A girl who rocks in tech and travel
Girls in Tech, the non-profit organization focused on women’s innovative and entrepreneurial achievements in technology, is a good example of a small idea that’s somehow grown big because there was simply a need for it.It started in San Francisco in 2007 as a casual meeting of industry friends [...]
Making Social Media An Asset To Your Hotel, Part 4: Revenue Management
[This is the fourth and final posting in our article series, Making Social Media an Asset for Your Hotel. The previous article is available here.]This article will discuss Revenue Management in the context of social media. There are numerous revenue management tools in the marketplace today. Some o [...]
Room Key the true path to the customer’s heart?
In 2001, Accor, Forte and Hilton International got together to launch andbook.com. It was supposed to be the hotel’s answer to reducing dependence on intermediaries, specifically OTAs which were then threatening to become juggernauts of distribution.The venture tanked. Some said it was because on [...]
The promise of Asia wrapped up in silk and low cost
As the Greek economic tragedy plays out (wait, will this have a happy ending?), and the US struggles with economic and foreign policies, all eyes are on Asia to deliver the promise of a better tomorrow for travel and tourism. Can Asia deliver? Yeoh Siew Hoon reports an ITB Berlin of blue skies.In H [...]
Truly Malaysian spirit fuels Holiday Villa’s growth
Holiday Villa Hotels and Resorts celebrated its 25th anniversary recently and, in the understated style of this company, the event was marked with a private “yee sang” (raw fish tossing) lunch for the media and a separate one for staff. "We just wanted to celebrate the milestone with our media [...]
Travelzoo Hong Kong launches iPhone app
The Hong Kong version of the app follows successful launches in North America and Europe. The app has been downloaded more than 400,000 times since its release a few months ago.Katherine Lau, general manager for Travelzoo Hong Kong, said a significant percentage of Travelzoo Hong Kong’s existing [...]
Making Social Media An Asset To Your Hotel, Part 3: Sales & Marketing
[This is the third posting in our article series, Making Social Media an Asset for Your Hotel. The previous article is available here.]Marketing using social media requires a different discipline and expertise from traditional and online marketing. Just as radio ads don’t translate well to televi [...]
Survivor Wego prepares for next phase of growth under new CEO
In the world of travel start-ups, you could call Wego, the travel search website once named Bezurk, a survivor.Even the co-founders, Craig Hewett (left) and Ross Veitch, would admit they were too early. The market wasn’t ready, customers weren’t ready and perhaps even they who started it seven [...]
Carlson Wagonlit Travel turns in record year
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) reported a record performance in 2011. Sales volume grew by 15.2% to US$28.billion, compared to US$24.3 billion in 2010. The number of transactions, managed by CWT, increased by 7.2% year over year to reach 61.9 million.The company attributed its strong growth in 2011 [...]
WITNext Summercamp to coach and match talent with right travel job
One of the most common laments I hear in my conversations with industry folks – whether from hotels, airlines, convention centres, travel agents, tour operators – is how hard it is to find good quality staff these days.By good quality, they mean, young, enthusiastic, energetic, clever, creative [...]
