episodes promise the same advice he has previously given to artists, world-leading CEOs and NBA stars – from productivity tactics to mental resilience techniques and the best daily routine for optimal performance.…

SAF ON-SITE SkyClean US Energy plans to build a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility at PIT, making it the first major airport in the US to have on-site SAF production. AIRSIDE GREEN Even in the cold months, visitors can access the airport's green outdoors on the airside of the terminal, enjoying landscaped terraces and outdoor courtyards. SOLAR, NOT COAL PIT has developed a pioneering solar panel microgrid that uses a hybrid approach, helping to reduce electricity costs in a region that is traditionally reliant on coal for its energy supply.…

Five years after the Covid pandemic changed how we work, rest and play, cities around the world are adapting. Here, we look at how urban spaces are being rethought, reworked and, in many cases, made more liveable THE SQUARE ROUTE Jony Ive could have ridden out the pandemic on a megayacht or in the grounds of a secluded château. Eight months earlier, the world's most famous industrial designer had left Apple Inc. where he helped create the iPhone, iPod and Apple Watch – and was worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But instead of doodling in isolation, he spent much of 2020 in downtown San Francisco, looking at real estate in the Jackson Square district. This dense pocket of coffee shops and boutiques was where he decided to reboot his…

Daisy Green The Fancy Bacon Roll with flaky paratha roti, spicy hollandaise, perfectly poached eggs and crispy shallots, topped with fresh chili Larry's Bar The McBean, an award-winning take on a Dirty Martini infused and clarified with lemongrass and olives, and the house club sandwich Peggy Jean Riverside Green The exploding clay fired bread and open fire sharing skewers from the top deck oven or the dry aged tomahawk steak…

Our followers share their thoughts on the ‘Heightened emotions’ column about crying on planes in the May 2025 issue “This is so funny – I thought it was only me! Every plane without fail. The longer the haul, the more sobs.” @chloeblows1 “I cried watching the documentary about F1 racing champion Aryton Senna – and I don't even drive!” @chrismdwyer “The times I have been so embarrassed and had to hide my face. I've also ended up crying from laughter at stupid stuff on the IFE.” @geepea “I was watching Forrest Gump on a plane and cried so aggressively that the air hostess came over to ask if everything was okay.” @emilyem_1…

THE BURGER HAS become an unlikely star in the skies, appearing in the premium cabins of airlines such as Delta, United, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific. But pulling off an inflight burger is a complicated feat. “It's very difficult,” says Molly Brandt, executive innovation chef for North America at airline catering company Gate Gourmet – the world's largest airline catering company. “Would you ever buy a cheeseburger, refrigerate it and then reheat the whole thing in your oven at home? It's not impossible, but it's certainly not the best way to enjoy one.” “When you heat the patty and bun together, the bun might get crunchy and overdone, while the patty is just barely warm – or vice versa,” Brandt says. She suggests separating components during heating and modifying the…

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOUNGE VIRACOPOS, TERMINAL 1, CAMPINAS VIRACOPOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, BRAZIL Why visit: Children under 12 gain free access to this lounge in Campinas, São Paulo. Once inside, you'll find a children's play area, a quiet area, plus a games room for older kids. I.A.S.S SUPERIOR LOUNGE - KOCOO, TERMINAL 2, TOKYO NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, JAPAN Why visit: Entertain children with a selection of old-school games such as Mario Brothers. The lounge also has a retro toy museum and gallery of anime drawings. Children under six can enter for free. NO1 LOUNGE HEATHROW, TERMINAL 3, LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT, UK Why visit: In addition to family areas, a cinema room will keep little ones entertained. Tots under two also get free entry. Priority Pass members can pre-book this lounge…

CARBON POSITIVE GROUP Populus Hotels has opened its second hotel, following last year's launch of Populus Denver. Seattle's historic Pioneer Square sets the scene for the new site, with the 1907-built Westland Building transformed into a sustainable hotel – reducing the embodied carbon footprint by 36% (or 492 tons of coal burned). Created by Urban Villages and managed by Aparium Hotel Group, the 120-room Populus Seattle features Pacific Northwest rainforest-inspired design, leafy interiors with native plants, and more than 300 nature-inspired artworks created on-site, plus preserved architectural details such as exposed brick. Further facilities include hearth-driven restaurant Salt Harvest with a glass-enclosed patio, Pioneer Square's first rooftop bar Firn, a café and two meetings and events spaces. The hotel will sequester more carbon in biomass and soil than it emits…

IT'S HARD TO stand out on an island as picturesque as Mykonos. The architecture adheres to the humble yet striking Cycladic style of gleaming white stone – and every other building seems to be a boutique hotel. But the newest opening in the family-run Myconian Collection Resorts offers a cut above the rest. Perched on a hilltop, Deos is a sleek, whitewashed sanctuary that offers sensational views over the ocean and pretty Mykonos Town, just a ten-minute walk down the hill. (Don't worry, complimentary buggies are on hand to ferry guests back up.) It's the second most premium property in the Myconian Collection, surpassed only by the breathtaking Panoptis Escape on a higher cliff near Elia beach. Expansive rooms are dressed in calming neutrals with spacious bathrooms, while balcony doors…

DOMESTIC Hiroshige at Outernet London, until 7 September The British Museum has teamed up with West End exhibition space Outernet London to bring Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige's Famous Places in Japan series to life – its wraparound screens animating the landscape paintings. The immersive experience is running alongside the Hiroshige: artist of the open road exhibition at the British Museum. SHORT-HAUL Barbara Kruger: Another Day. Another Night Bilbao, until 11 September Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has pulled together over four decades of work by renowned American artist Barbara Kruger. Expect her striking paste-ups (black and white collages of images and text), recent large-scale digital artwork and Untitled (Path), a piece inspired by Bilbao's bilingual status and made exclusively for the exhibition. LONG-HAUL Ferlinghetti for San Francisco 19 July 2025 -22 March…

FIVE YEARS AGO, saying “I can never find flights with points” was absolutely fair. Today, that's no longer the case, but millions of seats go unredeemed every year because points collectors are missing key strategies to unlock more value from the world's second largest currency. Whether a passive or active collector, if you're on the hunt for great point redemptions, here's what you need to know. Searching once is your first mistake To win at points, we must forget many of the things we've been conditioned to think in travel. There is no perfect time to book with points, other than figuring out exactly when flights are loaded into the system. Some airlines (BA, Qatar Airways) guarantee a certain number of seats with points in every cabin. When a flight…

“I KNOW IT'S A CLICHÉ,” says the pink-skinned, shirtless man beside me in dripping board shorts, “but it's grand when you get in.” Just beyond, surfers bob in freezing waves, the air sharply scented with salt and pine. “Better after the sauna though!” he grins, stamping wet sand from his feet and climbing into a steaming, barrel-shaped sauna in the car park at Lahinch – one of a growing number of pop-ups along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Outsiders might see an inhospitable, weather-bitten seaside (my Australian upbringing means I'm sensibly bundled in a puffer jacket and woolly hat). For the people who live here, however, there is a fierce affection for this environment – it's considered a place that heals. And that's, in no small part, thanks to seaweed. Nothing embodies…

Many guests appreciated that accommodation was not included as part of the experience, since it gave them more control over budget, location and hotel type. I stayed at the Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel by Marriott, and one of the city's most lauded five-star establishments. Built almost 125 years old to cater to holidaying royals and aristocrats, the hotel is a stunning grand dame. From my Juliet balcony, I spied tourists pausing to take in its magnificent facade – and resisted the urge to wave like royalty. From the extravagant breakfast spread in the grand, gilded parlour, to tiny details like chocolate at turn-down and an unbeatable location, this hotel offers an exceptional – but pricey – stay, with rates starting from around €650.…

AIRLINE REVIEW United Airlines Premium Plus LOUNGE REVIEW The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul HOTEL REVIEWS Lamborghini Revuelto What's it like? Set on a quintessentially Parisian corner in the 8th arrondissement, this boutique hotel under the Relais & Châteaux portfolio resembles a private residence – a tribute to its former life as the home of French novelist Honoré de Balzac. The hotel opened in June 2024 and maintains an air of exclusivity, befitting of its location in a once-gated street reserved for high society. Today, the road – named after the author – is peaceful, despite bridging the hectic Champs-Élysées and Avenue de Friedland. It feels miles away from the crowded Arc de Triomphe on its doorstep. Inside lies a fashionable lobby with checkerboard tiling, dark wood panelling and retro white sofas. Interiors…

Background Few cars could match the out-and-out thrills of an Aventador. A ferocious V12 engine and amazing handling made Lamborghini's two-seat supercar the angriest Raging Bull of them all. However, as the brand inevitably shifts to gas-electric propulsion, a replacement was required. The all-new Revuelto is an Aventador for the modern age – one that still looks spectacular but has morphed into an in-vogue hybrid. Features The Revuelto is supported by a tiny 3.8kWH battery and a trio of 145-hp electric motors. Naturally, rather than improved efficiency and greener credentials, the focus is on extra performance. If the 740-hp Aventador was potent, the 1,001-hp Revuelto is simply astonishing. Wired to its electric backpack, the 6.5-litre engine slingshots this latest Lambo to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds, then on to…