Innovating the future of online travel booking
Agoda's new tech-driven CEO Omri Morgenshtern lives and breathes technology, seeking to break new ground with online services to enable customers to build their travel itinerary on the platform over a period of time
Young, hip and very clean
At 60 years old, Contiki continues to be the trendiest tour company for young ones, with fingers on top spots and experiences. Now, it boasts 100 per cent carbon neutral trips. Adam Armstrong, global CEO, Contiki, takes Karen Yue through the company’s progress.
Keeping the love alive
The pandemic has presented a tough blow to Japan’s onsen – natural hot springs – which were already challenged by declining guest numbers. Yutaka Seki, the 56-year-old executive director of the Japan Hot Springs Association, has set himself the task of reversing the sector's fortunes
Young and ambitious
Sarbendra Sarkar founded Cygnett Hotels and Resorts in 2014 when the marketplace was already ruled by many domestic and international players. But his rich experience and tenacity are allowing him to blaze a trail forward
Adapting to the demands of post-pandemic tourism in Thailand
As co-founder of Bangkok-based tour operator and DMC, Smiling Albino, Daniel Fraser provides insight on how to survive the changing currents of the industry post-lockdown and stay successful in Thailand
Community first, travel second
What started as a means to offer advice to solo female travellers has since transformed into a 180,000-member community as well as a registered agency organising small women-only tours. Even with the accelerated progress of the group, Solo Female Travelers' co-founder Mar Pages never lost sight of its primary goal – to empower women through travel
Keeping faith
PATA Sri Lanka Chapter welcomed its youngest-ever chairperson in July – Dmitri Cooray, who at 30 years old is also operations manager at Jetwing Hotels. He reflects on one of the most turbulent times in the history of Sri Lankan tourism
Leading changes inside and out
In November, Catherine Germier-Hamel stepped into the shoes of chief executive officer at Destination Mekong at a time when the region was starting to reopen. She is now tasked with helping ease regional tourism recovery and steer rebound in a more sustainable direction
Rethinking data strategy to thrive in the new normal
The biggest difference in analysing big data pre-pandemic and post-lockdown is that many travel insights then do not apply in the current recovery stage anymore. Dawn Jeremiah, vice president, marketing & ecommerce, APAC, Go City, sheds light on how to navigate the new digital trends and leverage customer data to cater to them
Journey back to sea
Asia cruise industry veteran Michael Goh rises from the ashes of Dream Cruises to lead a familiar team back to business under the new organisation, Resorts World Cruises. As president and head of international sales, Goh welcomes the opportunity to reimagine a whole new cruise line that is backed by three decades of experience
