Agoda’s creator program. Lisa reps Thailand. Airbnb’s experiences go social. AI in distribution.
Agoda launches new program to partner with travel creators
Digital travel platform Agoda has launched the Agoda Ambassador program, a new initiative designed to strengthen commercial ties with travel creators on social media. The initiative will see Agoda working directly with travel creators to [...]
Expedia Group B2B: The invisible engine powering the world’s travel bookings
Every time a traveller books a hotel through a loyalty portal, redeems points online, or makes a travel booking on another platform, there’s a good chance Expedia Group B2B is quietly working behind the scenes.
Its name may not appear on the booking page, but its technology often powers what happ [...]
Expedia TAAP: Empowering travel advisors by building with them, not around them
If AI trains on data, Expedia’s Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) learns from people.
It’s the platform that connects thousands of travel advisors to Expedia’s global inventory — but more importantly, it’s an engine built for and with them. TAAP isn’t just a booking system; it’s w [...]
From flash deals to Muay Thai villas: Stephanie Chai’s luxe lesson in pivot and perseverance
When The Luxe Nomad launched in 2012, it was born out of a dare, and a dose of naïveté. Thirteen years later, its founder Stephanie Chai sits on a regional empire of villas, chalets, and condo-hotels spanning Bali, Thailand, and Hokkaido – proof that optimism, when coupled with tenacity, can [...]
Agoda x Saudi Tourism Authority. Travelsoft buys Travolution. Satisfaction isn’t loyalty. More.
Agoda partners with ONYX Hospitality to launch curated flagship store
Agoda has expanded its Flagship Store initiative through a new partnership with ONYX Hospitality Group, a hotel management company in Southeast Asia. Announced at ITB Asia 2025 in Singapore, the collaboration provides ONYX with a [...]
Inside the mind of Trip’s Xing Xiong: A technologist reflects on the AI age
AI cannot replace passion: Make safe decisions with limited resources, collaborate to put travellers first, focus on problems, not tech.
In a rare public appearance, Trip.com Group’s Chief Operating Officer Xing Xiong stepped out of his “engine room” to speak at WiT’s 20th anniversary con [...]
From intelligence to well-being: Inside JTB’s Eijiro Yamakita’s vision to enrich global tourism
In Japan, there is a saying, 縁は異なもの味なもの」(En wa i na mono, aji na mono) – which means literally, “Fate is a strange thing, and a flavourful thing” – meaning “the ties and encounters in life are unexpected and mysterious, but they bring richness and delight”.
It [...]
From spreadsheet to sky: How Skyscanner took flight
Three coders, one spreadsheet, and a restless idea that refused to stay grounded.
When Barry Smith, Gareth Williams, and Bonamy Grimes decided to start a business together, they had no idea what shape it would take. All they knew was that they wanted to build something – and that whatever it wa [...]
Letter from Vietnam – wait, strike that, Phuket: Travellers have more power than ever
Putting travellers’ interests first is in our best interests.
It’s a long story how our motley crew of five travellers, spanning three generations, ended up in Phuket instead of Vietnam. Let’s just say visas were involved.
But as I sit here in the lap of luxury at Trisara, one of the isla [...]
Whose order? Or, why everyone wants to own your trip (and make you pay for it)
A few weeks ago, as I planned my trip to join WIT’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, my inbox was littered with the usual barrage: multiple confirmation emails for each trip element and no single journey umbrella document. Each came from a different brand, with a different reference number, in a diff [...]
