News
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A WHOLE NEW WORLD
Eyad Almogahwi, Founder and Managing Director of Véloce World, a leisure services provider which offers access to airport lounges and attractions globally, discusses future innovations
Q: How was Véloce World founded? A: I have always been passionate about travel and discovering new things and places. Since my college days, I’ve travelled regularly. In 2004, my business partner Adel Bou Shebel and I started a concierge company in Kuwait, named Style & Concierge, at a time when there was nothing like that in the country. Two years later, the busi- ness had become more specialised and evolved into an airport lounge access provider named Véloce Lounges. The company pioneered a new means of accessing participating partner airport lounges worldwide through the client’s eligible bank cards, rather than presenting additional plastic or paper vouchers. In 2016, as part of the company’s expansion plans, the name was changed to Véloce World in line with a new direc- tion to target wider demographics.
Q: What are some of the challenges faced by the company? A: An early challenge, given the small size of the business at the time, was to gain the trust of clients. Now the challenges are different, and the toughest of all is to maintain our success and to impress both existing and potential clients with continuously innovative ideas.
Q:Why is Arabian Travel Market important for Véloce World? A: We’re participating as one of the premium- plus sponsors, to use this brilliant exhibition as a platform to announce our new, innovative and pioneering ‘unique experiences’ programme.
Q:What are some of the experiences the company offers? A: Our unique experiences include fashion, shop- ping, golf, dining, airport fast-track and chauffeurs, all of which are free to the eligible cardholder of our client bank or company.
Q: How has developing the Véloce World app altered the way you do business? A: This is the core of our business and daily opera- tions. Our customers rely on the mobile app for information on the programme and its benefits. ——— Visit stand ME1446
AN EVOLUTION FOR ONE&ONLY
Marking a new direction for the ultra-luxury hotel brand, One&Only has announced plans to increase its portfolio with several new concepts. Its exist- ing award-winning Beach Resorts will be joined by One&Only Nature Resorts, One&Only Urban Resorts and One&Only Private Homes. Set in some of the most beautiful locations
around the world, the new properties will offer guests distinctive and character-driven accom- modation that is borne from the local culture of the destination. “I am thrilled we are able to continue to evolve the One&Only offering, providing the
once-in-a-lifetime experience our guests seek,” said Philippe Zuber, President and Chief Operat- ing Officer, One&Only Resorts. “Building on the legacy and success of
One&Only, it is an exciting time for the brand as we continue to combine completely distinctive experiences with ultra-luxury. We look forward to sharing additional locations for our resorts, whether it be in the ultimate address in a prime city or an authentically wild undiscovered loca- tion soon,” he added. Each resort will be designed to reflect the
surroundings and frame the best aspects of its natural setting. Careful attention will be paid to ensuring minimal impact on the environment, from the development phase through to opera- tion of each property. Guests will have a chance to ‘give back’ through hands-on immersive expe- riences with the local communities. One&Only Nature Resorts will aim to match
the success of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia as the first hotel in the world to achieve internationally accredited carbon- neutral certification by CarbonZero. Joining Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley,
two resorts will be introduced under One&Only Nature Resorts, One&Only Nyungwe House and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, both located in Rwanda. “We are proud and excited to continue to
innovate at One&Only and introduce new expe- riences for our guests. One&Only Nature Resorts will provide our guests illuminating and immer- sive experiences full of adventure that will allow for exploration and discovery,” continued Zuber. He added: “Rwanda is an incredible destina- tion with truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We look forward to immersing our guests in the country and culture and providing that ultimate connection with nature in the ultimate locations.” ——— Visit stand HC0230
JOURNEY TOINDIA WITH COX & KINGS
Leading holidays and education travel group Cox & Kings launched a sleek new coffee table book during this year’s show. Titled 101 Experiences – India and the Subcon-
tinent, the book was unveiled by Yusuf Poon- awala, Senior Vice President, Cox & Kings, and details a series of extraordinary journeys compris- ing stay, dining and sightseeing experiences. An impressive collection of prominent destinations covered in the book includes Jodhpur, Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra, Lucknow, Delhi, Puducherry, Chen- nai, Mumbai and Srinagar. 101 Experiences is as diverse and fascinating
as you could imagine for sightseeing. Whether it is a bhangra session at Amritsar or a tour of the vintage car collection of the royal house of Mewar. From adrenaline highs to shopping in Goa, or a haunted place at midnight in Jaisalmer, nothing
is beyond reach as visitors venture out on a thrill- ing journey with 101 Experiences. The book 101 Experiences also presents differ-
ent stay options from presidential suites to luxury tents. Luxury living takes on a new meaning as guests delight in stays at royal mansions and make the best of regal hospitality. For culinary connoisseurs, 101 Experiences
has curated the best of royal and exotic menus to ensure an explosion of flavours. It charts a sensa- tional gourmet experience, which includes every- thing from creating bespoke menus, to dining by a beach or on a treetop. Founded in 1758 and headquartered in India,
Cox & Kings today has operations in 22 countries across four continents. ——— Visit stand AS3010
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