Klook’s $100M fund raise signals confidence in the travel experiences sector
Reactions from industry insiders were swift and varied when news broke that Klook had raised another $100 million, this time from Vitruvian Partners. Responses ranged from admiration – “Wow, they’re a fundraising machine” – to concern – “Oh dear” – to outright battle cries: “It� [...]
Klook secures $100m from Vitruvian Partners
Ethan Lin: “This raise isn't just about capital, it's about confidence”
Barely more than a year since it raised $210m in December 2023, Klook, the leading platform for experiences and travel services in Asia, has announced US$100 million in funding led by the global growth investment firm Vitru [...]
Longer holidays, bigger budgets: Why APAC travellers are extending Lunar New Year trips
Rise in cross-border travel with stays up to 10% longer this holiday season. Growing interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations and cruises
Trip.com Group has unveiled its latest LNY trends for 2025, showcasing how travellers are prioritising longer stays, meaningful experiences and unconventiona [...]
From Mallorca to the world: How Hotel Treats, nurtured by two couples, is going places with day experiences
Every startup has an interesting back story and Hotel Treats, the Scaleup Winner (People’s Choice) of the Global Startup Pitch 2024, is no exception.
It was founded seven years ago by two couples, who didn’t even meet in person until 18 months after starting the business. “We did everything [...]
ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025 spotlights sustainability and AI as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026
35.6 million and 147.1 billion. Keep these figures in mind as they are pivotal to Malaysia’s tourism industry as it gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026). Simultaneously, the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from January 15 to 20, brought together over 1,000 dele [...]
Purple Elephant Ventures raises $4.5M to build travel technology in Africa
Kenya’s startup studio Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV) has received $4.5 million in seed funding to push forward its mission to transform Africa’s tourism industry.
Purple Elephant Ventures aims to make Africa a leading player in regenerative tourism, focused on creating a travel sector that [...]
Letter from Penang: Some repetitive tasks should not be replaced by AI
When Eric Chong of Green Acres, Penang, suggested we spend a morning harvesting cloves, I jumped at the chance to detach from the wired world – if only for a little while. It wasn’t just for me, though. I was also looking for something to get two Gen Alpha kids out of their YouTube bubble and in [...]
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 [...]
Klook’s surge in Korea: Localised operations driving global ambitions
Korea needs more localisation than most, says Klook's James Lee
In a travel market renowned for its digital nuances and unique consumer behaviors, Klook is making significant strides in South Korea by tailoring its operations to meet local needs while leveraging global resources.
The company, un [...]
Make travel experiences simple and seamless, says Go City CEO, Jon Owen
How exactly is Go City riding the wave of technological change in the attractions industry?
For Jon Owen, CEO of Go City, the answer lies in seamless connectivity and a constant commitment to making travel experiences simpler. "We offer customers attraction passes to destinations with the promise [...]
