Archive for the ‘travel’ Category

Event Coverage: IFA Global Press Conference 2019 in Andalusia, Spain

Thursday, April 25th, 2019

IFA Global Press Conference 2019 is happening this weekend in Andalusia, Spain. I will be covering this consumer electronics and home appliances showcase, as part of a small group of media that the show organisers invited from Singapore.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Tan (@thetravelmemoir) on

The venue for IFA GPC 2019 – the Barceló Punta Umbría Beach Resort near Huelva in Andalusia, Spain. Looking forward to the seeing old friends – both among the journalists as well as the brands at tonight’s welcome dinner & drinks.

The media delegation from Singapore is part of an international corp invited by Messe Berlin, the organisers of IFA and this Global Press Conference.

IFA this year will be from 6 – 11 September, 2019.

(more…)

Event Forecast: IFA Global Press Conference 2019 in Andalusia, Spain

Monday, April 1st, 2019

IFA this year will be from 6 – 11 September, 2019. As in previous years, the annual consumer electronics & home appliances show will be preceded by a preview cum global press conference for the media from 25-28 April.

This year’s IFA GPC will be in Andalusia, Spain (25-28 April, 2019). Venues in the past have included Hong Kong & Shenzhen in China (2016), Lisbon in Portugal (2017), and Rome in Italy (2018).

This year’s IFA GPC will be in Andalusia, Spain (25-28 April, 2019). Venues in the past have included Hong Kong & Shenzhen in China (2016), Lisbon in Portugal (2017), and Rome in Italy (2018).

IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin – international radio exhibition Berlin) is a global consumer electronics and home appliances show held annually in Berlin in September.

The IFA Global Press Conference (IFA GPC) that precedes the actual trade show attracts more than 300 journalists from over 55 countries.

Brands participating in this year's event include Philips, Sennheiser, Samsung, BVT, Haier, Hoover, Metz Blue, Plugsurfing, Skyworth, TPVision, Candy, Gorenje, Hisense, Safera, TCL; as well as research houses GfK and IHS Markit.

Brands participating in this year’s event include Philips, Sennheiser, Samsung, BVT, Haier, Hoover, Metz Blue, Plugsurfing, Skyworth, TPVision, Candy, Gorenje, Hisense, Safera, TCL; as well as research houses GfK and IHS Markit.

During the IFA GPC, some of the IFA exhibitors and partners get to show a preview of their IFA offerings and pitch to the international media what their brands offer to consumers.

(more…)

GOJEK Unveils GoalBetter Benefits Programme for its Singapore Drivers

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019

GoalBetter will offer a suite of benefits – including insurance, medical teleconsultation and fuel rebates – for private-hire drivers in Singapore.

GOJEK GoalBetter launch at Andaz.

GOJEK GoalBetter launch at Andaz.

GOJEK has today unveiled GoalBetter, its dedicated benefits programme for driver-partners in Singapore.

Launching in an initial pilot phase to selected drivers on April 1, GoalBetter will roll out to all eligible drivers from June.

GoalBetter is built on four pillars: better earnings stability; better protection; better flexibility; and better experience.

Through partnerships with third-party service providers, GOJEK will offer its driver-partners a suite of benefits that align with GoalBetter’s four pillars.

Details below from the press release

(more…)

Holiday Greetings: Happy New Year 2019

Tuesday, January 1st, 2019

It’s 2019. Happy New Year!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

Sunrise over the Ella Gap in Sri Lanka. Photo taken with Google Pixel 3 XL Android phone, with auto-added saturation in Google Photos.

A new day… A new year … A new beginning.

Best Wishes for the New Year.

(more…)

Holiday Greetings: Merry Christmas

Tuesday, December 25th, 2018

Here’s wishing everyone who celebrates Christmas a very Blessed Christmas!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This photo was taken with Google Pixel 3 XL mobile phone at the Harry Potter exhibition at Changi Airport in Singapore.

(more…)

Virtually Versailles: Digital Exhibition in Singapore (30 Nov – 6 Jan)

Saturday, December 1st, 2018

From 30 November 2018 to 6 January 2019 at ION Orchard, explore the wonders and relive the splendors of the finest in French art, culture and history dating from the 17th century to its present-day marvel at Virtually Versailles.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by tech4tea Events (@tech4teaevents) on

By the invitation of ION Orchard, the Palace of Versailles and ESSEC Business School are showcasing the French arts, history and culture in the heart of Singapore’s shopping district, at ION Art and ION Sky.

The highly immersive and interactive technology brings you on an exploration of the Palace of Versailles.

An initiative by the Palace of Versailles and ESSEC Business School, supported by the Michelin Corporate Foundation and in partnership with ION Orchard, Virtually Versailles made its global debut in Singapore in celebration of the France-Singapore Year of Innovation (YOI) 2018.

Conceptualised by Lumina Live!, Virtually Versailles is the world’s first exhibition to distill the grandeur of the historical landmark entirely through digital assets, yet retain its magnificence thanks to collaborations with technological partners like Google Arts & Culture.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Tan (@thetravelmemoir) on

The Ambassador of France, Marc Abensour, sharing the background of Virtually Versailles. It’s part of the France-Singapore Year of Innovation 2018 initiative to intensify cooperation in innovation between the two countries.

More details below from the press release.

(more…)

FAQ on Gojek’s Beta Ride-Hailing Service in Singapore

Friday, November 30th, 2018

Gojek has beta-launched its ride-hailing app service in Singapore. Here are answers from Gojek to some frequently asked questions on the gradual rollout.

Gojek President, Andre Soelistyo (left) and Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo.

Gojek President, Andre Soelistyo (left) and Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo.

Eager to try out the competitor to Grab? Here are some FAQs about the beta-launch in Singapore of the ride-hailing app.

Can you share more about the process of waitlisting?

Waitlisting is the process of giving riders access to Gojek’s ride-hailing service.

It is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Riders will have to download the Gojek app and sign up for an account.

They will be placed on a waitlist and receive an email or push notification once they have been given access to the service.

DBS cardmembers can enjoy priority access on the waitlist by entering an access code during registration.

The code is “DBS” followed by the first 6 digits of their Visa, Mastercard or AMEX card (eg, “DBS123456”).

More details for DBS/POSB cardholders can be found here.

I’ve previously used Gojek in Indonesia. Do I need to register again?

If you have previously registered with Gojek, there is no need to register again.

Gojek will let you know on your next steps.

(more…)

Gojek Launches Beta Ride-Hailing App in Singapore

Thursday, November 29th, 2018

Consumers in Singapore will get to try Gojek’s ride-hailing service with the launch of the beta version of its app, which will be made available for download from iOS and Android app stores in Singapore today.

Update (1 January, 2019):

GOJEK will be extending its ride-hailing services to the whole of Singapore from tomorrow, January 2, 2019. The following is the press statement from GOJEK.

“Following our successful limited service area rollout, GOJEK is excited to announce that we will extend our ride-hailing services to the whole of Singapore with effect from January 2, 2019.

This means that users will be able to use GOJEK to take rides anywhere in Singapore.

Our island-wide rollout is part of our continued beta phase, during which DBS/POSB Bank customers continue to enjoy priority access to the app.

We continue to welcome feedback from driver-partners and riders during this enhanced beta phase, as we work to fine-tune the app and create the best experience for our users.”

(From left) Gojek President, Andre Soelistyo; Gojek’s Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo; Shee Tse Koon, Group Head of Strategy and Planning, DBS Bank; and Gene Wong, Head of Ecosystems, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank.

(From left) Gojek President, Andre Soelistyo; Gojek’s Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo; Shee Tse Koon, Group Head of Strategy and Planning, DBS Bank; and Gene Wong, Head of Ecosystems, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank.

This marks the start of a gradual roll-out of Gojek’s ride-hailing services across the island as more driver-partners are onboarded over time to feed consumer demand.

“It is with great pride that we begin the roll-out of our services in Singapore. Consumers throughout the country have told us that they want more choice in this sector and with the launch of our beta app, their wait is coming to an end. We are launching in beta for now, while we fine-tune our service to make sure it meets the high standards expected by Singaporeans. As such, we are asking all users, whether drivers or passengers, to provide us with ongoing feedback as we work towards creating the best possible service for the country,” said Gojek President, Andre Soelistyo.

This staggered approach reflects Gojek’s commitment to ensuring a smooth entry into Singapore and an ongoing effort to improve user experience over time.

An FAQ on Gojek’s beta service can be found here.

The launch of Gojek’s beta app in Singapore kickstarts the regional strategic partnership between Gojek and DBS, two of Southeast Asia’s most iconic companies.

DBS/POSB customers in Singapore will be the first to enjoy Gojek rides during the beta phase.

During the beta phase, access to the app will be granted in batches to balance ride demand and service capabilities.

DBS/POSB customers in Singapore will be guided by the app to find out how they can be prioritised on the waitlist, and receive a SGD 5 voucher credit for each of their first two rides.

(more…)

New Arrival: Haunted Mine Ride at Sentosa 4D AdventureLand

Saturday, November 24th, 2018

4D AdventureLand in Sentosa has launched a new ride – Haunted Mine Ride 4D. Fully motion-simulated and highly sensorial, this immersive attraction promises a thrilling good time for the whole family.

Haunted Mine Ride 4D joins the other rides currently offered by Sentosa 4D AdventureLand at Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa.

Haunted Mine Ride 4D joins the other rides currently offered by Sentosa 4D AdventureLand at Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa.

The opening of the new ride is well-timed for the end-of-year school holidays in Singapore, as parents look for fun places in Singapore to bring their children.

The new ride will also be a boon for tourists visiting from outside Singapore.

Each ride lasts for around 15 mins and has a maximum capacity of 54 pax.

Visitors can opt for the 4-in-1 Combo package, which includes all four rides at Sentosa 4D AdventureLand at the price of $46.90 for an adult and $33.90 for children from 3 to 12 years of age.

In addition, a 3rd person (adult/child) gets to ride for free with every 2 full price adult-paying guests for over-the-counter bookings.

Inform the staff if you have the following conditions: pregnancy and physical disabilities, so that they can make special arrangements to cater to your needs. You are encouraged to refrain from any activities at the AdventureLand, should you have any of the following conditions: intoxication, heart and cardiac conditions, back and spinal problems, motion sickness and vertigo.

Inform the staff if you have the following conditions: pregnancy and physical disabilities, so that they can make special arrangements to cater to your needs. You are encouraged to refrain from any activities at the AdventureLand, should you have any of the following conditions: intoxication, heart and cardiac conditions, back and spinal problems, motion sickness and vertigo.

Sentosa Island admission and transport charges apply, while children below 3 years old enter for free.

More details below from the press release.

(more…)

Go-Jek and Singapore DBS Enter Regional Strategic Partnership

Monday, November 12th, 2018

DBS Bank and Go-Jek today announced that the two parties have entered into a regional strategic partnership. Hear views from both companies below.

(From left) Go-Jek President, Andre Soelistyo; Go-Jek’s Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo; Shee Tse Koon, Group Head of Strategy and Planning, DBS Bank; and Gene Wong, Head of Ecosystems, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank.

(From left) Go-Jek President, Andre Soelistyo; Go-Jek’s Global Head of Transport, Raditya Wibowo; Shee Tse Koon, Group Head of Strategy and Planning, DBS Bank; and Gene Wong, Head of Ecosystems, Consumer Banking Group, DBS Bank.

The partnership will see the two companies work together on payment services ahead of Go-Jek’s arrival in Singapore and this will soon extend to other countries in Southeast Asia.

“As Singapore’s leader in payments with over four million debit/credit cards in circulation and DBS PayLah! being the nation’s most popular mobile wallet, we are committed to making payments simple, seamless and invisible for our customers. In doing so we are stepping up to partner with like-minded companies like Go-Jek, one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic technology companies, to build inclusive digital ecosystems for our customers,” said Tan Su Shan, Group Head of Consumer Banking & Wealth Management, DBS Bank.

Go-Jek, whose investors include Google, Temasek, Tencent and Meituan Dianping, is set to launch its beta ride-hailing app in Singapore within the coming weeks and as part of this, DBS customers in Singapore will enjoy a slew of exciting privileges.

Updated 29 November, 2018: Go-Jek launches beta ride-hailing app in Singapore

What kind of privileges can DBS/POSB consumers expect?

DBS/POSB customers in Singapore will be the first to be able to book rides during the beta phase.

Other privileges include an exclusive SGD 10 voucher credit which riders can use for their first two trips (SGD 5 per trip), and future discounts on Go-Jek’s ride-hailing service in the form of promo codes.

(more…)