Webjet launches FIT Ruums for Asian travel trade

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FIT Ruums' CEO, Daryl LeeFIT Ruums' CEO, Daryl Lee

Australia's Webjet has launched FIT Ruums, a new B2B travel distributor in Asia.

Operating under its B2B division, WebBeds FZ, FIT Ruums will offer an array of travel services to the Asian travel trade, including hotel rooms and transfers.

It says it is aiming to become "the strongest travel content aggregator and distributor in Asia and a one-stop shop for both suppliers and clients".

"The rising affluence of Asian countries is driving a new travelling class – a shift away from groups and towards Free Independent Travel (FIT)," explained Daryl Lee, the newly-appointed director of WebBeds FZ. "FIT Ruums is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this trend, delivering the widest range of travel content in the region. For Webjet, this i s the right time to invest in Asia."

For parent company Webjet, this launch is a key component of its global strategy. FIT Ruums is the third operating unit within the company's B2B division, following the earlier launches of Lots of Hotels in North America, the Middle East and Africa and the acquisition of Sunhotels in Europe.

The company said the recently signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between Singapore and Australia was a key part of the decision to base FIT Ruums in Singapore.

"As an Australian company, Webjet… has long enjoyed strong ties with our neighbours in the Asia Pacific region," Lee continued. "The landmark CSP agreement encourages investment in business travel and tech start-ups, and we are very optimistic of the potential this provides, especially considering the Free Trade Agreement that will come into force next year."

FIT Ruums' chief commercial officer, Sun Kok ShengFIT Ruums' chief commercial officer, Sun Kok Sheng

While its base is in Singapore, FIT Ruums is already expanding across the region. Offices are now open in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. Additional locations in Japan, Thailand, India and Indonesia are being planned in 2017, and the company is also considering future expansion into the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

FIT Ruums is already connected to more than 130,000 hotel properties, sourced either directly or through more than 300 DMCs, and talks are also ongoing with multiple national tourism organisations (NTOs). And Lee revealed that the company wants to provide a range of services and market information to the Asian travel trade.

"If our DMC partners have contracted inventory and would like to bring it global, we are very keen to help. If our partners require insights into the c urrent search trends, booking patterns, potential new source markets or destination performance, we hope to be their go-to partner," Lee stated.

"We want to be large enough to influence the marketplace and to set new industry standards. We will continue to develop new and lasting relationships in future as we grow our presence across the region."

FIT Ruums has already secured several key partners, including Thailand-based 11-Infotech System, which develops software and apps for the travel trade, Indian OTA MakeMyTrip, Singapore-based Far East Hospitality and Amadeus, with more expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.


Source: Webjet launches FIT Ruums for Asian travel trade

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