Content power moving back to the professionals, at least I’d like to think so
Since the media world got flattened like roti prata, and everyone can make one – you can buy them frozen at the supermarket and just lightly toss them in a hot pan and voila, you've got a crispy one – us journalists have been wondering where to run for cover since now everyone can write as well. [...]
New study shows how travel videos can increase direct bookings in hotels
A recent research report, Online Travel Videos: Best Practices to Boost Bookings Industry View | 2014, released by Software Advice, found that travel videos play a large role in persuading travellers to book at one hotel over another.Software Advice, a reviews and research company for hotel manageme [...]
IDeaS unveils revenue solution for hotels to manage function space
Group business is a good revenue potential for many hotels, yet most have yet to realise this as applying revenue management principles and best practices to non-room revenue streams has always been too complex to achieve.To help hotels manage this revenue IDeaS Revenue Solutions recently launched i [...]
Standards for mobile app deeplinking would be game changer for meta, says Veitch
A game changer for meta-searches in Asia would be having standards for app-to-app deeplinking which would increase conversions and the industry needs to collaborate and agree on these standards, said Ross Veitch, CEO & co-founder of Wego.“The mobile web booking experience and conversion rates [...]
New era for MISA as founder Kenny Chew retires following acquisition by Zana
Last Friday marked the passing of an era for MISA Travel Singapore as its founder and CEO Kenny Chew left the company following the completion of its acquisition by Zana Capital, a private equity firm.The acquisition was announced last September but completed last Friday. As we write this, we believ [...]
PhoCusWright steps into Brazil with Mapie partnership
Travel industry research authority PhoCusWright today announced a partnership with Mapie, a Brazil-based hospitality consultancy company specializing in the Latin American market. Mapie's services include business development, management modeling and consumer and market research.This partnership wit [...]
North Asia bookings fuelling Thailand’s tourism recovery
North Asian markets are powering the recovery of Thailand’s tourism sector that are showing promising signs of an inbound revival now that the curfews have been lifted, according to the latest analysis from Abacus and Forward Data SL.Renewed confidence among Abacus travel agents in Seoul are gener [...]
Is Airbnb a Distribution or Hospitality Company? (and Why It Wants to Be a Hospitality Company)
In the latter half of 2013, Airbnb began making more direct comparisons between itself and the hotel industry. Nathan Blecharczyk, cofounder and CTO, told the Telegraph in November that he expected Airbnb to surpass InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Hilton in total number of rooms. He was righ [...]
Aussie hoteliers’ reactions “misguided”, green light given to Expedia’s takeover of Wotif
So the green light has been given – Australia’s competition watchdog cleared the way for Expedia to complete its $703 million takeover of Wotif.com, setting aside concerns by hoteliers that the merged entity will charge hotels higher commissions.According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian [...]
Expect CUTE, new ideas at WIT Bootcamp: Eight start-ups selected to pitch
Just returned from a meeting with the National University of Singapore Department of Communications and New Media and their CUTE centre (which stands for Connective Ubiquitous Technology for Embodiments) – I think I prefer CUTE.Seems both units are getting pretty interested in travel and the CUTE [...]
