As legend has it, Khiva in Uzbekistan was born from a vision. In biblical times, Shem, one of Noah’s sons, founded the city after having dreamed of a fire. Timothy Go is also connected to Khiva in western Uzbekistan by flames. On his first trip to this ancient city along the Silk Road in 2018, the former news anchor and serial entrepreneur dreamed of leaves burning. Five years later, he’s back, this time to set down financial roots. “Noah’s son built the city after having dreamed of a fire. Now, here I am, opening a hotel,” says Go.
It all started after a chance encounter on his first visit when Go left his hotel room looking for Wi-Fi and struck up life-altering conversations with a young Uzbek in the lobby. They realised they had the same dream of opening a hotel and clicked over their ambitions, so they decided to take the plunge.
Go and Muhammad Ali Erkinov opened Hotel Bankir Khiva this March. The name, meaning “banker” in Russian, was inspired by the fact that both had bankers in the family and the street where the building was located was known locally as “where the banker lives”. Go calls the events leading up to the meeting with his business partner “destiny”.
ECLECTIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP
While being a hotelier is uncharted territory, the Singapore-based entrepreneur is familiar with the trials of a start-up, having launched a business every few years since leaving the television news broadcasting industry in 2016.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of The PEAK Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Sophisticated Bachelor Pad
In this two-storey apartment belonging to a finance in professional, designer Jerry Tan of Joey Khu ID created distinct arez ork and play.
Fringe Modalities
Poet, frontwoman, and shamanic healer ArunDitha Emmanuel returns to Singapore with renewed vigour to push the state-enforced boundaries of art.
Taking On Decolonisation
The annual Per°Form Open Academy of Arts and Activations by T:> Works this year tackles the complex subject of decolonisation with a line-up of artists from the global south.
Japan at Half-speed
A walking tour through the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu is an invitation to appreciate thé country’s beauty ata snail's pace.
Truffle Sabotage
In the heart of Chianti, dark tales of the truffle trade, bacchanalian feasts, and sun salutations await at Christina Ong's COMO Castello del Nero in Tuscany.
Is Barolo the Next Burgundy?
With Burgundy prices reaching starry heights, we find out why Barolo is the next frontier for oenophiles.
Hungry for Hansik
Hansik, or Korean food, is becoming more popular worldwide due to the proliferation of Korean pop culture. We explore two of the cuisine's stalwart elements.
Maxed Out
We explore the intricacies of high-performance tyre development inside Continental’s top-tier test facility in Germany and put its new MaxContact MC7 tyres to the test.
India Rising
From a culture whose glorious traditions have greatly influenced luxury jewellery today, young designers like Renu Oberoi are rewriting the narrative.
A Life Less Ordinary
Street culture pioneer-entrepreneur Feroze McLeod defies convention, even in his watch collection.