Lessons from Aliens on the Galactic Silk Road: Space tourism, creating experiences and dreaming of AI with empathy
Science fiction has always informed the future and it was interesting to hear speakers at Melon, the sci-fi and fantasy conference address themes such as space travel, consumers wanting experiences, versus static content, the rise of China and the role of AI and machine learning to create stories a [...]
The Wrap: Marriott unveils “one-stop shop” for APAC meeting planners
In the news: Marriot’s new digital platform for APAC meeting and event planners, United Airlines first carrier for Sabre NDC booking capability, 777 Partners’ equity stake in Canada’s Flair Airlines
Hotels: Marriott unveils “one-stop shop” for APAC meeting planners
A resource cent [...]
How to maximise your travel brand presence using social and videos
Instagram, which was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger and launched in October 2010 as a photo-sharing and, later, video-sharing social networking service (now owned by Facebook that acquired it in 2012 for US$1 billion), has become one of the world’s largest social media platforms.
Ac [...]
African expertise puts Travelstart in good stead to tap Middle East growth
With South Africa as its home base and its businesses spread across the African continent, Travelstart believes its roots and experience make it well suited to take on the emerging and fragmented markets of the Middle East. Paulina Klotzbucher, managing director, Travelstart, who has overview of th [...]
Cracking local payments is key to unlocking potential of Middle East
When you combine three forces – a young demographic, an aspirational market of travellers and strong mobile adoption – it stands to reason that the future for online and mobile payments is bright in the Middle East.
Spending is on the rise, said Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, VP of Business Dev [...]
The Wrap: Kuala Lumpur-Singapore crowned world’s busiest international route for second straight year
In the news: Asia Pacific home to world’s busiest flight routes, more rail options for Ctrip users in Amadeus tie-up, Fliggy’s new shopping channel
Aviation: Kuala Lumpur-Singapore crowned world’s busiest international route for second straight year
The hour-long flght from Kuala Lumpu [...]
Tours and activities suppliers must change mindset and open thinking to tech solutions like payments
It’s difficult to think like a technology company after building a successful offline business. Yet there is pressure on local businesses, particularly in the third largest travel sector – tours and activities – to do so, as competition gets tougher and the biggest way to get discovered is th [...]
WeChat Pay gathers global and local merchants, announces five key areas of focus
When WeChat Pay organises a conference for global service providers and merchants on how to engage Chinese travellers through their ecosystem, you can’t really afford not to be there.
“In the past five years, the progress of mobile payment technology development in China has received g [...]
Letter from Penang: Why indies who pursue love matter in the big money world of travel
Each time I return to Penang, I discover
a new and interesting business set up by yet another entrepreneur out to make a
difference on the island. This island, after all, was built by traders,
merchants and immigrants, much like my father.
Hikayat is a new creative and arts space founded by [...]
For love and money: From Taipei to Penang, how two independent hoteliers are doing it their way
With the theme of “Love & Money: How To Do Both” threading through WiT Indie held in Penang on March 15, it was interesting to hear the responses from speakers when asked to choose one or the other.
Benjamin Liao, chairman of Taiwan’s Forte Hotel Group, created laughter when he said, [...]
