The story of Covid-19 has been one of many parts in Asia. And WiT has been at the forefront of following that story since the start of the outbreak, as it moved from Wuhan, China to Singapore and then everywhere. In this curated session, we plot the pandemic’s impact in the region, the recovery, the changes it has wrought in consumer behavior and the entire e-commerce landscape in the region and why the next era of travel in Asia will look very different.

Where are the pockets of recovery? Clearly, it is first in the markets with domestic travel possibilities. What are the trends being seen and where are the pockets of opportunities being seen for travel brands, suppliers and startups across markets in Asia?

There’s no doubt that consumer behavior has seen major shifts in the time of coronavirus. Being confined to home brings out changes - when people are forced to do something, they do it - and years of thinking of doing it were compressed into months of actually doing it. In this session, we put the spotlight on what changes in consumer behavior Covid-19 has brought to a region that was already dynamic and changing. Which behaviors will stick and which will not? Will super apps rise up even more powerful or will travel platforms be able to adapt quickly to thrive better?

Are leisure travelers ready to travel again? What barriers need to be overcome to restore their confidence in traveling? What behavioral changes can the industry expect to see post-COVID and will they be persistent? Phocuswright’s primary research in five major European markets explores travelers’ sentiment, motivations and attitudes in a changing landscape, and offers pointers on what travel providers can do to encourage them to venture out.

The pause in travel has set the stage for innovation, but not all ideas will come to light. As new solutions are created and old business models wash away, is the landscape forever changed? Some of Europe's smartest investors share their views on the state of startups, the climate for raising capital, and how to pick the winners in travel's next era.

In what promises to be a fascinating discussion, this panel of travel payment experts will share their unique perspectives on how payments are key to success in the post-COVID era. Discussion points include: the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the travel industry and how payments plays a critical role in its resurgence, how streamlining payments efficiencies enables travel companies to save money and focus on their core business and rebuild their reputations, how new payment channels can improve cashflow and reduce losses, how efficient payment channels ensure more conversions, how leveraging payments data analytics fuels conversion and reduces fraud.

Take a break from Center Stage and network with your fellow attendees, Phocuswright analysts and speakers.

The air is cleaner and the birds are singing. Some are calling for a permanent change in behavior as we witness an improved environment with fewer people traveling. Has the coronavirus pause signaled a new direction for travel and sustainability? As the industry restarts, how can we find a balance?

Is the travel industry prepared to transport the next decade of global travelers? Travelers are now looking for unique solutions that respond to their budgets and health concerns, but are also sustainable and off the beaten path. What does this mean for the connected trip and the future of mobility? Find out how travel companies are responding to these new demands during the crisis and beyond.

Grab a cocktail and take a break from business (or not) with your newfound friends from across the industry.