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 …
Malaysia Airlines flies with hoolah to offer BNPL option for travellers
Malaysia Airlines’ partnership with hoolah is the carrier’s first collaboration with a BNPL provider in Asia. (Image credit: Malaysia Airlines)
With the imminent reopening of Malaysia, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, is making it easier for travellers to go on their long-awaited vacation with the launch of a buy now pay later (BNPL) option.
The carrier has entered into a partnership with Singapore-based omni-channel BNPL payment platform hoolah to offer a more flexible and convenient payment option for its customers.
Through this collaboration travellers in Malaysia, Singapore and soon Hong Kong can now book with Malaysia Airlines online and pay for their flights via hoolah’s flexible three-month, interest-free payment option.
This means that travellers can fly to their destination and enjoy their vacation before paying for the ticket in full, while spreading the cost over three monthly interest-free instalments, said Malaysia Airlines.
MAG has also launched hoolah’s BNPL offering on Journify, its integrated one-stop travel and lifestyle digital platform, where travellers can discover places of interest, book experiences around Malaysia and shop for local products. The tie-up has made it possible for customers to shop for products and services on the platform and pay later.
“This marks our first-of-its-kind partnership with a BNPL provider in Asia, and it couldn’t be timelier as we anticipate growing demands for travel with the reopening of our borders soon,” said Lau Yin May, group chief marketing and customer experience officer at Malaysia Airlines.
The Malaysian government recently announced the reopening of its borders on April 1, 2022, following a two-year closure brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Malaysia Airlines is committed to facilitating safe and seamless travels to all our guests and, now, we are taking the worry out of planning a trip, as they’ll be able to book and enjoy their getaway ahead of time, before paying for their trip through interest-free instalments,” Lau added.
The Malaysia national carrier is a member of the Travel Safe Alliance Malaysia (TSAM). Certified by Bureau Veritas Certification Malaysia, TSAM is a complete ecosystem of safe travel solutions made up of the “Travel Safe” label for travel and tour arrangements, “Clean & Safe Malaysia” label for hotels and “SafeBE” for Business.
Arvin Singh, CEO and co-founder of hoolah, said: “As countries in the region gradually open up their borders, we look forward to making travel more accessible and affordable for travellers, along with the flexibility to pay for their holiday over time.”
Vouch rolls out mobile check-in Hong Kong and Macau
Vouch mobile check-in option is now available for hotel guests in Hong Kong and Macau. (Image credit: Vouch)
Guest experience platform provider Vouch has launched its new mobile check-in option to provide hotel guests in Hong Kong and Macau a “hassle-free check-in experience”.
Vouch said that as the hospitality industry is one of the high touch contact sectors most impacted by the pandemic, its mobile check-in feature would support hoteliers in their effort to maintain compliance with social distancing guidelines and reduce direct guest contact.
On booking guests receive an email from the hotel with a unique check-in link for registration, followed by instructions to accept the use of camera to record guest’s identification documents. They input their credit card details for pre-authorisation, both of which can be completed prior to arrival in the hotel. On arrival they connect to the hotel WiFi to verify their physical presence in the hotel and use a front facing camera to validate their identity through liveness detection technology.
Vouch founder and CEO Joseph Ling said hotel’s guests usually have to wait, often for some time, with the traditional check-in process at the front desk.
“Our new mobile check-in solution provides an alternative way to simplify the guest journey by reducing time spent on the pre-stay process. At an operational level, it enables hoteliers to optimise staff productivity and shift resources to enhance personalised services focused on guests’ needs.”
The Singapore headquartered start-up provides AI-powered technology to the hospitality and travel sectors, including attractions and malls. In an interview with WiT in July 2021 Ling talked about his journey in starting Vouch and his plans to expand beyond Singapore.
In October of the same year, armed with seed funding of US$1.1 million led by Singapore venture capital firm Forge Ventures, Vouch announced plans to expand into new global markets, with the opening of its operations in London as a gateway to the rest of Europe. Besides London, Vouch also has offices in South Korea and Indonesia. (Read WiT’s interview with Ling during his London trip).
Where Singaporeans are travelling for spring break
Cherry blossom time in Osaka – the most searched destination among Singaporean for their spring break. (Image credit: Noah Sauve/Getty Images)
After more than two years of living with the pandemic and to escape the day-to-day life Singaporeans are planning to holiday abroad this Spring in a big way, undeterred by rising cost of fuel and inflation.
Nearly half of Singaporeans (43%) are going on vacation this Spring (March 1-May 31, 2022), compared with about a third (35%) in the same period last year, revealed TripAdvisor in its Spring Index.
Osaka, New York City and the Maldives are the most searched destinations for international travel for Spring break. The top 10 destinations are (in order of popularity): Osaka (Japan), New York City (US), Dhigurah (Maldives), Tokyo (Japan), Furanafushi Island, (Maldives), Bangkok (Thailand), Akasdhoo (Maldives), Fasmendhoo (Maldives), Dhaalu Atoll (Maldives) and Baa Atoll (Maldives).
Apart from trips, Singaporean travellers are also planning to splash more cash. Of those who travelled last year and plan to do so again, more than half (55%) intend to spend more than they did in 2021, with nearly a quarter (23%) planning to spend significantly more. Tripadvisor said its site data supports this sentiment, as average spend per booking for Singaporean travellers this spring is up a massive 181% year-on-year.
Nearly half (48%) said that they are looking to experience something new and unique on their next trip with cooking classes, out on the water and bike tours topping the list. Shopping trips are popular too, with one in 10 respondents opting for this experience.
• Featured image credit: Malaysia Airlines
