The Millennial Traveller at WIT Bootcamp: Lessons from the road less taken
Hundreds of attendees packed themselves into the venue of this year’s WIT Japan & North Asia Bootcamp. With ears pricked, all attention was tuned into uncovering the ‘secret sauce’ of what it takes to be successful as a travel startup.
The opening panel discussion was led by a group of [...]
The Wrap: Star Alliance invests in new technology to enhance operations and services
In the news: Star Alliance's mulit-million dollar investment in technology, Malaysian travel agents' association's new online portal, Christchurch Airport partners Travelport
Star Alliance invests in new technology to enhance operations and services
The Star Alliance, the world's large [...]
Peach, China, minpaku, mobile – welcome to the changing world of North Asia
WIT Japan & North Asia closed on a high note last Friday in Tokyo with its biggest and most diverse gathering yet, with the 555 registered delegates coming from 250 companies and 11 countries, reflecting the evolution of the North Asian travel market.
North Asia has become its own centre [...]
Northstar Travel Group acquired by Wasserstein
Wasserstein Partners acquired Northstar Travel Group, the leading provider of business-to-business information, content, events, data, research, custom content and software dedicated to the global travel and meeting industries, from the Wicks Group of Companies. Investing alongside Wasserstein Par [...]
Group travel, shorter trips among Golden Week travel trends
Golden Week, a collection of four national holidays within seven days, is one of Japan’s busiest holiday seasons. This year it did not fall on a weekend since 2011, instead they were on a Friday (April 29) and Tuesday to Thursday (May 3-5).
Sojern, a leading provider of a data-driven traveller [...]
Letter from Matsumoto: Post-WIT, the struggles of Japan’s family businesses amid boom in private accommodation and inbound
A three-hour ride on the Super Azusa Limited Express from Shinjuku Station takes you to the historic town of Matsumoto in Nagano Prefrecture. It’s a quiet little place where the air is fresh and the spring water so clear and cool that ice cubes look like crystals.
I am staying at Hotel Matsumot [...]
The Wrap: AVIAREPS expands operations in Malaysia with new GSA entity
In the news: AVIAREPS’ new GSA entity in Malaysia, HRS’ analysis on hotel bookings, Sabre’s Bangalore development centre expands
AVIAREPS expands operations in Malaysia with new GSA entity
Global airline and tourism representation company AVIAREPS has merged its Malaysian arm with Gl [...]
Venture Republic launches global internship programme
Venture Republic aims to boost its growth and market share in the global travel market, as well as help expand Japan’s inbound market with the launch of its global internship programme.
Two students, one each from Harvard University and Stanford University in the US, are the first interns for [...]
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 [...]
