Distribution
WIT Specials: Airbnb reimagines a new breed of OTA with its venture into Trips
02/03/2017 by WiT
Even as regulations are being placed on alternative accommodation around the world, Airbnb is entering a second travel vertical – tours and activities – with its November 2016 launch of Trips. And as with the accommodation space, it raises many questions – what kind of impact will it have o [...]
AirAsia Foundation plans Destination Good marketplace through its support of social enterprises
27/02/2017 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
It all started with her involvement in the rebuilding of Banda Aceh after the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004 which killed 167,000 people and destroyed most of the Indonesian coastal city. Yap Mun Ching, then holding the role of strategic planner at AirAsia, said that the airline had bee [...]
ZUMATA wins Top New Business Partner at 2017 IBM Choice Awards
16/02/2017 by WiT
ZUMATA has just been awarded the title of Top New Business Partner, courtesy of the 2017 IBM Choice Awards. The Singapore-based travel technology company – which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to maximise sales from hotel bookings through predictive technology – was select [...]
The Wrap: Singapore tourism ends 2016 on a high note
16/02/2017 by WiT
In the news: Singapore Tourism Board 2016 Year-in-Review, Qantas’ to offer inflight WiFi streaming, Travelport’s expanded relationship with hutchgo.com and Avis Budget Group  DESTINATION: SINGAPORE TOURISM ENDS 2016 ON A HIGH NOTE The year 2016 was a good one for Singapore’s tourism s [...]
Priceline-Momondo deal raises question – will consolidation move to Asia with two major independents remaining?
08/02/2017 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
It is interesting to see this latest wave of consolidation in the travel metasearch space move to Europe with the announcement that the Priceline Group has signed an agreement to acquire UK and Denmark-based metasearch site Momondo Group for $550 million in cash. With this following on the heels [...]
Booking.com Booster launched: Supports startups dedicated to sustainable tourism
06/02/2017 by WiT
Booking.com has launched Booking.com Booster, its new accelerator programme that aims to identify, mentor and fund startups committed to sustainable tourism such as preserving cultural heritage and promoting tourism that supports local economies/communities. The new programme is an extension of B [...]
Majority of travellers use search engines when looking for travel inspiration
04/02/2017 by WiT
Travellers are turning to search engines when looking for hotels or information about destinations, with the majority turning to Google as their most common source of travel inspiration. Guest feedback platform TrustYou reveals 77% of travellers search for accommodation and/or locations, while 57 [...]
RedDoorz: Lessons on how to build a business on the ground, not on the portal
26/01/2017 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
The Chinese believe red is a lucky colour and it seems to be working in RedDoorz’ favour, although it’s also taken a lot of hard work to get to where it is. The startup that pivoted from a B2B tech player focused on India to becoming a new generation budget hotel chain focused on Indonesia is [...]
The Wrap: Where travellers are going to spend the Lunar New Year
25/01/2017 by WiT
In the news: Sojern's data on travel trends for the festive season, Marriott’s first pop-up innovation lab, Emirates' fares on Sabre Travel Marketplace MARKET INTELLIGENCE: WHERE TRAVELLERS ARE GOING TO SPEND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR The forecast of a global economic slowdown and geopolitical [...]
Reflections on 2016 and Predictions for 2017 (Part III)
13/01/2017 by WiT
It’s that time of the year when we ask industry leaders for their thoughts on what happened in 2016 and what they forsee will happen in the new year. Here’s Part 3.    Guillaume De Marcillac, Co-CEO, FASTBOOKING 3 Top Things That Happened and That Mattered in 2016 1. Is bigger [...]