Top of the WiT: Lunar New Year trends. OTAs vs Hotels. MG Group's comeback kid.
Release Date: 01/24/2025
Episode 44: From Lucky Beginnings to a Mind-Blowing Future: Omri Morgenshtern Reflects on 20 Years of Agoda and 10 Years of Leadership
The WiT Podcast
This WiT Podcast exclusive is part of our “Conversations on Turning 20” series. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a tech-loving realist runs one of Asia’s biggest travel platforms through a decade of seismic change, tune in to the latest WiT Podcast with Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda. As Agoda turns 20 and Omri celebrates 10 years with the company, we sat down for a wide-ranging conversation in Singapore to reflect on the past and gaze boldly into the future.
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Middle East Mid-Range Expansion, Singapore's Tourism Impact Awareness
The WiT Podcast
On this week's episode, our AI hosts discuss current trends and opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sectors, based on a couple of reports that were highlighted last week on the Web In Travel website. One report by Booking.com spotlights Singapore-based travellers' growing awareness of tourism's social and environmental impact, indicating a preference for supporting local communities and a desire for better infrastructure to manage tourism's challenges rather than limiting visitor numbers. Another report by Mabrian examines the Middle Eastern hospitality market, emphasising the...
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Winning Big with Sports Tourism | Unpacking Expedia's Latest Data
The WiT Podcast
On this week's episode, sports tourism's economic potential is explored via Expedia Group's latest study, highlighting strategies for businesses to capitalise on this market by understanding traveller behavior and preferences, such as offering appealing packages and experiences. Data-driven insights from Expedia and practical advice for marketing and engaging with sports tourists are also presented, while the impact of tourism on local economies and development is examined with a focus on creating sustainable and beneficial relationships between tourism and host communities....
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Trump's tariffs. Saudi Arabia's tourism surge. Global airline demand slows.
The WiT Podcast
On this episode, we address current shifts and future concerns within the global and regional travel industries. One piece examines the potential impact of new US tariffs on Asian travel, considering both negative consequences and the possibility of increased intra-Asia travel as a buffer. Another report highlights the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia's online travel agency market, detailing key players and significant increases in booking volumes for both air and hotel sectors. Finally, the International Air Transport Association provides data on global passenger demand for February 2025,...
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Future Lanes Ep 6: Navigating The Next Wave of Travel Technology (with SAS's Caroline Bergstroem)
The WiT Podcast
The airline industry has long been on a journey toward personalisation, but few have embraced the power of AI and technology as strategically as SAS. Caroline Bergstroem, Head of Ancillary Products, Connectivity, and Retail at SAS, is leading the charge to create a seamless, one-stop-shop experience for passengers. Bergstroem envisions a world where travellers no longer have to juggle multiple platforms to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and experiences. Instead, SAS aims to provide an integrated ecosystem where everything can be arranged in one place. On the season finale of Future Lanes,...
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The True Power of AI. Alipay's Success in Malaysia. OTAs in UAE. Africa's Unique Path.
The WiT Podcast
On this episode, our (AI) hosts discuss significant shifts in the travel industry, particularly focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence and the evolving landscape of online travel agencies (OTAs). AI is portrayed as a transformative force, changing how travellers discover destinations, handle bookings, and expect personalised experiences, presenting both opportunities for startups and threats to traditional suppliers. The adoption of digital payment solutions like Alipay+ is highlighted as a key enabler for tourism, improving the visitor experience in regions like Malaysia. The...
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Future Lanes Ep 5: The Road Ahead | Timothy O’Neil-Dunne on travel’s “technical debt”
The WiT Podcast
In the fast-evolving world of travel technology, few voices resonate as deeply as Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, an aviation enthusiast with decades of experience in travel tech innovation, who believes that “technical debt” is holding back the travel industry from truly realising the potential of revolutionary tools like AI. To him, travel businesses face the daunting task of modernizing or risk becoming obsolete. --------------------------------------- “Future Lanes” is a special WiT Podcast series powered by Meili, a tech company that is rewriting the rules of ancillary distribution. The...
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Blended travel rising. Loyalty points and free flights. Hybrid hospitality in APAC.
The WiT Podcast
This episode discusses the rising trend of blended travel in the Asia-Pacific region, where professionals increasingly combine business trips with leisure, prioritising flexibility and personal enrichment. Then, our AI hosts examine the fragmented but growing short-term rental market in APAC, highlighting regulatory complexities, the impact of trends like "set-jetting," and the increasing role of technology and professionalisation. Finally, a third segment profiles HeyMax, a Singaporean fintech startup that enables users to earn travel miles on everyday spending, aiming to disrupt traditional...
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Future Lanes Ep 4: Building Traveller-First Experiences | Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson on Tech, Direct Distribution, and Traveller Experience
The WiT Podcast
The travel industry is constantly evolving, and few airlines have been as relentless in shaping the low-cost carrier model as Ryanair. In a no-holds-barred conversation on the “Future Lanes” podcast, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson shares his candid views on everything from direct distribution to leveraging technology for a more efficient airline experience. --------------------------------------- “Future Lanes” is a special WiT Podcast series powered by Meili, a tech company that is rewriting the rules of ancillary distribution. The series, covering six episodes, is all about getting direct...
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Podcast: Singaporeans aren't as influenced by TV. Biggest travel myths. Using AI to improve connected trips.
The WiT Podcast
On this week's episode, Trip.com's "Momentum 2025" report highlights key travel trends for Singaporeans, including food-focused tourism, media-inspired destinations, cruise popularity, and entertainment-driven trips, emphasising social media's influence. Expedia's "Air Hacks Report" debunks common air travel myths, revealing optimal booking times, travel days, and dispelling notions about summer costs, premium fares, and crowded flights. Then, we cover how OAG's Filip Filipov discussed the need for a more customer-centric connected trip experience, advocating for data sharing and AI to...
info_outlineFirst, Trip.com data reveals trends in Asia-Pacific Lunar New Year travel, including longer trips, increased cross-border travel, and a rise in bookings for unique destinations and cruises. Second, a panel discussion at the ASEAN Tourism Forum examines the impact of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) on the industry, highlighting both their benefits and challenges for hotels and travelers. Third, the successful turnaround and sale of MG Group, a B2B hospitality marketplace, is detailed, showcasing its growth strategy and focus on the Asian market. Finally, the story of Hotel Treats, a platform offering curated day experiences, illustrates its organic growth and expansion from a local Mallorca-based company to a global player.
It's all on this week's Top of the WiT.