Latest news with #SkiftAsiaForum
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Can Airbnb Experiences Stand Out? It's Betting on Quality
The platform is offering experiences only available with Airbnb, like classes with Michelin star chefs and hang-out with singers, to differentiate itself from competitors. Airbnb is betting that standing out in a crowded field of experience platforms comes down to quality. Its strategy is to focus on "unique experiences" and to emphasize local providers that have been vetted. Airbnb has 'learned a lot about experiences over the last few years," said Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson, who was speaking at the Skift Asia Forum just two days after the company relaunched its experiences product. Airbnb first tried offering experiences in 2016 and again in 2022, but it had paused those efforts. 'We've learned that people really desire them. But we need to make sure they are unique, different, and of the city,' Stephenson said. The latest experiences offerings are centered around curated activities hosted by what Stephenson called 'the world's most interesting people doing amazingly interesting things.' These curated experiences, called Airbnb Originals, include learning to make ramen with Michelin-starred chefs in Tokyo, or an experience with singer with Megan Thee Stallion. 'We don't just let any experience onto Airbnb,' Stephenson said. 'We're only bringing on experience hosts that know the city best.' 'Eliminating Reasons' Not to Stay With Airbnb Airbnb is also expanding into travel-related services such as personal chefs, photographers, and fitness trainers, services that replicate amenities often found in hotels but are now bookable through the Airbnb app. 'There are many reasons why you might want to go to a hotel to use the spa or gym,' Stephenson said. 'Well now you can bring your personal trainer or prepared meals or a chef to you.' These offerings are not tied to an Airbnb booking. 'You can do it in your Airbnb, in your own home, at the person's location,' he said. All bookings — stays, services, and experiences — are integrated under the 'Trips' tab in the Airbnb app. 'It makes it easy to find, easy to know where to be, when, and then it just makes the entire experience better.' 'We're just trying to make sure the stay is better, we're eliminating reasons why people wouldn't want to stay in Airbnb,' he added. 'We're trying to make these really approachable and affordable things you can do in your own town. Maybe you don't even need to travel and you can take an experience on a Saturday night,' Stephenson said. The average price of an experience is now $66 dollars, he said, with 50% of the platform's new services offerings priced under $50. Growing Local Travel Markets Airbnb is focusing on supporting travel markets differently in each community, Stephenson said. China is one of the top five outbound travel markets and Airbnb is focusing on 'making sure we support outbound Chinese travelers in the place they love to travel, like Korea and Japan,' highlighting experiences offerings like K-Pop band concerts, he said. 'In Korea, we need to make sure we show up locally - so we've added Navar Pay,' Stephenson said. Navar Pay is a mobile payment service popular in Korea. In Japan, where Stephenson noted 'very few people actually know about Airbnb', the company launched its first brand campaign last year. 'We've started to communicate it and talk to Japanese travelers that like to travel nearby, near their home, to get away for the weekend, about why Airbnb is a good way to do it.' 'Now we have a significant increase in the number of Japanese people that consider Airbnb as a way to travel. We have different approaches in each community and it's working really well,' he said.
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Philippines Wants Long-Term Travelers – Digital Nomads and Gulf Expats
The Philippines had relied on the Chinese market, but is now focused on diversifying its source markets. The Philippines is looking to attract long-term travelers. One solution: digital nomad visas. In April, the Filipino government signed an executive order for the development of the digital nomad visa program. The plan is to woo quality travelers who respect sustainability efforts and benefit the country through high tourism spending and repeat visits, said Christina Garcia Frasco, Tourism Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines at the Skift Asia Forum. Several Asian nations are getting into this market, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. According to Frasco, the Philippines has an advantage due to the widespread use of English and easy access to cities and beaches. The tourism department has partnered with the department of information and communications technology to improve Wi-Fi, and they have covered more than 90 destinations across the country. Frasco said the country is working with regional offices and local governments to ensure tourist safety is a top priority. The upcoming digital nomad visa will allow travelers to remain in the country for a year, but hopes to make longer stays possible. On Direct Connectivity The Filipino government is working on a public-private partnership model to develop airports and expand connectivity. Frasco said, 'We have made very conscious efforts to increase direct connectivity from all over the world, including flights from Paris to Manila and from Canada to the Philippines.' She added that she is hopeful of direct flights between India and the Philippines 'very soon.' Last month, the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines also agreed to consider expanding their existing partnership to enter into reciprocal code sharing agreements on flights between the Philippines and Dubai, and on select routes beyond the gateways of each partner airline. The country is also working on expanding its direct connectivity to Australia, she said. On Key Markets and Trends In 2024, the Philippines recorded its highest-ever tourism receipts at about $13 billion. This was 26% above pre-Covid levels. However, the country also went through a 'devastating loss' in tourist arrivals from the Chinese market. It targeted 2 million tourists from China, but only 300,000 came. 'The lesson that we learned from that is to really diversify our dependency into other markets as well,' Frasco said. The Philippines is now targeting markets such as the Middle East, the Gulf nations, and India. It is also looking to strengthen its source markets in South Korea, Japan, the U.S., and Europe. The country has seen an average of 500-800% growth in tourist arrivals from the Middle East and Gulf countries, especially due to a strong expat population. To cater to these tourists, the Philippines is also pushing to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism portfolio. The department of tourism has been working on driving accommodations and resorts to be more Muslim-friendly, and it has collaborated with the department of trade and hotel and restaurant associations to increase the number of Halal offerings. Since the beginning of the year, the country has also been recording an average of 22% month-on-month growth in the number of tourists from Australia. Moreover, the country's top source market of South Korea continues to grow soundly. On ASEAN Visa For a long time, Southeast Asian nations have been discussing the possibility of an ASEAN visa along the lines of Schengen visa and the proposed Unified GCC Visa for Gulf nations. Frasco expressed her hope that it will again come up as a point of deliberation next year among the ASEAN block countries. 'Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier,' she said, when talking about the possible impact of the ASEAN visa. The Philippines and Thailand have already signed a memorandum for their 'Two Countries, One Destination' effort.
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Thai Airways CEO: Rebuilding Confidence was Key to Profitable Turnaround
Thai Airways' turnaround shows that rebuilding trust, not just balance sheets, is key to recovery. As the airline exits restructuring, the real test will be sustaining momentum in an increasingly competitive Asian hub landscape. The chief executive of Thai Airways has spoken candidly about the importance of rebuilding trust. Speaking at the Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok on Thursday, Chai Eamsiri, said gaining stakeholder confidence was the foundation of the company's recent transformation. 'The most important part was to get the confidence of our stakeholders, especially at the beginning. We needed to earn confidence from our partners because at that time, it was very difficult,' he said. Eamsiri described the pandemic period as 'survival mode,' adding: ' Airlines are a cash-burning industry. If you don't have revenue your cash will gone quickly.' In 2021, the Thai flag carrier started restructuring debt worth 400 billion baht ($12 billion) as part of a major shoring up of the business. Eamsiri, who previously served as chief financial officer, before stepping up to CEO in February 2023, offered insight into the scale of the turnaround: 'No one could imagine that Thai Airways can come back as it is today. At that time, four years, five years ago, nobody thought that Thai Airways would come back this strong.' Eamsiri also highlighted the importance of being a financially credible business: 'Once we were halfway [through the plan], I went back to our partners and our stakeholders [and said] that we did what we promised on day one; this is what we've delivered.' End of the Rehabilitation Period The Thai Airways CEO confirmed to Skift that the carrier's rehabilitation plan is due to conclude in 'about a month.' The milestone marks a radical reversal in fortunes for the company, which is now one of the world's most profitable major airlines. The restructuring hasn't been without difficult decisions. Eamsiri and his team oversaw huge cuts to the Thai Airways workforce, with total headcount slashed from around 30,000 to just 15,000. But there are also promising signs of growth. Thai Airways has large orders with both Airbus and Boeing for new-generation jets. These will be used to replace older models, but also expand the network. Asked about the prospect of Bangkok becoming a stopover hub on par with regional or Middle Eastern rivals, Eamsiri said a collaborative effort was essential: 'Thai Airways cannot do it by ourselves. We need the airport to work closely with Thai Airways. Bangkok as a hub is not only a mission for Thai Airways, it's a mission for the country.' A True Network Carrier The CEO said a strong network airline was his goal, and emphasized the importance of feeder routes as a competitive advantage. 'Lately we've changed our strategy to change from point-to-point sales into more on the network airline. We're not ignoring point-to-point but if network sales bring incremental revenue on top of the point-to-point sales, then it's proven that our strategy is the right decision.' Eamsiri cautioned that frequencies as well as routes are a key consideration when developing the Thai Airways network: 'The domestic and the regional routes are an attractive selling point for us. We operate long-haul, intercontinental flights from Europe or Australia into Bangkok, and to make the domestic and regional routes interesting for these passengers, we need to put more frequency into these routes. Otherwise, we cannot give the variety of products, with scheduling also part of the product. If we only have one or two flights a day, passengers will not choose us, so we need to build our network to serve each other.' With the rehabilitation plan nearly complete and a modernized fleet on the horizon, Thai Airways is positioning itself not just as a survivor of the pandemic era, but as financially stable, strategic player. This interview was lightly edited for clarity. What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Minor Hotels CEO on Profit Rebound, Experiential Luxury, and Global Expansion
Minor Hotels is leaning on its luxury origins, direct booking push, and owner-led model to compete with the industry's biggest players. Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier said the company's luxury-first strategy, owner-operator model, and emphasis on direct distribution are helping it compete with larger global brands in a post-pandemic travel environment. Speaking at Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok, Rajakarier outlined how Minor is building on its recent return to profitability with plans to grow its hotel portfolio, deepen guest engagement through a unified brand platform, and further explore experiential travel. Minor operates 560 hotels under eight brands, including Anantara, Avani, Tivoli, and NH Hotels. Minor Targets Growth as Market Mix Shifts Minor has seen strong demand across Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam, along with continued momentum in the Maldives and the Middle East. Europe remains a tougher market, though Rajakarier said revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Thailand grew by 25% year-over-year and by 8% in Europe despite the off-season. In Thailand, exposure from HBO's The White Lotus boosted performance: "We see a very strong demand growth, as much as a 40% increase in rates at our hotels, because four of our hotels were where The White Lotus was filmed," said Rajakarier. Minor is adjusting its focus as travel patterns shift in key markets. While China's demand has softened, India and other countries are becoming more important. "China used to be our number one key market, and today it's gone to number five, but India has risen to number three. So we have Russia, India, Japan, and Korea as some of the key markets to drive demand in this region," he said. Focus on Experiential Luxury Rajakarier said Minor's early positioning in luxury travel has become a competitive advantage as other global brands attempt to move upmarket. 'We started as a high-end ultra luxury travel brand, which is Anantara, and then we created some of the other brands because of the market demand we have ... We understand what luxury is." Minor defines experiential luxury through local immersion, design, and storytelling. He said travelers increasingly expect authenticity over uniformity, especially in Asia and the Middle East. 'It boils down to real, authentic experience to embrace the local culture. Because if you're in Thailand, you know you want to feel the Thai culture. You want to feel the Thai hospitality. You want ... the food, and the experiences it offers.' Minor Pushes Owner-Led Operations and In-House Capabilities Minor positions itself as both a hotel owner and operator, a model Rajakarier said helps the company focus on return on investment (ROI) and asset value for partners. 'We think like owners and we execute as a management company, which makes us very different.' That includes controlling operations typically outsourced by global brands. Minor develops its own food and beverage concepts and is expanding in wellness. 'We don't employ consultants to come and tell us how to run F&B. We have our own F&B concepts, and that's what we drive," said Rajakarier. Unified Brand Strategy and a Streamlined Loyalty Program Minor recently unveiled a masterbrand strategy, bringing its eight hotel brands under the 'Minor Hotels' umbrella. The goal is to simplify booking and increase direct traffic. 'We've driven, like, from 12% to 20%, and I think this year our target is 25 plus," said Rajakarier. The brand consolidation improves visibility in multi-property destinations such as the Maldives, where Minor now operates nine hotels. Its loyalty program is operated through a partnership with Global Hotel Alliance. Guests can earn and spend Discovery Dollars across 40 brands. The group has over 30 million loyalty members and claims to lead the industry in loyalty engagement. 'When you look at loyalty members per room compared to the big four or the big five, we're the highest," he said.
Skift
07-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
5 Insights from Booking.com on Asia's Next Travel Wave
As one of Asia's most influential voices in travel tech, Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific at is leading the way in transforming how inbound travel to Asia is shaped. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the region's diverse needs, Laura is pioneering efforts to make travel more accessible, efficient, and tailored to global visitors. Ahead of her session at Skift Asia Forum, she shares thoughts on AI innovation, pop culture's tourism effect, and the industry's shift toward more meaningful and sustainable journeys into the region. What is vision for the future of travel? Laura Houldsworth said the company is on a mission to make travel accessible for everyone, "however big or small" the experience. She envisions a smarter, more sustainable future for the region's travel industry and highlighted investment in technology to 'take the friction out of travel." The platform now offers more than 28 million accommodation listings and is leveraging AI to recommend destinations and stays tailored to individual needs. She added that aims to become a one-stop shop for booking entire trips – from flights to meals – anticipating traveller preferences in real time. "AI has the potential to evolve into the role of a human travel agent... and proactively provide modifications to itineraries and recommendations that best suit you in a matter of seconds." How has 'The White Lotus' influenced travel to Southeast Asia? The latest season of The White Lotus has sparked a travel interest boom in Thailand. 'We've seen searches for Koh Samui surge more than three-fold*,' said Houldsworth, referring to data after the season premiere. New interest also emerged from countries like Italy and Sweden, showing how pop culture can shape global travel patterns. She said pop culture acts as a 'powerful travel influencer,' with fans visiting filming locations to "step into the world of the series," with resorts like Four Seasons Koh Samui seeing increased appeal. 'The White Lotus features Thailand's premier wellness facilities and services at the resort, such as health mentors, digital detox bags, and massages, which perfectly align with what today's travellers are looking for on their vacations, according to our Travel Predictions 2025 research.' She said 2025 research found that 60% of global travellers are keen on longevity retreats, and 58% are willing to pay for vacations that support long-term wellbeing. Travel operators can tap into this trend with themed retreats that capture the White Lotus lifestyle. *Based on searches made between 16 - 17 Feb 2025 for Koh Samui on for check-in dates 1 Jun - 31 Aug 2025 vs the previous year. How is integrating AI and technology into the travel experience? 'AI is not new to said Laura Houldsworth. 'We have been experimenting and developing products that leverage AI and machine learning (ML) for over a decade to create more personalized experiences and accurate recommendations.' She added, 'At our 'build-first' mindset allows us to develop and scale AI-powered solutions and learn along the way. This helps us create solutions that work at scale while keeping our focus on our customers.' According to Travel Predictions 2025 research, '49% of travellers in Asia-Pacific are interested in using AI to curate trips, and 72% will use technology to find authentic experiences,' Houldsworth said. 'We're constantly examining our entire customer journey to see where we can leverage AI and other technologies to meet the unmet needs of our travellers across the entire end-to-end trip experience.' She highlighted recent launches: 'Our AI Trip Planner is currently available in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in the app. We also introduced new features like Smart Filter, Property Q&A and Review Summaries to simplify key steps in the planning process.' What's one big bet is making in Asia? Sustainable travel is at the core of long-term strategy. '85% of Asia-Pacific travellers confirmed sustainable travel is important to them,' Houldsworth shared. She said the company wants to make greener choices easier for travellers and already lists over 16,500 properties with third-party sustainability certifications. 'We aim to have more than 50% of bookings made with us by 2027 to be on more sustainable offerings.' She added the company is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, and is actively working with partners and travellers to support a more sustainable future. How is redefining the travel experience in 2025? 'We want to give customers the ultimate travel experience through a 'Connected Trip',' said Houldsworth, describing the company's vision to let travellers plan, book, and manage their trip in one place. AI plays a central role. '84% of travellers in Asia agree that AI makes the planning process faster,' she said, and the company is responding with features that personalise and simplify every stage. Tools like Smart Filter and Property Q&A allow users to express needs in their own words and receive instant, tailored suggestions. 'By experimenting with AI and technology, we aim to reduce and remove the potential frustration points,' she added, 'to make the entire travel experience more seamless and stress-free.' Continue the Conversation with at Skift Asia Forum As Southeast Asia reclaims its spot on the global travel map, leaders like Laura Houldsworth are helping set the pace for innovation, sustainability, and growth. approach of blending AI, culture, and purpose reflects the future-forward thinking needed to accelerate inbound travel across the region. At Skift Asia Forum, Laura will share more on how is unlocking new possibilities for travellers and partners alike. Don't miss this conversation on what's next for one of the world's most dynamic travel regions. Get Your Tickets Skip the FOMO. Join the decision-makers live in Bangkok. 1 Person Solo Ticket $920 Buy Now 2-6 People Group Tickets From $820 Buy Now Skift Asia Forum: Travel Leaders Confirmed for Region's Premier Conference As Asia powers the global travel rebound, Skift Asia Forum cuts through the noise with the voices and insights that matter most — the region's next wave of growth starts in Bangkok. Read More
