Sectors
Applications now open for the 2019 Booking Booster programme, focused on sustainable tourism and social enterprise startups
05/11/2018 by WiT
Applications are now open for the third annual Booking Booster accelerator programme for travel technology startups in sustainable tourism; deadline: December 2, 2018. Up to 10 social enterprise startups will be selected and invited to the Booking Booster three-week accelerator programme in Amste [...]
The story of Mary Li: From ASLAN to Mystifly, from China to India, and truths in between
05/11/2018 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
I first met Mary Li when she was introduced to me as the co-CEO of Mystifly, the India-based global airfares marketplace. My curiosity stirred, I did some research on her and found her back story. With no background in travel, she founded ASLAN, China's first data-driven travel technology company, c [...]
Can you enjoy a luxury cruise while still conserving the environment? Rascal Voyages wants to make it happen
01/11/2018 by WiT
Pairing luxury with the growing demand for sustainable travel, Rascal Voyages has partnered with Conservation International Indonesia (CI Indonesia) to create the “Exploration Series” – a collection of eight research-driven, luxury sailing expeditions across Asia. The series is an active ef [...]
WiT Singapore 2018: Unravelling the Power Paradox in China where behemoths fight to be all things in travel
05/11/2018 by WiT
At WiT Singapore 2018, Maggie Rauch, senior director of research at Phocuswright spoke of the different worlds emerging between Asia and the rest of the world, or specifically how China is creating its own post-mobile ecosystem. Addressing the ‘Power Paradox’, which is also the theme of the [...]
The Wrap: Emirates Skywards introduces new on-demand taxi app in partnership with CarTrawler
31/10/2018 by WiT
In the news: New taxi app for Emirates & flydubai loyalty programme members, strong China sales growth for Hotelbeds Group, Kansai Airports’ new digital campaign Transportation: Emirates Skywards introduces new on-demand taxi app in partnership with CarTrawler Members of Emirates S [...]
WiT Singapore 2018: Whatever it takes to design and build for the customer: Ponde
30/10/2018 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
When asked to pick a song that best describes his personal journey with Facebook, its head of global travel strategy Nikhilesh Ponde, chose “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons. “Whatever it takes, 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins/I do whatever it takes 'cause I love how it feels [...]
How Queenie Lee went from law graduate to travel entrepreneur in Kazakhstan
30/10/2018 by WiT
While other Singaporean girls of her age chose to stay home to pursue conventional careers after university – she herself studied law after all – 26-year Queenie Lee opted for a different path, and found herself running a travel business in Kazakhstan. It all started in England where she was [...]
South-east Asia’s Grab secures US$200 million investment from Booking Holdings
29/10/2018 by WiT
South-east Asia’s largest ride hailing firm Grab has scored another huge investment – US$200 million from US travel giant Booking Holdings as part of a strategic partnership between the two companies. Booking Holdings said its investment in Grab was in recognition of the company “as the lea [...]
Travelport says it’s first GDS to offer NDC flight booking
25/10/2018 by WiT
Travelport has taken a step ahead of its rival GDSs (global distribution system) by claiming to be the first to manage live flight bookings with IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) content. The travel commerce company said the first  transaction was made by a British agency, Meon Valley Trave [...]
BeMyGuest unveils Xplore, a new booking system designed for Asia’s travel operators
24/10/2018 by WiT
BeMyGuest, Asia’s largest B2B aggregator of attractions, tours and activities, has launched Xplore described as “Asia’s first locally relevant digital solution for Asian travel experiences”. Introduced at last week’s ITB Asia in Singapore, the booking system and channel manager are “s [...]