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TRAVELWATCHER
Insider news & notes from your business travel authority
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UP IN THE AIR
Airlines piling on first class perks
Fortune-- Airlines have been making headlines lately for piling on the perks for the first class customers, even while the industry has been criticized for its enthusiastic participation in what critics call the "race to the bottom." Among the highlights: chauffeured rides; your own private entrance; private lounges for the "best" customers; onboard butlers and nannies; "upgrade to private" jets and helicopters; massage seats; customizable entertainment and food. Experts believe there's even more to come, when it comes to luxury on planes. Much more. The über-perks will go to the top 1% of the airline customers - the big spenders on long-haul international routes. Peter Vlitas, the senior vice president of airline sales and marketing for Protravel International, a New York travel agency, says these customers are in for a real treat. Airlines will work even harder to minimize their wait times. "Prescreened VIP passengers will bypass everyone and go from their car to the gate in 15 minutes for international flights," he predicts. Take that, TSA. These over-the-top amenities come at a cost. The latest round of upgrades, for example, are happening even as airlines have quietly moved the seats in the back of the plane closer together, thanks to new "slimline" seats that save space. Perhaps even more subtly, air carriers have added new restrictions to their base economy class tickets, which make them almost completely nonrefundable. So how will the race to the top play out in the back of the aircraft? Not well, say observers. "Everything from here on out will come at an additional cost to passengers," says Jerry Behrens, the executive vice president of strategic development at Tzell Travel Group and Travel Leaders Group. More fees in the back, more freebies in the front. The rich get richer. And the rest? Well, they don't call it "economy" class for nothing. Read the full article here
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HOTELNEWS
High-End Hotels Help Guests Get a Good Night's Sleep
Pillow menus--such as those offered by some Conrad hotels--are certainly not new to the high-end hotel business. But they are just one way that hotels are increasingly catering to the quality of their guests' sleep. The Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan offers handmade mattresses from Savoir Beds, a 110-year-old bedding company based in London. Starwood is testing ideas such as lighted floor tiles for visibility at night; a smartphone-powered room system that turns on lights, the television and other items; and specialized lighting to help reset guests' circadian rhythms after long trips. The Benjamin Hotel in Manhattan has taken its slumber one step further, bringing aboard a sleep consultant two years ago. Read the full article here
Potential smoking ban in NY hotel rooms
USA Today -- Hotels and motels in New York may no longer offer smoking rooms if a bill proposed by Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski passes. If passed, New York would join Michigan, North Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin in prohibiting smoking in hotel rooms. Read more here
Virtuoso Best of the Best
From London to Beijing to Rio to French Polynesia, 11 properties are being celebrated as the Best of the Best hotels. Virtuoso travel advisors (including Protravel) selected them as the network's finest hotels of 2015 in a variety of categories. With almost 1,100 hotels, resorts, villas and private island retreats in more than 100 countries in Virtuoso's program, it was a big task to settle on only 11 winners. Read the full article here- Best Achievement in Design (pictured below):
The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan - Best Culinary Experience: Epicure, Le Bristol Paris, France
- Best Bar: Connaught Bar at The Connaught, London, UK
- One to Watch: Rosewood Beijing, China
Top Luxury Hotels: JD Powers
Ritz-Carlton leapfrogged Four Seasons to take the top luxury hotel spot in this year's J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Survey. In the upper-upscale sector, Omni Hotels surpassed last year's leader Kimpton Hotels, while Hyatt Place overtook Hilton Garden Inn within the upscale sector. In the upper-midscale category, Drury Hotels took the top spot for the ninth straight year, while Homewood Suites by Hilton repeated as the highest-ranked brand in the upper-extended stay category. And remember, because Protravel is a member of Ritz-Carlton's exclusive invitation-only STARS program, your agent can get you valuable VIP amenities such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and hotel credits.
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Suzhou: The Venice of China
TravelPulse- Situated about 70 miles west of Shanghai in Jiangsu Province, Suzhou has been an important trade market for centuries, boosted in large part by the silk industry. The city is also known for its gardens, many of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritages Sites. There's also a significant portion of the Grand Canal to explore, the longest manmade waterway in the world. Every country has its own culture and unique customs that come with it. Understanding the social etiquette of the country before visiting can help to make the experience more rewarding. - Chopsticks are never placed upright in a rice bowl. Chopsticks should also never be used in your hands when making a gesture.
- Pointing can be considered rude: In some areas surrounding Tibet, Jiuzhaiguo and places with a Tibetan population, pointing can be seen as a rude gesture. Instead of using your fingers to point at a person or object, the customary gesture is to use your full hand with your palm facing up and your fingers flat.
- Tipping can be seen as offensive: While tipping might be common in restaurants in most cities, it is generally unnecessary in China and can even be considered impolite. Tips are typically only given in hotels.
Why Uber Could Face Its Toughest Fight Yet in ChinaA year ago, China's market for taxi-hailing apps was split almost evenly between one service called Didi and another called Kuaidi. Investors began pouring in money and choosing sides: In December, Didi raised $700 million from Chinese e-commerce company Tencent and Russian private equity fund DST; a month later, Kuaidi announced $600 million in funding from Alibaba, Japanese telecom SoftBank, and other investors. Then, in February, the two merged. The combined company, Didi Kuaidi, accounts for 99 percent of the country's online taxi business and 78 percent of its private car business-a total of 8 million rides a day. In July the company raised an additional $2 billion from investors including Alibaba, Tencent, and Temasek Holdings, the investment arm of the Singaporean government, and boosted its value to $15 billion. This latest funding round has one clear purpose: keeping Uber in Didi's rearview mirror. Uber has 11 percent of the country's private car business and is raising $1 billion to claim more. In a June message to investors, Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick said expanding in China is Uber's top global priority and that he plans to put Uber in more than 60 Chinese cities, up from 11, within a year. Didi doesn't rely on its own network of drivers, instead tapping into China's millions of licensed cabbies and private chauffeurs. Riders use an app to hail idle cabs and can offer bonus fees or tips to woo drivers during peak hours. Didi is also working on features that will let users compare prices and travel times across different kinds of transport, including buses. Read more here
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YOURLIFE
NYC Spa trendsSpa Castle Premier 57, off Park Avenue, just down the street from Burberry, Dior and Chanel boutiques. Occupying nearly 39,000 square feet in the Galleria building in Midtown Manhattan, the multilevel space offers the soaking baths, steam rooms and spicy food that are typical of Korean spas. And it exemplifies a trend toward upscale spas with the services one may expect on a long-haul vacation, or in an out-of-the way neighborhood far from skyscrapers and high-fashion shops. The multilevel space offers the soaking baths, steam rooms and lounge chairs that are typical of Korean spas. Spa Nalai at Park Hyatt New York: One of six treatment rooms includes a table imported from Germany that is covered with hundreds of tiny quartz pebbles. The quartz "sand" is heated to a temperature of up to 100 degrees, the aim being to soothe aching joints and muscles according to the principle of psammotherapy, which was used in ancient Greece and Egypt. A two-hour treatment that includes a massage with quartz-filled poultices, are proving popular, particularly with foreign guests.
Other Midtown hotels are also adding spa services to please their globe-trotting guests: The Marmara Collection, which has properties in Turkey, in Istanbul and Bodrum, is planning to include treatments like those found in a Turkish hammam at the wellness center of its hotel on East 32nd Street, scheduled to open later this summer. The Peninsula New York on Fifth Avenue sent the spa manager to Bangkok to learn the WatPo style of Thai massage; that treatment, in which guests remain fully clothed, was added to the spa's menu this spring.
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THEGREATESCAPE
Kasbah Tamadot Situated in the spectacular Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the award-winning Kasbah Tamadot was bought by Sir Richard Branson during one of his famous ballooning expeditions. Each of the 27 rooms and suites has been individually decorated to reflect the beautiful architecture of the building and features antiques from all over the world. Special offer: stay at least 4 nights, and get your 4th night free of charge!
Contact your Protravel agent to receive these exclusive VIP perks:
* Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
* Daily full breakfast served at the restaurant
* A complimentary hammam for two adults
* 12 Noon early check-in / 4PM late check-out, subject to availability
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PROTRAVELINTERNATIONAL
Protravel International sweeps travel awards season!
 2015 Gold Magellan Awards:* Protravel International: HotelsThatInspire.com (Marketing-Website)* Protravel International: HotelsThatInspire.com (Travel Agent Innovation)* Protravel International: HotelsThatInspire.com (Web Marketing/Advertising)* Protravel International: Protravel Social Media (Web Marketing/Advertising)* Protravel International: Human App Concept (Travel Agent Innovation)* Protravel International: NEXT from Protravel/Tzell (Travel Agent Innovation) Silver Magellan Awards:* Protravel International: Brain Tumor Foundation Children's Holiday Party (Community Involvement Program)* Protravel International: In-House Training Program (Training Program)
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THEGREATESCAPEII
Aman opens doors to discovery in exceptional locations, both remote and urbanMeticulously designed to frame their natural settings, Aman destinations are renowned for space and privacy. Each welcomes guests as if to the home of a close friend, instilling a sense of peace and belonging amid some of the most diverse natural and historical landscapes. Embracing 30 resorts, hotels, and private residences in 20 countries, Aman continues to seek out transformative experiences and awe-inspiring locations around the world. Here are just a few of our favorites. Book through Protravel to receive exclusive VIP amenities.
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