Web in Travel’s WITovation Awards kicked off this afternoon at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore, crowning Japan’s Agora Hospitalities the first winner under the True Specialist category.

The True Specialist category recognises the company that has most successfully carved out a niche so special and deep, told its story well online, engaged well with its customers and delivered an outstanding experience.

Categorising itself as Low-Cost Accommodation, Agora Hospitalities allows its guests to choose their own guest amenities such as flavoured teas, bathrobes, nightwear and Japanese gadgets, said Satomi Nakabayashi of Agora, who was on hand to receive the award. (pictured below right with Rod Cuthbert of rome2rio)

The other category winner announced this afternoon was Asiarooms.com, beating the other two shortlisted entries AirAsia BRAIN and WEGO Indonesia as the Uber Social company of the year.

The Uber Social award recognises the company that has made the most awesome use of social media to tell a story, engage with the customer to improve service, increase loyalty and improve revenues.

“We will remain engaged and relevant to you all,” said Clarence Lim, brand development lead at Asiarooms.com (pictured above left with Yeoh Siew Hoon, WIT producer).