PhocusWire Digest: Dominant OTAs and key developments, Xiaozhu in the chair
This week, we draw your attention to key stories from our sister publication PhocusWire.
OTA held accountable to change its ways – a win for consumers? A ruling from the Competition and Markets Authority in the U.K., coming after a leading academic institution in Europe made claims that large [...]
The Wrap: Qantas transforms distribution model with new private channel
In the news: Airlines are the focus for this week - Qantas' new distribution channel for travel agents, Condor’s planned expansion to Asia, Lufthansa’s biometric boarding in Miami
Airlines: Qantas transforms distribution model with new private channel
The Qantas Channel will help agents [...]
Where Asian travellers are spending the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year – this year honouring the Pig – arrives on February 5 and the celebrations will go on for at least a week for most Chinese. This is a time for reunions, feasting and just chilling with family and friends.
However, instead of staying home to celebrate there is a growing tr [...]
PhocusWire Digest: Digital marketing, automation and social media ethics
This week, we draw your attention to the best from our sister publication PhocusWire.
The current state of marketing automation in hospitality
Reading this useful condensed version of a paper exploring the current state of marketing automation in the hospitality industry is a good starting po [...]
Lufthansa opens digital innovation hub in Singapore: wants to be a “serious part of emerging ecosystem”
The Lufthansa Group’s Lufthansa Innovation Hub, established in 2014, has opened its first foreign office in Singapore and is planning a second in Shanghai this year “in response to the rapidly increasing importance of the Asian technology sector for the future of travel and mobility”.
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The Wrap: East Java is the focus of RedDoorz’s expansion in Indonesia
In the news: RedDoorz's growing portfolio in Indonesia, SIA’s new innovation lab, revival in Lombok tourism, Ctrip’s Phuket in-destination service centre
Hotels: East Java is the focus of RedDoorz’s expansion in Indonesia
Surabaya will see more RedDoorz properties. (Image credit: Danie [...]
AirAsia introduces chatbot AVA, gives mobile app and website a facelift
Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia on Monday unveiled a new digital assistant AVA (AirAsia Virtual Allstar) and a revamped mobile app and website.
Aireen Omar, the airline’s deputy group CEO (digital, transformation and corporate services), said at the launch the updates were designed w [...]
More outbound Chinese tourists embrace mobile payment, boosts spending, vitalises local businesses
With rising incomes and better living standards travelling abroad for many Chinese citizens is no longer a luxury and, according to statistics from China Tourism Academy, a record of 140 million outbound trips were made in 2018.
An increasing number of these travellers are adopting mobile paymen [...]
Consumer trends that will impact the hospitality industry
“The times they are a-changin” in the words of Bob Dylan best describe the changing needs and demands of travellers in today’s tech savvy world. Many companies are pivoting and adopting new technologies to keep in step with the 'always on, always on demand' consumers.
The hospitality indu [...]
Ctrip on its way to being the “strongest and the best company in the best industry”
If there was any doubt about Ctrip’s desire for world domination, well, there shouldn’t be any now.
During its annual meeting “Joining Hands for Success” in Shanghai, Ctrip’s co-founder and executive board chairman James Liang keynote speech which was peppered with superlatives, inclu [...]
