Joe Tsai: AI, Open Source, and Chinese consumers
Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai highlighted AI’s transformative potential during CNBC CONVERGE LIVE, emphasising its potential to boost productivity and create a $10 trillion market – larger than the entire tech sector. He underscored that the real AI revolution lies in open source, not a geopolitical battle. He said Open AI models will empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to drive innovation, rather than concentrating power among a few major firms. In e-commerce, Tsai said AI will go beyond recommendations, shaping entire shopping experiences by anticipating consumer needs and ensuring seamless delivery.
On China’s economy, Tsai expressed optimism, pointing to a rebound in consumer confidence fueled by private sector growth and technological advancements. He suggested that as businesses regain confidence and cutting-edge technology flourishes, spending will follow suit.
Klook nabs exclusive presale tix for Lady Gaga’s return to Singapore
Singer, songwriter, Grammy-award-winning, Oscar-nominated pop icon and global sensation, Lady Gaga, is set to make her return to Singapore for the first time since her 2012 Born This Way Ball Tour, with a highly anticipated four-show run at the National Stadium on May 18, 19, 21, and 24, 2025. Singapore will be her only stop in Asia, much like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Asian leg in 2024. Klook, the Official Experience Partner, is offering exclusive presale access from March 19-21, giving members the chance to secure concert packages before the general public.
The presale, available only through the Klook app, includes packages starting at S$589 for a one-night stay or S$728 for a two-night stay at top 4- and 5-star hotels. Each package comes with a pair of concert tickets, and ticket purchases are limited to six per user, so fans should act fast when presale opens on March 19 at 10 AM.
Mabrian unveils AI-powered tool for short-term rentals
Mabrian, a global travel intelligence platform, has launched an AI tool designed to monitor and regulate short-term rental (STR) offerings in destinations worldwide. Integrated into its data intelligence panel, the tool leverages big data and AI to provide real-time insights into STR listings across major platforms like Airbnb, Booking, and TripAdvisor. It focuses on three key areas: accurately measuring the number of listings, identifying non-compliant rentals, and tracing lessors to address disputes. By equipping tourism boards and urban planners with detailed property data, including location, licensing status, and quality metrics, Mabrian aims to help authorities enforce regulations, ensure balanced urban development, and maintain high accommodation standards.
Ibiza is the first destination to implement this tool as part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal tourist accommodations. The tool plays a central role in Ibiza’s Illegal Short Term Rentals Taskforce, a coalition of government bodies, industry associations, and major rental platforms committed to strengthening the island’s regulated lodging sector. Mabrian’s tool also enhances cooperation between tourism and urban planning authorities, offering advanced analytics and classification filters to assess rental quality and trace lessors’ activity. The platform continuously evolves, with future updates set to integrate a national STR registry and introduce additional data layers for sustainable management.
Weixin Pay, Sentosa, and CapitaLand unite to enhance Chinese tourist experience
Weixin Pay, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), and CapitaLand have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline the travel and shopping experience for Chinese visitors in Singapore. The partnership integrates AI-powered itinerary planning, seamless mobile payments, and exclusive tourist perks to enhance convenience. As part of the collaboration, SDC launched the “Sentosa Discovery Guide” Weixin Mini Program, offering real-time attraction guides, dining deals, hotel packages, and instant ticket bookings for attractions like the Singapore Cable Car and Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore. The fully Mandarin-enabled platform allows travellers to plan their trips before arrival and purchase same-day tickets without currency exchange hassles.
CapitaLand continues to expand its Weixin Pay offerings across its 17 malls, engaging 100,000 users through interactive features, shopping perks, and a “Pay and Earn Points” program. This initiative rewards tourists with redeemable vouchers for every 1 RMB spent. The partnership will also introduce co-branded marketing campaigns to promote Sentosa as a premier leisure destination and CapitaLand malls as top shopping hubs, further supporting Singapore’s appeal as a key travel destination for Chinese visitors.
Singapore Airlines and Scoot ban power banks
Starting in April, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its budget subsidiary, Scoot, will prohibit passengers from using power banks to charge devices or from charging power banks onboard. While travellers may still carry power banks in their cabin baggage, they must adhere to capacity limits: those up to 100Wh are allowed without approval, while units between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline permission. Power banks exceeding 160Wh remain banned. This policy aligns with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations on lithium batteries and aims to enhance in-flight safety.
SIA and Scoot join a growing list of airlines tightening restrictions on power bank usage due to fire risks. Similar bans have been implemented by EVA Air, Thai Airways, and Air Busan. Thai Airways, set to enforce the rule from March 15, emphasised passenger and crew safety as the primary concern. The move follows past incidents, including a power bank fire on a Scoot flight in 2023 while the aircraft was still on the ground. In light of these measures, passengers are advised to fully charge their devices before boarding.
Header image credit: Getty Images, Harper’s Bazaar
