With the COVID-19 pandemic, the emphasis on global trends in travel and technology has turned local – in effect causing a “decoupling” of markets around the world.
However, the first “decoupling” with regards to technology trends between Asia and the West happened with the rise of mobile in the East.
“Ten years ago, we in Asia were looking to trends happening in Europe and the U.S.,” says WebInTravel founder Yeoh Siew Hoon, moderating a session at The Phocuswright Conference last month. “But the first decoupling happened with mobile and social platforms and local companies catering to local consumers.”
Indeed, the “explosion” of mobile across Southeast Asia in particular occurred once content became hyper local, says Louise Daley, deputy CEO, Asia Pacific, at Accor.
Now, with eyes on Asia as the continent leads in recovery amid the pandemic, how else are local trends in the region impacting the global travel marketplace?
In a session titled Executive Roundtable: Asia - Model or Anomaly?, a panel of executives discusses trends in Asia such as the power of online travel agencies, the rise of live streaming, loyalty schemes, payments and more.
Panelists include Accor’s Daley; GlobalTix CEO Chan Chee Chong and BIGLIFE CEO Spencer Lee.
Watch the full session below.
Executive Roundtable: Asia - Model or Anomaly? GlobalTix Accor BIGLIFE - The Phocuswright Conference