WIT 2012 Charity: Island Foundation, raising English and IT literacy in Riau
It was a Sunday, the hours of fasting during the Ramadan season, in Bintan. I had not expected anybody to be at the learning centre opened by the Island Foundation. But Andrew Dixon, one of the owners of Nikoi Island, had called ahead.I wanted to see one of the five learning centres opened by the [...]
Customer of the future – in control, locally-connected and needs-based
The personalization of technology and travel is creating a customer who wants to be in control and who wants to be locally-connected wherever they are, and their travel patterns will soon be need-based rather than destination-oriented.This was the key message made by the four panelists at a Singapo [...]
Amadeus reports 26.1% increase in H1 2012 profit
Amadeus’ adjusted profit for the first half of 2012, ended June 30, rose 26.1% to €332.5 million, due principally to the substantial reduction in interest expense.Revenue increased 8.6% to €1,508.9 million and EBITDA by 6.1% to €606.9 million.There was also significant year-on-year growth [...]
Backick, Expedia Traveler Preference – all about empowering customers, says Lynn
Backick.com is AirAsia Expedia’s attempt at cracking the social and travel puzzle. Touted as the world’s first hotel booking site where friends help pay for each other’s travel, the site is an initiative by the joint venture partnership between AirAsia and Expedia.“I believe the social and [...]
The world of Shangri-La at your fingertips
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts launches a mobile app for the iPhone, the first of two phases of the smartphone technology.The new app, an extension of the brand’s recently revamped website. encompasses all its functions in addition to providing easy access and booking for Shangri [...]
Travelmob wants to change the way people travel in Asia
In the world of new social stay start-up, Travelmob, everyone in Asia can be a host and tour guide and co-founder Turochas Fuad (left) believes this will unlock the kind of local experiences desired by a growing breed of travellers coming to the region.From a host in Hanoi who will offer cooking cl [...]
AirAsia-Batavia Air deal is on
Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd says its acquisiton of Batavia Air is on track despite reports that the Indonesian government may cancel the purchase due to ownership concerns."The deal is on and work is in progress,” AirAsia CEO Aireen Omar was quoted as saying.Speculation that the acquisiton might b [...]
Indonesians turning to the Internet to book travel
Indonesians are slowly but surely turning to the Internet to do their shopping, especially for travel, as they find it convenient and saves them time and money.According to the latest data trails of users of metasearch site, Wego Indonesia, Indonesians are making very different choices for their L [...]
Malaysia vs Indonesia: A tourism view
Malaysia has the edge in social media and tourism arrivals, according to the infographics compiled by Indonesia-based social travel site burufly.
AsiaRooms’ splashing out to find “The Right Room For You”
If you’ve noticed of late, AsiaRooms.com is suddenly very visible, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia.With new leadership in place, a team of 70 spread across the region and armed with a new tagline, “The right room for you”, the business, which is part of TUI Travel PLC, is making a se [...]
