Same-day booking apps offer hotels another channel, ease of use critical
So will same-day booking apps disappear in three years? The statement made by HRS’ Tobias Ragge in this article has stirred a debate over the longterm viability of these models that allow travellers to book their accommodation within 24 hours.Douglas Quinby, senior director of research, PhoCusWr [...]
Consumer confidence in APAC on the rise, largest improvements in Japan, Taiwan, Korea
Stable economic growth in Asia Pacific has led to a rise in consumer confidence across the region, with the emerging markets of Myanmar, India, Indonesia and the Philippines in the lead, according to the latest MasterCard Index of Consumer Confidence.Ten out of the 16 markets recorded positive imp [...]
Three perspectives on women as customers
At the WITX event in Bangkok – Women Redefining Travel – much was discussed about the growing role and influence of women as customers. In this article, Minh Bui catches up with three industry personalities - Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, Executive Vice President Sukosol Hotels; Craig Fong, Chie [...]
Visa-free travel for Malaysians, Thais visiting Japan from July
As part of its move to boost inbound tourism and to enhance ASEAN-Japan friendship, Japan on June 26 announced that Malaysian and Thai nationals on short-term holiday of not more than 15 days to the country need not apply for visas from July 1.However, visitors from these two countries who wish to [...]
Same-day booking apps will disappear in 3 years, says HRS’ Ragge
After social, same-day booking apps are the most over-hyped subject in travel and Tobias Ragge, CEO of HRS, the hotel portal, believes most of them will not be around in three years.Here in Singapore to stake the claim of his company, founded by his father, to be the world’s number one in the man [...]
AirAsia ends ties with Japan’s ANA
Malaysia-based AirAsia signed the termination agreement with Ail Nippon Airways (ANA) today (June 25), confirming earlier reporter it was ending the partnership and exiting the joint venture, AirAsia Japan, due to a difference of opinion in management and on ways to operate the business. (read [...]
US$17m richer, Wego aims to become top online travel brand
Timing was in Wego’s favour with the last round of fund raising – Priceline had bought Kayak for US$1.8 billion and Expedia had acquired a 61.6% stake in Trivago for 434 million Euros – and suddenly, meta search became the flavor of the month.
“It definitely helped,” said [...]
Wego closes US$17m in latest funding round
Wego.com, the leading travel search engine in Asia Pacific and Middle East, has secured US$17 million in growth capital through the completion of a Series C Preferred Share Offering.The investment round was led by Crescent Point with contributions from Victoria Capital and existing shareholder Tiger [...]
Asia dragging Wotif down, Dombey to lead Bangkok-based team
While its business in Australia and New Zealand is showing gains, Asia and the rest of the world are dragging Wotif down.In its latest “Market Update and Completion of Strategic Reviews”, CEO Scott Blume, who took up the reins earlier this year, disclosed that total transaction value for the gr [...]
#witsummercamp: Seeing through the haze to the heart of learning
Been living through a haze these past few days but surprisingly my head has managed to remain clear. Okay, the lungs were a bit choked up over two days last week when the PSI levels (it is remarkable how we have all become expert PSI readers – “hmm, looks like 200 today”, “no, smells more l [...]
