Gemini goes local: What Google’s first Southeast Asia AI report means for travel
Google’s first-ever Gemini Report: Southeast Asia 2026, released on July 14 alongside the local-language rollout of its new “Gemini Spark” agent, claims the chatbot has become the fastest-adopted Google product the region has ever seen – active users more than doubled between April 2025 and [...]
Smartvel’s AI accessibility tool. Almosafer’s ChatGPT app. Staynex acquires Sleap.io. Airbnb’s $10M community fund. More.
Fliggy and Alibaba's Qwen app expand AI travel integration to 80+ brand partners
Alibaba's travel platform Fliggy and its Qwen AI app have grown their joint travel integration initiative to over 80 brand partners after adding 30+ new names, including Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Hyatt Hotels, an [...]
WebBeds appoints Brett Henry as President – Asia Pacific
Highly respected travel industry executive and e-commerce innovator joins the company following a successful 25-year career with Abacus, Sabre and MG Group.
WebBeds is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Brett Henry as its new President – Asia Pacific. A highly respected travel executive [...]
From seats to sales: How ZIPAIR is rewriting airline retail
It began, as many bold travel stories do, at the worst possible time. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when skies were empty and demand had collapsed, a new airline quietly took off from Narita. Its first passenger flight carried just two people.
Most airlines would have been fighting for [...]
Decoding the ‘Africa Entry Genome’: Why the penguin is mightier than the lion
Africa is seen as the "last frontier" for the APAC traveller. We see the cinematic drone shots of the Serengeti and the luxury lodges that look like they belong in a film. But here’s the reality check: For the APAC traveller, interest isn't the problem- it's 'enterability'.
In partnership with [...]
Airbnb’s private car transfers. Digitising Macao tourism. HTS rebuilds Avion Rewards. Lumo’s flight disruption tools.
Macao, Alibaba, and Sands China to drive tourist spending through AI and digital mapping tools
Macao's Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Alibaba's navigation app Amap, and Sands China have signed a tripartite cooperation agreement to digitise the city's tourism ecosystem. The centerpiece is a "flyi [...]
First WiT “Travel Tech Thursdays” to put spotlight on AI and ASEAN
Continuing on the momentum built from its series of “Travel Tech Thursdays” in Malaysia last year, WiT (Web in Travel) and My Indie World will return with a fresh roster of quarterly events, in partnership with AirAsia MOVE.
The first event of the new season will kick off on April 23 with the t [...]
Asia-Pacific air passenger demand grows 8.6%
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2026 global passenger demand with the following highlights:
Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), was up 6.1% compared to February 2025. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers ( [...]
WTM Africa 2026 unveils its most ambitious programme yet – and there are just two weeks left to register
With just two weeks to go before the start of the event, WTM Africa 2026 is calling on travel and tourism professionals across the continent and beyond to secure their place at this year’s show. Three days, 70+ sessions, and the full breadth of African tourism’s most pressing conversations, live [...]
India’s outbound travellers spent $75 million on global hotel stays in 2025
Global Hotel Alliance and The Leela Places, Hotels and Resorts spotlight India's rising global travel potential as Indian guests spend more at home and abroad
Indian travellers are staying and spending more both at home and abroad, reinforcing India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-grow [...]
