Star Gazer - Fiona Harris, Exosphere

03-Nov-08

I can feel a new world map being drawn up with red dots hovering over hot spots where those special people clients love to love - or love to hate - hang out.

Do you think we will be planning our clients' stays based on celebrity taste? 
Will clients see them as trendy compass points on the maps of where to go and what to do?
Let's take a look at the latest trends, starting with a little celebrity exercise.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently attended a symposium at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel and Spa in Interlaken, Switzerland, and was intrigued by the Tai Chi classes. He was invited to join an introductory class by teacher Manfred Meithe.
Meanwhile, while Bryan Adams was staying at the Eden au Lac in Zurich he donned his jogging shorts and began a lap of Lake Zurich.  This soon attracted a following of fans, which saw him beat a hasty retreat back to the hotel.
Further afield, at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Britain's former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, enjoyed a break during a maiden visit to Penang, Malaysia in July.  Tony, wife Cherie and son Leo all stayed in the resort's Presidential Suite for four days.
The Blue Palace Resort and Spa in Crete, meanwhile, was the choice for opposition leader David Cameron and family earlier this year.  And to de-stress still further, the Camerons also sdisappeared to the tiny picturesque UK cove and harbour of Portloe to stay at the Lugger Hotel.
Just as well our past PM and future hopeful PM didn't visit world class spa and health resort Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand.  This is where broadcaster Michael Buerk holidayed in July.  I am sure Blair and Cameron need a BBC-free escape - even if only for a few days. l
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