ITV

Tag: Agoda

  • Agoda uses AI to share global destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style

    Agoda uses AI to share global destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style

    Mumbai: As the year draws to a close, digital travel platform, Agoda, uses AI technology to unveil the ultimate list of global destinations for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration. Keeping in mind both the jet-setting, partygoer, and family-friendly reveller, this top ten selection promises to deliver scenic views, electrifying parties, and an unmatched vibe to welcome the New Year.

    From the iconic fireworks over Sydney Harbour to the legendary Times Square ball drop, this destination list offers ideas for cultural experiences, and breathtaking displays, including revelling in the night away in Rio de Janeiro or embracing the traditions of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

    AAgoda country director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Krishna Rathi “Exploring the boundaries of innovation and the latest technology is the heart of what we do at Agoda. So why not have a little fun with this end-of-year story?! As recommended by some of the leading AI software of the moment, this list is meant to ignite a sense of wonder amongst aspiring travellers and perhaps even inspire the more spontaneous to book a last-minute getaway on Agoda. Whether it’s a short getaway within Asia or a longer trip to the other side of the world, Agoda provides the best deals.”

    Ten Great New Year’s Eve Destinations

    1.    Singapore: Marvel at the dazzling fireworks display in Marina Bay and indulge in vibrant street parties and carnivals.

    2.    Bali, Indonesia: Celebrate on the beach with festive fireworks and traditional Balinese performances.

    3.    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Revel in the festive atmosphere with fireworks over the Saigon River and vibrant nightlife in District 1.

    4.    Tokyo, Japan: Embrace the Japanese tradition of watching the year’s first sunrise, with cultural celebrations and modern countdown parties.

    5.    Sydney, Australia: Experience the world-renowned fireworks display over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, with family-friendly events and parties.

    6.    New York City, USA: Join the masses in Times Square for the iconic ball drop, or choose from countless parties and concerts across the city.

    7.    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Copacabana Beach, with samba rhythms and a spectacular fireworks show.

    8.    London, England: Watch the night sky light up with fireworks along the River Thames, with various boat parties and events to choose from.

    9    Edinburgh, Scotland: Take part in the historic Hogmanay celebrations, complete with processions, concerts, and the unique Loony Dook tradition (a fancy dress New Year’s Day swim in the chilly Firth of Forth)

    10.    Reykjavik, Iceland: Join the locals for community bonfires and fireworks displays set against a snowy landscape, with the chance to see the Northern Lights.

  • Agoda releases children’s book created using generative AI

    Agoda releases children’s book created using generative AI

    Mumbai: Ahead of World Children’s Day which takes place annually on 20 November, digital travel platform Agoda created a children’s book using Generative AI (Gen AI) technology. The book, titled ‘Maya and the Secret World of Agoda’, sparks the imagination and encourages kids to explore and enjoy technology. It is now available to download for free on the Agoda platform and available in multiple languages, including Thai and English.

    The original copy and the initial visual designs for the 24-page children’s book were created completely by Gen AI tools ChatGPT and Midjourney, under the supervision of Agoda’s marketing, tech, and translation teams.

    ‘Maya and the Secret World of Agoda’ is centered around a young girl named Maya, who embarks on an adventure while visiting her mother at Agoda’s Bangkok office. The book takes young readers on a journey, introducing them to technological concepts through charming characters that help capture their imaginations, making it an entertaining and educational choice for children and families interested in technology around the globe. It serves as a testament to Agoda’s dedication to technology and its commitment to inspiring creativity in young minds, especially in Asia where Agoda is headquartered.

    “Creating this book has been a fun project to help encourage more kids to explore and enjoy technology” said Agoda chief technology officer Idan Zalzberg. “At the same time, it celebrates life at Agoda and the thousands of Agodans who work tirelessly to help travelers see the world for less. Both the copy and the visuals of the book could be improved with human involvement, but the result does show how rapidly this technology is improving.”

    Zalzberg continued: “While the book was created mostly for fun and to inspire a future generation of tech talent, we take Gen AI very seriously within Agoda. There are over seventy internal projects taking place in the tech department alone to leverage increasing efficiency and improving our platform for travelers globally. Gen AI improvements are, as we speak, contributing to new under-the-hood features on the Agoda platform and is powering a more effective customer support experience.”

    As a digital travel platform, Agoda is passionate about tech. To run the platform, Agoda uses over 500,000 CPU cores across four data centers around the world, managed by Agoda engineering. The Agoda data platform contains over 30 petabytes worth of data.

    ‘Maya and the Secret World of Agoda’ is now available for free download on
    ago-da.co/aibook. There are editions available in the original AI-written English language, or in English combined with Thai, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Bahasa (Indonesia), Bahasa (Malaysia), Korean, or Vietnamese.

     

  • Agoda launches first-ever TV ad in India starring Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana

    Agoda launches first-ever TV ad in India starring Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana

    Mumbai: Digital travel platform Agoda launched its first-ever television advertisement in India today. The video is part of Agoda’s ‘See The World For Less’ campaign and stars multi-talented Bollywood sensation Ayushmann Khurrana. The National Award-winning actor is also Agoda’s newest brand ambassador in India.

    In a fun and charming video, Bollywood star, Ayushmann Khurrana is seen exchanging fridge magnets with his next-door neighbour from the many destinations he visited thanks to Agoda’s affordable prices. Agoda’s first-ever TV ad in India will not only run country-wide on television but also on various digital channels.

    Ayushmann Khurrana, who has consistently delivered cinematic brilliance and is currently celebrating the success of his latest hit Dream Girl 2, is excited to be part of this groundbreaking campaign. He stated, “Agoda’s ‘See The World For Less’ campaign represents an excellent opportunity for every travel enthusiast to explore the world’s beauty without compromising their budget. It is my pleasure to be a part of this campaign and help Indian travellers embark on memorable and affordable journeys, and perhaps even start a fridge magnet collection themselves.”

    Agoda country director of India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Krishna Rathi expressed his enthusiasm about this landmark moment: “The launch of Agoda’s first-ever TV ad in India signifies our commitment to delivering exceptional and affordable travel experiences to Indian travellers. Ayushmann delivers a stellar performance.” Earlier Rathi noted that the Bollywood star’s genuine persona, versatility, and zeal to always deliver the best are perfectly aligned with what the Agoda brand aspires to be for Indian travellers.

    Agoda has been active in India since 2008 and connects both Indian travellers and international tourists with over 3.9 million holiday properties globally. 

  • Ayushmann Khurrana becomes Agoda’s brand ambassador

    Ayushmann Khurrana becomes Agoda’s brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana is the new brand ambassador for Agoda in India, the digital travel platform announced today. The National Award-winning actor, who is currently celebrating the success of his latest hit Dream Girl 2, is revered for his versatility and eclectic film choices.

    Beyond the silver screen, Ayushmann’s passion for travel aligns seamlessly with Agoda’s goal to help travellers see the world for less. The Andhadhun star embodies a positive and refreshing spirit, a perfect match with Agoda’s user-friendly and colourful platform.

    “I am excited to partner with Agoda, a brand that shares my passion for travel,” said Ayushmann Khurrana. “I always make sure there’s an upcoming trip in my calendar to look forward to and it’s great to see I’m not the only one, given how tourism is booming in India. I’m hoping that together with Agoda I can encourage even more Indians to travel and see the world for less.”

    Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Agoda country director of India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Krishna Rathi said “We are ecstatic to announce Ayushmann Khuranna as the new face of Agoda in India. His genuine persona, versatility, and zeal to always deliver the best are perfectly aligned with what the Agoda brand aspires to be for Indian travellers.”

    The upcoming brand campaign in India featuring Ayushmann Khurrana is expected to launch in November and will be Agoda’s first ad in India since the successful ‘No More Drama!’ campaign.

  • Agoda ropes in Rashmika Mandanna to launch first ad film in India

    Agoda ropes in Rashmika Mandanna to launch first ad film in India

    Mumbai: Agoda has launched its first-ever digital ad in India, featuring popular actress Rashmika Mandanna. The campaign film was launched on Facebook and YouTube on 7 November.

    The campaign is designed by McCann Worldgroup. The agency leveraged their deep cultural understanding of evolving India to create a concept that resonates with families throughout the country.

    The ad film addresses pain points faced by many when trying to plan a family holiday. It features a lighthearted reenactment of classic Bollywood scenes while highlighting the difficulties in incorporating everyone’s needs into the final destination decision process.

    The ad messaging seeks to focus on the ease of planning and booking travel on Agoda’s hassle-free platform and app. This campaign has the theme, “Holiday Bookings? No more drama” encourages travellers to try Agoda, and is part of its growing focus on the India market, following successful influencer campaigns across the country over the last year.

    In a nod to real life’s obsession with capturing everything on camera, the ad opens with Mandanna in a home setting surrounded by her “reel” family, trying hard to book a vacation that satisfies everyone’s needs.

    Her family is seen debating over different aspects of the vacation and their personal preferences, including affordability, activities, spacious rooms, and free breakfast, among others. Over the top and quirky personalities that mimic relatable characters Indians have grown up watching—a mother with a thali in her hand, brothers dressed like bickering warriors, and a father “balancing the books” or “holding the purse strings”—are saved with the help of Mandanna using the Agoda app to find solutions to their woes.

    Agoda senior vice president of marketing Matteo Frigerio explained, “India is a dynamic market and one where we have seen real growth for our accommodation and flight products. We want to connect more with Indian travellers and partners alike, and we hope this collaboration with Mandanna will reflect the fun side of our brand, endearing us to Indian customers in a memorable and relatable way. The ad strikes a chord because it weaves in the real-life dilemmas faced by many people booking a family getaway, while working with Mandanna gives Agoda added authenticity and profile to reach new audiences in India.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Mandanna said, “I love to set off on new adventures whenever my filming schedule permits, and I need a travel app that lets me plan those trips easily. When travelling with family or friends, as I’m sure many people can relate, you want to make sure everyone is happy and their needs are met, but it can take a lot of back and forth to make that happen perfectly! I loved Agoda’s approach to this ad, which played on those real-life dilemmas in a fun and engaging way. We had fun filming in a Bollywood-esque style with me as the heroine who manages to use the Agoda app to find a holiday spot that suits my macho ‘brothers’ need for a gym, my ‘mother’s’ request for free breakfasts and of course my ‘dad’s’ desire for great value deals. I am thrilled to have partnered with Agoda for their first-ever digital ad in India, and hope you #TryAgoda while planning your next trip.”