Through The Looking Glass: Using blockchain and fin tech to elevate the next billion users in emerging markets
In our continuing series of articles around our WIT Singapore Conference theme of “Through The Looking Glass”, where we look outside travel in search of different stories and lessons, we look at how a new startup is aiming to use blockchain and fintech to address the base of the pyramid in emerg [...]
1,000 properties and counting: AccorHotels accelerates growth in Asia Pacific
There seems to be no stopping AccorHotels, whether it is on the acquisition trail or in expanding its brands, and the latter is most obvious in Asia Pacific (APAC) where it just opened its 1,000th hotel— the 143-room Pullman Tokyo Tamachi (picture above).
The launch of the property in Japan’s [...]
The Wrap: Malaysia Airlines pilots Amadeus chatbot for flight bookings
In the news: Partnerships make the world of technology and travel go round, and not a day goes by without some deals made. We highlight a few inked this week that led to the ‘birth’ of (yet) another airline chatbot, the introduction of mobile tickets for sightseeing tours and the presentation of [...]
Bleisure and sharing services growing in popularity among APAC business travellers, reveals research
Business travel is on the rise. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, an estimated US$1.2 trillion was spent on this segment around the world in 2016, nearly one quarter (23%) of total travel & tourism spending. It notes that business travel within Asia is growing at twice the pace [...]
Flight Centre buys Umapped to fast-track digital transformation
Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group has acquired Umapped, a Toronto-based technology company that provides travel documentation, communication and itinerary management software to the travel industry.
Flight Centre will take 100% ownership of Umapped and will use general cash to fund the a [...]
Letter from Shanghai: Ctrip pushes on, global brands and lessons learnt in China and holy places, here we come
Things are at a different scale in China and this fact was hammered home when on my walk to the venue for the 12th TravelDaily Conference & Digital Travel Show (CDTS), I encountered a giant giraffe at the road crossing.
Whatever its purpose is, it served as a great landmark and over my two da [...]
Plug & Play Travel plans launch in Singapore to bridge gap between innovators and corporations
Plug & Play Tech Center, the Silicon Valley-based company that bridges the gap between innovators and corporations, is looking to launch its Travel & Hospitality vertical in Singapore to plug into what it feels is a market gap waiting to be addressed.
It held its first event last week in [...]
Strong consumer support contributes US$47b in extra revenue for airlines
An estimated 73 airlines made a whopping US$47.2 billion in extra revenue from a wide range of à la carte, commission-based, and frequent flyer related activities, representing 9.6% of total sales for these carriers.
The data is disclosed in the 2018 edition of the CarTrawler Ancillary Revenue [...]
The Wrap: Macao launches international digital campaign in partnership with Culture Trip
In the News: Of partnerships, music, people and achievements featuring Macao, Culture Trip, Travelport, Singapore Tourism Board, Spotify and Sabre
Destination: Macao launches international digital campaign in partnership with Culture Trip
London-based media startup Culture Trip is wor [...]
Tour guide Jane Goh sets out to create experiences to show Singapore in a different light
In line with the trends towards travellers seeking experiences beyond tours and activities, destination management company, Destination China and The Witty Guide, have joined forces to create a new agency to develop and manage programmes for more independent-minded visitors to Singapore.
Xperienc [...]
