Distribution
Peach urges travel lovers to share…info, that is
20/02/2019 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Peach has devised another way for travel lovers to share travel tips and notes with one another. “tabinoco”, which in fact means travel lovers, is based on the concept of “a notebook for little travel notes” where, through social media, travellers can share and use unique information thr [...]
WiT Indie returns to Penang in March with stellar cast of travel experts to boost independent businesses in Asia
20/02/2019 by WiT
Following its debut success in 2018, WiT Indie returns to Penang on March 15 with a strengthened focus on tours and activities, startups, creative and independents. As travellers become more independent and adventurous, they do most, if not all, of their travel planning and research online, acti [...]
Lunar New Year sends Chinese tourists worldwide on spending spree; mobile payments experiencing “vigorous growth”
20/02/2019 by WiT
Chinese tourists spent generously throughout the world as they took the opportunity during the recent Lunar New Year holidays to travel.  Alipay tracked overseas spending and mobile payment behaviours of Chinese consumers during the 2019 holiday period from 4 – 10 February over 5 [...]
Best Western gains foothold in luxury segment with purchase of WorldHotels
19/02/2019 by WiT
Best Western Hotels & Resorts is adding luxury to its portfolio with the acquisition of Frankfurt-based WorldHotels. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. This is the second change in ownership for WorldHotels. It was bought by US based hospitality sales and marketing conso [...]
HolidayMe expands to South-east Asia through merger with Tripfez
19/02/2019 by WiT
Dubai-based online travel platform HolidayMe is expanding its footprint to South-east Asia through its merger with Muslim travel site, Tripfez. The deal, which involved a share swap and undisclosed terms, will see the Malaysia-based startup merged with HolidayMe. CEO Geet Bhalla, who started [...]
D-EDGE brings combined strengths to grow business as Grob predicts a looming price war over net rates in Asia
18/02/2019 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions, the new brand borne out of the merger between Availpro and Fastbooking, will step up its expansion activities in Asia as well as Europe, confident in the knowledge that its new integrated offering combining the complementary strengths of both brands will stand it in go [...]
Startup Spotlight: Smartvel makes selling destination content easier
19/02/2019 by WiT
As part of the WiT Startup Spotlight series, we go to Madrid this week to speak to Smartvel, which was launched in 2013 with the idea of providing destination content to travel brands to help them enhance their sales. In total, it's raised £3 million and is looking to expand globally. Describe [...]
Dubai International rebrands to transform into lifestyle destination
18/02/2019 by WiT
Dubai International (DXB), the world busiest airport for international passenger, has seen an annual average growth rate of more than 13% with 2018 traffic surpassing 89.1 million. Last December it achieved a milestone when it welcomed its billionth customer. The airport's good connectivity to m [...]
Tours & activities: continued growth, walking and eco tours top
15/02/2019 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
The tours and activities space has been watched closely in the last few years, tapped as a promising revenue generator for the travel industry. Phocuswright’s Tours & Activities Come of Age: The Global Travel Activities 2014-2020 Report had pegged the tours and activities marketplace to reach [...]
The Wrap: 2018 – A year of flying high for airlines
13/02/2019 by WiT
In the news: Airlines in focus this week with the aviation industry reporting a good 2018, Malaysia Airlines launching its pilgrim-centric service for umrah and hajj, and easyJet offering 3D AR hand luggage scanning for passengers. Aviation: 2018 – A year of flying high for airlines Strong [...]