Marketing
How AlUla is tackling seasonality and storytelling
28/05/2025 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
  “If you had told me a year ago that Banyan Tree and Habitas would be running 70-80% occupancy in April, I’d have laughed.” That was Melanie de Souza, Executive Director of Destination Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), reflecting on what she now sees as a turni [...]
What it takes to win in social: Be a pinball wizard, storyteller, experimenter
27/05/2025 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
“If you think you know your customers, think again.” That mic-drop moment came from Eason Zhang, TikTok’s Head of Strategic Apps, South-east Asia, during a spirited panel on how social media is redefining travel discovery, influence and commerce at the Preferred Global Conference 2025 in Sing [...]
Next-gen travel marketing is about Gen Z, sports tourism, and the future of advertising
16/05/2025 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
“What AI is going to do is make personalisation better. But because travel is such an experience, people are still going to want to see and feel a little bit more before they just book.” As technology evolves and younger generations assert their influence on the travel tech space, the world of [...]
Building an emotionally relevant marketing engine by balancing brand, budget and… aura?
08/05/2025 by Arvindh Yuvaraj
Vice President of Global Marketing Marcus Yong explains how Klook’s latest funding fuels AI-driven product innovation, integrated campaign metrics, and a global emotional branding push anchored by 'The Best You'. Is this Klook’s most ambitious project yet? Fresh off the back of a US$100 million [...]
Filip Filipov on why AI needs a higher purpose | Conversations On Turning 20
02/05/2025 by WiT
When you get to the ripe young age of 20, you’re bound to collect lots of stories – not only about the past but lessons for the future. As WiT marks its 20th year in 2025, we turn the spotlight on our community, our tribe pioneers and leaders, to tell their stories and share their views on th [...]
The shifting sands of social: From inspiration to action, from influence to selling
30/04/2025 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
At a time when travellers are booking trips based on TikTok trends and planning itineraries via AI, the intersection of social media and travel commerce has never been more dynamic or more challenging for brands. At Phocuswright WiT Middle East 2025, a panel of marketers, creators and platform [...]
Agoda invites hoteliers to join its milestone 20th birthday campaign
29/04/2025 by WiT
Accommodation providers will have opportunities to participate in a promotional event catered to millions of travellers   Celebrating 20 years of Agoda, the digital travel platform is inviting hoteliers and accommodation providers across the region to participate in a landmark 20th Birthday sal [...]
Global Hotel Alliance reports strong Q1 start buoyed by loyalty programme
25/04/2025 by WiT
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has reported strong first-quarter results for 2025, with continued double-digit gains across all key metrics. Robust returns and sustained momentum reflect the growing impact of its award-winning loyalty programme [...]
Rob Rosenstein on the crazy early days, cowboy stories and capital flow | Conversations On Turning 20
11/04/2025 by WiT
When you get to the ripe young age of 20, you’re bound to collect lots of stories – not only about the past but lessons for the future. As WiT marks its 20th year in 2025, we turn the spotlight on our community, our tribe pioneers and leaders, to tell their stories and share their views on th [...]
HolidayPirates Group grew mediated Total Transaction Value by 20% in 2024
10/04/2025 by WiT
The figures show that the group’s commercial strategy, based on social media and direct messaging channels is paying off, as its social media followers increased from thirteen to nearly seventeen million. The online travel marketplace based in Berlin achieved 477 million in mediated Total Transac [...]