Tech is Catching Up Across APAC

As operators across the region take advantage of the downtime, the time for better tech and connectivity in Asia Pacific is close at hand

Reading Time: 1 minutes 45 seconds

by | 28 July 2021

The adoption of technology across the Asia and Pacific region has long-trailed Europe and the United States. However, that has changed significantly over the past year as an arms race between the region’s OTAs and restechs to gather up pen-and-paper operators has gathered speed.

As we wrote earlier this year, 26% of Asia-based operators do not use a reservation system (and this number may be much higher, as our surveys tend to reach more online operators). This is something that the regional OTAs, KKDay and Klook, hope to change. Both have launched their own solutions in an attempt to bring the industry online.

Join the APAC Tech & Distribution Forum

Tech is Catching Up Across APAC Arival Ben Finch
The forum will look at tech, pricing, OTAs, and much more — Liam Pozz / Unsplash

Arival will examine the state of technology adoption at our half-day APAC Tech & Distribution Forum on August 3. 

We’ll have discussions with GlobalTix, Rezdy, Livn and BeMyGuest on the future for restech and connectivity in the region, Sarah Duthie, Head of Sales Tours & Experiences at Sydney Opera House, will share her views on tech, pricing, and OTAs, and there’ll be an ask me anything with Victor Tseng, CFO at KKday.

KKday, the Taipei-based OTA, has raised more than $100 million and has set its sights on regional domination of the online distribution of tours, activities, attractions and experiences. Part of that strategy includes the launch of a new reservations system to try to get operators across the region online and connected.

We’ll also be looking at how to get your tech set with Lauren Shannon of Arigato Japan and how the distribution landscape is changing with Kevin Lu from Rezdy and Steve Martinez from Livn.

Kei Shibata of LINE Travel jp and Trip101 and Brett Henry of MG Group will discuss the rise of superapps across APAC. These mobile apps try to do everything a user needs — and they’re super-interested in travel.

Learn about all this and more at the APAC Tech & Distribution Forum half-day event. Tickets start at $39 for non-members. Or become a Pro Access member to get easy access to all of the Arival Accel series of virtual events and premium research for a full year, starting at just $179

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Tags: klook, Featured, GlobalTix, BeMyGuest, KKDay, Rezdy, LIVN, Sydney Opera House, Arigato Japan, LINE Travel jp, Trip101, MG Group

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

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