Sectors
Study: One-fifth of countries have returned to pre-pandemic levels for domestic flight bookings
05/07/2021 by WiT
WHILE global travel recovery is resuming at a gradual pace an uptick in global fuel spend has seen a “strong surge” in ground travel in markets including countries in Asia Pacific like Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong. A new study by Mastercard, Recovery Insights: Ready f [...]
This plane is just right; Scoot looking for Goldilocks Zone on the flight path to recover
01/07/2021 by Tabbi Maitland
AS it waits in the wings to take off, in anticipation of borders reopening, Singapore low cost carrier Scoot is clearly convinced that its new aircraft, the A321neo, will hit the sweet spot in its flight path to recovery. On Monday, CEO Campbell Wilson held a virtual media briefing to announce [...]
Digitisation, sustainability, new design thinking – there’s no turning back for hospitality, says Park Hotel Group’s Shin Hui
01/07/2021 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
A new generation hotelier, Shin Hui Tan brings fresh perspectives to hospitality. The grand-daughter of renowned banker Wee Cho Yaw (United Overseas Bank), she spent four years in finance and private equity before joining Park Hotel Group in 2009, where she leads commercial and brand strategy. [...]
Velocity Ventures closes first round of funds to focus on Covid-19 themed mandate
30/06/2021 by WiT
VELOCITY Ventures, a hospitality & travel-focused venture capital firm based in Singapore, announces the initial closing of the first-ever venture capital fund dedicated to hospitality and travel startups. The fund has a Covid-19 themed investment mandate, focusing on supporting distressed a [...]
As business events claw their way back, APAC to lead the way in digital innovation and adoption
30/06/2021 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Studies show stronger appetite in region for virtual and hybrid ONE-and-a-half years into Covid, and attending a conference in person still feels like a novel activity. Even the driver who dropped me off at Marina Bay Sands this Monday was curious. “You going to an event? How many people? Got [...]
Flexible payment options are drawing consumers back to travel
30/06/2021 by WiT
THE pandemic has seen a sharp rise in consumers opting to buy first and pay later due to the current economic uncertainty, and these flexible payment options are driving consumers to travel. Pay When You Fly (PWYF), a new research by Amadeus, states this is the “most appealing payment option� [...]
Thailand ramps up organic tourism movement with reopening of Phuket
30/06/2021 by Yeoh Siew Hoon
Thai Organic Consumer Association partners with TAT to launch platform connecting travellers with organic farmers IN tandem with the reopening of Phuket tomorrow (July 1), the Thai Organic Consumer Association (TOCA), in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), will be launching [...]
The Wrap: Emirates expands implementation of IATA Travel Pass, SIA Group launches carbon offset programme, and more …
30/06/2021 by WiT
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and an update on how businesses in these sectors are adapting and resetting as they prepare for post-pandemic travel. Emirates extends IATA Travel Pass to 10 cities The IATA Travel Pass-Alhosn check-in counters at Dubai I [...]
Impact of Covid-19 on Asia’s villa rental market and trends for 2021: A case study
28/06/2021 by WiT
Villa Finder carried out a research on the impact of travel restrictions on the US$440m villa market in Asia and outlook for the region's vacation rentals sector. The company presents its findings in this guest post. THE Covid-19 pandemic has heavily impacted the travel industry, and the vill [...]
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings adopts climate action strategy to reach carbon neutrality
28/06/2021 by WiT
Commits to offset three million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over three years to bridge gaps in decarbonisation efforts. NORWEGIAN Cruise Line Holdings (Norwegian), which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, is taking action again [...]