I can’t get no instant satisfaction; yet it’s possible
I was having lunch the other day with a hotelier who asked me, when was the last time a hotel swept you off your feet? Fortunately, I didn’t have to think too hard because the experience had only happened in January.It was at the Park Hyatt Dubai (left) when the IT manager came to fix my problem w [...]
In two decades, China will be biggest travel force
Over the next two decades the makeup of tourism around the world will change significantly with China emerging as a leading force in both inbound and outbound.Speaking at the 18th World Travel Monitor Forum in Pisa, Professor Haivan Song of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University said: “By 2030 China [...]
InterContinental banks on mobile apps to grow revenues
IHG (InterContinental Hotels & Resorts), through the use of mobile solutions, has seen its monthly revenue of US$1 million jump to US$10 million in just over a year.This success has prompted the hotel group to continue with its mobile app strategy with the introduction of iPhone booking apps fo [...]
It happened: Tony Fernandes, Forbes Asia’s Businessman of the Year
After the big success that AirAsia has been having in the last few years, it was just a matter of time for this to happen: AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has been named Forbes Asia’s Businessman of the Year. Fernandes is the first Malaysian and South-east Asian to receive the award. The hugel [...]
It’s certified, I am an Airhead
Ok I cracked. I broke my first New Year’s resolution within three days. A record even for me. I bought the Mac Air. Super fast. Awesome light. Sexy as hell. For some reason, it makes me think of Cher but more of her later.So the first question I am asked now is, what about your iPad? Wasn’t it m [...]
ITB Asia Speakers Corner: Stone on sales and why it’s needed now more than ever
Ray Stone, senior advisor, sales & marketing, Accor Asia Pacific, who will be speaking at the WIT Ideas Lab at ITB Asia on October 21, shares lessons he’s learnt from his long career in hotel sales and marketing.Q: You started in airlines, then you moved to hotels and there you stayed. What� [...]
ITB’s new identity for 2011 set to inspire
ITB Asia launches a new inspirational identity for 2011 with the tagline, “Truly Inspiring”. All branding for the event will feature this tagline accompanied by a smiling woman with Asian travel icons, such as the Great Wall and Taj Mahal, woven into her hair.A similar visual identity has been s [...]
ANA goes with Amadeus’ Altea
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has signed a contract with Amadeus to introduce the company’s international flight reservation, inventory and departure control systems across the airline’s global network implementing the Amadeus Altéa Suite.The airline’s migration to Altéa will mark a major step [...]
Kiwis play games with the Chinese
As the playstation generation grows up, so does the evolution of gaming-led marketing initiatives. In Japan, leading travel search site, travel.co.jp signed a partnership with the largest mobile gaming company, Colopl. In New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand has launched an innovative online game into [...]
Krabi for a day
My friend Doug from Vancouver was in Thailand for nearly 3 weeks, and wouldn't you know it that his schedule was completely clashing with mine. So the only way to really catch-up was to meet in Krabi for 24 hours. Better than nothing, right?So I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste, two T-shirts [...]
