The albatross that had to be let go
Even as we charge pell-mell into the future, it’s good, necessary, even, to take a walk back into the past to understand how we got to where we are today.
This week, I did exactly that. I visited The Albatross File: Singapore’s Independence Declassified, a permanent (actually it’s five years [...]
Asia loves Japan. Klook seeking ‘Chief Spring Officer’. Sabre adds 100k Chinese Hotels. Air New Zealand backs OneReg.
70% of Japan travel searches come from Asia ahead of Lunar New Year
Agoda says Lunar New Year travel demand is being driven largely by regional travellers, with its search data showing that 70% of interest in trips to Japan and more than 25% of searches for Thailand are coming from within Asia ahea [...]
Traveloka layoffs as it reorganises workforce around “capabilities, tech and growth”
Traveloka has axed employees as part of what a spokesman told WiT is a “workforce evolution focused on capabilities, technology and growth”.
The spokesperson continued, “While these decisions are difficult and involve role reductions, they allow us to invest where it matters most for customer [...]
Calling all travel startups: Global Startup Pitch returns in 2026
Grand Finals to be held at Phocuswright Europe in Barcelona
Travel startups from across the world will have the opportunity to expose themselves to the global market once again when the Global Startup Pitch, by WiT and Phocuswright, returns for its 2026 edition.
Now in its fifth year, the global [...]
The direct booking secret no algorithm can beat
This week, a front desk executive succeeded where technology failed – she made me rethink my booking behaviour with a single human act. No algorithm. No AI layer. No vibe coding. Just awareness, initiative and follow-through.
Last week I checked into Amari Boulevard Kuala Lumpur. Since we launch [...]
Vietnam’s online travel market set to double to $8B by 2030 as OTAs, super apps and AI race for control
The Online Travel Tracker is a brand-new monthly report focusing on various subjects shaping the travel tech landscape in the region. This article is based on data from the Online Travel Tracker Volume 1: Vietnam Revealed. To explore the full data, insights and market analysis, download the comp [...]
PerkSpot’s travel portal. Lunar New Year trends. Protect Group targets $10B. YouTrip expands Global eSIM. OTA bookings surge.
Protect Group aims for $10B after record 2025
Protect Group says it exceeded its 2025 target by offering protection on more than US$8 billion in bookings, up from its original US$7 billion goal, and is now aiming to surpass US$10 billion in protected booking offers in 2026, representing projected g [...]
HeyMax secures US$11M Series A to accelerate product development and regional expansion, led by Peak XV Partners
HeyMax, a loyalty and travel rewards platform headquartered in Singapore, announced it has raised US$11 million in a Series A round led by Peak XV Partners. The round also attracted strategic investor Betatron Venture Group, with continued support from existing backers January Capital and Tenity.
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WiT Queenstown expands to two days as demand surges
WiT Queenstown will now run over two days from July 20-21, following strong local and international demand for the inaugural New Zealand edition of Asia Pacific’s leading travel tech media and events platform, presented in partnership with Technology Queenstown.
The event will also move to a ne [...]
Filip Filipov and his 10 big bets on the future of travel
At WiT Singapore last October, Filip Filipov, COO (now CEO) of OAG, opened his presentation with a provocation and a timer: 80 slides in 900 seconds. The pace mattered. Travel has entered its vertical-line decade, he argued – a period where technology cycles compress, incumbents retool faster than [...]
