Banyan Tree Cluster General Manager Aurelio Giraudo discusses how COVID-19 has reshaped his business and his own life. He is currently managing La Cigale Hotel, an Accor property which has remained open during the pandemic, and Banyan Tree Doha At La Cigale Mushaireb which opened its doors during Eid al-Fitr. 

HOW HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOUR HOTELS IN QATAR?
2020 was a very challenging year for the hospitality industry. We were amongst the worst hit industry. With all facilities closed by the Qatari government except for room service and takeaway, we experienced a substantial drop in food & beverage revenues. So we needed to focus more on food delivery sales and takeaways. 

Through menu re-engineering, we were able to drive up our takeaway sales. Overall Qatar as a market has grown over the last year due to quarantine demand and sports blocks, especially football. Also, our hotel has been able to sustain its room business by targeting the local market for staycations & daycations, football blocks and quarantine business. The customer mix for our hotel has completely changed during this pandemic time and more focus is now on the local Qatari nationals and residents.

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU PROFESSIONALLY IN THIS PANDEMIC?
The safety of associates and guests wellbeing were my top priorities during this pandemic. I ensured that all my associates were well taken care of and that we implemented a work from home culture for the administrative team. We did forecast our business levels to go down in comparison to last year so we took strategic actions to control our costs by cutting down on our expenses. The owners’ return was reduced; however, our owner has supported our vision of prioritizing the wellbeing of our associates and of investing in contactless and touchless experiences for the guests.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN AND WHERE YOU WERE WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT COVID-19 WAS MORE THAN JUST A SERIOUS FLU?
 With 40 years of experience in hospitality industry, I did have an opportunity to work in different parts of the world. I was working during SARS time 2002-2004 in Taiwan (SE Asia) & during an Ebola time in Africa 2014-2016 however the kind of impact COVID-19 has had on the entire world, is something we never even dreamt of. I was in a Revenue Strategy meeting when it was announced that Qatar was closing down the airport, so from making strategies at one point, I had to shift my focus to a sustainable recovery plan. Market intelligence and timely decision making have helped us to reduce the impact of this pandemic.

WHAT WERE THE FIRST THINGS YOU DID FOR YOUR HOTEL WHEN YOU LEARNED OF COVID-19?

At the beginning of the pandemic, there were a lot of uncertainties and we had to act fast to ensure first the safety of our associates and to control the risk on the business. The government was approaching hotels to be part of the quarantine business so I proposed the idea to handover one of our hotels i.e. La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor, for quarantine business. This calculated risk paid off as we managed to secure guaranteed revenues which helped us in running our hotel operations smoothly from 2020.

Later we implemented Qatar Clean, a government initiative program, and All Safe Program, an Accor initiative, that was developed and examined by the Bureau Veritas company for hygiene and prevention standards. In public places there is frequent sterilization of all high touch areas, enhanced room cleaning protocols have been implemented, including additional disinfection of high-touch areas in the room and bathroom areas, enhanced food safety standards and new buffet protocols, training of staff teams on safety and public health.

WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT SO FAR DURING THIS PANDEMIC?
The happiest moment for me was when I managed to get my team vaccinated for both hotels. This gave me the strength and belief that together we can fight this pandemic and take care of our guests in a safe working environment. I am thankful to the Qatar government for taking care of its people in difficult times.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE OF LUXURY TRAVEL?
I can proudly say that luxury travel in form of tourism will return soon to our beautiful country as lots of initiatives have already been put in place by the Qatar government. Qatar will be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and there are lots of VIP visits already happening in preparation for the World Cup. With the re-opening of borders with GCC Countries i.e. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, we do foresee a strong growth of business from these markets in the coming months.
The FIFA Tournament Time Demand Model (TTDM)” have forecasted 1.7 million people could visit Qatar during the FIFA dates with approximately 500,000 visitors in the country on the busiest days. So overall very healthy signs of the market.

HAVE YOU BEEN ON A PLANE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS?
I have not travelled from the time when the restrictions were put in place in Qatar in March 2020. I am passionate about travelling and I do miss those times a lot. Time to time I drive down to the airport, just to get back the feeling of travelling and seeing the people and airplanes. I wish life can return back to normal as soon as it can and I can go home and visit my parents.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ROOMS IN YOUR HOTELS?
My favorite room at La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor is the Royal Suite. Designed with opulent comfort in mind, these exclusive pairs of suites comprise the finest hotel accommodation in Doha, with 650 square meters for the suite. Each features exquisite works of art, accessories and furniture by world’s top designers and brands.

In Banyan Tree Doha Hotel & Residences, without a doubt my vote goes to the Four Bedroom Harmony Sky Residence. Spread over 445 sqm, the top floor of the Residences core and features two bedrooms with king-sized beds, a twin room, a single room, family living room, dining area and a balcony overlooking our verdant garden.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN EACH OF YOUR HOTELS?

My favorite restaurant at La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor is Sky View. Here guests can experience vibrant nights at our striking indoor double floor or take a glance at the city from our outdoor rooftop section amidst the latest mixes while savoring the most tempting snacks, cocktails and sushi.

In Banyan Tree Doha Hotel & Residences, my favorite restaurant is the Saffron Thai restaurant. It offers guests an authentic experience, with cooking methods passed down through generations and indigenous ingredients in a contemporary and artistic fashion. The staff at Safrron are Thai nationals offering the best Thai cuisine in the city. This restaurant takes me back to memory lane wherein I used to work in Bangkok and every evening I used to go out with colleagues and experience Thai food. It was the best time of my life!

ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER HOTEL GMS ON COPING WITH THIS PANDEMIC ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?
I would say focus on yourself. Develop your skills, spend time in studying, enroll in Harvard and Cornell eLearning courses. Invest time in research and upgrade your overall personality and skills. Reconnect with families, as at times we ignore our families, this is the time to be with them. Stay focused, our industry will bounce back very soon. So, hang on and keep doing the good work. It might be tough right now, but this industry is very resilient and will bounce up sooner than expected.

 WHAT ABOUT AS A HOTEL PROFESSIONAL?
Stay focused, encourage people to think out of the box and come up with ideas. Be flexible and adapt yourself to constantly changing and dynamic market. Motivate your team to create a healthy working environment that delivers exemplary customer services: a vital ingredient in a successful hotel operation.
 
Always share information with your team. It is vital that everyone knows and understands the vision of the company and should be aware and involved in achieving goals. People work better if they feel valued. Practice fairness at all times. Foster good working relationships, not only within the team, but with different stakeholders as well.

Photos courtesy of Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb and La Cigale Hotel Managed by Accor

The post Turning a pandemic into a positive appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

COVID-19 has pushed hoteliers and hospitality companies into uncharted territory. However some brands are staying the course. In an exclusive interview with Travelife Magazine, Oakwood Chief Executive Officer Dean Schreiber confirms that his company is on track for global expansion and he has found some silver lining amidst this pandemic.

The new Oakwood Beluxs brand, for instance, is going full steam ahead into China, plans unchanged.

What is Oakwood Beluxs and who is its target market?

Oakwood Beluxs is created for the confident and stylish traveller looking for modern cultural experiences. With an aggressive plan to open 100 properties by 2030, this co- developed product is exclusive to Mainland China’s top 50 cities with the highest gross domestic product (GDP).

Reflecting the ethos of aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate executives, Oakwood Beluxs will be a residential lifestyle choice that serves the emerging needs of aspirational travellers with a global perspective of life, culture and identity.

This new generation of travellers, with a desire for a sustainable, smart and personalized sanctuary, have exacting standards for lifestyle preferences influenced by their international exposure to social values, culture and personal ambitions.

Without compromising on the quality of residential comfort, Oakwood Beluxs will speak to their sense of style, penchant for aesthetics and environmental consciousness. Strategically located in upscale precincts, Oakwood Beluxs will exude artful sophistication rooted with a sense of culture.

The first Oakwood Beluxs will debut in Southern China. More details will be provided shortly.

Talk of expansion is quite rare amidst the pandemic. What made you decide to push through with your Oakwood Beluxs plans when so many other hospitality chains are revisiting their current strategies?

Oakwood has remained relatively resilient in the midst of the current situation over the last few months, being comparatively less sensitive to transient traveller demand. Our entire portfolio remained open with stable occupancy levels through the pandemic, except in locations where we have been governed by local authorities to close temporarily.

With social distancing being the new standard, and hygiene the new benchmark against which we will all be measured, the serviced apartment model ticks all the boxes.

What we have been experiencing is an increase in demand for serviced apartments as the accommodation of choice. Our room sizes offer the perfect work from home solution, allowing for self-catering when needed, yet with the option to be pampered on call. In fact, we just launched Oakwood Apartments PIK Jakarta on 31 March 2020, which is our third property in the Indonesian capital.

The hospitality model that Oakwood operates is a balance of both short and long stays, putting us in a unique position to appeal to a broader market and achieve more stable occupancy rates in general. The strategic alliance with Country Garden Commercial and Culture Tourism Group, part of a Fortune 500 company, in a critical period such as this bears testament to Oakwood’s business viability.

What is it like to be a hotelier/ hospitality chain CEO at a time like this?

During this period when the tourism industry is faced with an existential threat, there has most certainly been ups and downs that we have all had to deal with. Not only have we had to make some really tough decisions, we have also had to deal with numerous challenges personally. Taking a step back to look at the situation holistically, it is somewhat like a perfect storm.

In times like these, how your team responds to the situation is an endorsement of one’s leadership, and I have been very proud of my team’s commitment and resilience. We often read about the heroes this period, but I really count the hospitality teams globally who show up for work each day to care for our guests – amongst these heroes.

What has been your biggest challenge so far with COVID-19 still hanging in the air?

The critical success factor is to maintain the trust and confidence in Oakwood. This applies to all our associates, guests, business partners and the community. We are relentless in our effort to ensure that all our stakeholders are aware of our initiatives to protect their health and safety, protecting our workforce and community relations without compromising on our guests’ comfort.

One of the most rewarding initiatives was “Give With Oakwood”, which was our first global community outreach. More than 80 Oakwood properties across Asia Pacific, the United States of America and United Kingdom rallied to provide meals for the less privileged.

What is your personal forecast for COVID-19 and the travel industry? How will it change the way we travel and check into hotels?

Until travel restrictions are relaxed, we can expect domestic tourism to lead the way to business recovery. I believe that regional, intra-Asia travel will be our focus before long haul demand resumes. With early signs of international flight routes being reinstated, we are confident that Asia will be the hot spot for recovery with Mainland China leading the trend.

Leisure travel will be layered with new requirements and as an industry, we need to respond to that – as we have done at Oakwood to meet these needs. Moving forward, I believe that more leisure travellers will start selecting fewer destinations for extended stays instead of short stays at multiple destinations.

With our self-contained options at Oakwood which provide travellers with the ability to stay longer in a self-catered space, avoid crowded buffet breakfast venues and reduce multiple staff entry into rooms – the luxury of space will definitely be a key offering.

Assurance of a safe and clean space will increasingly take precedence as part of travel considerations. However, with the launch of our global hygiene programme Oakwood Clean360, guests can be assured of a safe venue to work and live in, as we apply our clean standards not just to our public spaces and guest-facing areas, but also to our back-of-house areas – where we may look after both our guests and associates equally.

What is most important for a hotel brand to be able to survive a time like this?

Every hospitality brand is facing similar challenges. Nobody has the model answer to surviving this crisis but the strongest survivors are those who can adapt and respond to market demands. At Oakwood, we recognise that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to guest preferences. This is our basic reason to offer a residential lifestyle to discerning travellers who are seeking a sanctuary to call home instead of a hotel room.

Going back to basics, hospitality job redesign must take place to provide for new work procedures. For example, stringent hygiene and sanitation procedures, digital transformation of guest services as well as contactless guest experiences without compromising service excellence.

All these are equally important, not mutually exclusive.

Any silver linings at all, regarding this pandemic?

Certainly, there is no time like now to be creative. International travel restrictions have forced us to be innovative in generating incremental revenue streams through service innovations and adapting our operating standards to new expectations.

Has COVID-19 affected your Oakwood Beluxs expansion plans in any way?

No it has not. Our commitment to expansion is a plan for the long term which requires us to direct our efforts beyond COVID-19. We are confident that Oakwood Beluxs will be well-poised to take on the increased demand and economic recovery in China.

Asia Pacific

• Mainland China: Beijing, Tonglu, Foshan, Chongli, Nansha
• Australia: Melbourne, Dandenong
• Cambodia: Phnom Penh
• Indonesia: Jakarta
• Japan: Yokohama, Kyoto
• Myanmar: Yangon
• Thailand: Bangkok
• Philippines: Manila
• Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City

Middle East

Dubai

North America

• Seattle
• Philadelphia
• Raleigh
• Atlanta
• San Francisco

The post Oakwood is bullish on China, expansion plans are on track appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

WHY APPLY FOR A SECOND PASSPORT?

A second passport acts as a tangible reassurance to our clients at Harvey Law Group that they have the security they need, in case there are ever political uncertainties and economic instabilities in their home countries. In a way, a second passport is like an insurance policy, giving clients peace of mind and a haven to run to in cases of unexpected and unfortunate events.

In addition, passport holders and their qualifying family members gain visa-free status to many countries, along with access to healthcare, education, and other social benefits. Our clients can expand their businesses to key global markets without local partner requirements; as well as undertake more efficient tax and legacy planning. 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE CONSIDERING APPLYING?

Do your own due diligence. And hire a professional who can offer a comprehensive approach, coupled with extensive knowledge and a track record.

Improvised agents or consultants have misled various clients. In Spain, for example, some agents or consultants promote a citizenship-by-investment program to encourage the purchase of properties. 

However, Spain is actually a residency-by-investment program. As such many of these consultants’ clients bought properties in Spain, expecting a passport in return — even though it will never come. They only learn later on that the process to qualify for Spanish citizenship actually takes years, aside from learning the language and passing a nationality exam.

THE TOP DESTINATIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Grenada currently has visa-free access to over 140 countries – including all EU countries, United Kingdom, and China. And applicants do not need to visit the country during or after the application process.

The new Six Senses Resorts & Spa Grenada is also one of the most attractive investment options in the Caribbean. Purchasing a share in the resort entitles the main applicant and all qualifying dependents to Grenada citizenship for life. 

THE MOST UNDERRATED DESTINATIONS

First note: Dominica is different from Dominica Republic. The Commonwealth of Dominica is dubbed as the “Nature Island” and it offers many outdoor attractions. Clients can secure a Dominica citizenship by donating a minimum amount to an infrastructure fund. This fund will be used to build or renovate roads, hospitals, schools or airports. Applicants may also invest a minimum amount into a designated real estate development instead. 

The Harvey Law Group  (HLG) was founded by Jean-Francois Harvey in 1992. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the firm now has over 20 offices worldwide. It has proven expertise on residency, permanent residency, and citizenship by investment.

Considered a pioneer in the industry, it has advised countless individuals and families on acquiring a second passport. It has also counselled foreign governments on their immigration laws and regulations. 

The post A second passport for a better quality life appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE JOBURG is by hop-on, hop-off bus. Buy a ticket for the day so that you can use it as many times as you want. You can hop off and spend as much time at an attraction then hop on again when the bus is scheduled to come around. This gives you the opportunity to decide which landmarks you want to explore at your own pace.

THE BEST WAY TO START A DAY is “from the top.” Joburg is the brunch capital of the world and it has rooftop restaurants and hotels that offer brunch. And because it’s a flat and big industrial city, you can see the whole of Johannesburg over breakfast. It’s so beautiful. You won’t believe you’re in such a big city that’s just so green and peaceful.

ANOTHER GOOD SPOT TO ADMIRE THE JOBURG SKYLINE is from the decks of Sandton Sun.

ONE LOCAL ACTIVITY I NEVER MISS is the bungee jump in Joburg. It’s only 100 meters but it’s in the middle of the city. You jump off a water tower. After I did it the first time, I had such an adrenaline high. I got a sense of empowerment, I said to myself, “I made such a good decision.” That’s the kind of city Joburg is – it’s got so much color and vibrancy. It’s loud and has a very continental Africa feel to it. It’s very “in your face.”

TRENDY JOHANNESBURG

THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACE TO SEE is Maboneng which they call “The Inner City Revival Project.” They’ve revived this area after all the big businesses moved out. Entrepreneurs and young designers are given access to markets here. Even if you’ve only got four or five clothing items, you can put these on a rail that has your name.

Maboneng has everything from clothes, shoes, and handbags to furniture and household items. There are also restaurants and food stalls as well.

It’s the greatest place to shop in Johannesburg because of all these unique things nobody else has. It has a cool temperament because the interior design is interesting, and there’s good food and music spilling out.

TOURISTS SHOULD ALSO NOT MISS little-known Liliesleaf Farm in northern Johannesburg for a bit of history and mystery. The farm was secretly used by African National Congress activists in the 1960s. It’s where many prominent African National Congress leaders were arrested. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OUT, go to Teatro where international performances are showcased in its massive theaters. Or to the Back O’ the Moon in the Gold Reef City. This is one of the best jazz clubs.

AFTER A LONG DAY, I LIKE TO UNWIND AT the Four Seasons in Westcliff which is up on the hill in Joburg. When you sit at the Four Seasons, you actually look over the Joburg Zoo.

CULTURE CLUB

I LIKE LISTENING TO LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES at Tanz Café. It has an electric atmosphere every night. Its gig guide features the South Africa’s best musical talent. This venue has hosted artists such as Jesse Clegg, Arno Carstens, and Civil Twilight.

AFTER TOURING THE TRADITIONAL ART MUSEUMS, I TELL MY FRIENDS TO GO TO the Johannesburg Art Gallery in Joubert Park. It is the largest gallery on the subcontinent with a collection larger than that of the Iziko South African National Art Gallery in Cape Town.

I book an early morning meditative session in the garden of Satyagraha House in Orchards TO CONNECT WITH MY INNER SELF.

The MOST STRIKING ARCHITECTURE IN JOBURG IS CIRCA on Jellicoe in Rosebank, a gallery renowned for featuring the works of top South African artists like Dylan Lewis and Zwelethu Mthethwa.

INSIDER INFORMATION

MY SECRET SPOT FOR A PICNIC IN JOBURG  is across the road from the Johannesburg Zoo. It’s right next to the lake, on one of the massive lawns. It’s really quiet, but since you’ve got the zoo literally in front of you. You can hear the animals from a distance. On weekends, amateur artists, sculptors, and painters display and sell their works there.

The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens is also an inspiring mix of open spaces. It includes marshlands, grasslands, trees, and cultivated gardens. It’s the world’s biggest man-made forest, with over 10 million trees.

MY FAVORITE BOUTIQUE HOTEL is 10 Bompas Hotel, because all the rooms look different and special. Even their menu changes daily as they only serve what’s in season.

WHERE TO GO OUTSIDE JOHANNESBURG

Maropeng is the site of the Cradle of Humankind. This is where you’ll discover the bones of our ancestors. It’s the place where we all come from. If you want an anthropological adventure, you can actually go to the caves themselves. It’s still an active dig, so visitors put on hard hats and everything to go further.

At the Maropeng Visitor’s Center, there are interactive exhibits and programs for kids that show the animals that lived in each particular period. They’ve taken paleoanthropoligism and made it into a science. It’s such a special way of explaining where we come from. Kids will also learn how much damage we’ve done to the earth and how we need to be careful and change the way we do certain things. They’ve taken
science and made it human.

WHAT TO EAT IN JOBURG

One must indulge in boerewors. This is a traditional South African sausage made from beef mixed with either pork or lamb and a
mixture of spices. Also, traditional Joburg street food is a must try. It’s healthy, fresh, and yummy.

For a traditional meal, don’t miss going to an African restaurant like Moyo. Or you can try a traditional Soweto township restaurant. Or, better yet, get yourself invited to a braai (barbecue).

WHAT’S THE BEST SOUVENIR A VISITOR MUST BRING HOME FROM SOUTH AFRICA?

Sidewalk art made from recycled items. You can get these at the Art Market in Zoo Lake, full of stunning local artifacts and craft work.

Read more about traveling around Africa in Travelife Magazine.

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The quickest and most painless way for visa-free entry to the EU is to apply for a second passport from Cyprus and from countries in the Caribbean. Nationalities from these countries enjoy visa-free access to the EU.

WHY SHOULD FREQUENT TRAVELLERS GET A SECOND PASSPORT?

I can think of two compelling reasons to avail of such flexibility.

GLOBAL MOBILITY

A second passport can grant visa-free access to up to 180 countries including Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) and Schengen Zone.

No more waiting in line and money spent on visas and fixers. This will give applicants and their families a lifetime of traveling with ease.

HEALTHCARE & EDUCATION

Applicants and their families will be considered full citizens, eligible for all the benefits of that country. Passport holders of Cyprus or Malta, for example, can live and work in all other EU countries.

The second passport can also be extended to qualifying dependents such as children, parents, and spouse. In some countries, this can even extend to siblings.

Future generations can also be covered by the second passport. Children born after nationality was granted can also qualify for citizenship in certain countries.

IS THERE AN EASY ROUTE TO A SECOND PASSPORT? 

The fastest and most convenient way to secure a second passport is through the investment immigration programs. Less than 10 countries currently offer citizenship programs and the concept remains the same although the process varies slightly per country.

Basically, the applicant donates or invests into designated businesses, funds, real estate properties, or projects in exchange for a full citizenship. This full citizenship can extend to the family as well. The investment usually needs to remain into the country for a specific number of years; then the investment can be withdrawn but the citizenship is kept.  

In contrast, the traditional immigration route for the United States and Canada is often a long and time-consuming process. Applicants are also required to spend a significant amount of time there.

WHAT ARE THE EASIEST COUNTRIES TO ACQUIRE CITIZENSHIP FROM? 

St. Kitts & Nevis, as well as Dominica are Commonwealth countries with low taxes. They also have strong passports that grant access to the EU, and they have relatively quick processing periods. Both have well-run programs.

On the other hand, the most valued country would be Cyprus since EU passport holders have the right to live, settle, study, work and do business anywhere in the EU. This has added significance for businesspersons since they can now conduct business within the EU even without the need of a local partner. 

There are several attractive options and we recommend specific countries based on the exact needs and interests of our clients.

HOW CAN THE HARVEY LAW GROUP HELP TRAVELERS ACQUIRE THIS SECOND PASSPORT?

Each country has its own set of designated investment streams recognized under their citizenship-by-investment program. However, investors cannot apply by themselves. They must hire a registered and recognized agent, consultant, or law firm.

Our firm is duly registered and recognized by each governing body. So we can facilitate the application hassle-free from A to Z. We assist from our first meeting with the client to the receipt of the Certificate of Naturalization and the passports on their behalf.

All the processing, documentation gathering, certifications and even the fingerprints can be done in our office. The entire process is private, confidential, and done by qualified professionals.

The Harvey Law Group  (HLG) was founded by Jean-Francois Harvey in 1992. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the firm now has over 20 offices worldwide. It has proven expertise on residency, permanent residency, and citizenship by investment.

Considered a pioneer in the industry, it has advised countless individuals and families on acquiring a second passport. It has also counselled foreign governments on their immigration laws and regulations. 

HLG team ensures professional legal representation, thus providing extra security for clients. The team also offers corporate services and cross-border transactions to entrepreneurs and corporations looking to expand overseas.

The post Visa-free access to the EU and the United States appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

WHY SHOULD TRAVELERS CONSIDER A SECOND PASSPORT AS THEIR “PLAN B”?

A second passport is a great mobility perk. But it’s important to note the differences between a passport from an EU country and a passport from a Caribbean country.

A passport from any of the Caribbean countries grants rights to relocate within another CARICOM country. Although it also grants travel access within the EU, you cannot relocate there. Most applicants look at a Caribbean passport from mobility and tax perspectives.

On the other hand, an EU passport will grant rights to relocate within any other EU country, along with travel to a wider range of destinations. So most applicants considering an EU passport may opt to relocate their family to ensure the future of their legacy.

WHAT SHOULD APPLICANTS CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A LAW FIRM?

Professionalism: An international lawyer goes through a training process and understands the economics behind having a second passport. This includes visa-free agreements, tax implications, education and social benefits of the domiciled, and legacy planning in accordance with inheritance rules.

Liability: While not all fly-by agents or consultants are scammers, their professional liability can be limited and applicants might not be properly covered in case of a fallout in the application process.

Interest: A law firm should act in the interest of their clients, not their own. As much as I would prefer recommending Cyprus to all my clients, I must take into consideration their needs; this includes budget, family members, traveling habits, and tax exposure. 

ABOUT HARVEY LAW GROUP

Harvey Law Group (HLG) was founded by Jean-Francois Harvey in 1992. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the firm now has over 20 offices worldwide. It has a proven expertise on residency, permanent residency, and citizenship by investment. Considered a pioneer in the industry, it has advised countless individuals, families and foreign governments on their immigration laws and regulations.

The Harvey Law Group team ensures professional legal representation, thus providing extra security for clients. The team also offers corporate services and cross-border transactions to entrepreneurs and corporations looking to expand overseas.

Click here to contact Samuel Harvey

The post The value of the golden passport appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.