In the news: Wego’s enhanced presence in the Phiippines, Amadeus’ new technology, Jetstar Asia’s added capacity, inaugural Accor Es-capers hunt 

Wego steps up presence in the Philippines

Wego, having consolidated its position as the leading travel metasearch site in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, is now looking at the Philippines to accelerate its growth.

The company recently appointed a dedicated market manager to the Philippines, extending its localisation strategy to further incorporate and serve travellers, hotels, airlines and other travel industry businesses.

Currently Wego, which is headquartered in Singapore, has local offices in Indonesia, India and Dubai. Wego Philippines was launched in November 2011.

“The Asia Pacific market is a strategic region for Wego, and we’ve established a successful localisation programme with more than 50 country sites in 30 languages worldwide in 42 currencies. In the Philippines we are one of only a few travel comparison sites to display rates in the Philippine Peso,” said Joachim Holte, Wego’s chief marketing officer. (pictured left).

He added that following an investment of US$17 million in growth capital through the completion of a series C preferred share offering, part of the company’s strategy is to appoint dedicated market managers in its growth regions to expand its activities.

“The Philippines is undergoing a surge in tourism development and economic growth, which is being reflected in the growing number of Wego users from the country.”

The Philippines is currently the sixth largest market in terms of search revenue and seventh in terms of traffic for Wego, which are significant numbers considering its user base, referring in excess of US$10 million per day in potential bookings to its travel partners.

The top 10 destinations out of the country are Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Los Angeles, New York, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, London, Bali and San Francisco.

Amadeus unveils new technology to “future-proof” businesses

Amadeus recently launched the inaugural VIP Innovation Series workshops in Bangkok for over 20 participants representing Asia Pacific’s top travel agencies. This is the first of many planned for the region over the next 18 months.

The workshops aim to provide Amadeus travel agency customers with an in-depth look at the trends and new technologies, which will shape the Asia Pacific travel industry over the next 18 to 36 months.

Attendees are given an exclusive “first look’ at Amadeus” new suite of solutions, which will be introduced to travel agencies over the coming year. These include innovative new mobile and social media solutions, which will help customers increase sales, enhance customer service, and improve operational efficiency.

Bruno des Fontaines, vice president, customer solutions group, Amadeus Asia Pacific, said that constant innovation is key to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

“These workshops are a great opportunity to build on mutually beneficial long-term relationships and to better understand how we can help our customers. Our role in Asia Pacific is to develop new solutions and continue to support our customers’ success and to stay ahead of the ‘trend curve’. We believe these workshops are just one way to do that.”

Jetstar Asia boosts capacity to Cambodia, Indonesia and China

Singapore based low cost carrier, Jetstar Asia, added 18 weekly services. or an additional 17,200 seats, on flights from Singapore to Cambodia, Indonesia and China.

From October 27, the airline will add two more weekly Bali (Indonesia) flights to make it a daily service, and launch three direct services to Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

For Indonesia the LCC will add four weekly flights to Medan and Jakarta, increasing the service to 10 and 25 per week respectively.

Shantou and Hangzhou in China will get one more weekly flight each, increasing the former’s frequency to four times weekly and latter to five times weekly (from November 18).

Bara Pasupathi, CEO of Jetstar, said the new capacity was a result of adding two new Sharklet-equipped A320s to the fleet.

“Our focus on expanding our Southeast Asia network and schedule gives our customers as well as our codeshare and interline passengers, greater choice and access to some of Asia’s most exciting holiday destinations.”

Boosting services to popular destinations in Cambodia, Indonesia and China will see Jetstar Asia carry more than four million passengers before the end of 2013.

“I’m delighted that Bali and Phnom Penh will now have daily flights operating out of Singapore from the end of October. Previously, passengers travelling to Phnom Penh would need to transit in Siem Reap. With direct flights to Phnom Penh, there will be more seats available from Singapore and travellers will now be able to enjoy more time exploring their destination.”

Inaugural Accor Es-capers hunt highlights social media’s impact on travel

From September 9 to 11, seven teams of two from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia will “flood” Hong Kong in the inaugural Accor Hong Kong Es-capers scavenger hunt.

The event, organised by Accor in collaboration with Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, showcases how new media channels have changed the way people plan, execute and report on their travel experiences.

The teams will battle it out using their social media contacts to assist them. They have to reach checkpoints, find clues and hunt down special photo opportunities to win points towards their team’s final tally.

The Es-capers are easily identifiable by their special polo shirts, as they zip around Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. The hunt will end on a cruise where prizes and accolades will be handed out to the winning teams.

Use the hashtag, #EsCapersHK, to follow your country’s team and send the “hunters” messages of support, or help them as they race to reveal which country will emerge as the best in using social media to unravel the clues