ITB Asia 2024 solidifies its position as the must-attend event for travel professionals in APAC

Asia’s leading travel trade show concluded with remarkable success, hosting over 45,000 business appointments, attracting more than 18,500 attendees from 85 countries, and featuring 1,950 exhibitors. Additionally, over 1,400 high-quality buyers contributed to a dynamic business and networking environment. 160 top speakers shaped the future of travel at the ITB Asia Conference.
This year’s edition broke records with unprecedented growth and innovation, setting the stage for a groundbreaking 2025 edition. ITB Asia is poised to expand its highly popular Travel Tech Asia cluster next year, providing deeper insights into cutting-edge hotel technology. The dedicated platform will showcase the latest advancements in reservation systems, equipment, AI tools, CRM platforms, design, and sustainability initiatives — set to redefine the future of accommodation and guest experiences.
National Tourism Organisations Reflect on ITB Asia’s 2024 Success
Exhibitors from around the globe praised ITB Asia for its ability to bring together the travel industry’s key players under one roof. Ingunn Sakshaug, Market and Travel Trade Specialist at Visit Norway, expressed her enthusiasm: “ITB Asia provides us with a unique opportunity to connect with travel organisers from multiple countries in one place, and this year’s event exceeded our expectations”. Similarly, Thorleifur Thor Jonsson, Senior Manager, Trade Delegations, at Visit Iceland, stated: “ITB Asia is an invaluable platform for Iceland to engage with the Southeast Asian market. The highly efficient meeting system ensures we maximize results.” Xiaolong Wu, Marketing Manager – APAC and MENA Market, at the Malta Tourism Authority, added: “ITB Asia is one of the best platforms for connecting with Asia-Pacific travel trade partners. We look forward to deepening these relationships further.”
Joyce Wang, Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, stated: “ITB Asia remains the leading platform for the travel industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The remarkable growth and innovation displayed this year highlight the resilience and forward-thinking nature of our global travel community. We are excited to continue shaping the future of travel together, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
ITB Asia 2024 Conference Highlights and Thought Leadership
This year’s conference programme was nothing short of extraordinary, with over 4,000 minutes of high-powered content delivered through 100 sessions by 160 leading industry figures. The discussions focused on the future of MICE, corporate travel, leisure travel, and travel technology. Among the highlights were keynote speeches by Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director Asia Pacific & Sr Advisor to CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Kevin Goh, CEO of Lodging, CapitaLand Investment Limited and The Ascott Limited, who shared valuable insights into sustainability trends and technological innovations reshaping the future of travel.
The conference showcased high-powered discussions over three days in three distinct theatres, featuring impactful content. Esteemed industry leaders and C-suite speakers contributed their insights, making the event a significant platform for knowledge exchange.

Knowledge Theatre: Exploring Travel Trends and Innovations
In the Knowledge Theatre, industry leaders engaged in thought-provoking discussions on a range of important topics such as travel behaviour, customer loyalty, sustainability in hotels, or the evolution of extended stay experiences in Asia Pacific:
Scott Wegener, Head of Asia Pacific at Tripadvisor, led a session on How Life Stages Influence Travel Behavior, exploring how different life stages affect travel decisions, with a special focus on Japanese travellers. In a Fireside Chat on Customer Loyalty, Todd Handcock, Global Chief Commercial Officer & President Asia Pacific, Collinson International, discussed how brands can use travel experiences to drive customer loyalty, revealing key regional and global travel trends in Asia Pacific. Ananth Ramchandran, Head of Advisory & Strategic Transactions, Hotels & Hospitality, Asia, CBRE, presented on Mainstream and New Hotel Brands Embracing Sustainability, showing how sustainability has moved from a “nice to have” to a core part of hotel brand identity. Chew Hang Song, Deputy COO, Frasers Hospitality, and Sophie Brinsley, EVP – APAC, SilverDoor, joined a Fireside Chat on the Evolution of Extended Stay Experiences, examining the impact of digital transformation and flexible living solutions on the hospitality industry.

MICE Show Asia: Insights on Digital Transformation and AI

At MICE Show Asia, digital transformation took the spotlight with several key discussions:
Errol Lim, COO of Jublia, James Kang, Managing Director of MEPS International Korea, and Dylan Sharma, Co-Founder of TRICOM Events, explored the Role of Digital Transformation in MICE, with a focus on AI-driven tools like personalisation and data analytics that are reshaping event management. Abel Zhao, CEO of Connexus Group Holdings, discussed Globalisation and Localisation in Travel Management Companies (TMCs), highlighting how organisations can successfully integrate localisation into their global strategies to meet evolving market demands. Rita Kuan, Market Development Manager at GSTC, Ian Gan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Singapore EXPO, and Adam Piperdy, Founder of Unearthed Productions, delivered actionable strategies in Driving Sustainability: Strategies for a Greener Future in the MICE Industry, outlining how the industry can adopt sustainability standards and collaborate for long-term impact.
Travel Tech Asia: Shaping the Future of Travel Technology
Innovation was front and center at Travel Tech Asia, with sessions highlighting the evolving needs of today’s tech-savvy travellers:
Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, delved into Redefining Travel with digital and localised solutions, emphasising the need for hyper-localised experiences to meet customer demands and improve satisfaction. Apo Ozkececi, Senior Vice President at Accelya Group, introduced the New Distribution Capability (NDC), discussing its potential to transform airline retailing and deliver more personalised offers and transparent pricing. David Hughes, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at Uniglobe Travel International, led an insightful session on Building a Travel Programme Fit for the Future, revealing how emerging technologies like Generative AI and Web 3.0 are reshaping the travel management landscape. Yoshiyuki Takano, Group Managing Executive Officer at Rakuten Group, explored Japanese Travel Trends with data-driven insights, showcasing Japan’s growing inbound travel market and addressing challenges like overtourism and environmental changes.

The climax of this 2003 film is more dangerous than ‘Kaal’ – Hindustan News Hub

Image Source : INSTAGRAM 2003 horror film
The craze of watching horror films like ‘Conjuring’, ‘Raaz’, ‘Shapit’ and ‘Haunted Hills’ is increasing day by day among people. After its release in theatres, many ghostly movies have created a stir on OTT as well. Action, comedy and romantic movies-web shows are streamed on OTT every day, but when it comes to horror-suspense, viewers always look for a good option. With time, the content taste of the audience has been changing and they now prefer watching horror films. 21 years ago, such an interesting film was released in theaters, in which fear and dangerous suspense were seen after every scene. Ajay Devgan’s ‘Kaal’ also lagged behind in this matter.

It is difficult to watch this film alone
This film was released in theaters in 2003. In the film, Vishal and his wife Swati move into an apartment near a deserted place, where Swati is haunted by a vengeful spirit. He shifts to apartment 1201. Where a woman had committed suicide. The couple did not lose courage and still decided to stay there, but within a short time the wife started having ghost dreams. However, Vishal helps his wife to get rid of that spirit. before it’s too late. We are talking about ‘Bhoot’ starring Ajay Devgan, Nana Patekar, Rekha, Fardeen Khan, Urmila Matondkar, Vijay Raaz and Rajpal Yadav, which was directed by Ram Gopal Varma.
Where can you watch the movie?
This film, released in 2003, was well received by the audience and along with Ram Gopal Varma, the entire star cast was also praised. If you want to watch the film ‘Bhoot’ then you can watch it on OTT and YouTube. This film is available on OTT platforms on Jio Cinema. This film has got a rating of 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb.
Latest Bollywood News

Do Patti movie review: Kriti Sanon delivers her career-best performance, Kajol shines despite limited screentime

Kriti Sanon and Kajol give an unpredictable, engaging, and though-provoking crime drama that is backed by Kanika Dhillon’s strong story, engaging screenplay, and powerful dialogues. Kriti Sanon, Kajol in Do PattiDirector: Shashanka Chaturvedi

Cast: Kajol, Kriti Sanon, Shaheer Sheikh, Tanvi Azmi

Where to watch: On Netflix

Rating: 3.5 stars 

Twin sisters, Shailee and Saumya (Kriti Sanon) have always been at loggerheads. Shailee always envies Saumya for getting everything she doesn’t deserve. Later, Saumya finds a suitable man Dhruv Sood (Shaheer Sheikh), and Shailee decides to snatch it from her. Will Shailee destroy her sister’s home or is Saumya hiding the baggage of an abusive relationship from the world? The twisted tale of love and deceit forms the plot of Do Patti. 

Siblings’ love-hate relationships have been explored several times. The enmity between brothers and sisters is done to death. However, Do Patti scores because the movie isn’t just about the rivalry of sisters; it also highlights an important social issue in an unpredictable entertaining manner. Do Patti grabs your attention from the very first scene, Saumya and Dhruv survive a paragliding accident. However, upon the arrival of inspector Vidya Jyoti aka VJ (Kajol), Saumya alleges that Dhruv tried to kill her in mid-air. Dhruv gets arrested, and we are in for a rollercoaster ride. 

The story of Saumya and Shailee is unfolded by a flashback, narrated by Maaji (Tanvi Azmi) to Vidya Jyoti. Maaji seeks VJ’s help in putting Dhruv behind bars, for physically assaulting Saumya time and again. Saumya is a victim of domestic violence and Dhruv’s anger issue. Shailee’s enmity towards Saumya has also taken a toll on the latter. You should witness how she overcomes these challenges on the screen. 

An actor’s true test happens when they’re offered double roles. Dilip Kumar from Ram Aur Shyam, Hema Malini from Seeta Aur Geeta, Sridevi from Chaal-Baaz, and Kangana Ranaut from Tanu Weds Manu Returns are a few memorable examples of actors acting the dual roles. Kriti Sanon has added a beautiful feather to her cap. She has delivered her career-best performance. Kriti has made sure to differentiate Saumya and Shailee with their characteristics. Saumya is a shy, homely, timid lady. Whereas, Shailee is a badass, sexy, bold, borderline bitchy with a devil-may-care attitude girl. You will feel the pain of Saumya and will hate Shailee on several occasions, and that’s where Kriti wins. 

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Kajol as Vidya Jyoti is a scene-stealer. Though she has less screen time than Kriti, she makes sure to leave an impression or keep you glued. Vidya Jyoti is one such character that deserves her own spin-off, and the film leaves ample scope for it. She also plays a lawyer, and her courtroom scenes are worth applauding. Undoubtedly, Kajol is the true Lady Singham. Apart from these two, Tanvi Azmi and Brijendra Kala shine in their characters. Shaheer Sheikh, the chocolaty boy on TV, will surely win haters with his performance. Shaheer as Dhruv will be despised by the moviegoers, and that’s another victory for the actor. 

The film’s story, screenplay and dialogues are written by Kanika Dhillon, and she deserves a special mention for narrating a known social evil most entertainingly. When you think that the film has reached its conclusion, a big twist will leave you stunned, and that’s the beauty of Dhillon’s writing. The movie is co-produced by her with Kriti, and they truly celebrated women without being too preachy. 

There are a few shortcomings. After a point the climax becomes predictable, you know how it will end. Kajol’s character requires depth or a strong background, but that can be explored if the makers would like to turn the film into a franchise. The songs are average, but Kriti’s performance makes it worth watching. Overall, Do Patti is a pleasant surprise, that will move you and leave you stunned. Don’t miss it.

Also read: Venom The Last Dance movie review: Tom Hardy’s final Marvel outing is a king-size disappointment

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How many times has the Bank of Canada slashed interest rates since June? Take our business and investing news quiz

Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s business and investing news quiz. Join us each week to test your knowledge of the stories making the headlines. Our business reporters come up with the questions, and you can show us what you know.This week: The Bank of Canada delivered an oversized interest-rate cut on Wednesday and said that its fight with inflation is almost over. As widely expected, the bank’s governing council lowered the benchmark policy rate by half a percentage-point, or 50 basis points, to 3.75 per cent. Also being cut this week? Some of Toronto-Dominion Bank’s ratings by Moody’s. The agency lowered the long-term ratings of the bank and its U.S. subsidiary, citing concerns over governance weaknesses and anti-money-laundering failures.

I’ve seen 24 new horror movies in 2024 — here’s the 5 you need to stream this Halloween

I’m a huge horror fan and a cinema obsessive, which means that every year I see a heck of a lot of scary movies in theaters. In 2024 (to date), I’ve seen 24 horror movies at my local multiplex and I have a very good idea of what new horror flicks you need to add to your Halloween week marathons.Trick or StreamWelcome! This article is part of Trick or Stream, a seasonal series in which members of the Tom’s Guide staff share what they’re planning to watch for Halloween 2024 and their takes on the horror genre, with the goal of helping you find great movies that you might want to stream during spooky season.The last 10 months have included some of my favorite horror movies of the decades, but also some efforts that made me chuckle with embarrassment more often than leap out of my cinema seat. So, to ensure you only stream the very best new Halloween movies this year, I’m picking out my top five favorites.One final note, “The Substance” would have been included but it’s only available in theaters (I’ve limited my picks to films that can currently be streamed), so if your local cinema is screening it this Halloween, trust me it’s worth braving October weather to see. Now, let’s dive into the best new horror movies of 2024.‘Alien: Romulus’

Alien: Romulus | Official Trailer – YouTube

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Let’s start with a pick that I probably could have told you would make the cut right at the very start of the year. For transparency’s sake, “Alien” is my favorite film franchise of all time, so I have a pretty huge bias for any new entry in this series, but I’m far from alone in loving this latest encounter with the world’s most deadly creature. “Alien: Romulus” boasts the franchise’s best critical reception since 1986’s “Aliens,” and it deserves all those plaudits and more.“Alien: Romulus” is a legacy sequel done right. Yes, its fan-service winks are a little egregious in places, but it plays out like a greatest-hits compilation of the franchise to date, and its new ideas are surprisingly impactful too. Plus, the leading performances from Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson are phenomenal, and director Fede Álvarez has such a tight grip on the tension that he manages to make the Xenomorph genuinely scary all over again.Buy or rent “Alien: Romulus” on Amazon now‘Late Night with the Devil’

Late Night with the Devil: Official Trailer | Shudder – YouTube

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I love movies that play with novel methods of presentation, so naturally “Late Night with the Devil,” which is primarily filmed to mimic the look of a late-night talk show, grabbed my attention from minute one. However, most remarkably, it’s not just the filmmaking craft that is on an expert level in this supernatural chiller, but also the performance from lead David Dastmalchian. The actor is electric and tackles some tricky material with remarkable ease.This horror focuses on the 1977 Halloween episode of a fictional talk show called “Night Owls” hosted by Jack Delroy (Dastmalchian). The once-successful program is falling behind in the ratings, and in an effort to boost interest, Delroy plans an ambitious seasonal special that involves inviting a supposed possessed girl onto the set for a live demonstration. What follows is an episode taping full of terror as events spiral out of control, and Delroy’s dark past is exposed to the world.Watch “Late Night with the Devil” on Hulu now‘Longlegs’

LONGLEGS | Official Trailer | In Theaters July 12 – YouTube

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Between the horror and thriller genres, you can decide for yourself which category “Longlegs” most comfortably fits into. I’ll just say it’s one of the year’s very best movies, and it had the audience in my opening weekend screening so transfixed that you could practically hear people holding their breath during the most intense sequences. Right from the skin-crawling opening, it’s clear that “Longlegs” isn’t playing around and as you are sucked further into its twisted web, things only get more oppressively tense and disturbing.Maika Monroe (who is a bit of a horror favorite of mine having also starred in “It Follows” and “Watcher”) plays FBI Agent Lee Harker, who is tasked with a seemingly impossible job, track down a serial killer who doesn’t appear to be physically present at the scene of their crimes. The movie’s unnerving mood may be offputting to some viewers, but Nicolas Cage’s role as the eponymous Longlegs is reason enough to stick around and see this one through to the end.Buy or rent “Longlegs” on Amazon now‘I Saw the TV Glow’

I Saw The TV Glow | Official Trailer HD | A24 – YouTube

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If you’re looking for a traditional horror movie filled with jump scares and grised killers, “I Saw the TV Glow” won’t be for you. This moody horror drama shows a lot more restraint and is really all about the practically palpable ‘90s vibe. But don’t mistake this Jane Schoenbrun movie for being merely style over substance, while you have to work a little for the answers, dig into the truths hiding below the surface and you’ll find a character-driven narrative that packs a real punch.Owen (Justice Smith) is an awkward teenager who bonds with his classmate Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine) when she introduces him to a surreal late-night TV show called “The Pink Opaque.” As Owen becomes more obsessed with the events depicted in the show, his grip on reality begins to loosen, and he’s sent spiraling when Maddy suddenly disappears. And if that wasn’t bad enough “The Pink Opaque” is then canceled on a dramatic cliffhanger leaving the isolated teen feeling completely unmoored.Watch “I Saw the TV Glow” on Max now‘Immaculate’

‘Immaculate’ official trailer – YouTube

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There’s a strange phenomenon in Hollywood known as “twin films”, which occurs when two movies with eerily similar plots are released in quick succession. This year, that happened with “Immaculate” and “The First Omen.” The latter was more successful both critically and commercially, but for me, “Immaculate” was the more devilishly enjoyable of the two, and not just because its ending is totally unhinged. It also convinced me that Sydney Sweeney has a promising future in the horror genre, and I hope she explores more roles of this nature very soon.In “Immaculate”, Cecilia (Sweeney) is a young American woman who travels to Italy to take her vows and become a nun. Devoted to her faith following a near-death experience in her youth, Cecilia joins a historical convent in the stunning Italian countryside in good spirits. But her joy at being in such a holy setting is tested when strange occurrences begin to hint that not everything is right in this place of worship, and the convent’s dark secrets soon surface.Watch “Immaculate” on Hulu nowMore from Tom’s Guide

The ‘overcrowded’ Lake District town where even police think there’s too many tourists

A Lake District town is so “overcrowded” that even police think there are too many tourists.Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria is a popular town among visitors to the national park, but locals are struggling with bigger crowds, increasing noise and crime, as well as less local amenities.Cumbria Police voiced concerns last month about the growth of the town’s night-time economy, objecting to plans to turn a guesthouse in the heart of Bowness into a bar.“In the last five to 10 years this small town has seen significant fast growth in the number of licensed premises in the form of bars and other licensed premises,” a representative for Cumbria constabulary said in a statement.“Not by coincidence there has been a significant increase in the amount of antisocial behaviour reports and violent crime.”In 2021, Windermere police station dealt with 268 violent crime and public order offences; by 2023, this number had risen to 334, according to the force.Cumbria constabulary said that “a high proportion of these violent assaults and public order offences have occurred within the licensed premises of Bowness”.Locals say the town has gone from a spot favoured by relaxed walkers and pensioners on day trips to a hen and stag party location.“This year’s been horrendous, we just couldn’t cope,” Sarah Redmayne, 50, told the Guardian. “There were just too many people, it was horrible.”She noted a crime increase and that some bars now even have security on the doors at the weekend: “We’re not in Manchester or London, are we? We’re just meant to be this little old village.”Another local, Keysia Mattocks, complained about the issues coming with the popularity of the area.She previously told the Express: “Sometimes we have families who are nice and quiet, but there are times where the younger generation that are more into drinking stay. Last week we had students across the way and they were partying every single night.”“I feel like at the moment, instead of Windermere being how it used to be, it’s turned into more like Blackpool. It’s so busy and full of people who don’t actually respect the area.”It’s starting to get like rubbish all over it and if you go down to the lake, like normal quiet spots, there will be like glass, rubbish and barbecues where you’re not supposed to be having barbecues. “

The ‘overcrowded’ Lake District town where even police think there’s too many tourists

A Lake District town is so “overcrowded” that even police think there are too many tourists.Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria is a popular town among visitors to the national park, but locals are struggling with bigger crowds, increasing noise and crime, as well as less local amenities.Cumbria Police voiced concerns last month about the growth of the town’s night-time economy, objecting to plans to turn a guesthouse in the heart of Bowness into a bar.“In the last five to 10 years this small town has seen significant fast growth in the number of licensed premises in the form of bars and other licensed premises,” a representative for Cumbria constabulary said in a statement.“Not by coincidence there has been a significant increase in the amount of antisocial behaviour reports and violent crime.”In 2021, Windermere police station dealt with 268 violent crime and public order offences; by 2023, this number had risen to 334, according to the force.Cumbria constabulary said that “a high proportion of these violent assaults and public order offences have occurred within the licensed premises of Bowness”.Locals say the town has gone from a spot favoured by relaxed walkers and pensioners on day trips to a hen and stag party location.“This year’s been horrendous, we just couldn’t cope,” Sarah Redmayne, 50, told the Guardian. “There were just too many people, it was horrible.”She noted a crime increase and that some bars now even have security on the doors at the weekend: “We’re not in Manchester or London, are we? We’re just meant to be this little old village.”Another local, Keysia Mattocks, complained about the issues coming with the popularity of the area.She previously told the Express: “Sometimes we have families who are nice and quiet, but there are times where the younger generation that are more into drinking stay. Last week we had students across the way and they were partying every single night.”“I feel like at the moment, instead of Windermere being how it used to be, it’s turned into more like Blackpool. It’s so busy and full of people who don’t actually respect the area.”It’s starting to get like rubbish all over it and if you go down to the lake, like normal quiet spots, there will be like glass, rubbish and barbecues where you’re not supposed to be having barbecues. “