Groupon debate continues: The view from Japan
Let me give you a quick snapshot of this super fast growing coupon business based on what I heard here in the Japanese market.• We currently estimate more than 200 Groupon-like sites/services available in Japan (including Groupon Japan). Yes, Japanese consumers love the deals!• It was told that [...]
Hello, any creative people out there? You’re wanted
Fancy yourself creative? Have the ability to think out of the box? Dare to be different? Well, good news for you. You are in demand.The opening panel at Asia Connect held in Bangkok this week came through with the clear message that creative people are what’s needed most by companies as they strug [...]
Help Japan travel by circulating facts
Kei Shibata, CEO of travel.jp, shares an update on the situation in Japan with WIT and urges industry colleagues to stick to, and circulate, the facts.Q: Personally, how have you and your family been and how have you copedthis past week?This past week, we have been staying in town working pretty muc [...]
Help, I am being stalked but I’ll take the fish head curry anytime
A long time ago, I was stalked. I am sure many of you have had that experience before. That feeling of being watched and followed, getting strange letters and worse, having strange letters about you sent to your boss, your parents, your friends.Well, that feeling’s coming over me again. And the st [...]
Hog-ging HWY 94
Flying at 140 km/h down HWY 8 on the back of a Yamaha V-Star 950, I thought my helmet was going to fly off from all the wind gushing straight at me. I couldn't even glance sideways, for when I tried, it just pushed my whole head to the side and then it took a full neck workout to get my head align [...]
Hoteliers, own your brand spaces and take negative reviews on the chin
Social Media, Googles Places and Customer Reviews – what does it mean for hoteliers, what are the opportunities and where are the pitfalls? Frank Trampert of Circos Brand Karma shares his views.The hotel business has traditionally not been an early adopter of breakthrough trends and innovation. [...]
Hotels in Asia enjoying strong rate growth
Hotels around the world reported rate growth of 4% in the first half of 2011, which also sees the growth shifting to Asia from Europe, according to the latest hotel survey from the Hogg Robinson Group(HRG). Of the 50 cities surveyed, 33 reported a year-on-year increase in hotel rates with unexpect [...]
HotelsCombined launches iFindHotels app in Arabic
HotelsCombined.com has released iFindHotels version 1.31 for iPhone and iPod Touch, an update that enables full support and browsing for the Arabic language to their hotel price comparison app.A first of its kind to cater for Arab-speaking users, this app connects to www.HotelsCombined.com and comp [...]
Final touches, outrageous requests – are you ready?
Woke up this Friday morning to realise that two Fridays from now, I will be taking an AirAsia flight to Chiang Mai where I will then take a five-hour ride to the Golden Triangle to take a breather in the hills of Northern Thailand.The weather should be superb this time of year and I am looking forwa [...]
I dream of being an irresponsible teenager with money
Each time I attend the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), I find myself wishing I was older and retired – about the only time I wish I was older, I can tell you that for sure.That’s because then I’d be like a “teenager but with money”, as Peter Harbison of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviat [...]
