KKDay secures $95m in Series C to accelerate tech and hyper localisation
TRAVEL experiences platform in Asia, KKDay, has secured additional funding in a Series C+ round, bringing the total Series C round raised to US$95 million. The round is led by major tech Asia private equity firm TGVest Capital to accelerate tech.
The injection will be used to expand KKday’s tea [...]
Tiqets expands distribution with Trip.com Group integration
Travelers using Trip.com Group’s brands, including Trip.com, Ctrip and Skyscanner, can now book entry directly in those platforms at more than 4,000 museums and attractions around the world through an integration with Tiqets.
Tiqets founder and president Luuc Elzinga says the company [...]
“Mountain Kid” Le Masurier wants to build Dek Doi resort for those seeking “new era of community”
From renting one room on Airbnb to building a brand
FROM helping his mother rent out the top floor of their holiday home in Chiang Dao on Airbnb six years ago, William Le Masurier now has plans to develop a resort that will capture the essence of his “Dek Doi” (which means mountain kid) brand. [...]
With Bangkok launch, Go City banks on strong city passes to spur growth in APAC
AS part of its ramping up efforts in Asia, Go City launched its Bangkok pass last month. Senior vice president, commercial, APAC, Baidi Li speaks to WiT about its plans for Thailand as well as other markets in the region.
Q: Congratulations on the Bangkok launch. I understand it was a relaunc [...]
How Thailand’s “Elephant Whisperer” made it through the pandemic
When voluntourism disppeared, Elephant Nature Park got creative
SOCIAL media and a caring, connected community have largely been responsible for the smooth running of the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, since it was established in 1996. So when Covid came along and broke the connectiv [...]
From “hilltribe lady” to “tea lady”: The making of Araksa
When inbound travel stopped, specialty tea making and community experiences flourished
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my career,” said Chananya Phataraprasit as she introduced me to the 17 (soon to be 18) types of speciality teas her Araksa Tea Garden in Chiang Mai is currently p [...]
The Wrap: Klook and KAYAK expanded partnership, Sabre’s acquisition of Nuvola, Tourism Malaysia-Emirates MOC
THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology sector – new partnerships, product launches, aviation industry updates, innovative solutions, and more …
Klook, KAYAK expand partnership, integrate activities inventory
Travel and leisure e-commerce platform Klook and travel searc [...]
DMCs will play critical role in travel rebound, says dnata’s John Bevan
Fam trips, tech investment, sustainable offerings part of tool kit as Destination Asia gets set for recovery
FRESH from his first trip to visit his associates in Destination Asia in Bangkok and Singapore, John Bevan, divisional senior vice president of Dubai-based dnata Travel Group, is looking for [...]
Go City betting big on APAC and new head banking on deep localisation to get there
Travellers are coming whether attractions are ready or not, says Baidi Li
Baidi Li, who's spent her travel career in the tours and activities space, was recently elevated to lead Go City's expansion and growth in Asia Pacific as its new SVP of commercial for the region. Yeoh Siew Hoon catches up wi [...]
The Habitat pursues profit to address “the issues of our times”
Landscape prize, Biosphere Reserve status give Penang’s nature park even more fuel for purpose
IT had to wait nearly two years for the coveted award so when it was finally bestowed at a physical event in March this year, it was doubly sweet for The Habitat, Penang Hill.
The Habitat, which is p [...]
