AI, sustainability, and piña coladas | Reviewing 2024 and prepping for 2025 (WiT Podcast)
2024 brought both promises and challenges to the travel industry, especially around sustainability, AI, and evolving traveller behaviors. As Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda, reflects on the past year, he offers insights that hint at what’s ahead in 2025. From the p [...]
How Ascott thinks about return on technology and innovation
Striking a balance between finance and sustainability, and commerce
In the Eurythmics’ song “Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves”, Annie Lennox croons, “Standin' on their own two feet, And ringin' on their own bells, we say, Sisters are doin' it for themselves”.
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See You Soon: Destination experiences for the Next Generation
How Mandai, AlUlA and Queenstown are transforming to face the future
From a manmade attraction in urban Singapore to an ancient kingdom in the Saudi Arabian desert to how the tourism town of Queenstown is being transformed into a technology hub, destinations are rethinking how they face the future. [...]
How a Third Generation Hotelier is Transforming Dusit: From Wonderfruit to a Flagship Revival
For Siradej, sustainability, serenity and spirituality are the three new S’s
When Siradej “Champ” Donavanik, a third-generation member of Thailand’s Dusit family, was given the opportunity to develop a plot of land in Chonburi, the path he opted for was surprising.
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Gambler, Promoter or Maker? How Klook’s Ethan Lin Defines the Next Era of Travel Entrepreneurship
When you look at Ethan Lin, CEO and co-founder of Klook, you might wonder: is he a gambler, a promoter, or a maker – the three archetypes described by Thayer Ventures’ Chris Hemmeter in this article, when describing the evolution of the travel entrepreneur over the last two decades. (See related [...]
96.4% of Singapore travellers consider sustainable travel amidst gap between awareness and action
Trip.com Group, a key global travel service provider in the Asia Pacific region, reveals that while sustainability awareness is rising among travellers, there remains a gap between awareness and action. This is one of the main insights from the Sustainable Travel Consumer Report 2024 that the Group [...]
Klook marks 10 years with economic contributions and complimentary tours in Asia Pacific
Klook, a leading platform for travel bookings and experiences in Asia, celebrated its 10th anniversary by announcing new initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and supporting local communities.
At Klook's 'Kreatorverse' event, the company shared that an independent study conducted b [...]
Muslim travel market set for 230 million international arrivals by 2028, with an expenditure of USD 225 billion
Mastercard and CrescentRating have jointly launched the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024, a comprehensive guide designed to study and deliver insights around Muslim-friendly tourism. This year’s report highlights major advancements and insights into a fast-growing market, shedding light on e [...]
Balancing the final frontier: Space tourism should have purpose and meaning, says Space Faculty’s Anna Garcia
“Lessons should be learnt from tourism on Earth”
As curious as she is about space and having built her career in the sector, space scientist Anna Sabate Garcia of Singapore-based Space Faculty is in two minds about the prospect of space travel being accessible to the masses.
“It is a t [...]
How community creators are shaping sustainable tourism
In an industry where sustainability and authentic experiences are increasingly sought after, some entrepreneurs, operating in niche spaces, have dedicated themselves to creating unique, meaningful experiences rooted in their love for their communities.
These creators— Eric Chong, Li-Chin Kuo, [...]
