“Safe travels” is the greeting for the new normal
Over dinner in Bangkok, while drooling over the best crab angel hair pasta ever at Il Bolognese, our conversation inevitably moved to travel. The three of us, all working in the travel industry, had flown in from different places, one from Taipei, one from India and myself from Singapore via Hong Ko [...]
The Wrap: Historic Central Market goes online to reach a wider audience
In the news: KL Central Market’s MoU with 11street, new baggage tracing solution from Lufthansa and SITA, Hop Inn and FASTBOOKING partnerHistoric Central Market goes online to reach a wider audienceCentral Market, one of the most popular attractions in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur, h [...]
Letter from Seoul: Deciphering the puzzle that is South Korea’s online travel
If there’s one country in Asia that has been successful in exporting its pop culture, it’s South Korea. Remember Psy and Gangnam Style that took the world by storm? Well, before and after him, there was and is K-pop.K-soaps are huge and getting huger. There are fans from Bhutan to New York. And [...]
6 reasons why hoteliers are “sitting ducks” for disruption
Veteran hotelier Giovanni Angelini, who’s been in the hospitality industry for more than five decades, listed five reasons why hoteliers were not responding fast enough to digital disruption.One, bureaucracy and silos. “We are a labour intensive industry and we have created too many departments [...]
Hoteliers must think “beyond real estate” and drive direct bookings
Hoteliers have to reboot their mindset and “think beyond real estate”, said Colman Ho, VP Group Marketing of Century City Holdings, in the opening session at WIT Hospitality held in Hong Kong yesterday.Ho said that as online travel brands such as Priceline and Expedia were making investments bey [...]
The Wrap: How airlines use email to sell you the extras after booking
In the news: IdeaWorksCompany’s report on airlines’ email marketing, Ascott’s JV with Tujia.com, Artyzen Hospitality Group’s new hotels in ShanghaiHow airlines use email to sell you the extras after bookingChecked bags, hotel and car hire bookings, and assigned seating are the most frequentl [...]
Marriott & Starwood union back on the cards
Starwood must feel like the most-wanted girl at a dance right now. First she was all ready to accept Marriott’s suit, then Anbang came along and made her a better offer. Then over the weekend, Marriott upped its offer and now, barring any further dramas, the two should walk down the aisle.Arne Sor [...]
Hoshino’s mission – building ryokans everywhere and championing family businesses
Yoshiharu Hoshino, who owns and runs Hoshino Resorts in Japan, a fourth generation family business, has two dreams. One, to see a day when there’ll be Japanese-style hotels (ryokans) everywhere just as there are sushi bars and two, to write a book about family business management. In this intervie [...]
The Wrap: California dreaming or French cuddle? Find out in KAYAK’s bed guide
In the news: KAYAK’s bed guide, multiple languages on SiteMinder, 150 airlines using Travelport’s rich content tool, key appointments in SojernCalifornia dreaming or French cuddle? Find out in KAYAK’s bed guide Sleepless in Seattle, London, Shanghai, Singapore or wherever you travel to? Apart [...]
Keen on Korea? Come learn about local market tactics at WIT Seoul
If there’s one market that’s managed to export its pop and fashion culture better than Hollywood in Asia, it’s South Korea.K-pop stars pack concert halls faster and quicker than Western acts. When Exo Planet #2 staged its concert in Singapore late last year, hordes of teen girls started queuin [...]
