This Online Travel Agency Is Expanding in Southeast Asia — It Needs to Get Payments Right

Looking to bolster its presence in the European short-term rental market, India-based hospitality company Oyo has acquired Paris-based rental management company Checkmyguest. The acquisition is valued at INR 2.3 billion ($27.4 million), according to reports.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia sits down with Mahesh Iyer, managing director and CEO of Thomas Cook India, to explore how the company is strategically adapting to the evolving preferences of Indian travelers. The discussion delves into the shifting dynamics of India’s travel landscape and how Thomas Cook is positioning itself to meet these new demands.

Southeast Asian online hotel management and booking platform RedDoorz has its sights set on IPO – but it has a lot of steps to clear first.  

One of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships at sea is about to get a major glow-up.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Booking.com’s Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia, Santosh Kumar, and Skift Asia Editor, Peden Doma Bhutia, dive into the latest trends, insights, and initiatives in the travel industry. They focus on inclusivity and the evolving behaviors of Indian travelers.

When taking a transatlantic redeye, aka a flight that leaves late in the night in the U.S. and lands in the morning Europe time, you’re presented with some minor and major issues. With flights lasting about 5 to 8 hours, it’s hard to get great sleep on board, meaning you’re bound to be fatigued upon landing. Jet lag is going to hit at some point, even if you did get great sleep. And landing at 6 a.m. or even a bit later generally means that your room might not be ready for you to catch a much needed morning nap — leading to you making like a zombie walking through the streets of your European city of choice, looking for coffee or the will to keep your eyes open. 

Skift Global Forum on September 17-19 in New York City is the premier gathering for anyone in the online travel industry, bringing together the brightest minds and leading voices in OTAs and beyond.

Hilton’s growth strategy in Asia Pacific is multifaceted. It is the fastest growing hotel company in the region, with almost 1 in 4 hotel rooms under construction bearing a Hilton flag.

Imagine a tropical island with unspoiled beaches. Towering palm trees dot the shore, and ornate Hindu and Buddhist temples beckon you inward.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom outlined numerous steps the airline is taking to “course correct” after abandoning a direct distribution strategy it embarked on in 2023.

Following an extensive five-year restoration project, the East Wing at Buckingham Palace is available to tour for the first time ever. Beginning July 11, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the previously restricted area throughout the summer as part of the palace’s annual Summer Opening of the State Rooms. “Led by expert guides, small groups of visitors will tour a series of rooms on the East Wing’s Principal Floor, which have never been accessible to the public before,” reads a press release from the Royal Collection Trust.

A few places immediately come to mind when it comes to LGBTQ+ travel—whether it’s New York’s historic Greenwich Village or Buenos Aires’ bustling Palermo District, Berlin’s underground Schöneberg or London’s nightclub-packed Soho. But Asia is featuring more frequently on travel itineraries that engage with queer communities around the world, thanks to a rising global visibility of what’s at the forefront of queer entertainment and culture on the continent. From the electrifying drag scene in Manila to the societal recognition of trans identities in Kathmandu, these Asian cities give dimension to celebrating queerness in all its global forms.