72% of APAC rail bookings now happen online | Report
Car rental lags behind at 47%, but OTAs and AI are closing the gap fast across Asia's ground transport market
Rail is crushing it online in APAC with 72% of gross bookings going digital in 2025, and state-owned operators are keeping most of that traffic in-house through their own apps rather than h [...]
Asia-Pacific travel boosted by visa-free travel, mega rail projects, and new connectivity
According to Rome2Rio’s 2026 Travel & Mobility Trends report, Asia-Pacific is set to be one of the most dynamic travel regions in 2026, driven by easier entry, major transport upgrades and a clear shift in how travellers choose to move. Visa liberalisation and reopened borders are unlocking hu [...]
Alipay+ and Grab make ride hailing available to global digital wallet users
Alipay+ and Grab are deepening their partnership so travellers visiting Southeast Asia can access mobility services directly within their home e-wallets.
Alipay+, Ant International’s global wallet gateway, and Grab, one of Southeast Asia’s leading superapps, have announced the integration of Gr [...]
flyadeal joins AlFursan. Agoda’s 20th sale success. Dynamic pricing is in. QiYouJi, TA Network go luxe B2B. More.
flyadeal takes off with AlFursan
Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier flyadeal has officially joined AlFursan, the loyalty programme of its sister airline Saudia, offering members more flexibility to earn and redeem miles across a growing network of domestic and international destinations. Announced a [...]
‘Alternate accommodations’ category on steroids as India OTA market poised for 17.5% CAGR
Except for rail, OTAs dominate all major travel segments - air, hotels, and intercity buses - accounting for over 70% of online Gross Booking Value (GBV)
In FY24, India's Online Travel Agency (OTA) market is estimated at $14.5 billion (₹1,20,000 crores), representing nearly two-thirds of the coun [...]
Future Lanes Ep 1: A Founder’s Journey | How Meili is disrupting car rental and rewriting travel tech
“Future Lanes” is a special WiT Podcast series powered by Meili, a tech company that is rewriting the rules of ancillary distribution. The series, covering six episodes, is all about getting direct – cutting through the noise with unfiltered conversations on what’s shaping the next decade of [...]
Ixigo’s “Love Train” To Success: Cracking The Code in the Indian Travel Market
A 20-year “overnight success” story
In the song “Love Train”, The O’Jays called on “people all over the world, everybody, join hands, start a love train, love train”.
Well, if Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, Managing Director and Group CEO, ixigo, had his way, he’d want all of us to ge [...]
Tech vs bed bugs. Rail Europe expansion on track. Plain sailing with SITA. More
Tech takes on bed bugs
Helsinki-based Valpas, which claims to be the only travel platform for bed bug safe and non-toxic stays, is tackling an itchy problem for hotels and their guests.
The company has unveiled plans to grow the number of beds in hotels using the Valpas ‘hospitality standard� [...]
Rail vs Air. The failing debate
In recent years, there's been an increasingly popular belief that rail could replace air travel, particularly for short journeys under 500 kilometers (or roughly 300 miles). With growing concerns over environmental sustainability and the push for greener alternatives, rail appears to be the perfect [...]
Sabre adds protection. MSC Cruises’ mission with emissions. Garuda offers SmartRyde.
Sabre bonds with Protect Group
Sabre says a long-term partnership with Protect Group, a provider of trip protection and guarantee services, will provide hotel guests with increased peace of mind when booking their stays.
Hotels using SynXis Booking Engine can offer Protect Group's trip protectio [...]
