WIT to focus on answers for tough times
SINGAPORE – It is often said that crises separate the men from the boys, the women from the girls. WIT-Web In Travel, being held this month, will suggest how travel companies can emerge a winner in the challenging times ahead.
“Everyone’s watching the global economic situation and wondering and worrying how the US meltdown will affect the Asian economy and, by extension, travel and tourism,†says WIT’s producer, Yeoh Siew Hoon.
“But wondering and worrying will not give answers nor solve problems. Action is needed and leadership is critical at this pivotal time.â€
She said that WIT, held on October 21-22, would provide a timely forum for industry leaders in the most dynamic segment of the travel industry to come together to surface ideas that will enable companies to ride out the storm ahead.
A session on “New Approaches to Brand Building and Marketing†will ask the tough questions – in difficult times, should companies slash and burn, or spend and build and how pivotal is brand really to business success?
Three of Asia’s biggest travel markets – Japan, China and India – will also be featured at WIT.
Making their debut are two of Japan’s leading online travel companies, Recruit and Ikyu.
Suguru Tomizuka, president, Recruit Travel Information Company and Masabumi Mori, CEO, Ikyu Corp will share their experiences from one of the region’s most complex, challenging and dynamic markets.
The session on India will bring together the leaders of three top online companies – Dhruv Shringi, CEO, Yatra.com, Phanindra S, CEO, RedBus and Keyur Joshi, Makemytrip.com.
China’s largest online travel company, Ctrip, will also be making its debut at WIT – Alfred Chang, director of business development of Ctrip will share ideas on where the opportunities are in the world’s biggest market. Fritz Demopoulos, CEO, Qunar, will join the discussion.
A session on investment, featuring four leading investors based in Singapore, will give an update on what’s happening in the investment landscape in Asia and where the opportunities are amid the financial crisis.
The panel of investors, which include William Liu, chairman, Stream Global, Michael Yap, deputy CEO, Media Development Authority, Frederic de Bure, partner, IDG Ventures SEA and Lee Keen Whye, managing director, Strategic Alliance Capital, will also be judging on the winner of “The WIT Start-Up Pitch†in which three start-ups will pitch their ideas at the conference.
“WIT will cover all the questions you are probably asking right now but have no one to ask them to. Well, at WIT, we will have up to 60 industry leaders and speakers who will be there to answer your questions,†said Siew Hoon.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026