The Middle East travel market: Resilient, reset, and recalibrating
Three months after the first attack on Iran sent shockwaves through the region, I spoke to four OTA leaders operating across the Middle East to get a read on where things stand. What emerged wasn't a single story but four different ones, shaped by market size, business model, and temperament.
&nb [...]
The age of wellness tourism is here and tech is cashing in
From AI-powered jet lag apps to spa booking platforms, the wellness travel industry is quietly becoming one of the most exciting spaces in travel tech. Here's what you need to know.
If you thought wellness tourism was just overpriced yoga retreats and green juice, think again. The sector is under [...]
Hyenas, hippos and the human experience: Beyond the room in Africa
What makes a hotel stay truly unforgettable?
For one panellist, it was waking to the sound of a baby wildebeest being hunted by hyenas and wild dogs just beyond the balcony railing. For another, it was the simple ritual of a cup of coffee delivered to bed at exactly the right moment, rugs laid out, [...]
The battle against AI commoditization in experiences: Be specific and weirdly human
In a world of scale, accelerated by AI, how do you keep the soul of experiences? Four voices from The Experience Economy – from audio tours to safari bookings, AI recommendations and intrepid travel – share their lessons.
The global experiences market is booming. According to “The Outloo [...]
Amadeus wants biometrics. Spotnana, Air Canada link up. PKFARE and AirAsia MOVE offer booking bundles.
Spotnana, Air Canada link up on NDC and flight pass integration
Spotnana has announced a partnership with Air Canada that includes two integrations: a direct NDC connection covering the full booking and servicing lifecycle (continuous pricing, negotiated fares, unused credit management, self-servic [...]
The aspiring traveller has spoken, now who will build for them?
MOVE’s Nadia Omer on unlocking ASEAN's next wave of travellers
The desire to travel has never been stronger in South-east Asia. The problem, says Nadia Omer, is that the industry hasn't caught up with the person doing the desiring.
Speaking at Travel Tech Thursdays Kuala Lumpur, themed “ [...]
K-culture is driving higher-value travel to South Korea
A new Airbnb report shows that South Korea’s global cultural influence is driving travel demand to Korea and shaping a higher-value segment of travellers who spend more, stay longer, and seek deeper cultural experiences.
Key takeaways:
K-culture influenced 94% of visitors and [...]
Global business travel continues but confidence drops sharply
Conflict, costs and complexity reshape the 2026 outlook
The latest GBTA industry poll finds optimism waning ─ especially in Europe ─ as geopolitical concerns emerge as the top factor influencing business travel spending, trip volume and meetings decisions, while AI gains momentum as a strategic [...]
ZUZU’s AI revenue co-pilot launches first partnership in Japan
SQUEEZE Inc. selects ZUZU's RevMate AI to power revenue management
The Japan-based smart hotel operator, running over 40 hotels and serviced apartments, adopts RevMate to enhance revenue intelligence alongside suitebook, its cloud-based hospitality operation platform
ZUZU Hospitality, [...]
Airbnb’s CORTIS stay. TAT and Dida launch ‘Trusted Thailand’. Ascott scales agentic AI commerce. More.
Airbnb partners with CORTIS to launch REDRED-themed stay
Airbnb and CORTIS have teamed up to open the POP-UP: Airbnb & CORTIS Seoul Hideout, a free immersive fan experience running May 1–7 in Seoul, celebrating the group's lead single REDRED from their upcoming 2nd EP GREENGREEN. The space is [...]
