Stop and stay in Doha: An invitation from Qatar to South Asia’s travellers
Qatar is eyeing visitors from South Asia, particularly from Malaysia and Singapore, on transit in its capital Doha to stay longer than just a few hours to enjoy what the country has to offer before moving on to their final destinations.
To achieve this goal Qatar National Tourism Council (Q [...]
Catching up with: PORTIER TECHNOLOGIES
Portier Technologies, a white-label hotel concierge product which provides its hotel clients customisation and that had previously participated in the WiT Startup Pitch, recently published a report that was its pudding proof, so to speak. After eight months of activity at Banyan Tree Samui that foc [...]
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 [...]
Social media strongly influences our accommodation choices, says Booking.com survey
A new report released by Booking.com analysing the influence of social media on our alternative accommodation choices, revealed that whether we like it or not, many of our booking decisions are made in relation to how we are perceived online.
The global study was conducted last August, surveying [...]
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 [...]
Travellers favour hotels, culture and cities, millennials can be swayed by a good deal: TripAdvisor survey
If you have been in the travel business for a good while, throw out what you know are norms for travellers because the new Millennial travelling community has set its own barometers.
One of the key findings in TripAdvisor’s most recent annual TripBarometer study shows a significant gap i [...]
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 [...]
