myALN fuses Jetsetter and Tablet models to go after luxury travel in China
Trying to carve out a slice of the luxury travel market in China is private sale site myALN (Affordable Luxury Network) started by four former college room-mates from Harvard.“Online players in the luxury travel space are non-existent in China,” said CEO & co-founder Frank Lin. “Yet it� [...]
Online shopping a fad among Internet users in Asia Pacific
A love for the latest clothes and beauty products is driving internet users in six emerging eCommerce markets in Asia Pacific to seek their fashion fixes on overseas shopping websites, according to the 2010 Visa eCommerce Consumer Monitor.Most popular among shoppers in six emerging eCommerce markets [...]
Kiwis play games with the Chinese
As the playstation generation grows up, so does the evolution of gaming-led marketing initiatives. In Japan, leading travel search site, travel.co.jp signed a partnership with the largest mobile gaming company, Colopl. In New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand has launched an innovative online game into [...]
Letter from Japan, via Sydney
I have to admire our Japanese friends for their fortitude and resilience in facing what their Prime Minister said is their worst crisis after World War Two – and which is still unfolding.It was good to see so many of them at the Australian Tourism Exchange in Sydney (pictured is the opening lunch [...]
Direct and social will drive Japan in 2011: Shibata
Kei Shibata, President & CEO, Venture Republic Inc, JapanQ: What are the three things you think will happen in the travel distribution, marketing and technology space in Japan in 2011?Distribution: Direct channels bypassing travel agents (including OTAs) will emerge. Players like LCCs and hotels [...]
GDS likened to nuclear weapons, what works outside may not work in China
The opening session of the Travel Distribution Summit in China held in Beijing this morning saw comparisons being drawn between GDSs and nuclear weapons and the contrasts between the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and Confucius.It all started with the opening keynote by Ram Badrinathan, general manage [...]
And now, Jetstar Japan leaps into the fray
Hot on the heels of AirAsia teaming up with All Nippon Airlines to launch AirAsia Japan comes news that Jetstar Japan will soon be formed – a partnership between Qantas Group, JAL and Mitsubishi Corporation.Jetstar Japan is expected to start flying by the end of 2012, with an initial fleet of thre [...]
Australians are falling in love with Vietnam
Australians love Vietnam as statistics show that visitors from Down Under are flocking to the country like never before. They also represent the largest non-Eastern growth segment in Vietnam.Vietnam's National Administration of Tourism reported a 128% rise in Australian visitor numbers in 2010, the [...]
Bali is top Asian destination according to Wotif.com
If you want to take only tried and tested routes in Asia for your 2011 holidays, Wotif.com has revealed the Asian destinations that were most popular with travellers in 2010 to help you decide. For a sure winner, visit Bali, the most popular destination on Wotif.com for 2010. Bali rose through the [...]
Banyan Tree, fighting for every booking and counting on China
In the tough economic climate and because a stay in Banyan Tree is “purely discretionary expense”, the group has to fight for every booking and Arthur Kiong, just promoted to Managing Director, Hotel Operations (Asia Pacific) and Senior Vice President, Group Marketing Services, says he is “rea [...]
