Reopening “exciting but terrifying” – Penang’s indie tourism businesses asking hard questions
“I HEARD some Singaporeans on the hill yesterday. I can’t tell you how happy I was.” “We had our first visitors from Singapore last weekend, they asked if we had durians.” “We are getting bookings from Singapore, we are so thrilled.” “The floodgates are opening, a bit overwhelming.� [...]
The Wrap: AirAsia’s new Super+ subscription plan, weak passenger demand for APAC airlines, RedDoorz’s Urbanview brand
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology sector – new partnerships, product launches, aviation industry updates, innovative solutions, and more …
airasia Super App introduces Super+ with unlimited flight redemption, free food delivery
In a timely move to coincide with [...]
Letter from Penang: Once you get there, it’s all worth it
It’s about the destination, not the journey – for now
YOU know the old adage we love in travel, about how “it’s about the journey, not the destination”? Well, in these days of Covid travel, when the journey has become so fraught with red tape, tests and protocols, it has definitely become [...]
Reopening gains momentum, but Asia travel still impeded by Covid restrictions
“Testing and quarantine major barriers to travel”, IATA reiterates
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it welcomes the increasing momentum towards re-opening of borders and relaxation of travel restrictions, as Covid-19 moves into the endemic phase.
An IATA survey of trav [...]
The Wrap: Joint STB-Agoda marketing campaign, Mayflower Holidays’ partnership with TA Network, Duetto’s revenue management survey
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology sector – new partnerships, product launches, aviation industry updates, innovative solutions, and more …
STB partners Agoda to ramp up tourism drive in South-east Asia
To drive visitors from South-east Asia to Singapore, the Singa [...]
The stars align for Phum Baitang – first Jolie, then Aok Sokunkanha
How a luxury resort in Siem Reap pivoted to the local market, helped by celebrity-dom, rice fields and water buffaloes
LIKE most resorts in South-east Asia, Phum Baitang (Green Village) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, had a record year in 2019 and was on track for another stellar performance the following [...]
Thailand’s tourism wants to bounce back — but first it has to ‘let it go’
Open up Thailand without restrictions or risk the country being left behind by competitors, say leading travel and hospitality figures.
IT was an unanimous call among Thailand's leading tourism industry figures: Let it go with Test & Go.
"Thailand is at a crossroads now. There's no choice [...]
Air passenger numbers to recover in 2024, says IATA
APAC the laggard in recovery, with China showing no signs of border relaxations
THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects overall traveller numbers to reach 4.0 billion in 2024 (counting multi-sector connecting trips as one passenger), exceeding pre-Covid-19 levels (103% of the 201 [...]
Klook wants to bring world of joy back to travellers
New brand timed with beginnings of recovery in South-east Asia as Klook steps up focus in region
KLOOK’s new branding, unveiled in Singapore today, is meant to bring joy back into the world through travel and experiences and co-founder and COO, Eric Gnock Fah, was certainly looking joyful when I [...]
Letter from Siem Reap: Jolie spotting, Khmer home lunch and elephant playtime
A return to quieter days and richer experiences
I FIRST visited Siem Reap circa 1995 when it had just opened to international tourism. Then, the best way to appreciate the scale and grandeur of the Angkor temples was by aerial view from a military helicopter because going by foot was still hazardou [...]
