Travel Agents News

MATTA has urged the public to be “very wary and alert“ of MATTA Fair social media fake accounts.

MATTA sends strong warning to social media fraudstersPack it in, or we’ll prosecute those responsible for fake accounts, association warns.

Several Asian destinations, including Thailand and Indonesia, are considering implementing a tourist tax.

One taxing challenge for Asia: Tourism taxesGovernments waver over introduction of taxes that target tourists.

Tripadvisor issued more than 33,000 ranking penalties and 341 red badge warnings to offending businesses.

Tripadvisor's battle against fake reviewsOver 1.3 million reviews submitted in 2022 were fraudulent, but Tripadvisor managed to stop 72% from being published.

SmartRyde will allow airport transfer to be arranged, even at the last minute.

TAXI! A smoother ride for airport transfersNew SmartRyde marketplace will help taxi operators throw away the pen and paper.

Whale watching in Antarctica and trekking up Machu Picchu are among the most popular premium tour packages for Thai outbound travellers now.

Songkran turns up the heat for Thai outbound travelThai travellers now opt for longer and more expensive trips, with unique destinations like Latin America and Antarctica being...

Expedia Group and Booking Holdings spent the bulk of the amount, with the two companies disbursing $6.1 billion and $6 billion, respectively.

Online travel giants' record-breaking marketing spend in 2022Expedia Group, Booking Holdings, Airbnb and Trip.com Group OTAs splashed out on marketing last year as travel came back.

"The number of bookings coming in for the upcoming Cherry Blossom season is on an unprecedented level," said Shinya “Billy” Kurosawa, president and CEO, JTB Global Marketing & Travel.

Japan tourism booms ahead of cherry blossom seasonJTB Group's Shinya Kurosawa sees visitors rushing back while tourism sector plays catch up.

From left: Kenneth Lee, co-founder and CPO, Freed; Eric Lau, general manager, Connexus Travel; and Abel Zhao, co-founder and CEO of Freed.

New world meets old in Freed-Connexus mergerFreed's acquisition of Connexus will marry both the new-age travel tech adoptions with that of the traditional travel agency...

Graham Turner, Flight Centre's managing director, said the agency was attracted to Scott Dunn because of its customer service and high-quality products as well as positive image.

Flight Centre nabs luxury tour operator Scott DunnThe Scott Dunn brand will remain in place, as will its management team and CEO Sonia Davies.

From left (clockwise): ASTINDO's Pauline Suharno; NATAS' Steven Ler; Singapore Hotel Association's Margaret Heng; PTAA's Michelle Taylan

Hops and hopes: Travel leaders' well wishes in the Year of the RabbitTravel agent and hotel association chiefs across Singapore, Indonesia, Phuket and the Philippines share their hopes in the new...