Relux uses new funds to expand inbound business on back of Abe’s ambitious targets
Loco Partners, which manages the members-only luxury hotels and ryokan booking site, Relux, will use the latest 500m yen (about US$4.5m) raised to expand its service for Japanese users as well as expand its inbound business for overseas visitors, signaling a step-up in the competition for inbound to [...]
The Millennial Traveller: Old fashioned storytelling and customer service work for Mr and Mrs Smith
James and Tamara Lohan (co-founders of Mr and Mrs Smith) reveal the strategies that have kept their hotel booking platform going in an increasingly competitive market – keep it ‘niche’, harness the power of content and strive for the best customer service both online and offline.The digital en [...]
Silent revolution taking place as villa bookings become more accessible to travel agents
Private accommodation has become the norm in travel, catering to travellers who demand a personalised service. One might even argue that in some respects, villas surpass hotels in comfort and in privacy. But there is one gaping difference between the hotel industry and villas: its technology.This is [...]
The Wrap: The Crest Collection from Ascott – luxury with a sense of home
In the news: Ascott’s new The Crest Collection, Lion Air flies with Sabre, Amadeus’ revenue management solution for SIA, GfK-ForwardKeys on inbound travel to IndiaThe Crest Collection from Ascott – luxury with a sense of homeAscott has added a touch of European elegance and grandeur to its col [...]
If you want to save money on travel bookings, plan like a woman
Male travellers could save up to $48,000 a year by booking the same way women do, according to a recent study conducted by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) Solutions Group.That is the estimated savings amount for a company with 1,000 travellers, of which 70% are presumed to be men.The propensity for fe [...]
I stayed in four hotels in 10 days. Here’s my report card.
Recently, I did one of those crazy city hops – going from Hong Kong to Seoul to Bangkok and Saigon in 10 days. In the process, I stayed in four hotels that, to me, capture the diversity of hospitality in Asia and how the industry's changed, and is evolving.Hotel ICON, Hong Kong This is a city know [...]
Bringing it all together under George Town Heritage & Hotels
Known for his golden touch in transforming decrepit heritage buildings into tasteful, luxurious accommodations for travellers, award-winning hotelier Christopher Ong marks another milestone with the introduction of George Town Heritage & Hotels (GTHH).All Ong's properties - Muntri Mews, Muntri G [...]
Keeping up with the bleisure class
By Frederic Saunier, head of corporate IT APAC, Amadeus Asia PacificAll work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Today’s empowered corporate citizen is starting to grasp their travel destiny and make their aspirations known – among their wishlist is the expectation to bring some leisure elements [...]
The Wrap: Carlson Rezidor brings Virtual Reality to Radisson Blue’s design programme
In the news: Virtual reality for Radisson Blue's design programme, CarTrawler and Shannon Airport collaborate, TripAdvisor’s report on best time to book hotels, Langham Hospitality Group’s new corporate websiteCarlson Rezidor brings Virtual Reality to Radisson Blue's design programme Carlson Rez [...]
Local gladiators gear up for battle in South Korea travel market
When asked to describe the state of the Korean online travel market in an image, Min Yoon, CEO of TideSquare, shared an image of a gladiator scene from ancient Rome much to the amusement of the audience gathered for the first WIT Seoul on March 25.He called it “super competitive” and that things [...]
