Klook inks multi-year partnership with Singapore Tourism Board to drive growth
Klook and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have signed a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), set to begin in April 2025, building on their 2023 partnership. This collaboration aims to support STB’s Tourism 2040 vision by focusing on four main areas: driving inbound tourism, cultivating future demand, developing new experiences, and futureproofing the tourism sector. Initiatives will include joint global marketing campaigns, expanded use of Klook’s Kreator Program, co-curated experiences, cruise tourism promotions, and integration of AI technology. The goal is to strengthen Singapore’s appeal as a premier destination while aligning with changing travel trends.
The partnership underscores Klook’s impact on Singapore’s tourism economy, with an Oxford Economics study showing a S$655 million contribution to GDP and 6,000 jobs created. Klook CEO Ethan Lin emphasised the importance of digital innovation and immersive experiences in attracting global travelers, while STB CEO Melissa Ow highlighted the collaboration’s potential to meet evolving visitor needs. Building on previous success, including the launch of seven new experiences and Asia Pacific’s first travel summit for creators, the renewed alliance will also tap into the spending habits of Millennial and Gen Z travelers, 91% of whom prioritise spending on experiences, according to Klook’s recent survey.
Sabre and CellPoint Digital partner to focus on airline payments ecosystem
Sabre Corporation and CellPoint Digital have entered into a strategic agreement to enhance payment solutions for airlines using the SabreSonic and Radixx platforms. The collaboration will provide access to a wide variety of payment methods – from international card networks and digital wallets to mobile-based and open banking solutions – giving airlines more flexibility, reducing operational costs, and improving the customer experience at checkout. This unified integration allows airlines to streamline their payment processes and meet the growing demand for alternative payment options in global markets.
The partnership underscores Sabre’s goals of simplifying complex airline distribution and payment ecosystems by offering a scalable and secure solution through its platform. By integrating CellPoint Digital’s payment orchestration capabilities, airlines can better support local market needs, boost conversion rates, and manage costs more efficiently. Leaders from both companies highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, noting how it empowers airlines to adapt to evolving customer expectations and payment behaviors while enhancing operational control and efficiency.
Colosseum hoarding: Italy fines 6 tour operators almost 20 million euros
Italy’s antitrust regulator, AGCM, has fined a total of nearly 20 million euros ($21.7 million) to CoopCulture and six tour operators over practices that restricted public access to standard-priced tickets for the Roman Colosseum. CoopCulture, the official ticketing manager for the Colosseum from 1997 to 2024, received a 7 million euro fine for failing to block automated systems from bulk-buying tickets and for prioritising its own guided tour packages over regular ticket sales.
The investigation found that the company’s actions led to the prolonged unavailability of standard tickets, pushing tourists toward more expensive options bundled with added services. Six tour operators – Tiqets, GetYourGuide, Walks LLC, Italy With Family, City Wonders, and Musement – were also penalised for using bots to purchase large volumes of tickets from CoopCulture’s website. These tickets were then resold as part of higher-priced packages, such as guided tours or fast-track entry, further limiting affordable access to Italy’s most visited attraction, which drew nearly 13 million visitors in 2023.
GetYourGuide responded by calling the AGCM’s ruling “unfounded” and pledged to defend its business practices, while the other tour operators did not immediately comment. The investigation was launched in July 2023 after mounting public complaints about the difficulty of purchasing Colosseum tickets at official prices online. The case has sparked fresh scrutiny of how popular tourist sites manage ticketing and access amid soaring visitor demand.
Smartvel launches Explore&Go, an interactive destination content solution for airlines
Smartvel has launched Explore&Go, an interactive destination content platform designed to help airlines boost conversions by aligning travel inspiration with customer preferences. Available as a white-label solution for airline websites and apps, Explore&Go features an interactive map showcasing global destinations through videos, rich content, and local insights. Travellers can filter destinations based on interests such as beach holidays or skiing, making it easier to decide and book.
The platform also enables airlines to personalise marketing strategies by collecting customer data, such as preferred destinations. Airlines can integrate their own rates and tailor visuals and content to match ongoing promotions. According to Smartvel CEO Iñigo Valenzuela, early adopters like Iberia have already seen a 25% click-through rate, highlighting the platform’s potential to significantly improve customer engagement and sales.
Taiwan’s Southeast Travel announces a future-ready digital infrastructure
Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) has partnered with Southeast Travel (SET), a leading travel operator in Taiwan, to support the travel technology landscape in the region. This strategic collaboration marks TA Network’s growing expansion into North Asia and will equip SET with Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) capabilities. By leveraging TA Network’s integrated travel systems and B2B tools, SET can connect more efficiently with travel wholesalers, operators, and destination management companies across Asia Pacific, all within a unified digital platform.
The partnership aims to support SET’s plans to meet rising demand for both outbound and inbound travel by modernizing its digital infrastructure. TA Network’s platform includes dynamic booking engines, packaging tools, and secure payment systems that will help SET scale its operations while offering more personalised service. Executives from both companies highlighted the shared goal of enhancing customer experiences through digital innovation and collaboration, with SET also gaining access to TA Network’s broader partner ecosystem and new cross-selling opportunities.
