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Perfect storm or not, the time for transformation has come And this time, Asia will set its own pace and rules
A weakening global economy, rising fuel prices, inflation, changing travellers’ habits in how they shop and buy, consumers’ environmental concerns, destination “fatigue”, technological advancements, the increased hassles of travel … the list goes on.

Certain analysts are calling it the “perfect storm” to hit the travel and tourism industry. They said that too after 911, remember?
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Blogging and booting
What makes a good travel blog? Is it a compelling account of a writer's experiences on the road? Or is it the offer of insider info on great deals with airlines and hotels, frequent flyer redemption tips or destination updates? The Wrap has been taking a look at the best of the blogs.
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Low cost, high expectations
The low cost airlines claim they are not being affected by the oil crisis. Do they have their heads, like their aircraft, in the clouds? Ian Jarrett looks beyond the rhetoric.(More)

A Call for Entries
WIT is looking for the best and brightest ideas in the online travel space. (More)

 

WIT-Web In Travel and PhoCusWright Inc have joined forces in a partnership agreement which will see the world’s leading online travel intelligence and research company play a bigger and deeper role in Asia’s leading travel distribution, marketing and technology event.

WIT 2008 is being held on October 21-22 in conjunction with the first ITB Asia which is set for Singapore on October 22-24.

“WIT will work even more closely with PhoCusWright in both content and marketing to deliver the best event ever,” said WIT’s producer Yeoh Siew Hoon.

“We now have two global partners putting their might and resources behind the fourth WIT – ITB Asia with what will no doubt become Asia’s largest travel exhibition and PhoCuswright with its unparalleled expertise and knowledge in online travel,” she added.

WIT also has a long-standing partnership with HSMAI Asia Pacific, the global organisation of sales and marketing professionals in hospitality.

	WIT Guest Speaker at ITB Asia Convention Dr Adrian Cheok, Director of the Mixed Reality Lab, National University of Singapore It is hard to put Dr Adrian David Cheok into a box, real, virtual or otherwise. If he is not inventing something, he is off speaking, lecturing and expanding minds and stirring imaginative spirits. (More)			KP Ho, Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree Holdings As a journalist, he was put behind bars for his words. As a backpacking traveler, he saw the world with young, idealistic eyes. Today, KP Ho is one of Asia’s most respected businessmen and sits on the board of several Singapore blue-chip companies. (More)
	Jim Donnelly, Pursuit Group Charlotte, US Two years ago, he spoke at WIT about The Travel Matrix, one in which social networking and communities were disrupting the status quo. This time round, Jim Donnelly, founder of igougo, will share his insights about where the Internet is headed and what are the big ideas out there that could transform the online travel landscape in The Travel Matrix, Revisited. (More)			Kathleen Tan, Vice President of Marketing, AirAsia Before Kathleen Tan took on the marketing reins at Asia's highest flying low cost airline, she was responsible for driving route revenue, sales and distribution, marketing, brand building and ancillary income within the AirAsia network. She will bring to WIT her experience in the building up of the AirAsia brand. (More)