The truth about hotel rate parity
Many travellers do not really understand the roles of online travel agents (OTAs), travel search sites and suppliers, says travel search site Wego. Many are also confused as to who has, and how to find the best value hotel rates online. Craig Hewett, Wego co-founder, explains what hotel rate parity [...]
AccorHotels sees jump in direct bookings thanks to Chinese website
One year after revamping its accorhotels.cn Chinese-language website, and proving the power of the Chinese market, AccorHotels has seen a 53% increase in direct bookings revenue across its Asia Pacific network and an increase of 93% for China hotels year on year between July 2014 through June 2015.* [...]
Middle East online bookings set to surge
The Middle Eastern travel market is poised for major growth in the next few years, according to new research from travel industry research authority Phocuswright.As Internet penetration increases, so does the population of young adults ready to travel and as the region's technology infrastructure im [...]
Priceline Group and its plans to cast its integrated web over China
This is a guest article by Ritesh Gupta, a reporter for ChinaTravelNews.It was almost a decade ago when The Priceline Group’s Glenn D. Fogel (Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning) spoke to me in Shanghai about the timing of making of a foray in the Chinese market.Fogel said, “While early par [...]
The Wrap: Hilton and Uber ride together in a new partnership
In the news: More new partnerships formed with Hilton and Uber going to bed together and Shijie99 teaming up with Amadeus, while Skyscanner discloses cheapest month to travelHilton and Uber ride together in a new partnershipHilton Worldwide, as part of its efforts to streamline the travel experience [...]
WIT Start-Up Pitch: Kaligo wants to solve the loyalty gap in OTAs
Feel you're not being rewarded properly when you book your hotel room? One OTA is trying to address that. Kyle Armstrong, CEO & co-founder of Kaligo, tells WIT their plan.Q: Describe the business, core products and services in one paragraphKaligo.com is an online booking platform that rewards cu [...]
How to go beyond being a “digital vampire”: Take some tips from The Who’s Townshend
In his John Peel Lecture of 2011, Pete Townshend of The Who called iTunes a “digital vampire”, saying it was bleeding artists with its enormous 30% commission.He then went on to give some tips as to how iTunes could create a better world for all – unearth new, good music through editorial guid [...]
The Wrap: Sabre reveals seven trends in APAC corporate travel management
In the news: Seven trends in corporate travel management, Myanmar National Airlines’ partnership with Amadeus, LUXE Concierge - a new digital subscription serviceSabre reveals seven trends in APAC corporate travel managementSabre Corporation has identified seven trends emerging within the Asia Pac [...]
How Red Planet intends to conquer the value hotel sector with technology
“Give customers more of what they want, and less of what they don’t”. That’s the mantra of Bangkok-based Red Planet Hotels, which aims to redefine the value hotel experience in Asia. WIT speaks to Tim Hansing, Chief Executive Officer, Red Planet Hotels, about the technology-driven opportunit [...]
Korea’s MyRealTrip gets new funds to step up global expansion
WIT Japan Start-Up Pitch winner of 2014, MyRealTrip, a Korea-based start-up specialising in tour & activities, has received an undisclosed amount of investment from Silicon Valley’s Altos Ventures to accelerate its global expansion. The company, started in 2012, raised KRW1 billion (approx US$ [...]
