Conference director of Digital Travel APAC Gladys Caligagan on the future of digital in the travel industry
Social Media Portal (SMP): What is your name and what do you do there for WBR Singapore Pte Ltd and Digital Travel APAC 2018?Gladys Caligagan (GC): I am Gladys Caligagan, conference director of Digital Travel and I look after the programme agenda and speakers for this event.
SMP: Briefly, tell us about Digital Travel APAC 2018, what is it and what does the event strive to do?GC: Digital Travel APAC is the conference destination for ecommerce and digital leaders in the travel industry. Combining inspirational case studies from pioneers with dozens of small-group, peer-to-peer learning formats, Digital Travel APAC delivers a practical roadmap for every challenge and opportunity the travel leaders face.
SMP: When/where is it to be held and why did you choose this venue?GC: Digital Travel APAC is happening on 17-19 April 2018 at the Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. We have chosen an integrated resort in Singapore to provide our participants with a luxury and best experience not only during the event, but also during their travelling, getaways or staycations.
SMP: Who are your target audience and why?GC: Digital Travel APAC brings together ecommerce and digital leaders from airlines (Cathay Pacific, Scoot, Lufthansa), hotels (Shangri-la, IHG, Accor), OTAs/metasearch (Ctrip, Skyscanner, Traveloka), and other travel leaders who are looking to re-imagine their customer journey.
SMP: What do you hope attendees will take away from Digital Travel APAC?
GC: I am hoping that attendees will not only enjoy the different networking sessions we have planned for them, but to find out why Digital Travel APAC is the best place to share ideas that are critical to advancing their ecommerce and customer experience priorities in an increasingly personalized world.
SMP: Tell us about the keynotes and guest speakers you are looking forward to?GC: We have confirmed 50+ speakers for Digital Travel APAC including:
- CEO for Ctrip: Jane Jie Sun
- Vice President of Digital Marketing, APAC for Accor: Emilie Couton
- Head of Digital Customer Experience for Cathay Pacific: Christophe Chavry
- Head of Sales and Distribution for Scoot, Trevor Spinks
- Head of Global eCommerce & Digital Marketing for Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces: Prasad Iyer
SMP: What are the challenges that you've encountered and how are you overcoming them in what you have been doing so far at Digital Travel APAC 2018?
GC: One of the most difficult things about organising conferences is getting last minute cancellations from key speakers. I've tried convincing them to attend the event by reiterating the benefits of being a speaker.
SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far?
GC: Confirming 50+ very senior travel leaders in Asia. Also, seeing this translate to growing audience re-enforces the fact that we are on the right path.
SMP: What do you think is going to be the most interesting aspect regarding the travel industry for the next 12 to 18-months and why?GC: Blockchain technology and how can it disrupt the travel industry.
SMP: What are your top predictions for ecommerce and digital for travel for the next 12 to 18-months and why?GC replies with
- Virtual reality destination testing. Simply pop on a headset or an eyewear and go for a stroll.
- Local travel social networks. Finding travel buddies locally. You don't need to go solo when you travel.
- Blockchain technology for online payments.
- More chatbots to serve you 24/7, allows you to book, get information, manage bookings and more.
SMP: What are your top overall ecommerce and travel tips and why?GC replies with:
- Be a bit more vigilant when booking your flight. I recommend checking prices throughout the week to find out when is the best time to book cheaper flights.
- Don't forget to check multiple websites. Each site employs slightly different search algorithms, and as a result can sometimes return different prices and flight times and combinations as well, which certainly adds value. When you add in layers of complexity like possible cookie tracking and more, it just makes sense to shop around a bit, especially right before you buy.
SMP: Best way to contact you and Digital Travel APAC 2018?GC: I am on
LinkedIn and Twitter
@gladysatwork - friend me, tweet me, link to me. It's all good.
Now some questions for fun
SMP: What did you have for breakfast / lunch?
GC: Salad. Tuna. Orange.
SMP: What's the last good thing that you did for someone?GC: I cooked my husband dinner
SMP: If you weren't working at Digital Travel APAC 2018 what would you be doing?GC: I am probably managing my own online ecommerce business.
SMP: When / where did you go on your last holiday and why?GC: I went to Phuket for my Birthday last February.
SMP: What's the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?GC: Read emails while eating bread.
SMP: If you had a superpower what would it be and why?GC: Teleportation so I can visit all the cities that I want to when I want to.
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