Google travel search? Disruption? Robbie Cooke of the Wotif Group is taking it all in his stride, as Yeoh Siew Hoon finds out in her catch-up with the flying executive.
The "perpetual motion" of the web environment and the constant, dynamic changes means that Robbie Cooke, group CEO and managing director of the Wotif Group, will remain paranoid for as long as he remains in charge of the group.
I caught up with Cooke, who was on one of his flying visits to the region last week, over coffee and we had a wide-ranging discussion about how the group was doing, his reading of the market and, of course, his response to new developments such as the launch of Google's travel meta-search. MORE
Yeoh Siew Hoon listens in on a panel on "Individualisation of travel" where panelists debated the various tools available to target customers and what the travel industry needs to get better at.
It's almost a contradiction in terms - we live in a world of mass information, on a planet with six billion people and in the travel industry, there are thousands of destinations, millions of flights, gazillions of hotels, tour operators, travel agents vying for millions of travellers.
Yet, with the splintering of the Web and the migration to mobile, where every individual is a moving target, everyone is looking to individualise the travel planning and booking process, as well as the experience.
It's a big subject to get one's head around and I must say the panel on "Individualisation of Travel" at ITB Berlin did a valiant job of it. MORE
Inspiration for entrepreneurs at WIT*e
Also on the menu on April 29 at Fairmont Singapore are the romance of travel and social media tips on finding a job. To attend, click here.
The first WIT*e of 2010, to be held on April 29, will serve up inspiration for entrepreneurs, romance for travellers, as well as practical advice on how to find a job using social media.
To be held at the Atrium Ballroom, Fairmont Singapore, from 6-9.30pm, the first WIT*e will feature entrepreneurs who will share lessons from their experiences starting up a business. MORE
"Google's pullout should serve as lesson"
The chatter in China over Google's pullout from China and diverting its searches to its Hong Kong-based site continues.
Here's the take from one industry observer, working in the travel ecommerce space. MORE
ITB News: Tough times but ITB Berlin set new records
Despite tough economic conditions, the 44th ITB Berlin broke records, according to Dr Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer Messe Berlin.
He said that more than 11,000 exhibitors placed a total of more than six billion euros worth of orders. MORE
