Designed for students and their parents, Graduate Hotels is opening a new hotel near Princeton university in spring 2024. Jenny Southan reports

Ideal for visiting family members and freshers getting settled before they move into their new homes, the Graduate Princeton will be the 34th hotel in the company’s portfolio of properties in university towns across the US and UK.

Located on Nassau Street, the Graduate Princeton sits opposite the historic university campus in NJ and will double the amount of accommodation available in the town with its 180 guest rooms. The Graduate Princeton is a “hybrid adaptive reuse” and new-build project, that sees the restoration and expansion of a Gothic 1918 building formerly used as a dormitory for university students.

Maximalist interior design focuses on “intentional storytelling, inviting immersion and exploration at every touch point”. Examples include a two-storey library lounge, lined with a collection of embroidered senior jackets (a

token received by students upon graduating), featuring a thirty-foot custom carved wooden communal table.
The hotel’s community-focused food and drink offering, the Varsity Club, will serve comfort food such as chowder, burgers, steaks and toasties. “We’ve had our eyes on Princeton since the very beginning. This historic, idyllic town is the perfect backdrop for a Graduate,” says Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of Graduate Hotels.

“Our approach with this adaptive reuse project was to emulate as many of the original details as possible, and pay homage to the incredible heritage of the place with interesting and subtle design details – like our custom lamps inspired by revolutionary-war era canons that were found buried behind the University’s Nassau Hall. The walls of this building are bursting with history, and soon our guests will be able to experience that for themselves,” says Weprin.

“The hotel’s location in the heart of Princeton’s historic district is unbeatable,” says Kevin Osterhaus, president of Graduate Hotels. “The building’s architecture and history make it a landmark in the community and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to restore and adapt it in order to welcome travellers and locals.”

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From ‘Group Therapy’ to ‘Frontier Tourism’, Black Tomato has identified seven trends defining the future of luxury travel. Jenny Southan reports

In 2024, luxury adventure travel company Black Tomato predicts that “journeying with a sense of purpose” will be the over-arching motivation for wealthy clients in the year ahead.

“With ever increasing demands on our time, and feeling a responsibility to make our travels truly count, more than ever travellers want to create positive and lasting change, in both destinations visited and in their own lives – with rich experiences, to reflect and draw on months and years later,” the company said in a statement.

“What we’ve uncovered from our team’s extensive research out in the world and from listening to and analysing what inspires our clients’ desires for future travels, is that the feeling a trip ultimately evokes, greatly informs the destination booked.

“For groups of family and friends craving togetherness, joyful journeys which strengthen bonds and connection are prioritised. For others, honing in on passion points, which are singular and specific, is a powerful motivator. 2024’s trends are unified by our firm belief that travel has the power to change us, and others, for the better.”

Generation Passion

Families are increasingly seeking shared activities such as crafting or playing sports to bring them closer together. Black Tomato says: “What starts as a passion point, evolves into something the whole family can commit to experiencing together in their travels, bonding them in a meaningful way. We’ve received feedback from clients that exploring a shared passion between generations can even alleviate some of the angst oft associated with the teenage years.

One of the company’s “See you in the Moment” trips takes families to Japan, where they can master the art of the ninja by taking part in real-life training held in the hallowed halls of Asakuso Dojo. Other popular Black Tomato “Field Trips” provide the opportunity to learn how to sculpt limestone alongside a renowned craftsman in Puglia or study sustainable food practices with a pioneering farmer in Copenhagen.

Group Therapy

Black Tomato reports that private group bookings continue to be a dominant trend. Between 2019 and 2022, reservations for eight or more people have increased 35 per cent, meaning groups now account for 30 per cent of Black Tomato bookings.

This burgeoning trend spurred the company to launch (in October 2023) “See You in the Moment”, Black Tomato’s take on friction-free bespoke group travel, with over 35 rare and remarkable travel experiences aimed at inspiring groups of loved ones to come together for a seminal shared moment.

An evolution of Black Tomato’s pioneering and transformational travel services like “Get Lost” and “Bring it Back”, its new “See You in the Moment” concept taps into the psychology of travel, and is designed to deliver lasting impact. In an increasingly disconnected world, bonding over unforgettable shared experiences fosters a profound sense of belonging and togetherness, and delivers a lasting connection, as these “moments” become part of a group’s shared narrative.

Memory Lanes

In 2024 and beyond, a rising number of travellers are turning to Black Tomato for help planning trips based on nostalgic journeys their family members or close friends have taken in the past. The company says: “This is less to do with tracking one’s ancestral heritage; instead, it stems from a longing to retrace a loved one’s steps through a new lens.”

Recently, a client took inspiration from a photograph of their grandparents holidaying in Lake Como, and then asked Black Tomato to create a trip with their partner, which would allow them to map out their own course inspired by the grandparents’ documented travels.

The company says: “We designed an itinerary with ample time for reflective ‘deep breath’ moments, and ultimately the feedback from this client was that by recreating the trip, they felt they were more present, engaged and excited about the places they visited given the personal connection. Ultimately, in coming across many lanes of memories, they’d forged a deeper connection to their family history, each other and the destination.”

Reductionism

When it comes to wellness, Black Tomato says people are realising they need to “do less to be more”. It has called this shift “reductionism”, and says that specificity is key.

“Rather than embarking on a dramatic overhaul that’s challenging to uphold, we believe that lasting transformation begins with addressing one key pillar of wellness, which is manageable to maintain,” says the company. “Taking a ‘less is more’ approach makes goals targeted and accessible, and once the building blocks are ingrained into daily life, this sets the foundation for addressing other areas for improved wellbeing.”

Black Tomato reports a surge in tailored travel experiences, from breath workshops, and mind-expanding psilocybin retreats, to sleep clinics and mediation masterclasses. Brands such as Six Senses and Joali Being are leaders in the more micro, personalised wellness space.

Silence

Wealthy clients are increasingly seeking silence to “soothe their soul”, says Black Tomato. In a world increasingly polluted by noise and bustle, it’s a rare luxury to find absolute peace, and while remote travel builds on a trend the company identified several years back, there’s been an evolution, in pursuit of finding genuine solitude.

National parks, where the only audible sounds are the stirrings of nature, are particularly popular locations for silence seekers. In fact, there is even an organisation called Quite Parks International, which has built a movement to preserve the silence of the national park systems. Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is another special place for solace.

Bookings for Black Tomato’s temporary “Blink” camps, set up in some of the world’s most remote locations, have grown by more than 40 per cent since 2021, and the company also says its “Get Lost” service (where clients are sent to mystery destinations) has seen an uptick in popularity in recent months.

Modern Day Pilgrimages

For worldly gourmands, food has become deified, and coveted dishes such as a particular type of ceviche served at a remote family-run restaurant in Peru, or a certain honey that has been lauded for years in Sicily, are driving people to travel to the places they’re able to eat them.

Black Tomato can organise for clients to travel to the wine region of Pueblo Eden, dubbed the “Tuscany of Uruguay” by chef Francis Mallman. For those with a passion for mixology, the company also sells the James Bond-inspired “Assignment: Europe”, which includes an exclusive vintage martini masterclass using ultra-rare spirits to recreate the truest expression of a Vesper martini.

Frontier Tourism

Stemming from a renewed ambition to chart new courses and paths, “Frontier Travel” sees clients discovering somewhere new, and confronting their own perceived limits. Trips could range from camping under the stars somewhere undiscovered, or hiking an ancient trail. This isn’t about making history by marking a world-first, but rather embracing individual challenges, both mental and physical.

Black Tomato highlights Peru, where clients can navigate the otherwise inaccessible Ancient Valley of the Incas by raft, aided by extraordinary campsites set up along the way (part of the “See You in the Moment” offering under “The Challenge” category).

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Searches for stays in Scottish castles have risen sharply on Airbnb since the debut of the second season of BBC murder mystery game show The Traitors. Jenny Southan reports

With season two of The Traitors now airing across the UK, viewers are lusting after the show’s setting – Ardross Castle, a beautiful 19th-century castle in the Scottish Highlands. (You can’t rent this one on Airbnb but you can hire it for weddings.)

Subscribers to Globetrender’s VOLT newsletter will know we coined the term “Limelight Locations” to describe the way TV shows and movies are inspiring travel to the places that feature within them.

There are many examples but Airbnb is the latest company to observe this behaviour in action, as searches for stays in the platform’s Castles Category have recently spiked in tandem with the screening of murder mystery reality show The Traitors.

To help fans turn fantasy into reality, Airbnb has revealed the most wishlisted Scottish castles for a Traitors-inspired break. According to the BBC, by February 2023, season one of The Traitors had been viewed over 34 million times on BBC iPlayer.

Airbnb’s most wishlisted Scottish castles:

Kilbryde Castle, Stirling

Scone Palace, Perth and Kinross

The Mansion House, Clackmannanshire

Cats Castle, Argyll and Bute

Cambo, Fife

St. Benedict’s Abbey, Highlands

Thornton Castle, Aberdeenshire

The “Limelight Locations” trend is backed up by research commissioned by Airbnb, which reveals that two in five (40 per cent) Brits say British TV shows have encouraged them to visit more of the UK than they had previously.

Amanda Cupples, general manager for the UK and Northern Europe at Airbnb, says: “Airbnb Hosts open up their doors to some of the most incredible spaces in the UK, including breathtaking settings – such as our most wishlisted Scottish castle stays.

“With The Traitors the TV show on everybody’s lips, our range of stunning castle stays can transport guests to their very own Traitors-esque sanctum. Bring your wildest imaginations to life, with a screen-worthy castle get-away – suitable for both traitors and faithfuls.”

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Japan, Taiwan and Albania are the three most popular emerging Airbnb destinations among travellers looking to stay in the homes of locals. Jenny Southan reports

Looking at search and booking data on Airbnb is a great way of seeing where people are planning to travel in the year ahead, and what kinds of travel experiences they want.

In 2024, Airbnb booking data shows that “amazing pools”, “national parks”, “amazing views”, “beach” and “iconic cities” categories are the most popular for home rentals.

In terms of countries with the highest increase in searches, Japan (specifically Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto) has topped the the list, with searches tripling compared to 2023 data.

As Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the French capital is more attractive than ever, with searches for July 26 to August 11, 2024 ,increasing by over seven times compared to 2023.

Ten countries rising in popularity on Airbnb

1. Japan
2. Taiwan
3. Albania
4. Singapore
5. Finland
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Curaçao
8. Aruba
9. Thailand
10. Guatemala

24 trending destinations for 2024

1. Indianapolis, Indiana
2. Warsaw, Poland
3. Osaka, Japan
4. Kyoto, Japan
5. Buenos Aires, Argentina
6. Marrakesh, Morocco
7. Salvador, Brazil
8. Paris, France
9. Düsseldorf, Germany
10. Puerto del Carmen, Canary Islands, Spain
11. Melbourne, Australia
12. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
13. Lille, France
14. Stockholm, Sweden
15. Tokyo, Japan
16. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
17. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
18. Milan, Italy
19. Rome, Italy
20. Maceió, Brazil
21. Dallas, Texas
22. Mexico City, Mexico
23. Colorado Springs, US
24. Nassau, the Bahamas

For UK travellers planning staycations in 2024, beach towns such as  Brighton and historic cities such as Bath are top of mind. 2024 is also set to be a big year for live music, so it’s no surprise that Wembley and Stretford are climbing up this year’s list. (Wembley is welcoming Taylor Swift for an eight-night stint at the stadium across June and August, while Stretford’s Old Trafford will see Green Day and Foo Fighters take the stage in 2024.)

For Brits travelling abroad, sunny summer destinations such as Majorca and southern France top the travel list for 2024. While more eastern destinations like Thailand and Hong Kong also show increased popularity among British travellers, as they look further afield for warmer climates.

For guests who need help finding the best places to stay, Airbnb has launched Guest Favourites, a collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Guest Favourites have “excellent” reviews and are rated above 4.9 stars on average. These homes also receive high marks for ease of check-in, cleanliness, listing accuracy, host communication, location and value.

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Space Perspective, the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company, has unveiled the first images of its new test capsule. Jenny Southan reports

Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune comprises a pressurised, spherical capsule propelled by a giant SpaceBalloon that floats up to the stratosphere, offering a “safe and transformative” six-hour journey to the edge of space – at a “fraction of the cost” of other space travel options.

With no rockets, weightlessness, heavy G-forces, or training required, the experience is designed to be gentle on passengers. Now, the construction of its passenger capsule has been completed.Those who fly with Space Perspective, which is being regulated by the FAA and follows guidelines established by NASA and the US Coast Guard, will apparently enjoy a “world-class meal and cocktail service”.

They will also have onboard wifi, a toilet (dubbed the Space Spa, pictured below), and “unprecedented views of our planet through the largest windows ever flown to space”.

Now complete, the capsule will be flown as part of the company’s upcoming uncrewed test flights, which pave the way for crewed test flights later in 2024.

Space Perspective’s test capsule represents what the company will be flying once commercially operational – minus the luxurious interior, which it calls the Space Lounge. Data gathered during the upcoming uncrewed test flights will inform the development of a commercial-grade capsule.

Spaceship Neptune has been developed to be the “most accessible, most sustainable, and safest spacecraft on or above our planet”.

Featuring the largest windows ever flown to space, the spacecraft, which accommodates eight passengers and a captain, will offer space tourists the “quintessential astronaut experience of seeing Earth from the blackness of space”, says Space Perspective.Space Perspective is also nearing completion of its launch vessel, Marine Spaceport Voyager, which will soon arrive at its home port on the Space Coast to support test flight operations.

In 2021, Space Perspective successfully flew a capsule simulator to space under a SpaceBalloon; since then, its teams have been working on the design and manufacturing of the capsule to resume testing, which will include evaluating all corner cases and off-nominal scenarios to pass numerous safety gates.

A seat on Spaceship Neptune costs US$125,000 with a waitlist deposit starting at US$1,000. Additional options for seat deposits and flights are contingent upon availability within the desired flight year. With more than 1,650 tickets sold and increasing demand, the company expects to raise prices in 2024 as operations get underway.

Based on Florida’s Space Coast, Space Perspective was founded by human spaceflight veterans Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, who met as original crew members in Biosphere 2.

They went on to launch Paragon Space Development Corporation, which develops tech for environmental control systems that can be found on the International Space Station (ISS). Space Perspective’s team more broadly has been instrumental in the development of every US human spacecraft for the past 40 years.

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From seats to snacks, what’s it like to fly a long-haul route (London-Reykjavik-Boston) with Icelandic low-cost airline Play? Amy Rose Everett reports

Play is an Icelandic airline that’s been operating since 2019, commencing flights from Iceland to Europe in the summer of 2021. US destinations were announced in late 2021, with services starting in April 2022. All require a quick transfer in Keflavik airport (Reykjavik), Iceland.

So what’s a low cost, long-haul transatlantic flight really like? I was flying from London Stansted to Boston Logan International via Reykjavik on an A321 and A320neo.

CHECK-IN

I checked in online about 12 hours before my flight using the Play website, which I found to be very user-friendly. Online check-in opens 24 hours prior to your flight and is also done through your MyPlay account. Check-in closes one hour prior to the flight’s scheduled departure time.

I punched in my passport details and personal information, before being issued with my boarding pass. I was able to pick my seat in the first row (1E) on the right hand side of the plane for the first leg of the journey. This meant I automatically had a little more wiggle room (and the best view of Iceland’s coastline possible, flying West!). Grab a window seat if you can.

AT THE AIRPORT

I arrived at Stansted via the tube and the Stansted Express, which I find to be a fuss-free way to travel from London’s Liverpool Street. My flight was scheduled to depart at 11.35am and I arrived at 9am, leaving a nice gap before the 10.55am boarding time. My ticket included one carry-on bag and one checked 20kg bag, which I put in the hold.

Having checked in online the night before, dropping my bag off went smoothly, and there was no queue. Despite it being half term week (I flew on October 25) the airport was busy, but not terribly so. Security took around 20 minutes start to finish, passengers required to remove liquids and electronic devices from their bags. I was also asked to remove my shoes and walk through a separate body scanner, which added on a few minutes.

DUTY-FREE

I perused the shops at London Stansted including Sunglass Hut, Boots, LEON and Pret A Manger. I spent about 40 minutes before I boarded the shuttle train to Gates 1-32, which has two stops (I alighted at stop two, for Gate 32). Once off the shuttle it was a few short minutes’ walk to the gate. There were toilets right by the gate, though disappointingly, no water fountains. A friendly member of Play staff informed me for next time; Stansted’s free water fountain is found by Pret A Manger, where I’d just come from.

BOARDING

I’d never flown long-haul on a low-cost airline before, and wasn’t sure what to expect. Upon arrival at the gate (Play close gates 15 minutes before departure) my passport and boarding pass were checked. Both planes were boarded quickly with minimal fuss. My flight was pretty empty – presumably something to do with recent volcano activity in Iceland – and I was happy to see rows of empty seats. Table trays had been strapped on to the middle seats of empty rows, affixed with a cable tie – no curling up and lying down for a cheeky snooze, here.Waiting to board my second plane in Reykjavik, I once again noticed how friendly and kind the staff were; the men dressed in brown suits with white T-shirts, the women in red cardigans or blazers and pencil skirts. At one point a stewardess announced: “We’d like to congratulate Irene on her birthday today and we hope she has the best flight!”Announcements for a few missing passengers were much more relaxed and friendly than you might hear in London. “We are missing passengers and we would hate to leave without you! Do please make your way to the gate.” The staff’s demeanour contributed to an overall feeling of calm.

FLIGHT: LONDON TO REYKJAVIK

We boarded an Airbus A321. Our pilot was particularly cheerful and informative, delivering his take-off spiel in both English and Icelandic. In terms of in-flight entertainment, that’s about as much as you can hope for. Food and drinks service is not included in the ticket price, despite the flight being transatlantic. This is no-fuss, no-frills flying – you don’t pay for what you don’t get (but at least the seats recline).

Arriving in Reykjavik, we boarded a shuttle bus for a very short ride to the terminal. Passengers were split into those with on-going travel to the US (me) and all other destinations. I scanned my Reykjavik-Boston boarding pass and walked straight through to check out the screens, which informed me I had over an hour to relax until boarding for the second leg of my journey.

SEATING

Seating is pretty snug, not dissimilar to your Wizz Air’s and Easyjet’s, with no business or premium economy sections. Being a diminutive 5ft 3in, lack of legroom doesn’t bother me too much, but I can imagine these flights can get pretty uncomfortable for anyone over 6ft. There is a foldaway table stowed in your armrest, or a pull-down table with a separate drinks holder attached to the seat in front.

THE TRANSFER

My transfer was in Iceland, Reykjavik, somewhat confusingly also labelled and referred to as Keflavik. I was relieved to learn that Play takes care of moving suitcases from one plane to the other.

One hour allowed plenty of time to locate the toilets, explore the Iceland-themed gift shop and grab an open sandwich at one of the handful of kiosks serving hot and cold local food, as well as the usual selection of Western snacks (the hot dog stand was popular). If your changeover falls in the middle of the night, all is incredibly quiet, and most shops will be closed. Bar the aforementioned hot dog stand (not the worst news).

A self-sevice counter offered fish and chips, fried chicken and the like, as well as interesting native snacks such as dried sea cucumber. The atmosphere was serene, toilets were clean and no space was overly crowded. I didn’t struggle for a seat or to find somewhere to prop my laptop to get on with some work while I waited for my gate to be announced.

FLIGHT: REYKJAVIK TO BOSTON

We boarded an Airbus A320neo. For this second leg of the journey I was seated in 10E; the space between Play’s rows is between 28in and 35in depending on whether you purchase a seat with extra legroom.

I enjoyed spectacular views over Iceland’s coastline as we took off. Flying over snow-capped mountains and fjords was transfixing; nothing short of incredible. This part of the journey ranges from 5.5 hours to 6 hours depending on tailwind and headwind.

There’s no wifi but I was happy to spot super useful USB charging ports in between every seat – an absolute lifesaver on disjointed journeys like this. Play’s aircrafts are equipped with the latest generation engines that ensure a peaceful, quiet cabin environment.

SEATING

Fairly spacious Recaro and Geven seating was a nice surprise. I found on my second flight that I had to stow my bag a row or two away from where I was actually sitting, due to the overhead lockers being too full. Having to double back past my row to grab my bag upon landing was a little inconvenient as other passengers were eager to get off the plane as quickly as possible.

THE FOOD

A selection of crisps, chocolate, porridge and noodle pots are available to purchase on Play flights on their own or within a selection of deals (here is a link to a sample menu). Hot and cold snacks plus drinks were served about half an hour after take off on each flight, hot food served in red cardboard boxes marked “PLAY with your food”.  The Icelandic snack box features a Draumur chocolate bar and Opal sweets. The breakfast deal includes tea, coffee or hot chocolate and a croissant, chocolate muffin or pain au chocolat for €5.I tried the Meal Deal, choosing the ham and cheese baguette, which arrived piping hot 15 minutes later, with a surprisingly substantial amount of filling – though ingredients were predictably low quality. This plus a small can of Pringles and a small bottle of water cost €12. Cups of water aren’t available, so frustratingly, you’ll likely have to purchase a plastic bottle if you’ve forgotten to bring your own. Alcoholic drinks are available; coffee with Baileys is €10 and a spirit and mixer is €10. You can get two canned beers (Gull or Carlsberg) for €16. Shiro nicotine pouches are available.

PRICE You can fly with Play from London Stansted to Boston Logan from £221 return but there are lots of each-way fees for added extras such as checked baggage and extra legroom seats. There are three ticket types: Play Basic, Play Value and Play Flex.

VERDICT

Though a direct flight is undoubtedly less hassle (and better for the environment), every aspect of my journey with Play was as seamless as it could have been. As promised, staff were notably friendly and helpful.

Service was delivered with a warm smile at every touchpoint and though snacks and drinks were pricey (and difficult to keep resisting across two fairly long flights), those extra costs could have been avoided with some prep. This experience felt cleaner and smoother than journeys I’ve taken with other low-cost airlines operating from the UK.

Being no-frills, there is no in-flight entertainment or wifi.

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Passports are ‘a vessel of potential – a gateway to a life well lived’, says Global Citizen Solutions, as it reveals it best country ranking. Jenny Southan reports

If you have a passport for Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom or Germany then you’re winning, according to a new global passport ranking that assesses quality of life.

In a world where borders are no longer barriers but gateways to new possibilities, Global Citizen Solutions, a data-driven immigration advisor has unveiled the Quality of Life Index 2024, a tool guiding those seeking not just a change of scenery, but an elevation in the quality of their lives.

In a “groundbreaking” methodology that transcends traditional passport indexes, The Quality of Life Index assesses the overall quality of life in a country, focusing on aspects that enhance the attractiveness of a country such as social wellbeing and sustainability.

There were six main weights of indicators that formed the basis of the ranking: Sustainable Development Goals (30 per cent); Cost of Living (20 per cent); Level of Freedom (20 per cent); Happiness (10 per cent); Environmental Performance (10 per cent); and Migrant Acceptance (10 per cent).

“We believe that a passport is not merely a document; it is a vessel of potential, a gateway to a life well lived,” says Patricia Casaburi, managing director for Global Citizen Solutions.

“Our methodology considers factors beyond visa-free travel, taking into account healthcare, safety, education, and overall well-being to provide a holistic view of the opportunities each passport opens up for its holder.

“The Quality of Life index is our free tool that encourages users to explore the boundless possibilities that a passport can offer if you are looking to relocate, but it is also a fantastic tool if you just want to plan your next travel destination focused on well-being, sustainability and social engagement,” says Patricia Casaburi.

Global Citizen Solutions’ strategy director, Manuel Garrido, adds: “Learning about the cost of living is essential to understand how much you will need to budget for your holiday. It’s also important to be aware of the level of freedom in the country you are heading to.”

Top 15 ‘life enhancing’ passports in 2024

1. Finland
2. Sweden
3. Denmark
4. United Kingdom
5. Germany
6. Netherlands
7. Ireland
8. Austria
9. Spain
10. New Zealand
11. Norway
12. Luxembourg
13. Portugal
14. Iceland
15. Canada

As you can see, the three top-ranking countries in the Quality of Living Index are all Scandinavian countries with Norway also in 11th place. Aside from a high cost of living, Finland performs well in all other areas, particularly in Sustainable Development, Environmental Performance, Happiness, and Level of Freedom.

The country typically performs very well in quality of living rankings given its low-income inequality, excellent social support and infrastructure, freedom to make decisions, and low levels of corruption.

Similarly, Sweden and Denmark perform well across the board and, like Finland, are highly progressive societies that invest heavily in social wellbeing. Sweden boasts a strong economy, world-class education, and accessible healthcare, while Denmark is often credited as excelling in embracing a good work-life balance and family time.

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For the first time, International SOS has added climate change to its country risk level assessments around the world, along with medical and security threats. Jenny Southan reports

Security and health risk services company, International SOS, has released its interactive Risk Map 2024, which has been designed to help companies and business travellers better understand the risks they face when travelling abroad.

The Risk Map highlights medical and security change risk ratings reflecting the impact of disruptive events, such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.

The safest places to visit in 2024:

• Iceland
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Switzerland
• Denmark

For the first time, the Risk Map also includes a layer that also flags climate change risks. Compiled by INFORM (a collaboration between the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Joint Research Centre of European Commission), the data provides quantified estimates of the impacts of climate change on the future risk of humanitarian crises and disasters.

This risk index is intended to inform policy choices across climate mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance for greater resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change.

The 2024 Risk Map can be used as a tool to build a comprehensive view of the risk landscape around the world, better enabling companies to fulfil their duty of care responsibilities.

Climate change increases health risks

International SOS is seeing a rising trend in the number of climate-related alerts being issued to clients as rising global temperatures are increasing health risks such as air pollution and wildfires around the world.

Greater support has been requested by businesses on this issue. There were 80 per cent more medical alerts issued by International SOS relating to climate change factors in 2023 compared to 2022. This statistic highlights just how significant the issue is to businesses and their leaders.

Dr Irene Lai, global medical director at International SOS, says: “Extreme heat events, with the first-ever named heatwave ‘Cerberus’ hitting Europe [in 2023], may become commonplace.

“In addition to the physical impacts of extreme heat, there can be significant negative effects on mental health. It is essential businesses plan for this, adapting our way of living and working to protect health, while also taking steps to slow and eventually reverse the trend in rising temperatures.”

In terms of climate risks, some of the riskiest countries to visit are Mali, Chad, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Syria, followed by Mexico, Brazil, India and the Philippines.

Geopolitical risks continue to dominate global security concerns

The Risk Map also provides a better understanding of the wider security situation in countries which employees may be travelling through or working in. It helps to better inform organisations so they are able to create tailored solutions to mitigate the specific risks that their workforces may encounter.

Sally Llewellyn, global security director, at International SOS, says: “For the coming year, geopolitical tensions, unrest and political instability are expected to impact business operations.

“This is reflected in the map with the Sahel, parts of the Middle East and Ukraine in the ‘high’ or ‘extreme’ security risk category. International SOS continues to support organisations operating in these locations, including through providing verified information and advice on how such risks will affect their workforce or by supporting evacuations where needed.”

Due to new and evolving conflicts, some of the most notable risk rating increases this year have been parts of Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Russia and across the Sahel. Ecuador and parts of Colombia have also increased following a consistent rise in criminality and unrest.

In some regions, the risk rating has decreased. Most notably, the risk ratings for El Salvador and parts of Nepal have reduced following sustained downward trends across a number of risk factors.

Changes to medical risk continue to vary across countries and regions. Two notable improvements in medical risk this year are Bolivia and Côte d’Ivoire, largely based on the gradual improvement in access to quality medical care, particularly in the major cities.

The Risk Map is an important risk management tool, which assesses medical, security and climate change risks on a five-level scale – from “Low” to “Very High” for the medical and climate change layers, and “Insignificant” to “Extreme” for the security layer.

MEDICAL: THE RISKIEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN 2024

1. Syria
2. Iraq
3. Afghanistan
4. Yemen
5. North Korea
6. Palestinian Territories
7. Haiti
8. Libya
9. Niger
10. Burkina Faso

CLIMATE CHANGE: THE RISKIEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN 2024

1. Syria
2. Iraq
3. Afghanistan
4. Yemen
5. Chad
6. Niger
7. Mali
8. Nigeria
9. Central African Republic
10. South Sudan

SECURITY: THE RISKIEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN 2024

1. Ukraine
2. Syria
3. Iraq
4. Afghanistan
5. Libya
6. Yemen
7. South Sudan
8. Central African Republic
9. Somalia

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Providing a boost to inbound travel, China has implemented a new visa-free policy for passports holders from five European countries, as well as Malaysia. Jenny Southan reports

China’s new visa-free travel policy was instated on December 1, 2023, and will last for one year. Those benefiting need to hold passports for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain or Malaysia.

The policy applies to trips of up to 15 days for business travel, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and for transitioning within China. The aim of this policy is to create convenience for passport holders from these countries in order to stimulate inbound tourism.

According to booking data from Dida Travel, since the implementation of the recent visa-free policy, hotel bookings from the six countries named increased by over 50 per cent in the first week of December, in comparison to the previous week.

In fact, hotel bookings for travellers from Spain to China hve jumped by more than 100 per cent compared to the same period at the end of November. Bookings from Italy and Malaysia to China saw an increase of 50 per cent and 67 per cent week-on-week, respectively.

Meanwhile, although the wider Chinese inbound market has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels due in part to the fact that China’s borders only fully opened in early 2023, DidaTravel’s year-to-date inbound hotel sales to China have seen a remarkable 151 per cent growth versus the same period in 2019. This highlights DidaTravel’s ability to outpace wider market dynamics and capture significant new market share.

According to DidaTravel’s year-to-date total transaction value, Spain, Malaysia, and Italy have been among the top 20 source markets for inbound China travel in 2023. The most booked destinations in China are Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Suzhou, Langfang, Dongguan and Wuhan.

Rikin Wu, founder and CEO of Dida Travel, says: “We were really excited about the growth opportunity for China’s inbound tourism sector as result of this news and these initial figures are very encouraging.
“Thanks to proactive policies like this, that create a strong business environment for tourism, we are able to unlock the full potential of the demand that exists to experience China.

“As one of the pioneering B2B hotel distributors in China, we are committed to supporting our global partners with our expertise and leading portfolio of products in China – including not only hotels, but also tours, experiences and transfers. We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world and exploring new opportunities for collaboration within the country’s ever evolving tourism industry.”

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Tapping into the human life extension trend, the Six Senses Ibiza is hosting a retreat led by longevity expert Dr Mark Hyman in 2024. Jenny Southan reports

Taking place in May 2024 (9th-15th), the “Young Forever” retreat will be hosted at Six Senses Ibiza, which is already leading the way with its RoseBar longevity spa that uses extensive diagnostic testing and personalised programmes to “restore, regenerate and transform your health span”.

Led by Dr Mark Hyman, a leading voice in the science of longevity, the week-long retreat will incorporate seminars, group hikes, yoga, IV infusions, sound healing, sunset ceremonies and “fresh local phytonutrient-rich food”. Rates are yet to be announced but 2023’s rates were €14,790 for single occupancy.

The programme is based on Dr Hyman’s bestselling book on extending both healthspan and lifespan. Utilising food as medicine, exercise, lifestyle practices and RoseBar’s biohacking and regenerative therapies, Dr Hyman will guide participants in “activating their body’s longevity switches” leaving guests renewed and perhaps just a few years biologically younger. The daily programming is designed to activate innate longevity switches and healing systems with food, exercise, yoga, bodywork, cryotherapy, saunas, nutritional IV’s, hyperbaric oxygen, hypoxia treatments and ozone therapy all employed to help guests reverse their biological age.

Dr Hyman will present daily seminars on unpacking the latest science of health and wellness, biohacking, and longevity. Guests will (hopefully) emerge from the retreat feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually transformed with the knowledge and tools to lead a long healthy life. Participants will be accommodated in private en suite rooms in the resort’s multi-bedroom residences, sharing large communal spaces, including a garden and private pool.

Year round, guests are invited to discover RoseBar, the one-of-a-kind longevity club which blends the power of science with spiritual wellbeing to enhance human health and lengthen lifespan, which officially launched at Six Senses Ibiza in mid 2023.

RoseBar programmes offer insights, tools and a plan to reverse ageing processes and achieve long-term wellbeing by enhancing the body’s natural repair systems and activating biological pathways.

The RoseBar advisory team spans a broad spectrum of experience, combining expertise in longevity and functional medicine with long-held spiritual wisdom. Together, they represent a “progressive force at the vanguard of this new science” with chief medical officer Dr Mark Hyman at the helm.

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