The Wrap: Qantas launches new distribution platform, more personalised experience for customers
In the news: Qantas has a new NDC platform; Dubai and Tencent partnered to drive tourism in the Emirate; Minor International acquires additional shares in NH Hotel Group; Andaz Singapore introduces its digital concierge
Distribution: Qantas launches distribution platform, more personalised expe [...]
Stay One Degree raises US1.5 million in seed funding by blue chip investors
Stay One Degree – a private accommodation cum social networking site – has raised US1.5 million in seed funding, tripling their initial target.
Launched in December last year and co-founded by Thomas Bennett and Jorge Munoz, Stay One Degree aims to rebuild the experience of people lending out [...]
Hyatt collaborates with Ctrip to open first flagship store in China
Leading global hospitality group Hyatt has teamed up with Ctrip Group to launch its first flagship store on the Chinese OTA's website and mobile app.
Over 300 million Ctrip members are now able to access Hyatt hotels in the Greater China region and, in the near future, Hyatt properties globally. [...]
Travel Innovation and Tech-Focused Debate Share the Spotlight at Phocuswright Europe
Phocuswright Europe, in its eleventh year, gathered 600 European travel leaders for elevated content and unprecedented networking. Over two days (15-17 May), more than 40 speakers from Europe’s leading travel companies presented fresh insight into the unique challenges of the European travel marke [...]
Bleisure presents “profound opportunity”, more than 60% of business travel become bleisure
Bleisure – the practice of combining business travel and leisure travel into one trip – is booming and presents itself a viable revenue segment for travel companies to tap.
According to Expedia Group Media Solutions’ latest report Unpacking Bleisure Traveller Trends which sampled 2,500 blei [...]
Value Alliance ups ante on website, promises “seamless experience”
The world’s first pan-regional Low Cost Carrier alliance has announced a new website, powered by Air Black Box technology, that enables cross-airline booking for connecting flights. It also features ancillary products offered by its members.
It claims to offer a “seamless booking experience i [...]
The Wrap: APAC airlines flew high in 2017 with US$8.8bil net earnings
In the news: APAC airlines reported improved financial performance; Trip.com, HanaTour boost service delivery with new solutions
Aviation: APAC airlines flew high in 2017 with US$8.8bil net earnings
2017 was a good year for Asia Pacific airlines as they achieved healthy combined net earn [...]
Three lessons on how chatbots can become more than just talk but revenue drivers
This year’s buzzwords might be blockchain and (still) mobile, but it hasn’t been so long since ‘chatbots’ were the mot du jour. Buzzword no more, chatbots have now worked their way across industries, automating and often augmenting the customer service experience.
In hospitality, chatbots [...]
Rebranded Vidi aims to capture bigger slice of tours & activities market
Malaysian online travel startup, Touristly, has rebranded as Vidi to reflect its “evolution from a traditional trip planner to a visual discovery platform.”
The rebranding is also part of the company’s strategy to get a slice of the rapidly growing tours and activities market in Asia Pacifi [...]
John W. Brown is new CEO of Agoda, Rosenstein moves up to chairman
Booking Holdings announced today that Agoda COO, John W. Brown has been appointed as the new company CEO, effective from June 1, 2018. Current CEO Rob Rosenstein will take on the role as Chairman of Agoda and Special Advisor to the CEO of Booking Holdings, Glenn Fogel.
Brown has served as COO sin [...]
