Singapore Hosts WiT 2025: Celebrating Two Decades of Travel Innovation and Human-Centered Technology

WiT Singapore 2025 Celebrates Two Decades of Travel Innovation

Singapore recently hosted the 20th-anniversary edition of Web in Travel (WiT) 2025, bringing together global leaders to explore the future of travel. The event emphasized themes of trust, inclusion, and human-centered technology, reflecting the industry’s evolution over the past two decades.

Day One: Trust, Ownership, and the Future of Travel Distribution

The opening day set the tone with discussions on the evolving landscape of travel distribution. Industry veterans and innovators reflected on the next 20 years, united by a common thread: the traveler remains at the center of transformation.

The Great Debate: Who Wins in the Age of AI?

A high-energy debate addressed the question on everyone’s mind — Who will win in the age of AI? Audience votes identified the traveler, the outsiders, and the hoteliers as key forces shaping a future defined by personalization and emotional connection.

Metasearch Pioneers Reflect on Reinvention

A panel explored metasearch’s evolving role in the AI era. Discussions highlighted the importance of persistence, reinvention, and adaptability in defining the next phase of travel innovation.

Expedia Group: Reinvention, Reach, and Responsibility

Leaders from Expedia Group highlighted the company’s B2B network and collaborations with platforms like Trip.com and OpenAI. They emphasized the need to disperse tourism benefits and adapt to the influence of social media on travelers.

Agoda: Trust, Disruption, and the OTA of the Future

Agoda’s leadership discussed redesigning the online booking experience through AI-powered personalization and real-time Q&A tools. They also explored the evolution of OTAs into financial platforms, offering services like cards and savings.

Hospitality: From Channels to Experiences

A hospitality panel gathered leaders from various organizations to discuss trust, loyalty, and human connection. Speakers agreed that loyalty is no longer about points but about co-created experiences.

India’s Online Travel Story: “Two IPOs and a Billion Travelers”

Industry leaders reflected on India’s digital travel journey, citing factors like internet penetration and digital payments as drivers of transformation. They highlighted AI as a transformative force in the industry.

Airline Distribution: Complexity, Fairness, and Opportunity

Representatives from Singapore Airlines discussed the carrier’s progress in adopting New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the importance of customer readiness in dynamic pricing.

Day Two: Unity, Inclusion, and Tech with Purpose

The second day continued with themes of human-led technology, inclusion, and purpose-driven innovation, showcasing how Asia’s travel ecosystem is shaping a more equitable and connected future.

Trip.com: Human-Led Innovation and Data-Driven Trust

Trip.com’s leadership emphasized the need for collaboration between airlines, OTAs, IT providers, and regulators. They stressed the importance of data synchronization across booking systems to protect traveler trust.

Japan: Inbound Recovery and Regional Dispersal

Japan’s tourism officials outlined the country’s robust recovery and the need for better geographic distribution of tourism to spread economic benefits.

The Future of Travel: Predictions and Provocations

Experts presented bold predictions for travel’s evolution, including concepts like “Living as a Service,” “Africa Rising,” and the mainstreaming of medical tourism.

Technology, Culture, and Leadership

Discussions highlighted the trend toward personalized, solo, and small-group travel, driven by deeper cultural and emotional engagement.

WiT for Good: Impact Through Purpose

The conference reaffirmed its commitment to the WiT for Good programme, which has raised over US$1 million since 2008 to support education and clean-water projects across Indonesian villages.

A Vision for the Next 20 Years

As WiT Singapore 2025 concluded, the message was clear: the next two decades of travel will be shaped by trust, inclusion, and technology guided by human purpose. The event reaffirmed that the industry’s future depends on balancing digital progress with empathy, collaboration, and shared responsibility, ensuring that travel continues to connect people, places, and possibilities.

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