Mobile
The Millennial Traveller: Google Travel and the ‘Man Behind the Curtain’
02/11/2016 by WiT
All eyes were locked on Eric Zimmerman, director of Google Travel, when he commanded the stage at the WIT Conference 2016 in Singapore last week. But this wasn’t the same sort of attention usually paid to other speakers. An air of intrigue, anger and even a touch of intimidation floated in the roo [...]
Future is in generic apps and WeChat is paving way for Western world, says KLM’s Pieter Elbers
01/11/2016 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
For an airline that’s celebrating its 97th birthday, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has done a pretty good job of innovating in the digital space. It was the first airline to start using Facebook Messenger to communicate with its customers. It’s been active on social media – its Lost and Found vi [...]
The Wrap: Finland enlists the help of Travelport to boost Asian tourist arrivals
27/10/2016 by WiT
The weekly news roundup: Visit Finland’s partnership with Travelport, Sabre’s new Traveler Experience Platform, more perks for Malaysia Airlines loyalty programme members  DESTINATIONS: Finland enlists the help of Travelport to boost Asian tourist arrivals Finland is looking to Asia f [...]
Letter from Nikoi: Nine lessons from 12 years of WIT
24/10/2016 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
I am lying on the beach in Nikoi Island, a private island retreat, off Bintan, Indonesia. This island in the Riau Archipelago was developed by former Australian banker Andrew Dixon and his partners into a back-to-nature resort for stressed out urbanites looking to reconnect with nature. Yesterday [...]
Going the extra mile: Customer service in the 21st century
18/10/2016 by WiT
By Manuela Schwab “The key is to set realistic customer expectations, and then not to just meet them, but to exceed them — preferably in unexpected and helpful ways,” says Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. The two words “unexpected” and “helpful” sum up the opportunity for ev [...]
WIT BOOTCAMP 2016: Have a mobile first approach to capture the Chinese market
18/10/2016 by WiT
Mobile is so widely used in China that it has influenced the way business is conducted and trends in outbound travel. Alex Shen, strategic partnership manager at GetYourGuide, revealed at her presentation at WIT Bootcamp 2016 in Singapore that the three most popular online activities are shoppin [...]
WIT BOOTCAMP 2016: In Pictures
17/10/2016 by WiT
Pictorial roundup of WIT Bootcamp 2016 held at One Farrer Hotel & Spa on October 17.                                        Getting ready to welcome the delegates                   This year we ask the delegates to 'Reimage' [...]
The Wrap: Bridge Rentals, Ctrip join forces to offer vacation rentals to Chinese travellers
13/10/2016 by WiT
The weekly news roundup: Bridge Rentals and Ctrip new partnership, Allianz Global Assistance’s revamped mobile app, Travelport Business Insights launched HOSTPITALITY: Bridge Rentals, Ctrip join forces to offer vacation rentals to Chinese travellers Bridge Rentals, a non-hotel inventory [...]
Asia the outlier in a consolidated world: Trends That Matter to be shared at WIT
13/10/2016 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
China, China, China – the three words we’ve been hearing in the US Presidential Debates that’s become the biggest reality TV show both sides of the Pacific and Atlantic.  Perhaps they should add India, India, India – because when it comes to online travel, there seems to be the rest of the [...]
Is the tail wagging the dog? Time to flip the world around
07/10/2016 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
I remember the first day I started wearing spectacles. I was 10 and kept failing my Math and the teacher thought there could be something wrong with my eyesight. I was so relieved, I thought I was just bad at numbers and was getting a serious complex. Anyway, the first day I wore it, not only did [...]