This was the news today – consolidation continues, money flows in, Huston exits
Proving that there’s never a dull moment in travel, while WIT Indonesia was happening inside the ballroom of Grand Nikko Bali yesterday, these things happened in the world outside.One, China’s HNA Group, which is on its path to building a global travel empire, buys Carlson Hotels Inc., owner of [...]
Tripfez raises US$750k seed Investment, to use funds for expansion
Tripfez, a Malaysia-based online travel agency and hotel review platform to provide Muslim travellers with a better travel experience, has raised US$750,000 seed round of financing.The round was led by Gobi Partners and Intres Capital (AXIATA Group), and followed by several angel investors in the tr [...]
Letter from Bali: It’s Indonesia’s time in the digital sun
It’s a full flight. The beginning of a long weekend for Singaporeans and Bali’s always a quick and good two-hour-flight escape for stressed out city folks.There are lots of Australians too on the flight, connecting via Changi which, to no one’s surprise, has just been named “best airport to [...]
Want to get your hotel distribution and marketing right? Here are nine habits you should pick up.
The inaugural WIT Hospitality conference took place in Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art Hotel ICON on March 22, 2016. The day brought forth far more than fresh insight, but it also acted as a platform for key players to fight their corner on key issues that riddle the travel and hospitality industry t [...]
Vacation rental software startup Lodgify raises US$1.6mil round
Barcelona-based vacation rental software startup, Lodgify, has raised €1.4 million (US$1.6 million) in a financing round led by Nauta Capital.Existing investors Chris Hitchen, HOWZAT Partners, and Roland Zeller also participated in the round.The new investment brings Lodgify's total funding to € [...]
The Wrap: Travellers’ choice of the 10 best islands in Asia
In the news: TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for islands, China Southern and Travelport extend cooperation, Wego app on Xiaomi smart devicesTravellers' choice of the 10 best islands in Asia Summer’s round the corner and it’s vacation time soon for schools in the ASEAN region – time for [...]
peakwork sets up APAC office in global distribution play
Following its announcement late last year that it was ready to expand internationally, peakwork is opening an office in Singapore, to be headed by Tony Marshall.Marshall, who was APAC head for Orbitz Partner Network, joins the Germany-based software specialist whose Player Hub technology is designed [...]
Good financial showing for AccorHotels in Q1
AccorHotels had a strong first quarter 2016 with revenue totalling €1,161 million, a 1.9% like-for-like increase year-on-year (-5.2% as reported).The company attributed the positive results to strong demand in the majority of the group's key markets particularly in the Mediterranean, Middle East, [...]
Relux uses new funds to expand inbound business on back of Abe’s ambitious targets
Loco Partners, which manages the members-only luxury hotels and ryokan booking site, Relux, will use the latest 500m yen (about US$4.5m) raised to expand its service for Japanese users as well as expand its inbound business for overseas visitors, signaling a step-up in the competition for inbound to [...]
Silent revolution taking place as villa bookings become more accessible to travel agents
Private accommodation has become the norm in travel, catering to travellers who demand a personalised service. One might even argue that in some respects, villas surpass hotels in comfort and in privacy. But there is one gaping difference between the hotel industry and villas: its technology.This is [...]
