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How did we allow this to happen? Viator’s founder Rod Cuthbert on the rise of...
As Google continues to roll out AI-powered search features, which will undoubtedly increase its dominance in travel, Rod Cuthbert, the founder of Viator and generally acknowledged as the “Godfather of...
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European tourism under fire – new ETC chief steps up to face the challenges
Beyond numbers, destinations need to rethink what they really want from tourism, says Miguel Sanz Castedo With European tourism at a critical juncture, coming under pressure on several fronts,...
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Let’s talk proudly about women and LGBTQ+ travellers in Japan
IHG’s Motoe Katsushima on gender quota in hospitality, Expedia’s focus on women travellers and Booking launches Travel Proud in Japan It is astounding that in an industry where it’s the women who are...
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The quandaries humans in travel tech face in their journey towards AI La La Land
From getting away from “curse of the search box”, to reimagining user interfaces, and delivering on the “AI Agent Era”, human revolution needed to answer the hard questions AI is posing. And no, AI...
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Traveloka’s secret sauce – mastery in one market, localisation amid expansion...
Why the South-east Asian OTA could serve as role model for Japan’s OTAs Twelve years on, and despite massive competition in the South-east Asian region it calls home, Traveloka remains a formidable...
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Lighthouse expands in APAC, brings its insights to hoteliers in the region
The newly-rebranded Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) is keen to shine more light on data insights for hoteliers in Asia Pacific. Chief Revenue Officer, David Collier, during a recent visit to...
View ArticleWhy Melanie de Souza finds AIUla fulfilling and what’s behind “Forever...
First brand campaign to showcase Saudi’s luxury heritage destination to the world Nearly five years into her role as Executive Director Destination Marketing, at the Royal Commission of AlUla, and...
View ArticleAs JTB returns to profit, Eijiro Yamakita talks about emotion in age of AI...
It was interesting that when asked which human quality they’d like to improve on as we hurtle into the age of Generative AI, travel leaders at WiT Japan & North Asia cited “emotional intelligence”,...
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With “innovationism” as its new philosophy, Trip.com Group comes roaring back
Goal to be No 1 flight OTA in five years; robust growth driven by higher-tier members and youths Trip.com Group is back and if you ever had any doubts about its resurgence and ambitions, well, those...
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Letter from Shanghai: Of Mona Lisa, Gravitational Arena and Innovationism
The last time I was in Shanghai was in October 2019, when I attended Trip.com Group’s 20th anniversary party. I recall it felt like a rock concert, almost like a coming out party as the group declared...
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Sustainability reigns in Taiwan amid tourism recovery
From forest parks to Slow Food festivals, emphasis is on biodiversity and local communities Amid the recovery in the Taiwan travel market, with inbound back at 70% of 2019 levels and outbound...
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Solve air problems with tech and commercial will follow, urges Trip’s Xing Xiong
AI “most powerful tool” – 15% efficiency improvement in engineering, 80% of queries answered by bots, 95% answered within 20 seconds “Use tech to solve the problems and commercial will follow”. That...
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“Don’t build zombie companies,” Thayer’s Hemmeter advises startups
Specialist travel investor sees “bloody battle” ahead as AI plays out in the changing of search and engagement AI or no AI, new tech or old tech, teams still make all the difference between success and...
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Key trends to heed in “Next Generation” of travel in APAC
As we enter the next generation of travel in Asia Pacific, here are the key trends to watch – from the revolution in B2B, to transformation of the human-machine interface and changing demographics with...
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Letter from Barcelona: Of prohibited works and the art of balancing local...
The day before I arrived in Barcelona, apparently thousands of Spanish had taken to the streets in the city as well as in the islands to protest against mass tourism and overcrowding. Reports said that...
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How Mandai’s Belina Lee found her “ikigai” in tech, business and wildlife
From immersive wildlife experiences to tech automation and animal care, Singapore Mandai’s deputy CEO says she’s in the business of love After 27 years of working in the corporate world, Belina Lee,...
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Expedia’s growth focus while giants play the long game in AI
The divide between big and small – will it grow bigger in age of AI? After 19 years with Expedia Group, sporting a new role as chief commercial officer and president of travel partners and media since...
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Letter from Burrator: A slice of Sarawak in Dartmoor, and where AI does not...
As my friend and I were walking down a quiet country lane in Sheepstor, in West Dartmoor, England, a man stopped and asked us, “Would you two ladies happen to be from Sarawak?” We smiled and said,...
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Wine was the lure; “hotels without strangers” is the vision for Howard Ho
How Japan’s Section L uses tech and talent to create “fellowship among guests” at its apartment-hotels Howard Ho: “The long-term focus of our digital experience will be to guide our guests toward...
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TV shopping giant Japanet acquires senior travel specialist Yuko Yuko
“Considerable synergy” between the two companies, says Yuko Yuko’s Wakako Tokuda Wakako Tokuda: “They are the largest TV shopping company, they are famous in Japan, and there is considerable synergy....
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