Taxi bookings go social as Easy Taxi ties up with WeChat in Singapore
WeChat users in Singapore can now make Easy Taxi bookings via the messaging platform, as the two companies have formed a strategic partnership to push for greater usage of their respective apps. The successful implementation of the service's rollout in Singapore, which is the current test bed, wil [...]
Innovative pricing module for the hospitality industry from Brand Karma and IDeaS
Holistic digital marketing solution for hotel and travel brands, Brand Karma, and IDeaS Revenue Solutions have partnered to launch an innovative solution called the IDeaS Reputation Pricing module.According to the Brand Karma’s media release, this is the “hospitality industry’s first tool to i [...]
Cities in Asia Pacific dominate global top 10 travel destinations
Asia Pacific rules in the recently released MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index with five out of the top 10 destinations for international travellers from the region, up from four in the previous year.The five are Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Seoul are among the global 10.W [...]
HotelTonight stays focused on product as same-day competition heats up
From India to Korea, same-day mobile booking apps are appearing across Asia, hoping to make it big in the market that was really pioneered by HotelTonight in December 2010. And last week, news that the leader in the Asia market, HotelQuickly, has raised another US$4.5 million funding, led by Japane [...]
Letter from Bangalore: The India story is just beginning
Each time I return to India, I am reminded anew of the wonderful hospitality of the country’s luxury hotels. There’s really no beating that willingness to be of service that’s the hallmark of Taj hotels.Our event, the first WIT India, co-organised with the Singapore Tourism Board, was held at [...]
Mobile bookings to account for quarter of corporate transactions by 2017
A new study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) reveals that mobile bookings are set to climb steeply over the next decade, reaching 25% of online transactions by 2017.CWT’s research also predicts that mobile bookings will more than double in the next two years.According to the study, it took up to e [...]
HotelQuickly raises another US$4.5m as mobile picks up pace
Last minute booking app, HotelQuickly, has raised US$4.5 million in a Series A-1 financing led by GREE, Inc., a global mobile social company with businesses that include social gaming, social media, advertising, licensing and merchandising, and venture capital.William E. Heinecke, CEO and chairman o [...]
Planning to step into China as a meta-search brand? Be ready for the grind
Established meta-search brands including KAYAK and Skyscanner are set to foray into China. TravelDaily.cn explores what to expect as these entities enter with contrasting market entry strategiesTravel meta-search continues to spread its tentacles as established players look beyond the US and Europe [...]
Gogobot rolls out mobile, stays personal
With its 4th birthday around the horizon, social travel site Gogobot has revealed its plans for the future. Based in San Francisco and founded by Travis Katz and Ori Zaltzman, the site for places-to-go currently has more than 16 million users within the 18 to 44 age range and more than 60,000 destin [...]
HomeAway’s Sharples on future of sharing, AliBaba and specialisation
When I met Brian Sharples, the CEO and co-founder of HomeAway, one rainy morning in Singapore last week, he was due to fly to Bali that afternoon for a week’s vacation with his family.His first time in Bali and indeed, also in Singapore beyond a transit stop. It’s fitting he should choose Bali f [...]
