Posts by WiT
Undaunted, LokaLocal forges ahead with virtual tours for activities in Malaysia
28/01/2021 by WiT
EVEN before Malaysia entered its first MCO (Movement Control Order) in March last year, LokaLocal, the travel tech platform founded in 2016 to connect travellers to local experiences hosted by Malaysians, had started seeing a drop in bookings. It quickly moved to a content and media play, settin [...]
Here’s looking at you, 2021, Part 4: Disappointing start for China, proceed with caution and hope
27/01/2021 by WiT
WE kick off the year with a gathering of views and opinions from our community of industry leaders on their outlook for 2021, from their level of optimism and their plans to get through the year.  Here’s the fourth collection. Steve Saxon, partner with McKinsey & Company, China (f [...]
The Wrap: Singapore Airlines pilots pre-departure testing, Skyscanner appoints new CEO, and more …
27/01/2021 by WiT
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and to keep track of developments in these sectors as businesses adapt and reset to meet challenges in the era of coronavirus. Singapore Airlines trials pre-departure Covid testing in partnership with Collinson Travellers [...]
Klook proves mettle, raises $200m to digitise industry on back of Covid
26/01/2021 by WiT
KLOOK today announced that it has raised US$200 million in additional funding. The Series E round was led by Aspex Management, an investment fund focused on Asia Pacific, in addition to other new investors. Sequoia Capital China, Softbank Vision Fund 1, Matrix Partners China, and Boyu Capital, who [...]
WiT to launch monthly Travel Roadshow to guide community through uncertain year
25/01/2021 by WiT
WiT will launch The Travel Roadshow (2021 Series) in March. To be held monthly, it will provide a regular hangout around which the WiT community can gather to chart new trends, exchange ideas, share lessons and forge a sense of camaraderie to get through the uncertain year ahead. Said Yeoh Siew [...]
Consumers are gaining confidence to travel in 2021: Report
25/01/2021 by WiT
A NEW report from TripAdvisor identifies shifting traveller trends and reveals how consumers are planning to travel in 2021, as well as the impact of the pandemic on their trip planning habits. Confidence among consumers to travel abroad in 2021, particularly in the second half, is increasing re [...]
Skycanner identifies unserved routes to help aviation partners in recovery
21/01/2021 by WiT
SKYSCANNER is helping its airlines and airports partners on their recovery journey with the introduction of Unserved Routes’ data module, which identifies untapped demand for new direct flight services. According to Skyscanner, this new tool helps the aviation sector “leverage forward lookin [...]
The Wrap: KL International Airport to use facial recognition for passenger authentication, D-EDGE launches new resource platform, and more
20/01/2021 by WiT
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and to keep track of developments in these sectors as businesses adapt and reset to meet challenges in the era of coronavirus. Malaysia Airports to roll out facial recognition for faster, safer passenger authentication, repl [...]
Marriott International pushes ahead with Asia growth plans
19/01/2021 by WiT
Some 100 properties expected to open this year MARRIOTT International is expecting to open 100 properties in Asia Pacific in 2021, after celebrating its 800th milestone hotel opening in the region with 75 properties added to its portfolio last year. Nearly 27,000 rooms were added to the regio [...]
Here’s looking at you, 2021, Part 3: Better prepared and investing to build back stronger
19/01/2021 by WiT
WE kick off the year with a gathering of views and opinions from our community of industry leaders on their outlook for 2021, from their level of optimism and their plans to get through the year.  Here’s the third collection. Michael Hobson, CEO, Lanson Place, Hong Kong Q: How woul [...]