Heavy eyelids in the middle of the day, but eyes wide open in the middle of the night; difficulty falling asleep in the evening: long-haul travellers know the effects of jet lag off by heart. This is one of the main causes of travel-related fatigue, which the luxury chain InterContinental intends to combat in partnership with Timeshifter, one of the world's leading travel apps. "anti jet-lag the most downloaded and the best rated.
Developed in collaboration with world-renowned scientists, the application is based on the latest research in sleep neuroscience and circadian rhythms to develop personalised recommendations for overcoming jet lag. Hence its involvement in the world of travel, partnering airlines such as United Airlines and those of the Lufthansa group, as well as players at the heart of business travel such as Amadeus, CWT, Navan, SAP Concur and Travel Perk. And it has already partnered one of IHG's luxury brands, Six Senses, before it was joined by InterContinental.
In advance of their stay and in preparation for their flight home, guests at the brand's 220 hotels around the world are being offered free access to the Timeshifter application. Based on travellers' chronotypes, the plans proposed to combat jet lag are based on their normal sleep patterns, their preferences and their itinerary, whether it's a quick round trip or a business trip with stopovers in several cities. All this using the same algorithm as that used by astronauts and Formula 1 drivers.
This ensures that hotel guests arrive at their destination refreshed and ready to go. According to Timeshifter, based on a survey of 130,000 flights, 96.4% of travellers who followed the app's advice did not suffer any severe effects of jet lag. Conversely, those who did not follow the recommendations were six times more likely to experience severe or even very severe jet lag. " This technology embodies InterContinental's ongoing commitment to providing unrivalled service by adapting to the evolving needs of luxury travellers." said Tom Rowntree, Vice President, Luxury and Lifestyle Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts.
And it's not the only initiative the luxury brand has taken in this area, having launched a new concept in restorative roomsdesigned in partnership with neuroscience designer Isabelle Sjövall. While these rooms play on tones, lighting and the link with nature to ensure a relaxing environment, InterContinental is also deploying adapted menus, rich in nutrients, to combat energy slumps and stimulate vitality. This means a range of dishes featuring a large proportion of eggs, rich in vitamin B12, which suppresses melatonin, the sleep hormone, and green leafy vegetables, rich in magnesium.
