Rapid surge in chargebacks poses challenges for travel companies, reveals Outpayce study
Perceived difficulties in obtaining refunds and increasing traveler awareness of ‘chargebacks’ driving 30% year-over-year growth
A recent study conducted by Outpayce has shed light on the significant rise in chargebacks faced by travel companies, signaling a growing concern within t [...]
Letter From Langkawi: Luster Lost, Paradise Found
The last time I was in Langkawi, it was for a year-end trip with fifty friends and (ex) colleagues from a previous company. We wined and dined, soaked in the sun, and celebrated a good financial year for the brand. We partied. The holidays were upon us and the new year seemed pretty exciting.
Goo [...]
Northstar Travel Group launches The Meetings Show Asia Pacific in 2024, hosted in Singapore
"There was an opportunity to bring our world class experiences to the Asia Pacific meetings market under the established and successful brand of The Meetings Show.”
Northstar Travel Group, the leading B-to-B information, events and marketing solutions company in the travel industry, announces the [...]
utu tackles tax-free shopping with US$33 million deal, acquires fintech startup CardsPal
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel industry is projected to reach US$9.5 trillion in 2023, representing 95% of the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Despite this rebound, McKinsey reports that only about 1% of venture funding over the past 15 years has been allocated to the trave [...]
Finland’s phone-free island. Risk of greenwashing. Shiji’s frictionless payments, and more.
Tourist island declares itself phone free
Finland’s Ulko-Tammio tourist island is going phone-free this summer.
Those travelling to the island, located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, will be encouraged to switch off their smart devices, take a break from social media and enjoy n [...]
Klook taps into music tourism as official partner for Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’
The platform will also offer first-of-its-kind bundling to its users to facilitate Swift's highly anticipated return to Singapore.
Klook, a key travel activity and experience booking platform, aims to tackle opportunities in the music tourism space by becoming the Official Experience Partner for Ta [...]
Airbnb calls for flexibility as Malaysia teases nationwide control, a first in Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur was Airbnb’s most visited city in South-East Asia last year, and one of the most searched destinations worldwide.
Malaysia is on the verge of becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to impose extensive restrictions on short-stay rentals, such as Airbnb, following the enforcement [...]
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
Generative AI has the power to supercharge maps and turn travel planning on its head, according to a report from Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH).
In its latest study, LIH says the integration of generative AI with map-based interfaces "not only has the capacity to augment our interactions with t [...]
Technekai Global Hospitality Tech Fund sets up in Asia
“Y Combinator of Hospitality” plans $100m fund
Technekai, a global hospitality tech fund based out of Silicon Valley, has set up office in Singapore and is looking to raise $100 million of funding to invest in and accelerate hospitality tech startups in Asia Pacific.
Heading the Technekai [...]
Almosafer and Klook unveil a digital marketplace for Tours and Experiences in Saudi Arabia
The new platform connects Saudi Arabia travellers to global platforms, starting with Klook
Almosafer, part of the Seera Group, has joined forces with Klook, a key travel and experiences platform in Asia, to launch Almosafer Activities. This joint venture introduces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's fir [...]
