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Hello Betamax, Social media has become my go-to source of information when I’m planning a trip. I went to Japan last year and made my itinerary based on places I discovered on TikTok. My go-to search terms were probably “What to do in Tokyo” or “10 must-visit places in Tokyo.” One thing I like about TikTok is that it immediately shows you visuals of the recommended places. Many online travel platforms are recognizing the growing role of social media in how customers plan their trips. Klook, for example, manages more than 30,000 creators across 88 markets to strengthen its presence on social media. On the sidelines of the Tech in Asia Conference in Singapore last week, I caught up with Ethan Lin, Klook’s co-founder and CEO, for today’s first Top Story. We talked about how social media has become an important engine for Klook’s growth, and how the travel giant is navigating a world shaped by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Along the way, Lin has learned that what the travel industry thinks is cool isn’t always what travelers actually want. So how is Klook adapting? Read our Big Interview to find out. Meanwhile, layoffs at tech companies show no signs of stopping. Bitsmedia, the company behind lifestyle app Muslim Pro, axed 21 employees across its offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh in August. However, CEO Nafees Khundker says the Singapore-based company has met all of its obligations to affected employees. Jofie Yordan, journalist
TOP STORIES 1️⃣ Klook CEO on scaling through shocks, not building what’s ‘cool’
Image credit: Ulla
Klook is facing changes in how people plan trips, with travelers increasingly turning to TikTok, content creators, and AI instead of traditional search. Weaker spending in markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines, along with sudden changes in travel rules between countries, is also putting pressure on demand. The company is responding by using AI to cut costs and serve more customers, while working with more than 30,000 creators to reach travelers through social media. With its growth in Western markets and IPO ambition, Klook is entering its next phase of growth amid competition with other platforms. 2️⃣ Gobi-backed Bitsmedia lays off 21 employees Bitsmedia says it is focusing on products with stronger user demand and commercial potential, after spending recent years expanding its flagship Muslim Pro app. The app, which surpassed 190 million downloads globally as of February 2026, has branched out to include Qalbox, a video-streaming service launched in 2022, and Ask AiDeen, an AI-powered Islamic chatbot. The company has also attracted significant investor backing, raising US$20 million from CMIA Capital Partners, Bintang Capital Partners, and Gobi Partners in 2023.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES Last to board: why travel may be AI’s final frontier
Image credit: Ulla
Like Klook, other online travel agencies (OTAs) like India-based Ixigo are tapping into AI. But has AI disrupted the travel industry as much as it was expected to, or does it remain a promise? Ixigo has an AI assistant called Tara, which speaks with an Indian-accented voice. Tara can monitor fares, check passengers in, retrieve boarding passes, call hotels before arrival to reconfirm bookings, and follow up with airlines on refunds. However, the tech still faces several challenges, including fragmented airline and hotel systems, constantly changing prices, complex booking and cancellation policies, payments, and the high cost of running AI systems. Some users may also still be uncomfortable letting an AI agent make payments or other consequential decisions on their behalf. That raises a much bigger question for the travel industry: Does AI make OTAs more powerful, or could it eventually make some of what these platforms do less necessary? For now, incumbents are betting they can make AI work for them before it works around them.
TRENDING NEWS 1️⃣ Nadiem Makarim’s prison sentence cut to 9 years on appeal The Jakarta High Court also fined Makarim 1 billion rupiah (US$55,900) and added a 140-day prison term if he fails to pay. He was also ordered to pay 548 billion rupiah (US$30.6 million) in restitution. If left unpaid, Makarim’s sentence would be extended by six years. 2️⃣ Kopi Kenangan stake rises as founder buys secondary shares CEO and co-founder Edward Tirtanata has upped his stake in Kopi Kenangan by buying shares from early team members and other shareholders. The purchases were meant to give long-time employees and early shareholders liquidity without waiting for an IPO or another exit, Tirtana said. 3️⃣ GCash owner Mynt lines up BlackRock, others for up to $1.3b IPO Mynt has lined up more than 20 cornerstone investors, including BlackRock and T. Rowe Price, for its public listing. These investors have agreed to buy 36.5 billion pesos (US$582.4 million) of shares. 4️⃣ Doku names new CEO as Antom deepens investment in Indonesia The Indonesian payments firm announced that co-founder Himelda Renuat had been appointed CEO and head of Antom Indonesia. The move comes as Antom, the merchant payment and digitization services arm of Ant International, deepens its investment in Doku. 5️⃣ Microsoft plans $10b Middle East cloud, AI push The US giant will initially focus on Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Microsoft is looking to plunk down over US$400 million by 2030 for subsea and terrestrial connectivity, among other investments.
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