Welcome to the blue ocean of cruising in Asia, massive market yet to be disrupted
Last week, I took a dip into the blue ocean of cruising – and it really is a blue ocean. Firstly, according to CLIA (Cruising Lines International Association), Asians are discovering cruising in a big way – for the first time, the number of cruisers in Asia crossed the four million mark (4,052,0 [...]
Amadeus completes acquisition of US-based Travelclick
Amadeus has completed the acquisition of TravelClick, which it agreed to buy from private equity firm Thoma Bravo for US$1.52 billion in August.
Thoma Bravo purchased TravelClick in 2014 from venture capital firm Genstar for US$930 million
TravelClick, based in New York City, provides cloud- [...]
Want to know what your funds did for kids in the Philippines in 2017? Watch the video
Over the last 10 years, the WiT For Good initiative, held in conjunction with the WIT Singapore conference, has raised about US$500,000 for the betterment of women and children in emerging Asia.
It started out as a small idea back in 2008 when we visited the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital in [...]
Sabre launches airline platform to help carriers reimagine retailing
Sabre has rolled out its Digital Airline Commercial Platform (DACP), enlisting Aeroflot, Ethiopian Airlines and Etihad Airways as launch partners.
Announced in April this year at its Technology Exchange in Dallas, the platform was developed for airlines to help them maximise revenue streams and t [...]
The Wrap: Airlines, airports are investing in biometrics to deliver secure and easy travel
In the news: SITA’s report on IT in air transport highlighting the aviation industry’s investments in biometrics, Travelport's new managing director for Asia, more partnership in the airline and distribution sectors.
Travel Technology: Airlines, airports are investing in biometrics to delive [...]
Through The Looking Glass: Using blockchain and fin tech to elevate the next billion users in emerging markets
In our continuing series of articles around our WIT Singapore Conference theme of “Through The Looking Glass”, where we look outside travel in search of different stories and lessons, we look at how a new startup is aiming to use blockchain and fintech to address the base of the pyramid in emerg [...]
How does your hotel stack up in guest experience? Find out in this new report
Guest personalisation and value-driven service are among the top priorities among hotels to drive up occupancy, as well as to keep their guests coming back. Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in giving travellers a better experience, reveals the 2018 Guest Experience Assessmen [...]
The Wrap: Malaysia Airlines pilots Amadeus chatbot for flight bookings
In the news: Partnerships make the world of technology and travel go round, and not a day goes by without some deals made. We highlight a few inked this week that led to the ‘birth’ of (yet) another airline chatbot, the introduction of mobile tickets for sightseeing tours and the presentation of [...]
Bleisure and sharing services growing in popularity among APAC business travellers, reveals research
Business travel is on the rise. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, an estimated US$1.2 trillion was spent on this segment around the world in 2016, nearly one quarter (23%) of total travel & tourism spending. It notes that business travel within Asia is growing at twice the pace [...]
Flight Centre buys Umapped to fast-track digital transformation
Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group has acquired Umapped, a Toronto-based technology company that provides travel documentation, communication and itinerary management software to the travel industry.
Flight Centre will take 100% ownership of Umapped and will use general cash to fund the a [...]
