YADO, ryokan alliance, ready to increase international mindshare
Having dusted off the aftermath of the pandemic, Nihon Aji no YADO, an alliance of 35 ryokans is ready to step up its efforts to increase their share of international travellers, as well as promote the “real ryokan experience” to foreign guests.
Head of the alliance, Kyohei Yamamoto, thir [...]
What AI can do, and what it can’t do
Indie travel businesses grapple with possibilities in the age of generative AI
On the night before WiT Indie, the edition of Web in Travel dedicated to creatives and independents, opened in Penang, Cinewav, the Singapore startup that offers “Event Audio in your Pocket”, held a first-time immers [...]
From AI to AR/VR, airports on cusp of digital transformation, says Amadeus’ Samuel
Narita’s Face Express a good example of enhanced passenger experience
The single biggest trend that will impact airports in the next few years is the evolution of the passenger experience, said Sarah Samuel, Senior Vice President, Airport & Airline Operations, APAC Amadeus.
Speaking at Wi [...]
How my dog led me here – and now hail, the first inclusive/accessible tour guided by PWDs
Tribe to launch tours of Enabling Village with three local heroes
There is a place in Singapore that is little known even to locals. I only got to know of it after I enrolled my dog in a canine therapy programme run by EQUAL, a Singapore charity Institution that strives to transform lives through A [...]
For Tourism Australia’s Harrison, “real and authentic” storytelling is king
Never mind metaverse or AI, “our focus is telling the Australian story”
The first thing you got to know about Philippa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, is she’s not a big believer in the metaverse.
When I asked her to rate new and upcoming marketing channels on a scale of [...]
Corporate buyers grapple with NDC over price discrepancy and post-sales servicing
“Eventually we have to say goodbye to EDIFACT and move on”
It is interesting to note that while a year ago, sustainability was the most dominant topic at corporate travel events, other more pressing issues have surfaced to preoccupy the sector as business travel stages a comeback across the wor [...]
APAC at the heart of Worldline’s ambitions to enter high growth markets
Three trends driving the region – digital wallets, efficiency, app/mobile
On the back of the accelerated travel recovery being seen in Asia Pacific, Worldline, the fourth largest payments company in the world and number one in Europe, wants to expand its footprint in the region.
At its Rise T [...]
Uncovering future opportunities in red ocean and soft power of Japan
From digital collaboration to new desires of travellers, travel brands seize new growth in Japan
The first thing you notice when you land at Haneda airport is how busy it is – from immigration to customs to the taxi rank – despite it being almost 10pm. I think I waited almost an hour for a tax [...]
Letter from Tokyo: A date with destiny in a place called Kabukicho
From Godzilla to Indiana Jones, ancient theatres to art-themed hotels, to embracing change and the human imagination, Yeoh Siew Hoon finds it all here.
Outside HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, where I am staying on the 36th floor, is Toho Cinemas where a huge replica of Godzilla looks like it’s trying to [...]
Staying abreast of startups even more critical in corporate travel now
“I come to events to shop”: BCD’s Miriam Moscovici
Miriam Moscovici, vice president of research and partnerships for BCD Travel, is a big believer in staying abreast of startups, which is why she is a frequent attendee of conferences such as Phocuswright and WiT.
“This is where you l [...]
