Letter from Tokyo: Subtle changes speak of a deeper shift
For the last eight years, I’ve been visiting Tokyo pretty regularly – more so after visa restrictions for Malaysians (and the rest of South-east Asia) were lifted a couple of years ago. But it’s only this year that I am noticing discernible changes in the visitor experience for foreigners.
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The rise of mobile messaging and its impact on travel planning
Mobile messaging has seen a remarkable growth, and shows no sign of letting up anytime soon. Apart from the widespread use of traditional SMS or text messaging, Internet-based mobile chat apps have become the default means of communication for billions around the world.
Phocuswright in its [...]
Distribution becomes top of mind for hotel investors
This is a guest post by Patrick Bosworth, CEO of Duetto, a San Francisco-based revenue strategy technology company.
Revenue management and distribution matters used to be discussed in small groups within the silos of small departments. These days, however, distribution and revenue management [...]
Letter from Macau: Will they still come? Taking a bet on the future
My first impression on entering Macau after two years away is it’s still being built – it was exactly the same impression I had from the last visit as well. The airport is being built, Cotai Strip is still being built, there are cranes everywhere and you wonder how in a small place like this for [...]
The Wrap: HRS expands hotel portfolio with investment in The Lido Group
In the news: HRS’ investment in The Lido Group, profitable 2015 for APAC carriers, Park Hotel’s first hotel in Malaysia
HRS expands hotel portfolio with investment in The Lido Group
Global hotel solutions provider HRS extended its reach into the Australia market with investment in The [...]
Singapore travellers have large appetite for overseas vacations
The slowing of the Singapore economy in 2015 did not reduce the number of travellers from the island republic holidaying overseas, revealed a survey by Chubb Travel Insurance.
The survey on travel leisure trends in Singapore was conducted from November to December last year with participation fr [...]
Why we should all fear Google: Open letter from Axel Springer to Eric Schmidt
An open letter to Eric Schmidt from Mathias Döpfner (While his comments are specific to Europe they are also relevant to Asia where the only market Google is not dominant is China and, in particular, travel as it rolls out its plans to get deeper into the sector.)
Dear Eric Schmid [...]
Fancy staying a night at the Eiffel Tower?
Eiffel Tower is a “must-visit” attraction for almost all visitors to Paris. Now you can spend a night there, courtesy of HomeAway.
The vacation rental service is giving away the chance to four contestants to sleep over at the Eiffel Tower in a competition as part of its sponsorship of this su [...]
Dreamers may still win the day in online travel as brands go “upper funnel”
Ten years ago, we struggled to get the word “inspiration” mentioned at online travel conferences. Everyone was more interested in clicks, conversions and transactions.
I remember a debate we had at the WIT Conference over “Inspiration vs Transaction” and the dreamers among us voted with o [...]
The Wrap: What Singapore travellers want when flying
In the news: Expedia Sky Conduct Report, Carlson Rezido’s acquisition of India’s Country Inns & Suites, Sabre and AWS Cloud
What Singapore travellers want when flying
Comfort, sleep and staying hydrated during their journey are what Singapore flyers value, reveals findings from Ex [...]
