ZUMATA wins Top New Business Partner at 2017 IBM Choice Awards
ZUMATA has just been awarded the title of Top New Business Partner, courtesy of the 2017 IBM Choice Awards.
The Singapore-based travel technology company – which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to maximise sales from hotel bookings through predictive technology – was select [...]
Monetary Authority of Singapore makes loans and VC licensing easier, but will it help travel startups?
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has opted to relax current rules regarding how finance companies provide loans to SMEs and startups.
At the moment, a finance company faces a cap of 10% of capital funds for total uncollateralised lending, with a S$5000 maximum to a single borrower.
Th [...]
GlobalTix aims to be the ultimate ticketing platform for attractions, tours and activities
Tours, attractions and activities vary so wildly in size and type, the segment has faced more than a fair share of struggles in its attempts to enter the online travel game.
An estimated 82% of bookings in the segment are still handled via manual processes, according to Phocuswright. On top of th [...]
Booking.com Booster launched: Supports startups dedicated to sustainable tourism
Booking.com has launched Booking.com Booster, its new accelerator programme that aims to identify, mentor and fund startups committed to sustainable tourism such as preserving cultural heritage and promoting tourism that supports local economies/communities.
The new programme is an extension of B [...]
RedDoorz: Lessons on how to build a business on the ground, not on the portal
The Chinese believe red is a lucky colour and it seems to be working in RedDoorz’ favour, although it’s also taken a lot of hard work to get to where it is.
The startup that pivoted from a B2B tech player focused on India to becoming a new generation budget hotel chain focused on Indonesia is [...]
AirAsia to host its first hackathon in March
Last year when the AirAsia group posted a healthy 3Q2016 (financial year ending September 30) with revenue of RM2.97 billion (US$665.7 million) its chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, said the 2017 would promise to be more exciting as ‘it marks the emergence of AirAsia group as a digi [...]
Reflections on 2016 and Predictions for 2017 (Part III)
It’s that time of the year when we ask industry leaders for their thoughts on what happened in 2016 and what they forsee will happen in the new year. Here’s Part 3.
Guillaume De Marcillac, Co-CEO, FASTBOOKING
3 Top Things That Happened and That Mattered in 2016
1. Is bigger [...]
VoiceMap: Immersive audio tours giving voice to stories untold
We travel to experience places, hear stories and uncover perspectives from people that grew up in a world different to our own. Stumbling upon these stories isn’t easy and it’s easy to transition from traveller to a simple tourist, gawking at different landmarks for days on end.
Fortunately, [...]
Amadeus Next: A year of powering startups in APAC, forecasts growth in funding in 2017
Travel innovations like BorderPass and Seatfrog have enabled air passsengers to skip immigration queues and secure last-minute airline upgrades respectively, examples of two startups made possible by Amadeus Next, the division launched by Amadeus to provide technology, expertise, reach and fundin [...]
Reflections on 2016 and Predictions for 2017 (Part II)
It’s that time of the year when we ask industry leaders for their thoughts on what happened in 2016 and what they forsee will happen in the new year. Here’s Part 2.
Kei Shibata, CEO, Venture Republic
3 Top Things That Happened and That Mattered in 2016
1. Ctrip acquired Skysca [...]