Tag: Travel

Singapore – Travel services platform Klook has announced that it has completed its US$210m funding, supporting Klook’s business growth and fortifying its financial stability. 

Klook will strategically allocate the new funds to three key areas for growth. Firstly, in product innovation, expanding its city pass offerings to enhance traveler convenience and savings. Secondly, by scaling social and digital marketing through the Klook Kreator program, driving conversions with authentic, social, user-generated content. Thirdly, by advancing innovation through continuous AI integration.

The company will also collaborate with the new strategic investors in the region, to increase market share and boost growth, tapping into the fast-growing middle class in Southeast Asia. 

Eric Gnock Fah, COO and co-founder at Klook, said, “We are pioneering a transformative era of travel, catering to a new generation of more digitally-savvy travelers with bigger and bolder appetites for unique experiences. Our goal is to empower travelers to explore the world effortlessly through the Klook app, a one-stop platform that seamlessly connects them to a comprehensive range of in-destination services, encompassing immersive experiences and convenient ground transportation.”

Klook has demonstrated business success this year, surpassing previous milestones with a threefold increase compared to 2019 and recorded an annualised gross booking value of US$3b. 

The equity round is led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from BPEA EQT, Asia investment funds Atinum Investment and Golden Vision Capital, and corporate investment arms from Southeast Asia, including Krungsri Finnovate (under Bank of Ayudhya), Kasikornbank Financial Conglomerate and SMIC SG Holdings. The round also includes bank facilities from Citi, J.P. Morgan, and HSBC. 

Meanwhile, Ethan Lin, CEO and co-founder at Klook, credits this accomplishment to the collective efforts of the team in establishing the groundwork for the post-COVID era of travel. 

“During the pandemic, we doubled down on our resources in merchant digitization and the expansion of our supply network, including car rentals and outdoor experiences. This positions us strongly to capture new travel trends coming out of the pandemic,” said Lin.

Singapore – Almost 84% of Singaporean travellers are greatly inspired to travel to movie or TV show destinations, a report from Skyscanner revealed.

The insights from Skyscanner’s report showed that the majority of Singaporean travellers are greatly inspired by film and entertainment, with 8 out of 10 choosing destinations based on a movie or TV show they watched.

In addition, nearly half, or 41%, of the respondents consider the overall ‘vibe’ of a destination as important when planning where to go in 2024. The four key travel vibes identified by the report are set-jetting (84%), gig tripping (60%), budget bougie foodies (54%), and destination Zzzz (23%).

Among the four key travel vibes, set-jetting came out on top as Singaporean travellers embody their ‘main character energy’ thus wanting to slot themselves into the locations of their favourite shows.

The jet-setting trend can be partially attributed to the ‘Korean Wave’ that hit Singapore since 2001 and is still present today, with the TV series favourite Jeju in South Korea claiming the top spot in the 2024 destination list Singaporeans wish to visit. This is followed by Christchurch in New Zealand, where ‘Lord of the Rings’ was filmed, and Paris in France featured in ‘Emily in Paris’.

Aside from the ‘main character energy’ trend, ‘gig tripping’ follows behind, with Singaporean travellers expressing the willingness to fly to another country to catch their favourite artist.

Under this trend, 46% said they were willing to fly short-haul and 14% said they’d fly long-haul. In fact, 28% of Singaporean travellers plan to attend a gig or music concert abroad in 2024.

Meanwhile, eating and trying local authentic cuisines remains a popular activity for Singapore travellers, thus placing the ‘budget bougie foodies’’ trend on the top 4 list.

Around 30% of respondents have booked a destination purely to visit a specific restaurant, with Osaka, nicknamed ‘the kitchen of Japan’, being the top trending destination amongst Singaporean travellers.

Also making it to the top 4 key travel vibes is the ‘destinations Zzzz’ trend, with the data from the report revealing that sleeping ranks high on the Singaporean travellers’ main activities for their next holiday. This even ranked above water sports (22%), wildlife spotting (19%), and snow sports (18%).

The trend is likely to continue as 39% of Singapore travellers attest to enjoying better sleep on a holiday, likely due to the therapeutic escape a vacation offers.

The report also looked into the changing lifestyles of consumers that are creating new traveller types in 2024.

Among the types of travellers emerging in 2024 are the analogue adventurers, with one in five, or 19%, of Singaporean travellers aged 18 to 24-years-old now bringing a Polaroid camera with them on holiday. This stems from the trend where Gen Zs are bringing back old-school analogue adventures that ditch the digital device.

Celebration vacationers are also expected to emerge as more Singaporean travellers look into celebrating big milestones in their lives with style. The report revealed that two in three, or 64%, of travellers have taken a group trip to celebrate a birthday or anniversary.

However, the issue of cost often comes up, as one in two (48%) said that agreeing on the expected costs of the trip is their primary hurdle when planning group trips, followed by knowing how or where to communicate with their group (43%).

Lastly, the report also identifies the emergence of the ‘luxe-for-less seekers’, as 23% of Singaporean travellers plan to upgrade their flight to business or first class in 2024, while 25% plan to purchase airport lounge access.

The report not only covered decision-making trends but also the top trending destinations Singaporeans are looking into for their 2024 trips.

Japan places two of its cities, Osaka and Fukuoka, on the top trending list for Singaporeans, with the former being a foodie haven and the latter being beautifully serene. The bustling city of Taipei in Taiwan also rounds out the list at number three.

On the other hand, Indonesia came out top overall, securing the highest three spots for the best value destinations category, with its cities Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Praya making it to the list.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the report also found Singaporeans grappling with the challenge of switching off while on vacation. Despite 89% of respondents acknowledging the importance of disconnecting during a trip, 34% still check their work emails, with 23% even admitting they are searching for a new job while overseas.

Cyndi Hui, travel trends and destination expert at Skyscanner, shared, “Singaporeans have shown themselves to be inspired travellers, driven by a strong desire to go where their imagination takes them. That said, we also see that the demands of modern life too often prevent us from committing ourselves to the present.”

“In 2024, we hope to help Singaporeans prioritise themselves, and that includes fully embracing the many opportunities and experiences that come with travelling. Skyscanner, with its suite of traveller-first tools, provides fuss-free travel planning, allowing you to live in the moment, free of distractions,” she added.

Singapore – Along with the peak season of summer 2023, consumers are turning to their mobile devices more than ever before for travel and transportation needs, increasing year-over-year usage by 14%, which is more than three times the total from the summer of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by mobile analytics provider data.ai.

Data from the report mainly suggests that time spent in travel apps reached new heights with time spent on Android phones surpassing four billion hours, or an average of more than one billion hours per month, between May and August 2023.

Interestingly, the increase in time spent between 2022 and 2023 came mostly from apps used for more day-to-day travel, not vacations. Transportation apps and rail & coach booking apps had significant increases in time spent in the summer 2023 season.

Meanwhile, apps related to vacation and business travel like integrated travel service, hotel booking, and airline apps, were able to mostly maintain the gains seen from the previous year, with time spent in these apps notably surging in the summer of 2022 with consumers planning trips for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The report also listed the travel and transportation apps that saw the most time spent in the summer of 2023, with transportation apps being prominent in the list with apps such as Where is my Train, inDrive, and Grab Driver being top breakout apps of the season. 

However, apps outside of the transportation subgenre such as Flightradar24, United Airlines, Trainline, and Jet2 managed to reach the top breakout rankings in many key markets like the US and the UK. 

“The trend seen in the results suggests that this is not just a one-off spike following the pent-up demand after pandemic-related travel restrictions, and that these travel and transportation apps will continue to see positive growth, especially during peak travel seasons,” data.ai said in a press statement.

Singapore – GrabAds, the advertising arm of Southeast Asian superapp, Grab, has released its latest travel-centric report, showing that around 72% of respondents plan to travel abroad in the next 12 months, jumping from just 39% when borders reopened in 2022, indicating the travel intent has climbed by 84% in just a year.

According to the data provided by GrabAds, brands should take this as an opportunity to switch gears from short-term “revenge travel” campaigns to planning long-term repeat-customer strategies.

The report reveals main factors that justify why this is the case with Southeast Asians, such as families prioritizing ‘stress-free’ options in accommodation, business travelers seeking booking convenience, and travelers wanting certainty upon reaching their destination. 

Moreover, the survey states that 78% of respondents are not subscribed to any hotel loyalty programme. Considering that 73% of them plan an average of three leisure trips in the next 12 months, there’s undoubtedly room for repeat business, which the report acknowledges as an opportunity to educate would-be travelers on hotel loyalty programs and associated benefits. 

Talking about the report, Jennie Johnson, head of marketing at GrabAds, said, “GrabAds data revealed a massive increase of 84% in international travel intent compared to just one year ago. Last year, brands may have focused on short-term impulse campaigns based on pent-up lockdown FOMO (fear of missing out) – but they now need to shift towards developing long-term relationships with savvy Southeast Asian travelers as they dream, plan, book and experience travel.”

“It could be as simple as maintaining year-round communication with consumers or utilizing online to offline channels to promote the latest offers. For example, the campaign we’ve built with Media Bank Inc. for the Japan Tourism Agency utilizes our Grab fleet and app to creatively target users of our platform. At GrabAds, we look forward to working closely with travel and tourism brands to innovate and provide an exciting, dynamic travel experience for Southeast Asian jetsetters,” she added. 

Singapore – The Ascott Limited, the lodging business unit under CapitaLand Investment, is the latest brand to launch its own generative AI-powered travel chatbot. The service, named ‘Cubby’ after its own mascot, is equipped to provide travel insights including destination highlights, accommodation recommendations, must-visit attractions, suggestions for shopping and adventure activities, as well as the best ‘Instagram-worthy’ spots, amongst others.

The ChatGPT-fuelled chatbot is built on Microsoft OpenAI and Azure Services. Cubby also leverages real-time data, using Bing search, Azure Map (Nearby API), Azure Map (Weather API) and other Azure services, alongside data and insights accessed via Ascott’s global website DiscoverASR.com, to deliver on an improved, tech-enabled guest journey. 

Currently in its test-bedding stage where learnings are still key, this transformative initiative is part of Ascott’s mindful adoption of AI-driven guest-centric innovations to support its rapid growth trajectory.

For a start, Cubby will be supporting Ascott’s live chat agents, so that the agents can focus on responding to more complex inquiries which require deeper and more thorough engagement with guests. For guests who enjoy having an AI travel buddy that is online on a regular schedule, Cubby has the ability to generate personalised itineraries according to user input. 

The itineraries can be customised and amended according to the destination(s) selected, length of stay, travel preferences, and other criteria. Travel tips as well as health and safety information alongside advice on visa requirements, travel budgets and packing checklists are some of the added knowledge Cubby is able to share.

Tan Bee Leng, managing director for brand and marketing at Ascott, said, “An exciting quest of learning and discovery begins as Ascott takes its first step into the future of personalised travel exploration with the pilot launch of Cubby, where innovation meets warm and cuddly hospitality. Cubby, with its AI prowess, taps into a vast treasure trove of data, enabling fast analysis of travel preferences, trends, and recommendations; from suggesting hidden gems to tailoring itineraries that match specific areas of interests.”

She added, “As we journey alongside our valued guests in this shared adventure of experimentation, every interaction with Cubby is set to unlock a realm of limitless possibilities in AI-driven travel planning. Ascott is dedicated to nurturing Cubby’s growth, empowering it to deliver more personalised and engaging experiences with each interaction.”

In anticipation of evolving guest expectations, Cubby will become multichannel in its later phase, seamlessly integrating with different applications for greater convenience. Improved language capabilities will also be implemented to ensure that Cubby is optimised for local use. This integration will allow Cubby to respond instantly across channels, using the guest’s preferred language and platform while handling an immense volume of guest inquiries simultaneously and consistently.

“From computer vision to natural language processing, Ascott recognises the pivotal role of AI technology in shaping the future of travel experiences. The adoption of generative AI tools to create advertising campaigns has provided us a shorter time-to-market, and the development of a chatbot has deepened our level of engagement with guests,” Tan said.

She added, “Our commitment to equipping our associates with knowledge and expertise in AI is not merely an investment; it’s a pledge to futureproof Ascott and create a new paradigm of personalised engagement with our valued guests. Embracing AI humbles us in the face of technology’s vast possibilities, empowering Ascott to learn, adapt, and evolve with the times, so that heartfelt hospitality and cutting-edge innovation can harmoniously intertwine.”

Other brands that have previously released their own travel chatbots include Expedia and Trip.com.

Malaysia –Trip.com Group and Penang Global Tourism (PGT) have signed an agreement to expand their current relationship to a global scale. Trip.com Group’s platforms, such as Trip.com and Ctrip, will actively stimulate inbound tourism to Penang through this new MOU for the next three years. 

Penang will now be promoted to travellers from several worldwide markets, including mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Australia, as a result of this new development.

Trip.com Group and PGT have been collaborating since 2016, with Trip.com Group becoming PGT’s first global partner and PGT becoming Trip.com Group’s first global partner within Malaysia, as well as the first post-pandemic MOU between the two organisations.

Speaking about the renewal of partnership, Bo Sun, Chief marketing officer of Trip.com Group, said, “Trip.com Group and Penang Global Tourism have been longstanding partners. Together, we have weathered the challenges posed by the pandemic and our cooperation has become even closer. We remain committed to developing a diverse range of products and expanding the market for Penang.” 

He added, “With new travel consumption behaviours and trends that have emerged after the pandemic, we hope to leverage our strengthened collaboration to guide the destination’s tourism industry towards a rapid recovery, as well as achieve sustainable growth through innovation.”

Meanwhile, Yab Chow Kon Yeow, chief minister of caretaker Penang, said, “In the heart of Penang’s prosperity, tourism beats as a vital lifeline, invigorating our economy and nurturing our ambitions. As we forge this historic bond with Trip.com Group, the first global partnership after pandemic and first in Malaysia, spanning up to 10 markets, we fortify our commitment to embracing the world with open arms.”

“Tourism remains the driving force that propels Penang forward, fuelling economic growth and enriching lives across the state,” Yeow said.

Massachussets, USA – Global travel guidance Tripadvisor has unveiled its own AI-powered travel planning product, aimed at helping users curate personalised itineraries.

The travel itinerary generator allows users to access Tripadvisor’s travel guidance content, including reviews, opinions, experiences, and photos the community shares. They can save all this content for a trip to organise their travel plans better.

Furthermore, Tripadvisor plans to expand its availability to more markets and native app platforms, allowing a wider range of travelers to experience the benefits of AI-powered trip planning.

In a statement, Matt Goldberg, president and CEO of Tripadvisor, said, “Tripadvisor was built on travelers helping travelers. By harnessing the power of generative AI, we can begin to fully unlock the potential of our platform’s unparalleled review and traveler intent data, allowing us to offer truly unique travel guidance to our members.”

Sanjay Raman, chief product officer at Tripadvisor, emphasised in his statement that in response to the community’s needs, they have built something that would improve the travelers’ experience, not replace it. 

“Personalized results and recommendations from fellow travelers are two of the most important elements of the planning process, and generative AI has helped us bring them together in a way we think will be really compelling for travelers,” added Raman.

Singapore – Travel service provider Trip.com has unveiled a series of enhanced AI-powered services to aid travellers in planning their next trip. More specifically, they include AI-curated itineraries such as include ‘Trip.Trends’, ‘Trip.Best’, and ‘Trip.Deals’, cater to users’ diverse needs and preferences by capturing real-time information on the latest travel trends, prices, and top-ranked hotels, flights, and attractions.

Each list focuses on a different consumer group and market position. ‘Trip.Best’ enables global travellers to select the best experiences a destination has to offer, including flights, hotels, and attractions, as well as lifestyle choices such as restaurants, nightlife, bars, and shows. The list is curated by examining various travel products on Trip.com and scoring them based on an algorithm, with only the top 1% of products featured.

Meanwhile, ‘Trip.Deals’ is designed for budget-conscious users who are looking for the best deals on flights, accommodation, and travel destinations. The list is curated based on various factors, such as historical and projected price changes, as well as current travel expenses.

Lastly, ‘Trip.Trends’ tracks the most popular travel topics and events in different markets, based on user searches across various platforms including Trip.com, mainstream online search engines, and social media. This feature provides users with up-to-date information on the most exciting and current activities and events worldwide and in their local areas.

James Liang, co-founder and executive chairman of the board at Trip.com Group, said, “Tourism will continue to be an important industry in a smart society, as it satisfies people’s innate desire to travel and explore. Artificial intelligence cannot replace this experience but can help to advance it. Trip.com Group will actively embrace technological development and use advanced AI-driven services to improve the travel process and overall experience.”

Singapore – A recent survey conducted by IBS Software reveals that a significant number of air passengers in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are members of airline loyalty programs. However, the survey highlights a prevailing sense of uncertainty and underutilization of the programs among travelers.

The survey found that 58% of respondents were unsure where they could redeem their loyalty points, while 56% were unaware of the value of their accumulated points. This lack of awareness was even more prevalent in Singapore and the UAE, with 64% of respondents expressing uncertainty about the value of their points.

Amongst the 37% of respondents who had never been part of a loyalty program or had let their membership lapse, a lack of awareness regarding program benefits was cited as a major reason, closely followed by infrequent flying and difficulty in earning points as the third most prevalent reason.

Marcus Puffer, vice president and head of loyalty solutions at IBS Software, reminded all the airlines to effectively communicate the benefits of loyalty schemes to their program members.

On a positive note, the survey also shows an opportunity for airlines to attract new members, as 58% of non-members expressed their willingness to try a loyalty program in the future.

The survey findings also highlighted the need for airlines to improve communication and education regarding loyalty program benefits, ensuring that members can make the most of their earned points and enjoy the perks that come with their loyalty.

Singapore – Around 3 in 5 Singaporeans have been reported to be willing to change their existing travel habits in search of better travel deals, according to the latest data from travel agency Skyscanner.

The allure of a great price offer emerged as the top reason for Singaporeans to travel, with 62% of respondents considering it as their primary motivation.

Despite the prevailing concerns about rising living costs, 89% of Singaporeans remain committed to allocating a portion of their budget for travel, with 23% identified as avid travelers who prioritize exploration regardless of their financial situation.

Furthermore, nearly 80% of Singaporeans strategically plan quick getaways during extended public holiday weekends to escape the hot weather and fast-paced lifestyles. Bangkok, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur emerge as the top destinations for these spontaneous trips.

Additionally, Singaporeans are thrifty celebrators, with securing a good deal being the primary motivation for booking trips, and they typically spend at most a week finding favourable deals.

In a statement from Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destination Expert, Cyndi Hui said that the report had revealed the fascinating opportunistic nature of Singaporeans when exploring new places.

Finally, while Gen Z travelers seek to enhance their social media presence through travel, a significant percentage of respondents across various age groups prioritize mental relaxation and stress relief as the primary benefits of traveling.