Prince Hotels trades private label for Utell
Prince Hotels and Resorts of Japan has traded its private label chain code (PJ) for full-service representation with Utell® Hotels & Resorts under the UI chain code.The change for 11 Prince properties also includes a migration to Pegasus Solutions’ next-generation central reservations sy [...]
At five, Firefly’s all set to fly
On the eve of its fifth birthday in April, Firefly is quick to refute rumours that it is ceasing operations to make way for low-cost carrier AirAsia as part of the share-swap deal between the former and national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS) inked in August 2011."The only thing we rationalised [...]
ninemsn Travel launches new site, powered by Wego
ninemsn Travel in Australia has launched a re-conceptualised site in partnership with Wego travel search. The new home page (pictured left) features a dedicated travel search module and daily deals. Across the site, contextualised search widgets provide access to the hottest deals from industry [...]
February’s top travel websites – Australia, HK, Singapore
Here are the top travel websites in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore in February 2012, from data compiled by Experian Hitwise.A summary of how they performed. (See slideshow below for full details.)Australia• Webjet Australia website received the highest share of visits for the month of Febru [...]
Room Key the true path to the customer’s heart?
In 2001, Accor, Forte and Hilton International got together to launch andbook.com. It was supposed to be the hotel’s answer to reducing dependence on intermediaries, specifically OTAs which were then threatening to become juggernauts of distribution.The venture tanked. Some said it was because on [...]
The promise of Asia wrapped up in silk and low cost
As the Greek economic tragedy plays out (wait, will this have a happy ending?), and the US struggles with economic and foreign policies, all eyes are on Asia to deliver the promise of a better tomorrow for travel and tourism. Can Asia deliver? Yeoh Siew Hoon reports an ITB Berlin of blue skies.In H [...]
Truly Malaysian spirit fuels Holiday Villa’s growth
Holiday Villa Hotels and Resorts celebrated its 25th anniversary recently and, in the understated style of this company, the event was marked with a private “yee sang” (raw fish tossing) lunch for the media and a separate one for staff. "We just wanted to celebrate the milestone with our media [...]
Making Social Media An Asset To Your Hotel, Part 3: Sales & Marketing
[This is the third posting in our article series, Making Social Media an Asset for Your Hotel. The previous article is available here.]Marketing using social media requires a different discipline and expertise from traditional and online marketing. Just as radio ads don’t translate well to televi [...]
Survivor Wego prepares for next phase of growth under new CEO
In the world of travel start-ups, you could call Wego, the travel search website once named Bezurk, a survivor.Even the co-founders, Craig Hewett (left) and Ross Veitch, would admit they were too early. The market wasn’t ready, customers weren’t ready and perhaps even they who started it seven [...]
Carlson Wagonlit Travel turns in record year
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) reported a record performance in 2011. Sales volume grew by 15.2% to US$28.billion, compared to US$24.3 billion in 2010. The number of transactions, managed by CWT, increased by 7.2% year over year to reach 61.9 million.The company attributed its strong growth in 2011 [...]
