STB’s outgoing chief shares lessons in brand building
Aw Kah Peng (pictured below right) is not your run-of-the-mill type travel professional with years of industry experience behind her. She studied chemical engineering, even though she loved music and played classical piano. It was the pragmatic choice, she said. “My father didn't think you coul [...]
Top travel websites for April
Wotif.com emerges as a new player in the OTA category, while top the list in Australia, while jipiao.trip.taobao.com and Zuji occupy the top spot in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively.How the agencies fared from data compiled by Experian Hitwise. (Detailed data in the slideshow below)Australia• [...]
APAC travel agents’ top three technology wishes
Amadeus revealed the top technology demands of its agency customers in 2012 following its recent annual Asia Pacific Customer ThinkTank held in Hong Kong. David Brett, President of Amadeus Asia Pacific (pictured right), said that customers are saying they want "technology with personality".The to [...]
Are you tired of Social Media?
The term ‘social media fatigue’ is not uncommon – something that’s been bandied about for a while. In fact, I remember our own Siew Hoon using it when talking to the panel in her moderation session following Singapore’s Social Media week keynote last year.I mention it because I’m in [...]
AirAsia to sport a cool, new look
AirAsia is embarking on a rebranding exercise, which involves the airline's new corporate identity and weekend uniforms for its flight attendants.The rebranding, estimated to cost US$5 million, also includes a new television commercial featuring AirAsia Allstars, a new look to its offices, all che [...]
Travel still an elusive dream for many Americans
Improved confidence among US consumers has started to breathe some life back into the travel industry. But while hotel and air suppliers continue to benefit from the uplift in morale, a new Global Edition survey from PhocusWright reveals that many still are not spending.Nearly four in 10 (38%) di [...]
Technology and distribution come together at Airline Cloud9
Airline Cloud9, the new airline technology event being organised by CAPA and WIT, will be held in Bangkok on August 23-24, is pleased to welcome Sabre Airline Solutions as Foundation Partner.The event brings together the airline and distribution expertise of CAPA and WIT respectively to address a m [...]
Japan rebound to be fuelled by low cost flights
Business has bounced back surprisingly well in Japan, according to the boss of Venture Republic, which runs two of the country’s leading travel meta search sites, travel.jp and hotel.jp.Said Kei Shibata, “With the help of current exchange rates, stronger yen, and a more stable macro economic [...]
Why it’s not always about fixing the problem
The more I learn about what women want, the more I am convinced that OTAs and a lot of travel websites are missing a vital point in their business model.Let me explain. A while back, I was talking to a friend who was celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary. “What’s your secret?” I asked.He g [...]
Pegasus partners TravelSky to open door to Chinese hotel bookings
Pegasus Solutions and TravelSky Technology Ltd, China’s state-owned global distribution system (GDS), have completed a connection that makes Pegasus’ global hotel inventory of nearly 100,000 hotels available for booking in China.With more than 1,000 hotels under nine brands, Starwood Hotels [...]
