6 trends in tours and activities to watch in 2019
Solo travel, pop culture influence and the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) effect are among the six driving factors in tours and activities for next year, reveals Hong Kong-based leading travel activities and services booking platform Klook.
The predictions are based on data from Klook’s 2019 trave [...]
The Wrap: AirAsia broadens digital footprint with transfer of non-airline assets to venture arm
In the news: Changes are in the air as a new year approaches with many travel companies and airlines, like AirAsia and Singapore Airlines, setting their sights to be more digital focused, while others seek partnership (Ctrip with Plug and Play) to bring innovations to the travel industy.
A [...]
How Expedia Group is building diversity through Leading 4 Change
As Expedia Group globalises, with a third of its business now coming from outside the US, the company recognises the need for a more diverse workforce. Melissa Maher, senior vice president and innovation at Expedia Group, is responsible for the “Leading 4 Change” programme which includes drivin [...]
Curious about diversity in 2019? Me too
My first encounter with the author, Ursula K Le Guin, was through “The Left Hand Of Darkness” which I read, growing up in Penang, Malaysia. In a society where one was defined by not only gender but also race, my imagination was fired by her portrayal of a world without gender where one accepted [...]
Reflections of 2018 and Predictions for 2019, Part 2
As we come to the close of 2018, we asked some of our industry peers to give us their take on the year that's passed and to stare into the crystal ball and make predictions about the one ahead. Read on to see what travel trends they find most exciting (and boring), what they predict the biggest gam [...]
The Wrap: Malaysia Airlines rebrands its First Class cabin as Business Suite
In the news: Airlines are continually upgrading their services or using technology solutions to improve efficiency and productivity, as well as “to enhance the traveller experience”, the often used phrase in the travel sector. Latest to introduce such measures are Malaysia Airlines, Singapore A [...]
Letter from Las Vegas: Travel will soar and new tech will rule but keep love and instinct close
“Want a night out with sluts?” solicited a tout on the strip, as a group of men walked past. Getting no interest, he changed his tack. “We have bible studies too.”
Welcome to Las Vegas, a place for every taste and desire. You want it, you will find it. I wanted Korean food. I got it in C [...]
AirAsia’s low cost carrier JV in Vietnam set to take flight in 2019
AirAsia will soon have “the final piece of the puzzle” to complete its ASEAN connectivity when the AirAsia Vietnam JV starts operations, reportedly in the second half of 2019
Having set up affiliates in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in addition to its home base of Malaysia, Vietnam [...]
Skyscanner reports growing appetite for new destinations, novel experiences and comfier journeys in APAC
The annual Skyscanner Travel Trends Report APAC 2018, covering eight markets – Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand – peels back the layers on customer preferences as travel becomes more accessible to a rapidly growing middle class.
Said Paul [...]
$4b-plus deal puts Travelport back in private hands
Following weeks of market talk and amid cuts made in the company, Travelport is to be acquired by affiliates of Siris Capital Group, LLC and Evergreen Coast Capital Corp. in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion.
The transaction, expected to close second quarter [...]
