Tag: Travel

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.

Singapore – One of Southeast Asia’s leading super app, Grab, has announced new in-app travel innovations and partnerships to provide travellers a safe, seamless, and hyperlocal experience as the region embraces a travel comeback. 

According to Grab, the enhanced travel experience was designed to give all travellers the assurance and confidence to explore their destination by empowering them to plan ahead, get a smooth ride the moment they touch down, and experience their destination like a local.

The new app enhancements include the new Traveller homepage, which allows overseas travellers to explore a city within the Grab app as if they were at the destination. Available for 33 of the top cities tourists visit in Southeast Asia, users can check out the Grab services present in the city, search and save places of interest, and explore the food options near their destination.

The app was also made available in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese languages to deliver a more intuitive experience for travellers from China, Korea, and Japan.

In the second half of the year, Grab will also release translated merchant menus in key cities across Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand into English, as well as a currency converter feature that will automatically display fares in travellers’ preferred local currency so that they don’t have to do manual conversions.

For travellers who prefer not to download another app, Grab has also teamed up with some of the world’s most popular apps such as WeChat, AliPay, Ctrip, Kakao T, Booking.com, and Uber to provide travellers visiting the region access to Grab’s ride-hailing services through these platforms.

“We want to be at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s travel revival, welcoming travellers back to the region with an enhanced Grab experience that is designed to help them travel with ease and peace of mind,” said Russell Cohen, group managing director of operations at Grab. 

He added, “No one knows Southeast Asia like we do, and our goal is not only to deliver the safest and most seamless mobility experience, but also encourage travellers to explore the richness of Southeast Asia like a local through our superapp offerings.”

In support of the revival of travel, Grab also announced new upgrades to its GrabUnlimited subscription package, giving its subscribers access to discounted airport rides at 89 airports across Southeast Asia.

Singapore – Changi Airport Group has made its debut to the metaverse by showcasing ‘ChangiVerse’, a metaverse experience created to help audiences connect with Singapore Changi Airport and explore its notable sights through the digital space.

Created with global professional services Accenture, ChangiVerse is the first virtual experience created by an airport that has debuted in Roblox, a global shared experience platform with millions of daily users.

Changi Airport’s debut in the metaverse is also an effort to reach a wider group of digital users and fans who are interested to explore more travel destinations differently.

Moreover, the said platform digitally represents Changi’s physical airport where visitors can access fun activities, social experiences, and interactable spaces such as bustling café or festive glamping tent and minigames whilst earning unique collectibles to give their digital avatar some extra flair.

Hung Jean, group senior vice president of Changi Airport Group’s enterprise digital ecosystem & business division, said that the creation of ChangiVerse aims to strengthen the idea that the airport is more than just a transport node, but it’s also a fun and magical destination to create memories.

“ChangiVerse is also about engaging our customers and serving them better through innovation and experimentation, in line with our belief of customers being at the heart of everything we do,” Jean added.

Wee Wei Ng, Southeast Asia market unit lead for Accenture, added, “We are privileged to collaborate with CAG to drive digital-physical convergence through ChangiVerse. By combining digital and physical worlds, ChangiVerse can simulate the airport environment, creating immersive experiences that elevate human interactivity to new dimensions, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation.”

In 2022, Changi Airport Group has dealt with Accenture to extend its partnership for the enhancement of travellers’ experience when visiting Changi Airport in Singapore.

Indonesia – As Indonesian consumers observed their ramadan plans, a latest research from market research company YouGov reveals that Jakarta-based Traveloka is the most preferred online travel company for bookings in the said season, with 42% of these travellers purchased their mudik transport tickets from the said company.

Meanwhile, 35% of mudik travellers used tiket.com for their bookings whilst 11% preferred booking.com.

The research also showed the most popular mudik travel period, with 45% of the respondents said that they prefer to do it 2-6 days before Eid al-Fitr/Idul Fitri. 14% preferred the dates during the time of Eid and 13% prefers to travel 2-6 days after Eid.

Moreover, it was revealed that 45% of the consumers who observe Ramadan plan to perform mudik travel back to their hometowns this year. 33% do not plan to travel back, while 22% are undecided during the time of polling.

The said study was conducted online on 2-6 March, with 2,067 respondents in Indonesia aged 18 and above, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov.