Posts by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Consumers want an easy, modern travel retail experience, research says
14/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“Customers prefer shopping in every other retailing sector over travel.” We often, and obviously, think of money when the term “currency” is used, but a new study points out a glaring truth that’s normally forgotten - that time is our most valuable currency. It’s also an equaliser becau [...]
Klook strikes partnership with Mandai Wildlife Group, targeting millennial and Gen Z travellers
13/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Partnership includes marketing campaigns across six key markets in the region Travel and experiences platform Klook and Mandai Wildlife Group have announced a three-year strategic partnership to boost international visitorship to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the integrated wildlife and nature preci [...]
SpotQuest tackles real-time data, launches platform with actionable insight for travel professionals
12/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“It is the only tool allowing the quantification of the quality of a location.” “Data” became a household word over the pandemic after many businesses turned to data insights to help them navigate the crisis. The travel and hospitality space was no different. But the value of data has been [...]
SmartRyde Inc raises $3.4 million in series A+ funding round, introduces “Demand Partner API”
10/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Company will invest in corporate functions, building strengths of business teams, and product development. Japan-based SmartRyde Inc, the owner of a pre-booked airport transfer marketplace, SmartRyde, announced that it has published a new product called “Demand Partner API”.  With this prod [...]
Virtual tours are getting popular, and Actsugi meets that demand in Malaysia
07/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“Virtual tours are not an alternative to actual tourism - it’s a pre-marketing tool.” When the pandemic first hit, one concept that gained popularity was virtual tours. With travel restricted, people turned to digital tours of popular destinations as an alternative. Some travel companies surv [...]
Expedia launches ChatGPT travel planning in its iOS app
05/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Implementation of conversational travel planning natural next step in company's AI ecosystem Last week, we published an article about Expedia becoming one of the first travel brands to build a plugin for ChatGPT, allowing the AI platform to access Expedia’s library of travel data and users to boo [...]
Travelport secures $200 million investment, plans to enhance tech innovation and boost momentum
03/04/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
After strong Q1 results, restructuring of debt and strengthening of company’s balance sheet in the pipeline Travelport has been on a bit of a hot streak lately. For context, Travelport is a technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of thousands of travel suppliers worldwide. Th [...]
As profiles shift, Worklounge caters to an underserved, luxury segment of remote workers
30/03/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“When have you had a better work experience than when you're out on a business trip working from your hotel?” There was a time when the term “digital nomad” and “remote work” carried their own connotations. Not only were they rare, but the jobs were almost always associated with 20-some [...]
Klook forms first multi-market partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
29/03/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Company reports more than double growth for three quarters in a row Quantifying a country’s recovery in regard to travel and hospitality can be complicated, but a good indicator seems to be in the positive results reported by key players in the region. As such, [...]
Expedia collaborates with OpenAI to create ChatGPT travel plugin
27/03/2023 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Expedia Group and Kayak are the first travel brands to create plugins for ChatGPT Expedia Group recently unveiled a new plugin in collaboration with OpenAI to simplify trip planning for ChatGPT users. The goal of the plugin is simple - until now, ChatGPT could suggest places to stay and things to s [...]