Beyond the new logo, here’s why you must learn from Airbnb
There’s been lots written about the new Airbnb logo. Some have panned it. Some have mocked it, comparing it to bits of the human gentitalia. Some have applauded it.But beyond the logo change, there's something bigger happening, something that we in travel should watch carefully.With its new logo, [...]
Letter from the road: Golden age of the customer is upon us, deal with it
While in Penang this week, the second leg of our WIT Hospitality Roadshow, I downloaded the HotelQuickly app to quickly check what rooms were available and at what price.The company had just raised US$4.5 million in a second round of funding and they were part of our panel of speakers at this roadsh [...]
Letter from Bangalore: The India story is just beginning
Each time I return to India, I am reminded anew of the wonderful hospitality of the country’s luxury hotels. There’s really no beating that willingness to be of service that’s the hallmark of Taj hotels.Our event, the first WIT India, co-organised with the Singapore Tourism Board, was held at [...]
“Little Big 10” things I wished I had known then
This October, we will mark the 10th edition of the WIT conference. Yes, in November 2005, we held our very first event at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront which was to become our home for the next three years.Much water under the Anderson Bridge, as you might say – did you know that this bridge, whi [...]
Letter to Mr UP and a date with Google Glass
Dear Mr UP, I hope you don’t mind me calling you a Mr because somehow I like to think of you as a man wrapped around my little wrist.I am also writing this letter because you’re kinda special to me. You are my first wearable device and although it’s only been a week and counting, I am beginn [...]
Watch out, sea change coming to cruising in Asia
I spent most of last week at a cruising conference and you could say it’s taken me into new waters (pardon the pun).
It’s opened my eyes to how big the market is getting, how much bigger the ships are getting and how, for the first time, instead of bringing their older ships to Asia, br [...]
Walking In The Rain and Reminiscing
It’s become a common occurrence these days in Singapore to be rained upon. Without fail, every late afternoon, just as the crows are getting ready to curl up to sleep, the skies will open up and kaboom, buckets of water will pour from the sky.
(Picture: Clouds build up in the Singapore [...]
Trilogy of cities, Pt 3: Belfast in context and sheep as neighbours
Belfast is one of those places that gets in the news a lot – unfortunately for the wrong reasons. IRA, bombs, police clashes. Movies made about Northern Ireland reinforce the idea that it’s a divided city, full of hate and violence, neighbor against neighbor …And so as I was being driven from [...]
Trilogy of cities, Pt 2: Chasing the Guinness story and the perfect pint
Growing up, I’d always heard that “Guinness is good for you”. Dang it, I can still sing the jingle although I now learn that it was created in 1929.
Even though I wasn’t their target customer (at least I hope I wasn’t), I found myself humming along whenever I saw big, burly, bea [...]
Letter from Dublin: The best lessons are from taxi drivers and digital players
In the 20 minutes it took me to get from airport to hotel, I got an instant crash course on the state of things in Dublin (left).
The economy’s still bad, there’s a homelessness crisis, as a result of the severe property bust, which has gripped Ireland the last couple of years, and ther [...]
