The Next Billion is coming: are you ready?
The statements are now motherhood ones: Asia is the next big thing, its growth is unstoppable, the online market is exploding.
But why is it that each time you see the numbers, read the analyst reports, a jolt of electricity still goes through your brain? Perhaps because the numbers are st [...]
The Wrap: HomeToGo buys Tripping.com, its largest US competitor
In the news: HomeToGo’s purchase of Tripping.com, record year for Japan’s tourism, launch of Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme
Vacation rentals: HomeToGo buys Tripping.com, its largest US competitor
Tripping has more than 10 million properties listed on its site.
Berlin-based HomeToGo, [...]
Chinese tourists are flocking to islands. Here’s why
Due to rapid urbanisation in China the conception of leisure for many Chinese is escaping to an island, leading to a growing demand for island vacations. Although China has a long coastline it is not dotted with beaches, and the rare ones are often overcrowded during holiday seasons; so many travel [...]
The Wrap: De Schepper joins Amadeus to take charge of online travel and APAC region
In the news: New role at Amadeus for Mieke De Schepper, Klook and Italy’s CoopCulture team up, holiday quickies from AirAsia
People: De Schepper joins Amadeus to take charge of online travel and APAC region
De Schepper to lead online travel for Amadeus
Amadeus has appointed Mieke De Sch [...]
How to feel “At Home Around The World” and how to protect that experience: New book sheds light on short-term rentals
Robert Rosenstein, co-founder and chairman, Agoda and Peter Allen, managing director of Agoda Outside, have co-authored a book, “At Home Around The World”. Positioned as “the short-term rentals handbook for guests, hosts, neighbours and governments”, the book addresses the world of alternat [...]
The Wrap: AirAsia abolishes ‘klia2 fee’ for flights out of Kuala Lumpur
In the news: Airlines in focus with AirAsia removing a passenger fee to maintain its low fare stance while Indonesia’s Lion Air is charging for checked baggage, and a ‘young’ Cambodia Airways is looking to expand its network through partnership.
Airlines: AirAsia abolishes 'klia2 fe [...]
2019 – the bridge to something new. Will it be fat years, winter or a fundamental cultural shift?
In his interview on BBC’s World Book Club last month, Chinese author Chan Koonchung spoke about “the importance of the year ending with a 9”.
“Next year (2019) is an important year because 1949 was the beginning of the People’s Republic so it’s the 70th anniversary and we have other [...]
What Singaporeans want from a holiday home rental
What do Singaporean travellers look for when renting holiday accommodation? It seems they want a ‘home away from home’ judging from their choice of the top three amenities in a rental – kitchen, air-conditioning and WiFi access.
A washing machine and being kid-friendly wrapped up the trave [...]
Defiance by design and the big themes for 2019. Happy new year
After a year of intense travelling, it seems fitting to end my letters with a missive from my home island of Penang. If there’s one place that has been transformed by travel, this is it.
In my lifetime, I’ve seen it go through what I call the three ages of tourism – the first wave, that of [...]
6 trends in tours and activities to watch in 2019
Solo travel, pop culture influence and the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) effect are among the six driving factors in tours and activities for next year, reveals Hong Kong-based leading travel activities and services booking platform Klook.
The predictions are based on data from Klook’s 2019 trave [...]
