Feng shui or green stone, Qantas needs it
As I write this, I have completed my third Qantas flight in a week. Yesterday’s service to Auckland was delayed by about three hours. Thank goodness I logged onto the internet to check in online – thank you, Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney, for the free Internet access so that I could dip in and out of [...]
Customer truths that will hold sway in 2011
Can you handle the truth? Two experts share their customer insights for 2011.Siva Ganeshanandan, General Manager, APAC Autonomy OptimostQ: What are the three things you think will happen in the travel distribution, marketing and technology space in 2011? (in other words, your predictions)• Greater [...]
Dachis sets up in Asia, brings with it new Social Business Index
It is time for companies in Asia to start thinking of being “social businesses” rather than just “doing social media marketing”. And this is the paradigm shift the Austin-based Dachis Group, which was set up in 2008 to develop the future of social businesses, is keen to make happen in South [...]
Data roaming charges are slowly becoming more affordable
I'm the first one to bitch about the outrageous data roaming charges that mobile operators charge around the world. What is the point of having all these great iPhone apps and mobile sites that enhance your travel experience, when you can't use them when abroad. Unless, of course, you find a fre [...]
Deals site Ensogo moves into travel
There is no doubt that deals are hot and everyone’s getting into it. Even Expedia. It tied up with Groupon recently in the US and Canada to create Groupon Getaways with Expedia, offering deeply discounted travel deals from its hotel client base.In Asia, deal sites have popped up everywhere and the [...]
Rooftop pools, morphing seats, The Internet of Things spell the future of travel
Skyscanner predicts that by 2024 airports will be uplifting, intelligent spaces providing passengers with a sense of wellbeing, and airlines will become cyber hubs where travellers can create havens to suit their business or leisure needs. With UK passenger figures expected to increase to approxima [...]
With Scoot onboard, GfK’s Travelscan study takes off
With the signing of its 10th participant, Scoot, research company GfK is set to launch its Travelscan study for the Singapore market. Travelscan uses live forward booking data from various players to monitor weekly trade performance across online and offline distribution channels. Among the 10 comp [...]
What the tourism industry can learn from World Cup super brands
Carolyn Childs, co-founder of MyTravelResearch.com, says emotional connections always beats the big bucks in marketing wars. She shares her insights and marketing tips on emotional branding in her World Cup blog.At 4.30am on Saturday, all three household members here got up to watch defending World [...]
China final frontier for KAYAK as it fans out globally
KAYAK’s foray into China has long been anticipated after a bout of international expansion. In late 2013, it launched operations in eight new markets in three continents. The list included Hong Kong and Singapore.But China will definitely be a big test – in fact, some would call it the final fro [...]
AirAsia taking second shot at Japan in tie-up with e-commerce giant, Rakuten
Asia’s largest budget carrier, AirAsia Bhd, is giving the lucrative Japanese air travel market a second crack in a partnership with Rakuten, Japan’s biggest online retailer, to form a new budget carrier – AirAsia Japan.The Malaysia-based low cost carrier’s first attempt in a joint venture wi [...]
