Yeoh Siew Hoon is a trailblazer in the travel industry, renowned for her ability to spot and explore the intersections of travel, technology, and Asia. With decades of experience as a journalist and media leader, Siew Hoon has played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of travel in the Asia Pacific region.
In 2005, she founded WiT (Web in Travel) to explore the transformative impact of technology on the travel industry. What began as a niche media and events platform in Asia Pacific has since expanded globally, with editions in Tokyo, Seoul, the Middle East, and Europe. These efforts have established WiT as a key player in highlighting innovation and change in the travel sector.
Siew Hoon’s vision led to WiT’s acquisition by Northstar Travel Group in 2014, after which she spearheaded the launch of Travel Weekly Asia and M&C Asia, building Northstar’s editorial presence in the region. Her leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Singapore Tourism Board in 2014. WiT Singapore, her flagship event, has received multiple awards, such as Most Innovative Marketing Initiative and Trade Conference of the Year. In 2020, WiT Singapore became the first travel conference to adopt a fully hybrid format, setting a new benchmark for events in a post-pandemic world.
Beyond WiT, Siew Hoon is a published author, sharing her love for travel through books like “Around Asia in One Hour: Tales of Condoms, Chillies & Curries” and children’s stories such as “Adventures of Habibie the Turtle” and “The Story of Baitong and Boon.” She also hosts the “A Life in Travel” podcast, where she delves into the journeys of people shaping the travel industry.
Siew Hoon’s passion for storytelling and innovation continues to inspire the travel community, driving forward conversations about the future of travel in Asia and beyond.
Sessions
Coffee Chat: Building Next Generation Impact
He describes himself as a “socially minded entrepreneur” focused on innovative and high impact businesses. His background is varied and interesting, including being co-founder of LIFT, the airline. He runs his own venture fund supporting the growth of entrepreneurial activity in South Africa. And his newest venture is Circle, a boutique senior living brand with residences being developed in sought-after urban locations in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We delve into his views on next generation entrepreneurship.
Gidon Novick, CEO, Lucid Ventures
Interviewer:
Africa Travel: Leapfrogging Into The Next Generation
Every business has to find its own groove in a fragmented, fluid market and make their bets on the future. We speak to the different travel models and find out what they are betting on and how they are planning for the future? Where are the opportunities in the new age?
Speakers:
Andy Hedley, Managing Director, Travelstart
Albert Fernando, CEO, Travelwings
Bayo Adedeji, Group Chief Executive Officer, Wakanow
Moderator:
Global OTAs And Their Playbook For The Future
Global OTAs are expanding their reach and looking for fresh opportunities in new markets. As they expand, what’s their playbook and what innovations in AI and product, customer acquisition and customer service are they bringing to local markets to capture the hearts and minds of local consumers? What are the lessons learnt from different regions?
Speakers:
Alberto Yates, Regional Director, EMEA, Booking
Ross Veitch, CEO & Co-founder, Wego
Tara Colpitts, Senior Director, Expedia Group
Moderator:
The New Age of Hospitality, Travel & Tech
No one has a better overview of the hospitality and tech landscape than this investor behind the leading venture capital firm focused on technology innovation in travel and hospitality. Recently, Thayer Ventures, which he founded, teamed up with Derive Ventures, the most active early-stage investment firm dedicated to travel and hospitality, to form Thayer Investment Partners (TIP), to go all in on the sector. In this session, he gives a 10-minute bird’s eye view of the changing landscape, accelerated by AI, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Speakers:
Chris Hemmeter, Managing Director, Thayer Ventures
Interviewer: