Posts by Zubair Ashraf
Going ape over the new WIT
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
So while I disappeared into the virgin rainforests of Danum Valley in Sabah over the Easter weekend, the team at Spoon, WIT’s web agency, were busy trying to get the new WIT site up in time for today’s soft launch. It was quite an adventure. Danum, I mean. Well, the website too. But let me [...]
Welcome to a new kind of reading experience
13/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Let's face it. The way we read is changing, and it will no doubt be accelerated by the arrival of the much-talked-about iPad. Vera Lye shares a personal story of how she tackled OPEN, Andre Agassi's book.I’ve always enjoyed reading not just because I love stories and words – particularly how the [...]
Kiong: Stop steroids, challenge convention
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Last year was easy. Demand plunged, so hoteliers chopped rates. This year, it’s a mixed outlook with uneven patches of recovery. What’s a marketer to do? Yeoh Siew Hoon catches up with Banyan Tree’s marketing chief Arthur Kiong.Arthur Kiong, senior vice president and managing director of sales [...]
Phone, Play, Love, Fight
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Warning: This article is not an April Fool’s joke unlike the one titled “Match, Meet, Love” which we sent out on April 1. Incidentally, quite a few of you believed in the iPhone travel application we dreamt up – which perhaps proves that it is either possible or desired. One news organiza [...]
200,000 fans and more, AirAsia leads in social media
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
As AirAsia marks another milestone in its social media efforts, Kathleen Tan, the low cost airline's marketing chief, says huge commitment and internal resources are needed to manage the channel “or it may backfire” AirAsia charts another milestone in its efforts on the social media front w [...]
Banyan Tree’s XTC to make agents “virus-resistant”
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
At a time when more suppliers are wanting to go direct, Banyan Tree has launched its XTC programme which aims to make extraordinary travel consultants out of its top influencers by arming them with the knowledge and incentives to sell Banyan Tree to their clients.Under the programme, Banyan Tree i [...]
1000 Lonely Planet Ultimate Experiences on iPad
08/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Hot on the heels of the first sales of the Apple iPad, Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences App is now available.The 1000 Ultimate Experiences App allows iPad users to experience Lonely Planet’s top 1000 recommended experiences through beautiful images, ideo and insights from its leadin [...]
Stronger buyer programme for ITB Asia
07/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Messe Berlin (Singapore) has announced details of its enhanced hosted buyers’ programme for ITB Asia 2010. New filtering techniques are being introduced.The aim is to ensure that only high quality buyers will enter the pre-scheduled appointment system to meet exhibitors. ITB Asia takes place in Si [...]
Workshop to examine CSR and sustainability
07/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
ITB Berlin is taking the lead on the role of CSR and sustainability in the tourism supply chain and is endorsing a symposium taking place in November, called “Sustainability all along the line –CSR in tourism supply chains”.It is partnering GATE e.V in the two-day conference that will be held [...]
Frommer’s and NileGuide team up
07/04/2010 by Zubair Ashraf
Combining customized online trip planning functionality with their trusted travel guidebook content, Frommer’s and NileGuideannounced a major content and technology-sharing partnership this week.With the launch of the new “Itineraries” section on Frommers.com, users can now drag and drop cu [...]