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Transport

47 million social media posts confirm USA as “the land of road trips”

Alastair Newport May 24, 2019

From an analysis carried out by Europcar on over 47 million social media posts, America has come out top for the most popular road trip destinations in the world. The findings of the…

Startups

After hotel bookings, Grab rolls out tour packages

Kristin Mariano May 21, 2019

Ride-hailing company Grab is making strides in the travel sector. After it debuted its hotel booking feature, the app has launched an itinerary-based transport service.

Startups

Uber adds feature that tells driver to shut up

Kristin Mariano May 20, 2019

Ride-hailing giant Uber has added an option in its premium ride service Uber Black that tells the driver to shut up and drive during the trip.

Technology

TravelPerk announces integration of Trainline

Kristin Mariano May 20, 2019

Europe’s fastest growing online travel management platform TravelPerk has announced the integration of Trainline.

Global

Eurostar launches industry’s first virtual guide for travellers with autism

Alastair Newport May 15, 2019

Eurostar has launched its new 360° virtual guide to help travellers with autism have a smooth and stress-free journey, in a first for the travel industry.

Train

World’s fastest bullet train undergoes testing

Kristin Mariano May 15, 2019

Japan has started testing the world’s fastest bullet train with speed reaching up to 400 kilometres per hour.

Startups

Neuron scoots in Bangkok

Kristin Mariano May 8, 2019

I first saw the orange scooters parked right outside Park Regis Singapore when I stayed there. Now, it will be seen cruising the streets of Bangkok.

Technology

New Hertz app offers faster and more personalised car rental experience

Kristin Mariano May 3, 2019

In its continued effort to bring best customer service, Hertz refreshed its app and promised to bring a faster and more personalised rental experience with easy access to reservations,…

Technology

Travel tech this week: DXB Entertainments new B2B platform and more

Kristin Mariano May 2, 2019

This week, travel booking sites eSky and DXB Entertainments moved forward with their businesses. Meanwhile, UDrive and Rentals United received millions of funding.

Road

Sony debuts ride-hailing in Tokyo

Kristin Mariano Apr 29, 2019

Electronics giant Sony recently launched its own ride-hailing platform, S.Ride, in Tokyo rivalling JapanTaxi and LINE after the company committed to bring an Uber-like experience to Japan’s…

Startups

Go-Jek and Traveloka mull over going public

Kristin Mariano Apr 16, 2019

Indonesian unicorns Go-Jek and Traveloka are reportedly thinking of holding an IPO, which could be the first for Indonesia Stock Exchange.

Road

The best countries for road trips (in an electric vehicle)

Tian Tolentino Apr 12, 2019

According to Comparethemarket.com, the US, Germany, and the UK top the table for countries with most charging locations and stations, with eight European countries featuring in the top ten…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Top 5 regions best explored by rail

Kristin Mariano Apr 3, 2019

Travel activities and services booking platform Klook revealed that rail services bookings increased by more than 150% from 2018 to 2019.

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

Large Minority opens second India Rickshaw Challenge

Tian Tolentino Apr 2, 2019

Responsible travel company Large Minority has opened bookings for the second ever India Rickshaw Challenge, an off-the-beaten-track charity event.

Hospitality

Sky-Highlands: Edinburgh’s new cable car

Alastair Newport Apr 1, 2019

Apex Hotels announced this morning it will be bringing an aerial gondola to Edinburgh when it launches the Apex Grasshopper in Scotland’s capital city in April 2021.

Startups

Grab Philippines launches water delivery service amid water crisis

Kristin Mariano Mar 28, 2019

Ride-railing firm Grab Philippines offers a water delivery service in water-deprived city of Marikina.

Startups

PH board says no to Go-Jek for the second time

Kristin Mariano Mar 19, 2019

Philippine’s Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has denied the application of ride-hailing Go-Jek to enter the Philippine market.

Startups

Unstoppable: Grab receives USD 1.5 billion fund

Kristin Mariano Mar 8, 2019

Yes, Grab is unstoppable as it just added another USD 1.5 billion in its stash by raising USD 1.46 billion from SoftBank’s USD 100 billion Vision Fund.

Startups

Drive safe: Go-Jek partners with Doctor Anywhere

Kristin Mariano Mar 7, 2019

Go-Jek cares for the welfare of its drivers in Singapore as it partners with local start-up Doctor Anywhere.

Startups

The race is on: Why Uber, Lyft IPO is pure gamble

Kristin Mariano Mar 6, 2019

Lyft has pulled ahead of Uber after it went public before its rival. While Uber’s paperwork has yet to become public, it would eventually go public. Despite being valued for more than a…

Startups

Go-Jek to try again in PH

Kristin Mariano Mar 5, 2019

Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek will try to penetrate the Philippine market again after reports claimed that one of the country’s oldest conglomerates Ayala Corporation will partner with the…

Startups

Grab allows users to cancel rides for free, but there’s a catch

Kristin Mariano Mar 4, 2019

Starting 11 March, Grab users can cancel rides for free within five minutes after booking.

Startups

Like Chuxing raises ‘tens of millions’ of funding

Kristin Mariano Feb 27, 2019

Chinese car-sharing start-up Like Chuxing reportedly has secured “tens of millions” of dollars for its series B+ round of financing from a group of investors including Ant Financial, the…

Startups

Roads less travelled: Didi Chuxing expands in South America

Kristin Mariano Feb 18, 2019

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing is reportedly expanding in Latin America based on the job postings and a company official.

Startups

Vietnam to reinvestigate Grab-Uber deal

Kristin Mariano Feb 15, 2019

It has been almost a year since the merger between Grab and Uber shook the ride-hailing market in Southeast Asia. After the deal, Grab became the top dog in Asia.

Startups

Didi Chuxing invests USD 100 million in OYO

Kristin Mariano Feb 14, 2019

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing has invested USD 100 million in Indian unicorn Oyo Hotels & Homes. This brings Oyo’s total financing close to USD 1 billion.

Startups

Airbnb to build an “end-to-end platform” with latest hire

Kristin Mariano Feb 8, 2019

Airbnb is breaking into the travel market as the company just hired the founding head of Virgin America Fred Reid as global head of transportation.

Startups

Go-Jek’s fresh funds fuel expansion

Kristin Mariano Feb 8, 2019

Go-Jek has announced that it had received series F funding from Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com Inc. and China-based conglomerate Tencent Holdings, with Mitsubishi…

Technology

Year of the big data: China installs facial recognition system in Beijing

Kristin Mariano Feb 7, 2019

In what seemed to be an episode from Black Mirror, passengers at the Beijing's high-speed railway station needed to pass through a machine before they board the train.

Global

Klook couples Old World train travel with new-school tech

Alastair Newport Jan 30, 2019

Klook, the Hong Kong tour and experiences booking app which has been making waves throughout Asia for the last 18 months, has entered into a new relationship with Rail Europe, bound to cause…

Train

Malaysia’s USD 20bn railway project in limbo

Kristin Mariano Jan 29, 2019

Malaysia’s huge railway project is hanging in a balance. Reports claimed that the country is shelving the project because it cannot afford it.

Startups

CoRover shows how to travel solo but not alone

Kristin Mariano Jan 25, 2019

Solo travellers face risks for they are alone during the trip, especially at the time of emergencies.

Tourism

Zip zap vroom to your next European adventure

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jan 25, 2019

Thanks to the EU, the ultimate European road trip adventure is far more easy to execute. But move over the casual and look for alternative and fun itineraries that match you interests to…

Hospitality

Full steam ahead: Thai railways enhanced for tourism

Alastair Newport Jan 15, 2019

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has put train travel at the heart of its new plans to develop tourism in the country, when it approved two measures at a meeting focused on boosting…

Startups

Go-Jek operates in Singapore after roadblock in the Philippines

Kristin Mariano Jan 11, 2019

Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek has opened its app to passengers in Singapore after it hits a roadblock in the Philippines.

Road

King of the road: USA hailed as road trip capital of the world

Tian Tolentino Jan 11, 2019

The USA’s Route 66 has been named as the most Instagram-worthy road trip in the world, according to a study commissioned by Hertz in the UK.

Transport

Budget returns to an old partner for a new future Japan

Alastair Newport Jan 10, 2019

Budget Car Rental today announced the appointment of Jeiba Corporation as the company’s new General Sales Agent (GSA) in Japan for outbound travellers.

Road

Uber, Lyft IPO in 2019: The Ali-Frazier of Wall Street

Kristin Mariano Dec 10, 2018

Dubbed as the most-anticipated IPO filing, Uber and Lyft generated excitement among investors with their news about going public.

Road

Lyft beats Uber in the race for IPO

Kristin Mariano Dec 7, 2018

In the race of going public, Lyft has beaten its rival Uber in setting the stage for an initial public offering early next year.

Hotels

Two worlds collide with Waldorf Astoria and Aston Martin partnership

Tian Tolentino Dec 5, 2018

Hilton’s luxury hotel brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, has announced a four-year global partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda.

MICE

VisitBritain taps Eurostar and Virgin Trains to boost MICE market in the UK

Tian Tolentino Nov 28, 2018

VisitBritain has partnered with Eurostar and Virgin Trains to offer a united travel service — boosting the MICE market in the UK.

Hospitality

Hotelbeds to acquire HolidayTaxis Group to pump up ‘Beyond the Bed’ portfolio

Kristin Mariano Nov 15, 2018

Hotelbeds has announced the acquisition of HolidayTaxis Group adding to its portfolio and reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth in the rapidly expanding ancillary distribution…

Consumer

Baffled Brexit Brits: More than 50% confused about post-Brexit travel

Tian Tolentino Nov 12, 2018

According to the new figures released by Eurotunnel, Brits continue to be baffled by Brexit and what it means for them.

Expect the worst and hope for the best: UK’s private sector plan for No-deal Brexit

Alastair Newport Nov 1, 2018

Following the conclusion of seminar on Brexit, organised by the ETOA (European Organisation for Technical Approvals) it was revealed companies from the private sector are putting into place…

Hotels

Race to USD 3B: Grab receives USD 200 million from Booking Holdings

Kristin Mariano Oct 30, 2018

Coming from the heels of Microsoft’s strategic investment in Grab, the ride-hailing company in Southeast Asia received a fresh capital from travel firm Booking Holdings.

Technology

Eurostar’s new robot provides travel info, takes selfies on request

Tian Tolentino Oct 29, 2018

High-speed train service provider, Eurostar, has introduced an interactive humanoid that offers a new way of providing travel information.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia goes loopy for transport of the future

Alastair Newport Oct 25, 2018

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies announces partners and construction start for commercial system in Abu Dhabi.

Hotels

Crossroads Maldives cares for the fishes with new ferries

Kristin Mariano Oct 24, 2018

Crossroads Maldives, the largest integrated destination in the Maldives, has acquired a new fleet of ferries that will carry guests to and from the resort and Velana International Airport…

Tourism

3-in-1: World’s biggest bridge opens to connect three major Chinese destinations

Alastair Newport Oct 24, 2018

Travelling from Hong Kong to Macao can be a drag. If everything goes according to plan, the ferry crossing between two of Asia’s premier destinations can be done, in theory, in 55 minutes.

Road

“TFL proposals threaten London tourism” says UKinbound

Kristin Mariano Oct 23, 2018

UKinbound, a leading travel trade association, has written to London mayor Sadiq Khan expressing concerns on the new requirements and proposals from Transport for London.

Airlines and Aviation

Forget jetpacks — take to the skies in your own personal air taxi

Alastair Newport Oct 16, 2018

Air New Zealand and Zephyr Airworks have signed an agreement to bring the world's first autonomous electric air taxi service to New Zealand.

Road

Avis Car Rental brings Avis Prestige service in Singapore

Kristin Mariano Oct 10, 2018

Avis Car Rental has launched Avis Prestige service in Singapore, through a partnership with Wearnes Leasing, a division of luxury car retailer Wearnes Automotive.

Road

Avis Lease India to leverage SAMIL’s bidding platform for used car disposal

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Oct 9, 2018

Avis India has now partnered with Shriram Automall India Limited (SAMIL), a service provider for disposal of “lease return” cars leveraging the expertise of SAMIL’s Online Bidding Platform…

Technology

Ctrip x Splyt = Global mobility for Chinese travellers

Kristin Mariano Oct 1, 2018

Going around during your trip has never been this easier for Chinese travellers as they can now book a ride anywhere through their Ctrip app after the China’s largest travel agency partnered…

Train

Trains vs Planes: 5 reasons why you should hit the tracks

Tian Tolentino Sep 28, 2018

What are the advantages of taking trains over planes? That is the question we answered in this feature with David Ashton, the CEO of Loco2.

Train

HK-China high speed rail guns for business travellers

Kristin Mariano Sep 26, 2018

The HK-China high-speed rail has commenced operation on 23 September connecting Hong Kong to 44 destinations in mainland China.

Technology

Beep! Beep! Avis Budget Group launches one-stop-portal

Kristin Mariano Sep 14, 2018

Avis Budget Group has launched its training platform, Beep – a one-stop-portal for travel trade professionals in Asia.

Road

Safety: Ride-hailing services’ major blackhole

Kristin Mariano Sep 6, 2018

Chinese ride-hailing app Didi Chuxing suffered a major setback when Delete Didi movement spread across China following the murder of a passenger by one of its drivers.

OTAs & Tour Operators

Big Bus Tours enters SEA with Duck and HiPPO acquisition

Tian Tolentino Sep 5, 2018

Open-top tour bus operator, Big Bus Tours, has announced the acquisition of Singapore’s Duck & HiPPO, a home attraction and sightseeing company.

Global

Five reasons Brexit will not affect British travellers

Alastair Newport Aug 23, 2018

Understandably, people concerned about the future are asking the same simple questions: what will happen? When will it happen? Will it even happen?

Tourism

Mountain drive itineraries to rock your world

Alastair Newport Aug 9, 2018

Rocky Mountaineer has released three new self-drive vacations and one ‘heli-trek” into the Rock Mountains

Transport

Last-minute car hire can save you money

Tian Tolentino Aug 2, 2018

iCarhireinsurance.com has researched the costs of car hire in five popular holiday destinations to find out the difference in cost between booking six weeks ahead and the night before.

Tourism

Alibaba partners with JR Kyushu to offer scenic rail tours in Japan

Tian Tolentino Jul 24, 2018

Alibaba Group has announced a strategic collaboration with Japan’s Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) to promote railway-themed Kyushu sightseeing tours.

Road

Indians can rent cars in 170 countries with Avis India’s international self-drive service

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jul 19, 2018

Avis India becomes the first car rental company in India with the capability to enable customers to book self-drive cars in 170 countries with over 5,500+ rental locations.

Tourism

Research reveals why the industry needs ‘disability’ travel provisions

Tian Tolentino Jul 17, 2018

Luxury holiday operator, Oliver’s Travels, has conducted a study that revealed more than 50% of people with disabilities find travel considerably more difficult or near impossible.

Train

Eat, drink, and be merry – all the way up to Machu Picchu

Kristin Mariano Jul 16, 2018

Adventure seekers opt to trek for three days, but those who like to choose the easy route have to spend 6 to 7 hours abroad a train. That is why Inca Rail tries to make the train ride an…

Tourism

Vroom through Europe with new luxury car rental

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jul 12, 2018

From a Ferrari 488 GTB sports car to a Mercedes-Benz Class C convertible, new luxury car hire service, Vroomerz, offers customers the widest selection of luxury cars across Europe, real-time…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Private equity firm Duke Street gets on track with Great Rail Journeys acquisition

Tian Tolentino Jul 6, 2018

Duke Street, a UK-based private equity firm, has announced that it will acquire Great Rail Journeys (GRJ), a provider of escorted rail and cruise holidays.

Transport

Understand insurance jargon and save up to GBP 2000 on car hire

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jul 4, 2018

Research carried out by Opinium found that 42% of car renters don't fully understand the car insurance they have and what it covers.

Road

Eco-friendly car hire now available at all the major airports in UK with Green Motion

MILI SEMLANI Semlani Jul 2, 2018

With the opening of Green Motion's latest site at Newcastle Airport, it now has branches at all major airports in UK.

Technology

HAUPCAR: Future of Thailand’s car rental service

Kristin Mariano Jun 27, 2018

Bangkok’s rapid urbanisation has resulted in gridlocked streets and disconnected transport modes. Various solutions are offered to resolve the city’s traffic that costs the Thai economy…

Shopping around for holiday hire cars could save UK customers an average of £169

Alastair Newport Jun 22, 2018

Hiring any product or services is, for many people, a process fraught angst and worry. So once we find a company and system we like, then we tend to stick with it. This applies to car hire…

Technology

Evolution of urban mobility: Where does the road lead?

Kristin Mariano Jun 12, 2018

We have a rich history of mobility, documented and immortalised by technologies whose sole purpose is to take us where we are going. We have come a long way, from horse-drawn carriages and…

OTAs & Tour Operators

First Class Holidays ramps sales with VIA Rail

Kristin Mariano Jun 1, 2018

After being named as the UK's sole-appointed sales agents for VIA Rail, First Class Holidays has announced 30% year-on-year sales increase.

Attractions

Big Bus Tours adds Los Angeles to its global portfolio

Kristin Mariano May 30, 2018

London’s Big Bus Tours will start cruising the roads of Los Angeles in the fall and will aim to provide tourists with a never-before-seen look of the city.

Train

Five expert tips for selling bespoke train holidays

Alastair Newport May 28, 2018

It is now getting on for five years ago that I struck out for Beijing on the Trans-Siberian Express. The epic journey through Europe, Russia Mongolia and into China was an incredible…

Transport

8 minimalist maps for the most epic U.S. road trips

Tian Tolentino May 25, 2018

Road trips are part of the American pop culture, inspiring countless movies and songs. If you’re planning to go on a drive, or just plain curious - here are eight minimalist maps to guide…

Transport

Go-Jek makes international debut with $500 million in its pockets

Tian Tolentino May 24, 2018

In the coming months, daily commuters in Southeast Asia will soon get the chance to join the Indonesian way of travel as Go-Jek expands into Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and the…

Transport

Sanef Tolling gifts UK drivers hassle-free travel in France, Spain, and Portugal

Kristin Mariano May 22, 2018

UK drivers will be on the fast lane in the roads of France, Spain, and Portugal thanks to the expansion of Sanef Tolling’s automatic toll payment system.

Transport

Germany’s FlixBus conquers US long-distance travel

Kristin Mariano May 22, 2018

Most people associate travelling by bus as a not-so glamorous way to cruise the roads, but Germany’s FlixBus could change your mind and it is conquering the United States.

Train

Connecting with 68,000 Travelport agents could be the lifeline Eurostar needs

Alastair Newport May 22, 2018

Following Travelport’s response to Travel Daily’s assessment of its future last week, the travel commerce platform has now announced it has signed an agreement with Eurostar, to supply the…

Transport

Europcar changes name; stays positive for the future

Kristin Mariano May 22, 2018

Europcar Group is now Europcar Mobility Group that shareholders think embodies the visual identity of the company.

Tourism

Road trip! Cox and Kings launches new driving holiday service Self-Drive 365

Alastair Newport May 21, 2018

Indian travel giant Cox & Kings have announced the launch of Self-Drive 365, a new ‘one-stop road trip planner’, designed to put the driver at the centre of the action. The service…

Holiday Extras management buyout pushes value up to £100 million

Alastair Newport May 18, 2018

Holiday Extras, the UK based travel company, has announced today after long negotiations, it has finalised a management buyout deal – which pushes the company close towards a market value of…

Road

Lime’s ‘transit pods’ could be the newest tool for urban mobility

Kristin Mariano May 16, 2018

Lime is a start-up company that aims to provide a viable solution to traffic congestion in urban cities. The company dropped thousands of scooters in key cities allowing anyone who downloads…

United States

Uber hires former NTSB chair to advise on safety following fatal crash

Kristin Mariano May 14, 2018

Uber has announced that it hired Christopher Hart, the former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, to advise the company regarding safety. The same organization is…

United States

Lyft almost doubles market share in business travel market, Uber loses 14% in two years

Kristin Mariano May 9, 2018

The battle of ride-hailing services in the United States has been heating for years. While Uber’s problems gained the spotlight, its rival Lyft steadily rise with its quiet expansion in…

Technology

Virgin Trains now sells tickets through Alexa, offers free first-class upgrades

Tian Tolentino May 4, 2018

Virgin Trains has become the first travel operator to sell tickets through Amazon Alexa. To celebrate the moment, the company is offering free first-class upgrades to anyone named Alexa.

Train

Indian Railways makes luxury saloon coach open to public

Tian Tolentino Apr 23, 2018

Previously reserved for only top railway officials, Indian Railways’ luxury saloon coach is now available to the public.

Attractions

Back-Roads Touring leads expansion into Asia with eight new itineraries

Alastair Newport Apr 18, 2018

British based group-tour specialists Back-Roads Touring has started a new chapter in its 25 year history by branching out from its traditional stamping grounds in the United Kingdom and…

Transport

#LoveToTravel – win a trip to the UK with Cox and Kings’ new VisitBritain campaign

Alastair Newport Apr 16, 2018

With Brexit fast approaching, VisitBritain has been busy promoting the virtues of the United Kingdom, to assure the rest of the world that leaving the European Union should not act as a…

Air

Eurostar debuts London to Amsterdam train route – we look at the pros and cons of ‘The Chunnel’ versus flying

Kristin Mariano Apr 6, 2018

Eurostar’s new service from London to Amsterdam made its maiden voyage on 5 April - despite the French rail industry doing everything they could to ruin the party with their strike.

Transport

Travel giant Ctrip enters China rideshare market to take on Didi, the Uber slayer

Simon Willmore Apr 5, 2018

Ctrip.com is jumping into China's ride-hailing market: the ever-growing global travel powerhouse received a licence to offer a rideshare app business yesterday this week.

Train

UK travellers set to go loco as Skyscanner launches train bookings

Tian Tolentino Apr 4, 2018

To diversify the travel search engine’s offering to UK travellers, the Skyscanner app has launched the train bookings feature, now available on iOS and soon to follow on Android systems.

Tourism

Virgin Group: Richard Branson and India announce $55 billion Hyperloop project

Alastair Newport Feb 19, 2018

Richard Branson and The Indian State of Maharashtra announced their intent to build a Virgin Hyperloop between Pune and Mumbai, this weekend. Beginning with an operational demonstration…

Tourism

Be prepared: 8 top tips for Chinese New Year

Alastair Newport Feb 13, 2018

With 3 billion trips expected to be taken during the Chinese New Year, business travellers, visitors and residents alike should be aware of the potential heightened health and security…

Airlines and Aviation

bmi and Holiday Extras launch online car parking service

Jill Sayles Jan 12, 2018

bmi is partnering with Holiday Extras to add a car parking booking facility to its website. bmi customers will be able to find value fares on car parking options at all of the airline’s…

Road

Yonda launches travel trade initiative

Jill Sayles Dec 14, 2017 19

Following its UK launch earlier this year, Yonda, a self-drive sightseeing experience, has announced the implementation of its first travel trade initiative. Working with b2me Tourism…

Tourism

Bullet train trialled on ‘path to heaven’

Alastair Newport Nov 24, 2017 12

The trial run of a bullet train from Chengdu, Sichuan province, to Xi’an in neighboring Shaanxi province took about four hours on Wednesday morning, cutting travel time between the cities by…

Train

Trainline signal their global ambition

Alastair Newport Oct 10, 2017 21

Trainline, the digital rail platform, today announces its enhanced international offering, as it adds eleven new websites, with nine additional languages and prices displayed in 15 new…

Train

Eastern & Oriental Express culinary journeys on track

Alastair Newport Oct 6, 2017 9

Hospitality management company Belmond, have announced a new series of ‘pop-up’ collaborations, with highly acclaimed international chefs Ian Kittichai and Luke Mangan, aboard south-east…

Transport

Avis Budget takes buddy on the road

Jill Sayles Sep 21, 2017

Buddy the Budget Car Rental mascot dog is going on the road on a mission to raise travel agent awareness of the new Avis Budget Group agent portal, Beep. Buddy is reminding agents…

Transport

Travelport expands ground transport bookings

Mark Elliott Aug 16, 2017

Travelport has secured a new partnership that will expand the number of ground transport services offered to travel agents. The arrangement with Ugo Transfers, which aggregates ground…

Train

Phnom Penh halts airport rail project

Mark Elliott Aug 14, 2017

The Cambodian government has announced the suspension of work on the airport railway project in Phnom Penh. The Khmer Times reports that the project has led to a series of…

Tourism

Ctrip, Baidu offer translation for Chinese tourists

Mark Elliott Aug 7, 2017

Ctrip has teamed up with Baidu, the Chinese search engine, to provide a new translation service for Chinese tourists abroad. Using Baidu's "optical character recognition" (OCR)…

Technology

Brain Waves: the latest bright ideas from Hertz, Delta Air Lines and more

Mark Elliott Aug 1, 2017

Delta introduces biometric boarding pass Delta Air Lines passengers can now simply scan their fingerprints to board an aircraft at Washington DC's Reagan National Airport. The new…

Train

New luxury coastal train launches in Japan

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2017

Visitors to Japan can now travel along a scenic stretch of the country's Pacific coast aboard a luxury train. The Japan Times reports that railway operators Tokyu Corp and Izukyu Corp…

Bangladesh

India, Bangladesh to develop waterway connections

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2017

India and Bangladesh have signed an agreement to connect the two countries via new waterways. The Economic Times reported India's Minister for Road Transport, Highways & shipping,…

Corporate & Business

Asian travel costs to rise in 2018

Mark Elliott Jul 19, 2017

The cost of travelling in the Asia Pacific region is expected to increase next year, in line with continued strong demand. According to the fourth annual 2018 Global Travel Forecast…

Transport

New payment solution created for Indian public transport

Mark Elliott Jul 19, 2017

A new solution has been created to make public transport payments in India easier, faster and safer. Cardtek, the global payment technology company, has worked with Axis Bank to…

Road

Asian cities poles apart in taxi charts

Mark Elliott Jul 18, 2017

Asia is home to some of the world's cheapest and most expensive airport taxi fares, a new report has revealed. In its "2017 Taxi Price Index", London-based Carspring found that a cab…

Transport

Hyperloop project takes major leap forward

Mark Elliott Jul 13, 2017

The Hyperloop high-speed rail project has taken major leap forward with the completion of its first full systems test. The test, which company Hyperloop One called "phase one of a…

Train

Vistara opens check-in desk on Delhi Metro

Mark Elliott Jul 12, 2017

Vistara has teamed up with the operator of the Delhi Metro to introduce check-in and baggage drop facilities at New Delhi station on the Airport Express Line. Available from this…

Travel Agents

FIT Ruums to distribute Rail Europe in Asia

Mark Elliott Jul 10, 2017

FIT Ruums, the Asian B2B travel distributor, has formed a new partnership with Rail Europe that will enable the region’s travel agents to book European train tickets and passes. The…

Train

Airport rail link set for Bengaluru

Mark Elliott Jul 7, 2017

The southern city of Bengaluru could soon be more accessible after it was revealed that plans are being considered for a new airport rail link. With traffic at the city's Kempegowda…

Train

Japan plans faster bullet train

Mark Elliott Jul 6, 2017

A Japanese rail company is planning to develop a new, faster version of the Shinkansen bullet train, the Japan Times reports. East Japan Railway (JR East) revealed this week that it…

Tourism

Make Holidays Greener returns for 2017

Maria Airey Jun 30, 2017

Make Holidays Greener, the annual campaign led by ABTA in partnership with Travelife for Hotels & Accommodations, is returning for the summer. The campaign runs from July 1 throughout…

Transport

泰国计划横跨泰国湾铁路

Mark Elliott Jun 29, 2017

泰国日前正在计划一条新的铁路线，将连接泰国的安达曼海和海湾地区。 6月23日的一次公开听证会上，规划发展厅提出开发一个新的铁路项目，将泰国湾的海洋景点与安达曼海相连接，以评估意见。由省级官员和当地人在内的100多人参加了在素叻他尼举行的活动，介绍了一个77公里的单轨铁路线，现在正在由交通运输和交通政策规划处进行研究。…

Train

Great Rail Journeys announces early booking offer

Maria Airey Jun 27, 2017

To mark Canada's 150th anniversary, Great Rail Journeys is offering a saving of £150 on selected tours in the destination. This offer is for 2018 departures when booked on or before…

Transport

Shanghai opens up riverfront with 18 pedestrian bridges

Mark Elliott Jun 27, 2017

Eighteen pedestrian bridges will be built across the waterways in Shanghai by the end of the year, as the city aims to open up the Huangpu River to residents and tourists. The Shanghai…

Road

Uber arrives in Cambodia

Mark Elliott Jun 27, 2017

Uber has started trialling a new service in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post reports. A test version of its smartphone app is currently being offered in Phnom Penh, moving the…

Train

Thailand plans new coast-to-coast railway

Mark Elliott Jun 26, 2017

A new railway line is being planned in Thailand, connecting the country's Andaman and Gulf coasts. The Bangkok Post reports that plans for the 77km-long line were unveiled at a public…

Technology

Expedia completes SilverRail deal

Mark Elliott Jun 26, 2017

Expedia has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in SilverRail Technologies, the train ticket booking platform. The deal, which is aimed at advancing the online travel…

Transport

Kolkata to get India’s first underwater metro

Mark Elliott Jun 13, 2017

Kolkata's metro network is being extended under the Hooghly River, making it the first "underwater" metro line in India. The Times of India reports that the new line will link the…

Japan

Tokyo bus operator goes multi-lingual

Mark Elliott Jun 13, 2017

The operator of bus services to and from Tokyo's Narita Airport and Tokyo Disneyland is taking steps to cater for international travellers. Keisei Bus is now offering signage in multiple…

Virgin Trains announces new joint integrated campaign

Jill Sayles Jun 12, 2017

Virgin Trains has announced two new TVCs as part of an integrated campaign. The two new TV ads, which aired for the first time yesterday, are part of a new campaign and approach that…

Airlines and Aviation

Malaysia Airlines partners Sixt for car hire

Mark Elliott Jun 7, 2017

Malaysia Airlines has entered into a new global partnership agreement with Sixt, the car rental company. Under the terms of the deal, members of the airline's frequent flyer programme,…

Transport

Hyperloop industry to take off in next decade

Mark Elliott Jun 7, 2017

The global market for Hyperloop technology is set to soar in the next decade. According to a new report by MarketsandMarkets, the value of the sector (in terms of components such as…

Road

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) launches guide on European driving rules

Jill Sayles Jun 5, 2017

European driving laws can sometimes vary significantly when compared to those in the UK, so to help drivers navigate through foreign road regulations, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has…

Transport

Shuttle service links Changi with Singapore ferry port

Mark Elliott Jun 1, 2017

A new shuttle bus service is being launched connecting Singapore's Changi Airport with the city's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT). The initiative is aimed at improving connectivity…

Train

Delhi Metro launches new Heritage Line

Mark Elliott May 31, 2017

Delhi's Metro network has entered the capital's ancient "Walled City" for the first time, with the launch of the new Heritage Line. The new line opened on 28 May and features stations…

Road

PAL employees offered Uber rides to work

Mark Elliott May 30, 2017

Philippine Airlines has formed a new partnership with Uber, aimed at providing its employees with a new way of getting to work. Under the "uberHOP" ride-sharing service, employees heading…

Road

Hertz brings three car rental brands to Sri Lanka

Mark Elliott May 29, 2017

Visitors to Sri Lanka now have a series of international car rental brands to choose from, after Hertz made its debut in the country. The company has signed a multi-brand franchise…

Attractions

TAB a clear growth area for Hotelbeds

Mark Elliott May 24, 2017

Hotelbeds Group is expanding its Transfers and Activity Bank (TAB), and has high hopes for the business unit. Speaking at the company's inaugural MarketHub Asia event, which is taking…

Road

Cambodia speeds up travel to the beach

Mark Elliott May 19, 2017

The Cambodian government is moving ahead with plans to create a new highway between the capital Phnom Penh and the country's main beach resort and port, Sihanoukville. The Khmer Times…

Train

Thailand-China rail project to start in 2017

Mark Elliott May 17, 2017

Construction of the new Thailand-China railway project will commence in 2017, the Southeast Asian country's Transport Ministry has told Chinese media. The first stage of the line will…

Train

Expedia on track with SilverRail deal

Mark Elliott May 15, 2017

Expedia has expanded its presence in the rail sector with the acquisition of SilverRail, the online rail booking platform. While the exact terms of the agreement were not revealed, it…

Heathrow Express tickets discounted for August

Aaron Greenwood Apr 25, 2017

Heathrow Express tickets are being heavily discounted for a limited time. For holidaymakers flying from Heathrow this August, Heathrow Express single fares booked 90 days or more in…

Train

India trials “Vistadome” trains for tourist routes

Mark Elliott Apr 17, 2017

The first trial run of India's new "Vistadome" scenic rail carriages was flagged off on Sunday, ushering in a new era of tourism train travel in the country. The Economic Times…

Transport

Uber欲进入柬埔寨市场

Mark Elliott Apr 12, 2017

据柬埔寨当地媒体报道，Uber有兴趣进入柬埔寨市场。上周五，据《金边时报》报道，Uber的全球代表们与柬埔寨交通运输部长Sun Chanthol进行了会面，介绍了他们的商业模式并探讨了可能的合作计划。柬埔寨公共事务及交通运输总监Ken Ratha表示，部长非常支持该决定。 “部长表达了强烈的支持，并希望就具体的运营计划有更多的会议进行，”《金边时报》援引他的话表示。…

Transport

HNA makes bid for Singapore’s CWT

Mark Elliott Apr 11, 2017

China's HNA Group has made a bid to acquire CWT Ltd, the Singapore-based logistics company. CWT confirmed on its website that HNA Belt & Road Investments, a subsidiary of the Chinese…

Technology

Uber plans to enter Cambodia

Mark Elliott Apr 10, 2017

Uber has expressed an interest in entering the Cambodian market, according to local media reports. The Phnom Penh Post revealed on Friday that representatives from global ride-hailing…

Attractions

DWTC and Careem partner to enhance visitor experience

Gemma Greenwood Apr 4, 2017

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has partnered with Careem, the region’s leading ride-hailing app, leveraging technology to provide efficient ground transportation services that offer a…

By the Way

Lonely Planet founders embark on Silk Road adventure

Mark Elliott Apr 4, 2017

Tony and Maureen Wheeler, the founders of the Lonely Planet travel guide series, are embarking on one of their biggest adventures yet. Tony Wheeler set off from Bangkok this week for an…

Virgin Trains refreshes onboard retail offering

Aaron Greenwood Apr 3, 2017

Virgin Trains has revealed more than 25 new products will be available from its onboard Foodbar, located in Standard Class, on the east coast route. The move is in response to customer…

London airports team up to promote rail services to Scottish flyers

Aaron Greenwood Mar 20, 2017

Gatwick Express, Heathrow Express, Stansted Express and Luton Thameslink have launched their first ever joint sales team at Edinburgh airport for air passengers flying into London. …

Train

Eurostar reports strong rise in business

Aaron Greenwood Mar 20, 2017

After a surge in late bookings towards the end of 2016, the business reported its busiest December ever and a strong start to the year. Sales revenues for the first 10 weeks of the year…

Airlines and Aviation

Jet Airways teams up with Uber for airport transfers

Mark Elliott Mar 16, 2017

Jet Airways has sealed a major new partnership with Uber, the ride-hailing service. Under the tie-up, any passenger who books a flight using the Jet Airways mobile app will be offered…

Road

Restaurant bus takes diners sightseeing in Hong Kong

Mark Elliott Mar 16, 2017

A special bus is now plying the streets of Hong Kong, providing tourists with the chance to dine and go sightseeing at the same time. Crystal Bus is a 47-seat double-decker which has…

Train

Eurostar releases tickets for new high-speed Bordeaux route

Aaron Greenwood Mar 15, 2017

Eurostar has opened ticket sales for the new route from London to Bordeaux. The new high-speed line in France will reduce journey time by over one hour, offering passengers a more…

Virgin Trains celebrates 20th year of operations

Gemma Greenwood Mar 12, 2017

Virgin Trains has celebrated its 20th birthday on the West Coast route, where passenger journeys have grown to 37 million a year. Hungry passengers have been served over five…

Technology

Sabre expands GDS car hire content with Hertz

Mark Elliott Mar 8, 2017

Sabre has expanded its agreement with Hertz, making the car rental company's full inventory available via the GDS. This means that travel agents, both traditional and online, will be…

Train

Amadeus boosts GDS rail sales

Mark Elliott Mar 3, 2017

A new business model developed by Amadeus, the travel technology giant, is providing travel agencies with a way to sell multiple global rail networks. Amadeus will act as a sales…

Train

Heathrow Express receives Business Superbrand 2017 status

Aaron Greenwood Mar 2, 2017

Heathrow Express has again been awarded Business Superbrands status for 2017, for the 11th consecutive year in a row. The annual survey has been identifying the UK’s leading…

Eurostar releases 50,000 seats for £29 one-way

Aaron Greenwood Mar 2, 2017

Eurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service linking the UK with mainland Europe, has put on sale more than 50,000 seats for £29 one-way. The promotion will run for 10 days from 7 – 16…

Transport

India identifies four possible Hyperloop routes

Mark Elliott Mar 1, 2017

The Indian government is considering plans for the world's most extensive Hyperloop network to-date, with up to four routes - including multi-stop lines - in the pipeline. An event in…

Train

Taipei’s airport rail link finally opens

Mark Elliott Mar 1, 2017

The rail link between downtown Taipei and Taoyuan International Airport officially opens tomorrow (2 March 2017), more than a decade after construction started. The new Airport MRT…

Airlines and Aviation

Hertz extends car rental deal with Air France-KLM

Aaron Greenwood Feb 21, 2017

Hertz, Thrifty and Firefly will serve as Air France’s exclusive car rental providers for four years, following the renewal of the 28-year partnership between Hertz and Air France–KLM Group.…

Transport

东京出租车起步价降至每公里25元

Mark Elliott Feb 20, 2017

东京都中心地区等的出租车起步价30日起下调为约1公里410日元（约合人民币25元）。原先的起步价为2公里730日元。日本出租车乘客趋于减少，东京地区过去十年间减少了约3成。鉴于2020年将举办东京奥运会和残奥会，社会人口老龄化也在加剧，国土交通省及出租车行业试图挖掘访日外国游客和老年人的乘车需求。…

Airlines and Aviation

Royal Brunei offers UK rail and coach connections

Mark Elliott Feb 16, 2017

Royal Brunei Airlines has launched a new service that will allow its passengers to travel further across the UK. The Southeast Asian national carrier operates daily flights to London…

Road

Tokyo slashes taxi fares

Mark Elliott Feb 16, 2017

The starting fare for taxis in Tokyo has been significantly reduced. Previously, passengers were charged JPY730 (approx. US$6.40) for the first kilometre - well above the…

Road

Uber to roll out economy service in Dubai

Gemma Greenwood Feb 15, 2017

Ride-hailing app Uber will roll out its economy service UberX in Dubai in the coming months, company co-founder and chief executive officer Travis Kalanick has told Arabian Business.…

Technology

Avis Budget commits to Travelport GDS distribution

Mark Elliott Feb 14, 2017

Avis Budget Group, the global car rental company, has signed a new agreement that will ensure its products are made available to travel agents via Travelport's GDS channels. Under the…

Road

Tragedy as 32 tourists die in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 13, 2017

Tragedy struck in Taiwan on Monday night when a tour bus crash killed at least 32 people. Channel NewsAsia reports that the bus, which was carrying 44 people including the driver and a…

Tourism Boards

Face-to-Face: Deirdre Wells, UKinbound

Maria Airey Feb 9, 2017

UK tourism boomed in 2016 - what are the key factors driving this growth? I think it’s our wonderful tourism product, and our collaboration with the great campaign our national tourist…

Train

Rail Europe starts selling tickets via Alitrip

Mark Elliott Feb 9, 2017

Rail Europe has continued to expand its operations in China with the signing of an agreement to sell tickets via Alitrip, the travel arm of e-commerce giant Alibaba. Having opened a…

Australia

Australia considers high-speed Hyperloop

Mark Elliott Feb 8, 2017

The Australian government is considering plans to use Elon Musk's Hyperloop as an ultra-high-speed way of connecting Sydney and Melbourne. The Hyperloop was suggested this week in a…

Train

Eurostar debuts new Business Lounge in Paris

Aaron Greenwood Feb 5, 2017

Eurostar, the high-speed rail service linking the UK and mainland Europe, has opened the doors to its new Business Premier lounge in Paris Gare du Nord. Designed by global…

Road

Corporates embracing ride-sharing services

Gemma Greenwood Jan 31, 2017

Ride-sharing services are now allowed by one-half (50%) of all corporate travel policies, a jump from 44% in June 2016, according to the GBTA Business Traveler Sentiment Index Global Report…

Big Bus Tours debuts global consumer website

Aaron Greenwood Jan 24, 2017

Big Bus Tours, the largest operator of open-top sightseeing tours, has launched a new consumer website. The new digital experience comes as the company adapts to the fast-evolving…

Transport

Uber在台湾推出小黄uberTAXI

Mark Elliott Jan 24, 2017

日前，优步（Uber）与台湾计程车驾驶员工会全国联合会宣布双方將携手合作，2月在台北地区推出uberTAXI服务，透过Uber应用程式即可呼叫出租车。 Uber表示，在过去4年间推出了菁英优步、尊荣优步与关怀优步乘车服务，让台湾民众有多种不同的选择。今年2月，Uber即将于台湾推出uberTAXI，为Uber平台增加多一个选项。…

Road

Uber settles Taiwan row with new taxi service

Mark Elliott Jan 23, 2017

Uber will form a new taxi-hailing service in Taiwan, following a compromise reached with the country's Transport Ministry. The ride-hailing service had been in dispute with the Taiwanese…

United Arab Emirates

Dubai’s RTA inks DP World deal for cruise transfers

Gemma Greenwood Jan 18, 2017

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed an exclusive contract with DP World to provide taxi services to lift tourists from and to The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at…

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