Hospitality
Travel as a “memory industry” driven by tech advancements
08/07/2024 by D.J. Catron
The experts came together at Phocuswright Europe to talk about travel tech trends around the world, things like generative artificial intelligence, machine learning and the metaverse. So, it might have seemed jarring when one of the panelists on Center Stage defined travel in terms that evoke pho [...]
The impact of visa-free travel on ASEAN this summer, and how travel brands can capitalise
05/07/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
While visa-free access removes one barrier, other factors such as marketing efforts, infrastructure, and overall destination appeal are crucial in attracting tourists, says expert.   According to the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the recovery of international tourism fell short of expectat [...]
Singapore’s heritage champion honoured; Prime Minister says “better story telling” needed
03/07/2024 by WiT
Mrs Pamelia Lee (second left) flanked by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Melissa Ow, CEO of Singapore Tourism Board. With them is chairman of the STB, Olivier Lim. In accepting the Lifetime Achievement For Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award at the Singapore Tourism Awards last week, [...]
Wine was the lure; “hotels without strangers” is the vision for Howard Ho
02/07/2024 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
How Japan’s Section L uses tech and talent to create “fellowship among guests” at its apartment-hotels     When Howard Ho was 18 and deciding which university to apply to, he chose hotel school “because I learned that I could take a wines course and drink wine in class e [...]
Hassle-free airport security. Japan’s easy restaurant booking. Counting flamingos in Botswana. More.
28/06/2024 by Ian Jarrett
Airport security without the hassle The Airport Authority Hong Kong is introducing a smart security screening system at Hong Kong International Airport. The new system will be put into service across all terminals in phases from July. Passengers using the new smart security screening channels [...]
Possibilities and responsibilities of travel in the age of Generative AI
27/06/2024 by WiT
The WiT Japan & North Asia Travel Tech Thinktank 2024, sponsored by EY, explored the evolving role of AI and tech in travel. Building on the Global Travel Tech Thinktank in Singapore in October 2023, the Tokyo event gathered industry leaders to discuss AI's impact on talent, product innovation, [...]
Asians vacation-deprived and need to adopt a Boomer mindset, says new Expedia study
21/06/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Singapore 5th most vacation-deprived country globally while Japan’s utilisation of vacation days ranks lowest in the world Expedia has released the 24th edition of its global Vacation Deprivation study, revealing insights into the work-life balance of over 11,000 workers from the Asia-Pacific reg [...]
Google’s response to Digital Markets Act causes 20% drop in organic traffic for hotels
21/06/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
According to new data from D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) had promised to level the playing field for hotels in the digital marketplace, but its initial effects suggest otherwise.  The DMA is a recent legislation by the European Commission designed to limit the power [...]
Letter from Barcelona: Of prohibited works and the art of balancing local interests with tourism
20/06/2024 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
The day before I arrived in Barcelona, apparently thousands of Spanish had taken to the streets in the city as well as in the islands to protest against mass tourism and overcrowding. Reports said that “up to 3,000 young people marched in Barcelona on June 8, chanting “Tourists go home” and [...]
Corporate investments in travel and mobility remain robust amid decline in VC funding
21/06/2024 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
The latest "Travel and Mobility Tech Sector Attractiveness Report" from Lufthansa Innovation Hub provides an in-depth analysis of investment activity among 60 travel and mobility corporations from 2018 to 2023.  The report highlights noteworthy trends and investment priorities in aviation, groun [...]