Posts by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Airbnb calls for flexibility as Malaysia teases nationwide control, a first in Southeast Asia
21/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Kuala Lumpur was Airbnb’s most visited city in South-East Asia last year, and one of the most searched destinations worldwide. Malaysia is on the verge of becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to impose extensive restrictions on short-stay rentals, such as Airbnb, following the enforcement [...]
Traveloka and South Pole partner to launch pilot climate action checkout for Singapore travellers
20/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Revenue generated from this project will be invested in wastewater treatment in Thailand’s Khon Buri district to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Singapore-based users of Traveloka, a key travel platform in Southeast Asia, will now have the opportunity to contribute to global climate action and p [...]
Coldplay, concerts, and chaos: Music tourism is ready to be unlocked
16/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Concerts are expected to drive tens of thousands of visitors to regional cities and inject millions into the state’s economy Back in 2020, economists from West Virginia University conducted a study called, “Why Go Home? Pearl Jam’s ‘Home Shows’ & Hotel Demand”, to quantify the impa [...]
Lifestyle hotels show promising trends in post-COVID travel landscape
13/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
As global occupancy rebounds, lifestyle hotels offer unique experiences that challenge traditional accommodations. The hospitality industry is witnessing a remarkable recovery as global occupancy rates in the first quarter of 2023 approach pre-pandemic levels. Fueling this resurgence are lifestyle [...]
Velocity Ventures launches “heartware” initiative targeting various sectors in travel
12/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Corporate Partners Program aims to support the ecosystem by helping startups access industry and innovation professionals. Velocity Ventures, a prominent investor in travel and hospitality tech in Southeast Asia, is spearheading an initiative to address the challenges faced by the various s [...]
Go City and QPSOFTWARE are developing a WeChat mini program in China
12/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
The partnership aims to enhance travel experiences in China's dynamic market Go City, a global attraction pass company, has announced its collaboration with QPSOFTWARE as the lead technical agency for the development of a WeChat mini program in China. This initiative aims to cater to the needs of C [...]
Exploring the LGBTQ+ travel dilemma in APAC
07/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
LGBTQ+ travellers would like know the status of a location, including local laws, religious sensibilities, and safety tips. Booking.com has conducted its most extensive LGBTQ+ travel research to date, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ+ travellers face and the progress made by the travel indust [...]
Travel demand surpasses pre-Covid levels; Asia-Pacific airlines leading recovery
05/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced continued strong passenger traffic demand in April. The revival of domestic travel has been nothing short of remarkable, with a substantial 42.6% surge in April compared to the previous year. In fact, domestic travel has now not o [...]
Atly Secures $18 Million in Funding for Location-Based Discovery and Mapping
03/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
The platform combines social media-like knowledge sharing with mapping and location discovery tools to create a more precise search experience. Atly, a user-generated social mapping platform, has announced its official launch along with $18 million in funding from Target Global, Tal Ventures, and F [...]
Penang bans homestays after a year of deliberation. Was it the right move?
01/06/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“Housing areas are for residents. If you are holidaying, go to a hotel.” Last year, Penang’s state government said that it would ban short-term rental homes or homestays in response to complaints by residents of such properties. After a year of will-they-won’t-they, Penang finally announced [...]