NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Leisurely Business-Like

A look through this issue of feBusiness Traveller will reveal a huge contrast in the selection of destinations that we have packed into this last issue of 2003. The ‘metro mania’ has encouraged us to feature three of South East Asia’s most happening business cities, namely Bangkok, Delhi and Mumbai. The reason being that the demand for business travel has definitely shifted to South East Asia and these three cities haven’t had it so good in a long time. The hotel occupancies are soaring sky high and there is not a single airline seat available over the next couple of months, while arrival figures into most of these metros are threatening to touch a record high. Take Mumbai for example, most of the city’s business hotels are projecting their best business in the two months (December-January) over the last five years.

All these indications point to a very simple fact – that business travel is back to stay – and this sentiment is likely to continue in the new year. Amidst all this current hectic activity in business travel we also find ourselves bang in the middle of the global festive season. Not many people are inclined to restrict their travel to only business and very often take off for their annual holidays at this time of the year or have the family tag along for the much needed break post-business.

Keeping this in mind, feBusiness Traveller, after extensive research, has come up with the top five global leisure destinations in 2004 for Indians. We would therefore encourage you to drop the paper work, shut shop and head for the holiday destination of your choice. No harm in starting the new year on a ‘high’ note. And if the ‘high’ gets too heady, our ‘U Matter’ section on how to deal with hangovers might come in handy. Cheers!

Sheldon Santwan
EDITOR, feBusiness Traveller

Sheldon can be reached at editor@businesstravellerindia.com