Middle East online bookings set to surge
The Middle Eastern travel market is poised for major growth in the next few years, according to new research from travel industry research authority Phocuswright.As Internet penetration increases, so does the population of young adults ready to travel and as the region's technology infrastructure im [...]
Priceline Group and its plans to cast its integrated web over China
This is a guest article by Ritesh Gupta, a reporter for ChinaTravelNews.It was almost a decade ago when The Priceline Group’s Glenn D. Fogel (Head of Worldwide Strategy and Planning) spoke to me in Shanghai about the timing of making of a foray in the Chinese market.Fogel said, “While early par [...]
Best of TW Asia Global Wrap: Hunter Valley seizes opportunity to showcase MICE offerings
Featured stories from TravelWeekly Asia: MICE offerings from Hunter Valley, Hugh Jackman’s Qantas’ global ambassador, self check-in at Jetstar AsiaHunter Valley seizes opportunity to showcase MICE offeringsAustralia’s regional areas are keen to let the MICE industry know of their capabilities [...]
The making of Cempedak Island and the bamboo that went missing for a month
Writing about clicks all the time, it makes a nice change to write about bricks or, in this case, bamboo.Just caught up with Andrew Dixon, the former banker-turned-hotelier of Nikoi Island fame, who's right in the throes of building his latest resort, Cempedak, on an Indonesian island he bought more [...]
The Wrap: Hilton and Uber ride together in a new partnership
In the news: More new partnerships formed with Hilton and Uber going to bed together and Shijie99 teaming up with Amadeus, while Skyscanner discloses cheapest month to travelHilton and Uber ride together in a new partnershipHilton Worldwide, as part of its efforts to streamline the travel experience [...]
WIT Start-Up Pitch: Kaligo wants to solve the loyalty gap in OTAs
Feel you're not being rewarded properly when you book your hotel room? One OTA is trying to address that. Kyle Armstrong, CEO & co-founder of Kaligo, tells WIT their plan.Q: Describe the business, core products and services in one paragraphKaligo.com is an online booking platform that rewards cu [...]
The value of authenticity in storytelling and travel
A little over a year ago, I went to Peru. On my list was a visit to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Getting there involves a half-day-long drive from Cusco – made longer by drag in the dirt roads and the ocasional llama crossing.On the shores of the lake is the city of Puno, c [...]
No travellers left behind with Rome2rio’s new alert service
Rome2rio’s newly launched Advance Booking Alert advises travellers when they must book in advance and when they can “wing it”, ensuring that its users are not left behind.The alert function makes sure travellers are fully informed when transport operators require or recommend advance reservat [...]
WIT picks three projects to support at this year’s Charity Auction
The WIT Charity Auction, held in conjunction with the annual WIT Conference Oct 19-21 in Singapore, returns this year to support three beneficiaries – Children of Vietnam, KOTO Enterprise, Hanoi and a Community Craft Project in North Thailand.“Continuing with our purpose of supporting women, chi [...]
Letter from Bangkok: Same, same but different
It seemed not much had changed in Bangkok. The day I arrived, it had been raining – which can only mean one thing. Bad traffic.After an hour into the ride from airport to hotel, I asked the driver how much longer we had and he said, “One more hour.”“What!” I exclaimed – a typical respo [...]
