Posts by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Gin, hidden gems and rewards – Singapore wants travellers to go off the beaten track
09/03/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
SingapoRewards platform, built by GlobalTix, simplifies redemption While Hong Kong chose to give away 500,000 free air tickets and Taiwan opted for cash incentives of NT$5,000 ($165) each to 500,000 tourists to generate demand for their destinations, Singapore is choosing to reward them with “hid [...]
Letter from Berlin: It’s a marvel – in “The Blip” of an eye, travel is reunited
08/03/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
From warnings of climate change and war to celebration in the halls, first ITB Berlin in four years packs it all in Stuck in traffic amid a light dusting of snow, I gaze up at the familiar walls of Messe Berlin. A big sign proclaims, “Welcome back, world”. Another smaller sign, with arrows poin [...]
Behind Bonza’s app-only strategy and Flyadeal’s 100% digital approach at home
07/03/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
From HK Express to Northern Pacific Airways, low-cost airlines plan their way forward THERE are some advantages to starting an airline after a pandemic and one of that is the ability to start with a blank slate, which is why Bonza, the new Australian domestic airline went fully mobile – which me [...]
In the wink of an eye, tech brings Van Gogh back to life for the masses
02/03/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
As I was “immersing” myself in the Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Resorts World Sentosa this week, I couldn’t help but wonder, what would the artist think of his work being turned into an almost-theme-park-like experience, complete with a Virtual Reality tour of his world? Would he g [...]
Data, AI and people love travel more: Why Tony Fernandes is bullish about building his digital business
01/03/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
“If you don’t use AI, you will regret it” He’s down but not out. He’s been battered and bruised but not knocked out. He’s cried but he’s a fighter. He’s survived the worst crisis to hit his 21-year-old airline business and now he’s determined to build a mobility business for the f [...]
Offices, from Disneyland to ghost towns – will they ever be the same again?
24/02/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Having not worked in an office for two decades and more, a visit to one, for me, used to be like a visit to Disneyland. I’d gape and gawk at the cool spaces, quirky pods and booths for meetings and calls, even snooze corners and always, always, the pantry which by 2019 had blossomed into full-blow [...]
APAC key to Expedia’s global growth, destinations shift to urban, B2B focus in South-east Asia
24/02/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Dykes to “farm” SEA for deeper partnerships to drive membership programme Increasing loyalty members and app users and doubling down on its B2B will be the key thrusts of Expedia’s strategy in Asia Pacific as it rebuilds its business in the region post-pandemic. Specifically in South-east [...]
SIA, Tourism Australia in love match to promote incentives down under
21/02/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
You could call it a partnership forged in love – love for travel, for business events and for two destinations that are co-joined by their history and future. One needs the other to thrive. And it was sealed on February 4, Valentine's Day, at a media and industry event. The gift exchange betw [...]
Travel allows you to do whatever makes your heart sing
17/02/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
That’s why travel brands are dancing all the way to the bank In a clear sign that travel is back, I’ve been getting a lot of visitors lately and it’s such a pleasure to be playing tour guide again at home instead of having to play domestic tourist as we all had to do these past couple of ye [...]
Jigger ready to take on jumbo task of connectivity and integration in tours, activities and attractions
15/02/2023 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Go City’s Abendano on lessons learnt in Singapore and solving localisation pain points He was nearly named Jumbo because he was an 11-pound baby. But thankfully, because his father was at a bar, having whiskey with friends, while he was entering the world, his parents decided to name him Jigger ( [...]