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The future of travel metasearches in Asia is being tested. Who will be left standing and who will become roadkill?
Raini Hamdi, Skift | 5 years ago
Since Saudi Arabia introduced a new tourist visa on Sept. 28, the focus has been on what it means for non-Muslim leisure travelers. But the new visa holds a bigger significance for the huge Muslim travel market in Asia and elsewhere.
The timing for global hotel chains to expand their presence in China has never been rosier. It's not just the sheer size of the domestic travel market but also the learnings that can be had from a country that has emerged as a technology trailblazer.
Most countries are still prejudiced against the Indian passport. That's a shame. Indian travelers are a legitimate, growing source for the global tourism industry. Thailand understands that; Australia not yet. Maybe it'll take a cricket match to change that.
The vision of global, interconnected ridehailing is sweet, and Asian player Grab wants to lead the way. But there is good reason to be skeptical.
Whether or not Accor will acquire or invest in Oyo, the point is this sector has come a very long way and is heading toward a big moment, born from a college dropout's entrepreneurial dream in India. The whole travel industry should welcome this.
