Posts by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Rabbit R1 and its impact on Tours and Activities
26/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
The debate continues on its implications in wider tech and travel space Read Part 1 of Travel Pros React to the Rabbit R1 here. Earlier this month, tech startup Rabbit made waves with the launch of its R1, a pocket-sized AI assistant designed to do daily ‘smartphone tasks’ without the use [...]
Millennials and Gen Zs up travel budgets for more shared experiences
24/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Social media is a primary source of travel inspiration, with over 80% basing their travel bookings on recommendations from non-celebrity figures Klook's latest Travel Pulse research reveals that 3 in 5 travelers are allocating up to half of their budget to create meaningful connections while explor [...]
Luxury liner anchors in Port Klang, Malaysia’s first international cruise homeport
22/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
New collaboration eyes Malaysia’s growing Muslim market and leverages the country’s strategic location in the region Costa Cruises, known for its European luxury cruising, and Hwajing Travel & Tours, a Southeast Asian cruise tour operator, have joined forces to make history at Port Klang by [...]
Asia economy class fares up by 21%, but business travel demand continues to grow
22/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
According to FCM Travel Asia, business travel is set to maintain its significance in 2024, with corporate travel programs facing scrutiny amid budget considerations. This, coupled with economic shifts worldwide, is set to create a few intriguing travel trends this year, as outlined by FCM’s six pr [...]
Travel pros react to Rabbit R1
18/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Game-changer in user interface or a whole lot of “wasted bunnies”? In the week since its unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the Rabbit R1 has created a frenzy in the tech space, with many branding the Tamagochi-looking gadget as “the next big thing”, “the AI fu [...]
Social media, wine prices and the economy are pushing innovation in hospitality
18/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
EHL Hospitality Business School announced the release of a study conducted jointly by Dr Jean-Philippe Weisskopf and Dr Philippe Masset, revealing the trends shaping the hospitality industry in 2024. Here are a few key takeaways from the study: Over the past two years, the industry's biggest [...]
Turboprops and zero-emission short-haul aircraft are keys to sustainability goals in Southeast Asia
18/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
In a review commissioned by the Aviation Studies Institute, Sobie Aviation explores the future landscape of super short-haul air transport in Southeast Asia.  This analysis, the first of a two-part series, delves into the dynamics shaping the region's aviation industry, with a focus on flights cov [...]
‘Search surge’ reveals high travel demand in first week of January across Asia
16/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Skyscanner's latest data analysis for January showcases a significant surge in searches, providing insights into the preferences of global travellers. From the bustling streets of Singapore to the scenic landscapes of Australia, the figures paint a picture of a few trends that are brewing in the Asi [...]
In Asia, demand for in-flight vegan meals exceeds passenger volume growth
08/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Significant increase in vegan meal consumption were noted on Emirates routes to China, Japan and Philippines. This January marks the 10th annual ‘Veganuary’ challenge, in which people are encouraged to stick with a plant-based diet for a month. It’s no secret that amidst heightened health an [...]
AI platform translates hotel guests’ speech into actionable data and insights
05/01/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“AI is just a component the software. Application is the most important.” The adoption of Artificial Intelligence in both travel and hospitality isn’t particularly new - many tech platforms and service providers have been utilising AI behind-the-scenes for years now. But the emergence and rap [...]