What is a high-value destination? The Bhutan prime minister’s insight
Bhutan prime minister Tshering Tobgay had just returned from a walk in Central Park before meeting me in New York this week. That walk would influence the answer to one of my questions to him.
I began our interview by telling Tobgay that when I had spoken to Palau's president, Surangel Whipps Jr., [...]
Intriq Journey intent on blazing new trails, space travel included
“What could be more exotic and off the beaten path than space?”
Bespoke luxury travel company Intriq Journey, formed by a team of the former Country Holidays, Singapore, is blazing new trails with space as its newest frontier.
Founded in January 2020 and with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong [...]
Taylor Swift’s economic impact competes with Coldplay and Adele
"By examining how different music styles and events influence traveller behavior and demographics, destinations can better understand spending patterns and overall impact."
Earlier this year, we ran a few stories covering Taylor Swift's significant impact on Singapore's economy thanks to the surge [...]
Startup stories and lessons from regional entrepreneurs
Up and coming startups, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore, paint a picture of a robust region with ample tech-driven opportunities
“Opportunities” was one of the first words that kick-started a panel at WiT Indie a few weeks ago that focused on rising startups in the region - two from Mala [...]
The secret sauce of “char koay teow”, storytelling and indie travel businesses
AI, it seems, is creeping into everything. In a little eatery called Jiashi Cafe in a local neighbourhood in Penang, far from the madding tourist crowd, the young entrepreneurs running it offer “AI Fried Char Koay Teow”.
For anyone who’s been to Penang, you’ll know that “Char Koay Teow� [...]
Sabah Convention Bureau is carving its niche with conservation, local values and state culture in mind
CEO, Noredah Othman, is focusing on quality over quantity by tapping into the local MICE industry
As the fairly new CEO of the Sabah Convention Bureau, Noredah Othman plans to use her knowledge of the East Malaysian state from a previous career to achieve the company’s goals. Speaking at the rece [...]
How Singapore’s Tribe Tours adds value to its tours with storytelling
Using AI to illustrate the “big story book” for toddlers for a new tour
For Tribe Tours, Singapore, storytelling is an absolutely essential element to staying relevant as a tour operator in a destination where, let’s face it, visitors don’t face much trouble in getting around. [...]
Singapore game, Hidden, makes the leap to New Zealand to gamify Maori stories
First overseas foray for WhatsApp-based game started during pandemic
Former journalist and data scientist, Lim Yee Hung, was twiddling his thumbs during the pandemic (like all of us) when during Singapore’s so-called “Circuit Breaker” – the period when people were asked to stay home an [...]
How many giants can Asia hold? Agoda’s Teja and Trip.com’s Xie on competition, expansion and making sense of new tech
Calling Trip.com Group and Agoda ‘industry giants’ would certainly be an understatement. Both companies have expanded rapidly over the last few years, dominating regional demographics and adding more verticals to their platforms while becoming one-stop booking shops for many travellers in the re [...]
Never been more exciting to be a storyteller in heritage and conservation, says Blue Mansion’s pioneer
New mission to make Fort Cornwallis, Penang, a must-visit, and not-boring, experience
For the psychologist-lecturer-turned-conservator-researcher, who pioneered story telling in Penang and brought the story of 19th century Chinese merchant Cheong Fatt Tze to life, through the Blue Mansion, ther [...]
