utu tackles tax-free shopping with US$33 million deal, acquires fintech startup CardsPal
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel industry is projected to reach US$9.5 trillion in 2023, representing 95% of the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Despite this rebound, McKinsey reports that only about 1% of venture funding over the past 15 years has been allocated to the trave [...]
Building Meili and Manna: How Bobby Healy wants to end “fiasco of car hire brokering” and change the world of delivery
The one thing you can count on when you speak to Bobby Healy is, he’s a straight shooter. When you ask him why he founded Meili Travel Technology, his new car rental business in direct competition with CarTrawler, the company he helped build over 15 years, his answer, “It was the right thing to [...]
As tours & activities heat up, Go City keeps focus on profitability
Singapore from zero to hero, “people will always travel to cities,” says Jon Owen
Let’s face it. The tours and activities sector is blazing hot again. GetYourGuide’s latest fund raise of $194 million of equity and debt financing, valuing it at nearly $2 billion, was the talk of the town at [...]
Massive surge in hotel demand around Coldplay concerts in Singapore, says Agoda
"This spike in accommodation bookings is a testament to the undeniable lure of live musical experiences."
Singapore hoteliers are gearing up for a tourism boom as Agoda has unveiled statistics indicating an overwhelming surge in demand for accommodations in the city-state during Coldplay's upcoming [...]
Finland’s phone-free island. Risk of greenwashing. Shiji’s frictionless payments, and more.
Tourist island declares itself phone free
Finland’s Ulko-Tammio tourist island is going phone-free this summer.
Those travelling to the island, located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, will be encouraged to switch off their smart devices, take a break from social media and enjoy n [...]
Klook taps into music tourism as official partner for Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’
The platform will also offer first-of-its-kind bundling to its users to facilitate Swift's highly anticipated return to Singapore.
Klook, a key travel activity and experience booking platform, aims to tackle opportunities in the music tourism space by becoming the Official Experience Partner for Ta [...]
Airbnb calls for flexibility as Malaysia teases nationwide control, a first in Southeast Asia
Kuala Lumpur was Airbnb’s most visited city in South-East Asia last year, and one of the most searched destinations worldwide.
Malaysia is on the verge of becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to impose extensive restrictions on short-stay rentals, such as Airbnb, following the enforcement [...]
Could generative AI make Google Maps a full travel app?
Generative AI has the power to supercharge maps and turn travel planning on its head, according to a report from Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH).
In its latest study, LIH says the integration of generative AI with map-based interfaces "not only has the capacity to augment our interactions with t [...]
Almosafer and Klook unveil a digital marketplace for Tours and Experiences in Saudi Arabia
The new platform connects Saudi Arabia travellers to global platforms, starting with Klook
Almosafer, part of the Seera Group, has joined forces with Klook, a key travel and experiences platform in Asia, to launch Almosafer Activities. This joint venture introduces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's fir [...]
Traveloka and South Pole partner to launch pilot climate action checkout for Singapore travellers
Revenue generated from this project will be invested in wastewater treatment in Thailand’s Khon Buri district to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Singapore-based users of Traveloka, a key travel platform in Southeast Asia, will now have the opportunity to contribute to global climate action and p [...]
