Airbnb acquires GamePlanner.AI, expands AI capabilities
Tech giant invests nearly $200 million in stealth AI startup founded by Siri co-creator
In its first acquisition since 2019 and first-ever as a public company, Airbnb has acquired GamePlanner.AI, a stealth 12-person AI company founded by Adam Cheyer and Siamak Hodjat. Adam Cheyer, known for co-foun [...]
A thought revolution needed in sustainability
The next word is biological diversity, says Greenview's Ricaurte
A leading player in hotel sustainability reporting has outlined what he sees as “the next lens” to view humanity’s mission of environmental balance and stewardship
Speaking at WiT Singapore 2023, Eric Ricaurte, CEO of Greenvi [...]
Letter from New York: Sleep tourism’s the next big thing
From Booking.com’s “Reboot Retreaters” prediction to sleep suites in hotels, travellers are yearning for a good snooze
I suppose it is ironic that I am writing about sleep in a city that doesn’t sleep but travelling to New York on that epic 18-hour flight from Singapore has a tendency to se [...]
WiT Podcast: Expedia’s Paredes on how to build successful partnerships
On the first episode of Expedia Talks, a special series powered by Expedia Group, we speak with Alfonso Paredes (SVP, Commercial Partnerships, Expedia Group) about finding synergy in a competitive travel market, looking for common goals among collaborators, and how tech is helping build bridges inst [...]
Bansko attracts nomads. Tackling ticket scammers. MATTA’s tiger tokens. More.
This week: Small Bulgarian town has become a magnet for digital nomads, sports ticket seller is kicking goals for travel professionals, e-wallets are opening across Malaysia and Airbnb cops a big fine in Italy.
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Move over, Bali: Bansko is where the nomads [...]
The possibilities & responsibilities of travel in the age of AI and tech
Report From the Global Travel Tech Thinktank at WiT Singapore 2023
The first Global Travel Tech Thinktank, held by WiT, Phocuswright and Phocuswire, in 2022, covered the theme of “How To Future Proof Travel: Resilience, Responsibility, Respect”.
A direct outcome of that Thinktank was the lau [...]
Korean air market entering Season 3 of K-drama moments
One step closer to Korean Air-Asiana merger, Korean Air to launch NDC in 2024, new airlines Air Premia and T’way jostle for supremacy, Lufthansa and KLM Air France push on with NDC, agents anticipating disruption in distribution in traditional market
It felt like something out of a K-drama. Afte [...]
Welcome to the “Squid Game” of Korean travel startup world
K Travel Tech Summit puts spotlight on role models and aspiring stars
If there was one key message from the first K Travel Tech Summit, held in conjunction with WiT Seoul, and organized by the Korea Tourism Organisation, it is that Korean travel startups are more than ready to take on the world.
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The heart work of socialising travel’s green revolution
“Incentivising the traveller is one thing, and then there’s really immersing the traveller in sustainability – without making them feel like it's homework. Because no one wants to do homework on holidays.”
The push for more sustainable travel has become an accepted option-of-choice for disc [...]
