by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 7, 2024 | Business
Following a comprehensive online poll, the most beloved travel brands received the prestigious TripZilla Excellence Awards in recognition of their exemplary performance over the past year.
Singapore, 7 November 2024 – Marking its landmark 10th year, the prestigious TripZilla Excellence Awards returns to honour the most outstanding travel brands, celebrating their unparalleled achievements that have set new standards of excellence and elevated the industry to new heights. Companies that exemplify the best in travel have been selected and conferred awards through an extensive online voting exercise held from 16 to 30 October 2024.
Organised by TripZilla, the independent and leading online travel media in Southeast Asia that reaches more than 20 million travellers monthly, the Awards recognise the popularity, achievement, and dedication of top consumer-facing brands in travel.
The Awards features five main sectors with multiple categories to celebrate industry leaders across the region. This year’s event is the largest to date, with a record number of nominees and voters, culminating in over 60 awards recognising exceptional contributions to travel.
First-time winners who made their way into the TripZilla Excellence Awards 2024 include AXA Smart Traveller, Revolut, Skyline Luge Singapore, and Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card. Noteworthy repeat winners that have once again made the list include Science Centre Singapore, EU Holidays, and HL Assurance.
“Tourism connects people, creates jobs, and supports communities worldwide, all while fulfilling our innate wanderlust. It is a complex and profoundly impactful industry. As a leading travel inspiration platform, it’s incredibly meaningful for us to recognise the standout brands in this vital sector,” said Winnie Tan, CEO of TripZilla.com. “This year’s TripZilla Excellence Award winners are true trailblazers, crafting unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impression on travellers seeking new and unique experiences.”
For the full list of 2024 winners, refer to Annex A appended below or click here.
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About TripZilla Excellence Awards 2024
Now in its landmark 10th year, the prestigious TripZilla Excellence Awards returns to honour the finest travel companies for delivering the most brilliant experiences and propelling the industry to greater heights. Over a hundred phenomenal organisations were nominated for an award this year. After an intensive round of voting on the TripZilla.com platform, this highly-coveted accolade was presented to more than 60 exceptional brands.
For more information, visit: https://www.tripzilla.com/excellence-awards/2024
ANNEX A
Online Travel Services – Singapore
Best Customer Service (Insurance): HL Assurance
Best Global Roaming Services: AIRSIM / AIRSIMe
Best Online Buying Experience (Insurance): HL Assurance
Best Online Travel Agency: Trip.com
Best Travel Claims Experience: Etiqa Insurance Pte Ltd
Best Travel Credit Card: Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
Best Travel Insurance (Annual): HL Assurance
Best Travel Insurance (Single Trip): Etiqa Insurance Pte Ltd
Best Travel Wallet: Revolut
Most Popular Travel Insurance Company: Etiqa Insurance Pte Ltd
Online Travel Services – The Philippines
Best Global Roaming Services: Cherry Roam
Best Online Travel Agency: Klook
Best Travel Credit Card: RCBC Visa Platinum
Best Travel Insurance (Annual): Chubb Travel Insurance
Best Travel Insurance (Single Trip): AXA Smart Traveller
Best Travel Wallet: GCash
Travel Agencies
Best for Australia: EU Holidays
Best for China: Super Travels
Best for Europe: EU Holidays
Best for Exotic Tours: Nam Ho Travel Services
Best for Japan: EU Holidays
Best for Korea: Nam Ho Travel Service
Best for Malaysia: WTS Travel & Tours
Best for Taiwan: ASA Holidays
Best for USA: Chan Brothers Travel
Best for Vietnam: WTS Travel & Tours
Best Coach Operator: Transtar Travel
Best for Celebrity Tours: ASA Holidays
Best for Young Adults: Contiki
Most Innovative Tour Product: Travel with WEBUY
Activities & Attractions – Singapore
Best Animal Encounter: Bird Paradise
Best Attraction for Adrenaline Junkies: Skyline Luge Singapore
Best Family Attraction: Science Centre Singapore
Best Water Park: Adventure Cove Waterpark
Most Popular Attraction for Children: KidsSTOP™
Activities & Attractions – Malaysia
Best Animal Encounter: Langkawi Wildlife Park
Best Attraction for Adrenaline Junkies: LYL International Karting Circuit
Best Family Attraction: Dream Forest Langkawi
Best Integrated Marketing Campaign: Enfiniti (M) Sdn Bhd
Best New Attraction: FunPark Gamuda Luge Gardens
Best Water Park: SplashMania WaterPark
Hotels
Best Hotel Rewards: Wyndham Rewards
Hotels – Singapore
Best Budget Hotel Chain: Hotel 81
Best Business Hotel: Grand Park City Hall
Best for Families: Novotel Singapore on Kitchener
Best Luxury Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Best New Hotel: Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre
Hotels – Malaysia
Best Budget Hotel Chain: Holiday Inn Express
Best Business Hotel: EQ Kuala Lumpur
Best for Families: Hard Rock Hotel Penang
Best Luxury Hotel: One&Only Desaru Coast
Best Luxury Glamping Experience: Tiarasa Escapes Glamping Resort
Hotels – The Philippines
Best Budget Hotel: Go Hotels Plus Mandaluyong
Best Business Hotel: Summit Galleria Cebu
Best for Families: Summit Ridge Tagaytay
Best Luxury Hotel: Limketkai Luxe Hotel
Best New Hotel: Citadines Benavidez Makati
Destinations
Best Beach Destination: Fiji
Best City Destination: Hong Kong
Best Dive Destination: The Philippines
Destination of the year: Malaysia
Sustainability Leader Of The Year (Asia): Tourism Promotions Board Philippines
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 6, 2024 | Business
Explore the 2024 US Election battle between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, and how their policies impact the crypto ecosystem. Discover Trump’s pro-crypto stance and his potential to shape the future of Bitcoin mining, along with the latest market reactions. Plus, join Bitrue’s Election Forecast contest for a chance to win 10,000 USDT!
The United States General Election has attracted the attention of the global community, including crypto activists. During the campaign period, investors in the crypto ecosystem highlighted the views of the latest US presidential candidates, namely Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, on crypto. Donald Trump is indeed more open to the crypto ecosystem, including his plan to make America a center for Bitcoin mining.
So, who is superior in the 2024 US Election? Is Donald Trump still wanted to be the next US President compared to Kamala Harris by crypto activists? Or is Kamala Harris now superior in electability and able to attract the attention of crypto activists at the last second of the election?
Read the full and detail explanation in this article. You also have the opportunity to win 10,000 USDT in the Election Forecast contest currently being held by Bitrue.
US Election Battle: Donald Trump Vs. Kamala Harris
On November 5 local time, the US Election was officially held. Eligible Americans flocked to cast their votes for the candidate they wanted to become US President in the upcoming period. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris finally officially competed after campaigning for the past few months.

In the live report of the US Election when this article was written, it was known that Donald Trump was ahead in the vote acquisition by a fairly narrow value, namely 51.2% compared to 47.4%.
In the recording of this temporary report, Trump was seen to be ahead in various regions, such as Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and others. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris was ahead in more flashy areas, such as New York, California, and Washington DC.
For information about the Election system in the United States, today’s US Election voting is not the end. The elected president will be determined from the election conducted by the Electoral College where its members are also elected today. The election by the Electoral College will be held in December 2024.
Is Donald Trump More Pro Crypto Ecosystem?
The crypto ecosystem highlights in detail about the 2024 US Election. This is because the newest President of the United States is the one who determines how new regulations in the crypto and blockchain world will be in the future. Moreover, the SEC is often highlighted because of its very complicated rules regarding crypto licensing.
During the campaign, Donald Trump received a lot of praise from crypto activists. His plan to remove SEC members, his desire to make America a center for Bitcoin mining, and even his action of making payments at a pub using Bitcoin received a lot of praise.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris received less attention in the crypto ecosystem. Kamala Harris is not as old-fashioned as Joe Biden, but her plans for the crypto ecosystem have disappointed many. Especially when she explained about crypto and blockchain regulations during the campaign but did not use terms related to these things at all.
However, during the US Election campaign, there were many movements to support both candidates. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris received donation support for campaign costs. In fact, Joe Biden, one of the early candidates before Kamala Harris who later withdrew, also received “tips” from crypto activist groups.
Bitcoin Price Rises Significantly on Donald Trump’s Lead
As predicted, the 2024 US Election contest is indeed a determinant of how the ecosystem will run in the future. Big investors flocked to show support for their favorite candidates and this caused the crypto ecosystem to experience significant price changes in the last 24 hours.
Surprisingly, Bitcoin price today even experienced a drastic increase and recorded its latest ATH, which was at $ 75,000, whereas previously BTC’s ATH was at $ 73,800. Many investors are betting and along with Donald Trump’s superiority, crypto tokens are experiencing price strengthening.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $74,065 with a 7.72% increase. In 24 hours, BTC was at its latest ATH, which was $75,407. As can be seen in the price chart above, the BTC RSI value is very high at 74.79, which means the buying trend is very high and can result in overbought.
Not only Bitcoin, various other tokens also experienced a significant increase in price. Ethereum recorded its latest price at $2,626 after experiencing an increase of 8.39%. Solana’s price increase even reached 15.73% so that it is now trading at $186.32.

Don’t forget about memecoin which also received sharp attention during the campaign period. Moreover, there is a meme token as a parody of Donald Trump, namely $TRUMP. However, unfortunately, currently, the TRUMP token has actually experienced a price decrease of 0.53% so that it is traded for $3,738.

Conclusion

Donald Trump Vs. Kamala Harris in the 2024 US Election will indeed determine the fate of the crypto ecosystem in the future. Crypto activists support one of the candidates, including major investors. If the candidate is elected, will the crypto ecosystem have friendlier and clearer regulations than now?
For those of you who want to participate in the 2024 US Election, but are not American citizens, you don’t need to be sad. Because, you can guess who will be elected as the next US president by following the Election Forecast currently being held by Bitrue.
You can choose Donald Trump or Kamala Harris as your champion. And if your choice is correct, you have the chance to win 10,000 USDT! How to participate? Immediately see the contest “Who Will Be Elected U.S. President, Trump or Harris?” which is on the Bitrue website right now!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 4, 2024 | Business
Confused about Solana futures and leverage? This guide breaks down the concept of Solana futures trading in simple terms. Learn how to profit from both rising and falling Solana prices, understand the risks involved, and explore Solana’s potential to rival Ethereum.
Are you interested in starting crypto trading but feel confused by terms such as futures and leverage? This article will be a complete guide for those of you who want to understand the concept of trading Solana futures.
In this article, we will explain in simple and detailed terms what Solana futures are, how they work, and the associated benefits and risks.
What are Solana Futures?
Solana futures are contracts that provide the right and obligation to buy or sell a specified amount of Solana (SOL) at a predetermined price in the future. The Solana futures market offers two main features for cryptocurrency traders:
1. Leverage: Purchasing Solana futures allows traders to control more Solana tokens using leverage (usually 10x to 50x).
2. Profit from price reduction: Selling Solana futures allows traders to profit from downturns in SOL price.
Solana futures traded on most cryptocurrency exchanges today do not have an expiration date, so they are also referred to as Solana perpetual futures or Solana perpetual swaps.
Solana vs. Ethereum
Solana is starting to attract attention as a serious competitor to Ethereum, even though its market capitalization is about four times smaller than that of the leading smart contract platform.
On October 23, the SOL/ETH trading pair reached a new record high of around 0.0692 ETH. The move is part of a bullish trend that has risen 600% since 2023.
Solana’s rise against Ethereum has sparked discussions about its potential to surpass Ethereum’s market capitalization in the not-too-distant future.
At the center of Solana’s bullish outlook is increased network usage and an upcoming update that could potentially reduce Ethereum’s dominance in blockchain.
Can SOL Defeat ETH?
The possibility of Solana surpassing Ethereum in terms of technical capabilities and market valuation may increase as Solana meme-coins have been a key driver of Solana’s recent growth.
Historically, meme-coins have thrived in bull market conditions when speculation runs high, but they have faced severe corrections during market downturns.
Currently, Solana needs to grow 3.5 times its current market cap to reach Ethereum’s $304 billion valuation. However, analysts at VanEck speculate that Solana could reach 50% of ETH’s value in the next few years if it continues to outperform Ethereum in terms of daily active users and transaction volume.
Meanwhile, Bitfinex analysts suggest that Solana’s success depends on expanding its user base beyond speculative traders. To achieve sustainable long-term growth, Solana needs to attract DeFi enthusiasts, traditional financial institutions, and enterprises.
They noted that a Firedancer update in 2025, which aims to increase Solana’s capacity to handle up to 1 million transactions per second, could potentially make its network more attractive to larger investors and institutions.
Solana Continues Uptrend with 13.58% Monthly Gain
2024 has been a fantastic year for Solana investors as this premier altcoin has risen 481% since November 2023. Although Solana’s growth has slowed, it is still amid a bullish trend with Solana currently trading at US$181,072 with growth of 3.02% in the last 24 hours.

It can be seen from the Solana futures price chart above. The RSI, MACD, and Bollinger Bands indicators show the positive side. Solana’s RSI is at 67.11, which means the buying trend is greater than the selling trend in the sense that it is positive, not overbought. The MACD line is also above the boundary line so the bullish signal is very strong at the moment.
Conclusion: Buying Solana Futures
You buy Solana futures if you want to profit from Solana price increases in the future. This trading strategy is also known as opening a long Solana futures position.
With 10x leverage, buying a $100 Solana futures contract would allow you to ‘own’ $1,000 worth of Solana. However, please note that if the price of SOL falls by more than 10%, you will lose your entire $1,000 investment as your position will be liquidated.
Simple example:
Suppose SOL is trading at 10 USDT per token. A trader futures Solana bullish and decides to open a long Solana futures position at that price by purchasing 1,000 Solana futures contracts with 10x leverage.
With each contract having a contract size of 1 SOL, the initial margin required to open this position is 1,000 x $10 / 10 = $1,000. Depending on the price performance of SOL, traders can make a lot of money or lose their entire investment.
However, the most important thing is that before deciding to invest in Solana futures, you must also carry out in-depth research on this investment instrument. Moreover, crypto is an investment instrument with prices that are so volatile that price changes are common. Checking prices regularly will help you assess how stable a token will be in the future.
Conduct detailed research by utilizing various Bitrue features, starting from the price feature, and price conversion from SOL to USD, to reading articles on the Bitrue blog to find out about the projects being carried out by the token network you are looking for.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 30, 2024 | Food & Beverage
The Manila Hotel presents its hauntingly good Halloween-themed cookies and cocktails just in time for the spookiest night of the year.
Get into Halloween spirit with our frightfully delicious cookies—ghosts, bats, and jack-o-lanterns — baked to perfection and a touch of spooky flair.
These limited-edition treats are the perfect addition to any Halloween celebration. Enjoy a set of 6 pieces for ₱225 net or 12 pieces for ₱350 net, available at the Delicatessen until November 5, 2024.
Creepy Concoctions to Sip if You Dare
For those who like their thrills shaken or stirred, The Manila Hotel’s Halloween cocktails are a must-try. Sip on bewitching blends inspired by haunted tales.
The Goblin offers a wicked mix of rum, melon-flavored liqueur, coconut-flavored liqueur, and pineapple juice, while the Bacardi Zombie unleashes one’s adventurous side with a mix of rum, lime, orange, and cherry.
Both are priced at ₱390 net each, and these spellbinding concoctions are sure to cast a delightful spell. Available at the Lobby Lounge, Tap Room, and Pool Bar until October 31, 2024.
Special Treats for the Kids
To add sweetness to the Halloween dining experience, junior guests will receive complimentary candy treats during dinner time from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM on October 31, 2024. All restaurants will be open and fully operational during the Halloween weekend, including November 1, All Saints’ Day.
For inquiries, call +632 8527 0011 or +632 5301 5500 or email re************@************el.com.
The Manila Hotel is located beside kilometer zero (0), where the City of Manila begins, and is within walking distance from the Philippines’ known landmarks: Rizal Park, Intramuros, and National Museums. Defined by its history, elegance, and world-class service, The Manila Hotel is the choice hotel for the most distinguished clientele.
Since 1912, The Manila Hotel has continuously provided the best services and amenities for a truly memorable experience.
It has more than 500 well-appointed rooms and 22 function rooms, including three (3) ballrooms. Apart from these, the hotel offers five-star relaxation and wellness experiences with the Manila Hotel Spa, adult and children’s pools, and the Manila Hotel Health Club.
The hotel is home to the Heritage Museum, a treasure trove of priceless memories that narrate its illustrious past. It also has an Art Gallery that offers a window into a contemporary world, captured through the objective point of view of different artists. It has six (6) dining outlets, each offering a unique culinary adventure:
- Café Ilang-Ilang, which is a favorite spot for its extensive selection of international buffet delights;
- Champagne Room, with its Old European style fine dining and also hailed as the most romantic room in Manila — it features European cuisine in a posh, fine-dining setting;
- Tap Room, an Old English pub-inspired outlet where one can enjoy an evening of live music;
- Lobby Lounge, which is ideal for casual dining, aperitif, post-dinner nightcaps, or leisure meetings;
- Red Jade is a fine-dining restaurant that serves authentic Chinese cuisine;
- and Delicatessen offers the hotel’s signature pastries, bread, chocolates, and pralines.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 27, 2024 | Business
Bitcoin futures open interest hits record high! In-depth analysis of its impact on the price of Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market as a whole. Learn the risks and opportunities of Bitcoin futures trading.
Bitcoin futures trading, as per a report from Coinglass, has hit a new record high with open interest (OI) reaching $40.5 billion on October 21. These trades are carried out by various global crypto exchanges.
This article will provide detailed information regarding market analysis and the Bitcoin futures trading process. That way, you can do personal research before investing.
Bitcoin Hits $70,000

The increase in open interest coincides with Bitcoin price approaching $70,000, more precisely $67,027 with an increase of +0.50%. Open interest refers to the total value or number of futures contracts that have not yet expired. It serves as a leading indicator of market activity and investor engagement in Bitcoin derivatives.
An increase in OI can signal increased leverage in the system, potentially leading to greater market volatility. Periods of high open interest can cause significant market movements, especially when prices shift sharply. Such conditions can trigger chain liquidations, resulting in forced selling in the spot market and causing a sudden drop in Bitcoin prices.
A similar event occurred in August when Bitcoin prices plunged nearly 20%, dropping below $50,000 in just two days. On October 21, Bitcoin hit $69,380 in early trading but faced resistance, pulling back to around $69,033. As of now, the cryptocurrency is still 6.4% short of its record high of $73,738, according to CoinGecko.
Additionally, altcoins such as Ethereum and Solana have outperformed Bitcoin in recent daily gains. Ethereum naik by 3.5%, reaching $2,750, while Solana saw a 6% gain, nearing $170. Both assets have seen a slight decline from recent record highs.
Ethereum and Solana Rally as Bitcoin Dominates
While Bitcoin has been making headlines, this has not been the case for newer altcoins like Ethereum and Solana with daily gains. Ether rose by 3.5 percent to $2,750, meanwhile, Solana rose more than 6 percent to $170. Both assets have pulled back slightly from recent record highs.
The combined dynamics of the bitcoin and altcoin markets add a layer of complexity as altcoin performance can be impacted. Bitcoin may be the star, but investors are increasingly bullish on altcoins to increase returns. As the market grows, so does interest in alternative digital assets.
However, with Bitcoin futures open interest rising, altcoins also have risks to worry about. If Bitcoin prices swing wildly, so can altcoins. For this reason, market participants should continue to check Bitcoin and altcoins for possible price movements in the coming weeks.
US Election Triggers Bitcoin Surge Amid Uncertainty
The US presidential election drove Bitcoin’s recent surge. Before November 5, market players considered how the election results might affect the cryptocurrency market. Donald Trump’s increasingly crypto-friendly policies paved the way for Bitcoin, which has increased its poll numbers and lifted Bitcoin.
Under the Trump administration, higher US interest rates could boost Bitcoin by weakening other currencies, according to market analysts. ‘The fact that the dollar has been strong is a factor in recent market moves, prompting traders to look for ways to hedge currency risks.’
Traders are now considering whether to prepare for election-related trading, as with 15 days until voting day, they can make that decision.
Bitcoin Prospects
Bitcoin has seen its price drop in recent weeks. This is largely due to the bearish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market as a whole. However, some special factors have also influenced the price of Bitcoin.
One of these factors is the increase in mining activity. When more miners join the Bitcoin network, this can increase the supply of new BTC. Increased supply could put downward pressure on prices.
Even though Bitcoin has experienced a price decline in recent times, many analysts are still bullish on its long-term prospects. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and is still the most famous. This platform has a strong ecosystem and continues to grow.
One factor supporting Bitcoin’s prospects is the increasing adoption of blockchain technology. The more companies and organizations start using blockchain, the more likely it is that Bitcoin will become the platform of choice.
Additionally, Bitcoin is developing several technical improvements that could increase its efficiency and scalability. This can increase the interest of users and investors.
Bitcoin Futures Trading Strategy and Risks
If you are interested in trading Bitcoin futures, there are several strategies you can use. One strategy is to use technical analysis to identify trading opportunities. Technical analysis involves studying price charts to look for patterns and trends.
Another strategy is to use fundamental analysis. Fundamental analysis involves studying factors that can influence the price of Bitcoin, such as mining activity, transaction costs, and technological developments.
Bitcoin futures trading can be very risky. Leverage can magnify both profits and losses. It is important to understand the risks before starting to trade.
Conclusion
Bitcoin is an attractive digital asset with long-term growth potential. However, like all investments, Bitcoin futures trading also carries risks. It is important to do research and understand the risks before starting to trade.
Bitrue has various features that you can use to do in-depth research before investing. You can check prices in real-time, check converting from BTC to USD easily, to find out about the latest BTC projects that are being carried out through the latest articles on the Bitrue blog.
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