US-based Northstar acquires Singapore’s Web in Travel

• Acquisition includes WIT’s various digital assets
• Also provides Northstar with F2F travel events in Asia

SECAUCUS, New Jersey-based Northstar Travel Media, a business-to-business information company serving the travel and meetings industries, has acquired Singapore-based Web In Travel (WIT)/
 
WIT is multimedia platform content provider which also produces ‘Web in Travel’ conferences in Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Australia.
 
The acquisition of WIT, which also includes a news website, e-newsletters, blogs and video channels, expands Northstar’s presence in Asia and follows the recent acquisitions of Travel Weekly Asia, Travel Weekly China and Events China, Northstar said in a statement.
 
Those brands and WIT are part of the recently formed Northstar Travel Media Singapore Pte Ltd, the company added.
 
WIT founder and editor Yeoh Siew Hoon will become editorial director of Northstar Travel Media Asia and will report to Bob Sullivan, executive vice president of Northstar Travel Media.
 
WIT general manager Gerry Pang will continue to report to Yeoh, and the WIT team will continue to run the business.
 
“The addition of WIT is an important strategic move for our company and demonstrates our dedication to providing the best information from all parts of the world,” said Northstar Travel Media chairman and chief executive officer Thomas Kemp.
 
“We’re delighted to have such smart, talented people join our ranks and helping Northstar grow in the Asia Pacific region,” he added.
 
The acquisition provides Northstar with leading face-to-face events in Asia to complement the newly acquired publishing brands serving Asian travel trade markets, the US company said.
 
WIT’s flagship conference in Singapore is the premier event exploring online travel and the evolving trends in marketing, distribution and technology in the Asia Pacific region, Northstar said.
 
The Singapore Tourism Board recognised WIT for the Most Innovative Marketing Initiative in 2009 and awarded it the Trade Conference of the Year award in 2010.
 
Additional events include the just-concluded WIT Middle East, WIT Indonesia, WITX: Women In Travel, WIT Hospitality Roadshow and WITNext, a mentoring workshop for young professionals.
 
“Joining forces with Northstar Travel Media gives WIT wider reach, expanded resources and like-minded ambition to expand the brand and take it to new places,” said Yeoh.
 
“We are excited to be united with Northstar Travel Media and optimistic that our partnership will create a powerful new content and media business.”
 
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