The shifting sands of social: From inspiration to action, from influence to selling
At a time when travellers are booking trips based on TikTok trends and planning itineraries via AI, the intersection of social media and travel commerce has never been more dynamic or more challenging for brands.
At Phocuswright WiT Middle East 2025, a panel of marketers, creators and platform [...]
The future of travel: Zero-phase UI and IT employees reporting to HR
In a lively and sometimes irreverent panel at Phocuswright WiT Middle East in Dubai last week, hospitality and travel technology leaders debated how AI, automation, and invisible operations are reshaping the future of travel, payments, and the guest experience.
The session kicked off on a playful [...]
Fliggy’s tangible AI progress. Spanish govt supports Smartvel. AI uptake could be better. More.
One quarter of travel operators yet to implement AI
A new survey conducted ahead of the 2025 TravelTech Show in London reveals that AI remains the top investment priority for travel operators, with nearly two-thirds planning to boost their technology budgets over the next year. Among 94 surveyed Eu [...]
Asia’s full rebound meets AI revolution: Leapfrogging into the future
Twin forces will produce more use cases in tech innovation in region, says Trip's Schubert Lou
For Schubert Lou, Chief Executive Officer at Trip.com, 2025 marks a defining moment for the travel industry, driven by two forces: the full return of Asia, including China, and the rapid acceleration of a [...]
Catch-up Podcast: True power of AI. Alipay’s success in Malaysia. OTAs in UAE. Africa’s unique path.
We're trying something new with our weekly-ish podcast - we're outsourcing it to Artificial Intelligence. This is both an experiment and, if we're being honest, a convenient way to digest the top articles of the week from the WiT website into a nugget-of-a-podcast. We'll release a new episode every [...]
Don’t write off AI as hype: Once-in-a-generation transformation, says Chris Hemmeter
An existential threat to suppliers and golden time for startups
Yes, there is a lot of hype around AI right now and some of us may have become immune or even cynical about it but you'd be wise not to, warned Chris Hemmeter, managing director of Thayer Ventures.
Opening his talk on “Gen AI and [...]
Klook goes Gaga. AI regulates STRs. Singapore Airlines bans power banks. Sentosa x Weixin Pay. More.
Joe Tsai: AI, Open Source, and Chinese consumers
Alibaba Group Chairman Joe Tsai highlighted AI’s transformative potential during CNBC CONVERGE LIVE, emphasising its potential to boost productivity and create a $10 trillion market - larger than the entire tech sector. He underscored that the real [...]
Expedia and Emirates simplify. HotelPORT launches ReputationAI. Travel sites’ accessibility issues. More.
Emirates and Expedia Group 'go simple' with booking experiences
Emirates and Expedia Group have expanded their partnership by fully integrating Emirates’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) API into Expedia Group’s platforms. This direct connection allows travellers to access Emirates’ full ran [...]
iJapan. AI spending takes flight. Skyscanner DROPS savings. e-Arrival in South Korea.
Tokyo tops the list for biggest flight savings in Skyscanner’s new DROPS feature
Skyscanner has launched DROPS, a new app-exclusive feature that helps travellers find flights that have dropped in price by at least 20% compared to the past week. Scanning over 80 billion prices daily, the feature u [...]
TripGenie turns two, expands AI capabilities to enhance travel assistance
AI travel companion evolves from conversational tool to proactive travel problem-solver
Trip.com Group celebrated the second anniversary of its AI-powered travel companion, TripGenie, by launching two new features: the AI-driven Menu Assistant (released December 19, 2024) and the context-aware reva [...]
