by Ferry Bayu | Oct 6, 2023 | Business
Tobu Railway Introduces Its Newest “Spacia X” Express Train, Boasting a 40% Reduction in CO2 Emissions Compared to the Previous Spacia Fleet.
Tobu Railway’s new “Spacia X” express trains, launched on July 5, 2023, on the Tobu Nikko Line, are not only stylish and comfortable with various seating options but also highly eco-friendly. They reduce CO2 emissions by 40% compared to the previous Spacia fleet, primarily using renewable energy sources for their traction current.
The Spacia X is a train with a strong emphasis on design, incorporating windows that draw inspiration from the intricate geometric patterns found in Edo period fretwork carvings. Its color scheme is derived from the elegant “noble white,” reminiscent of the whitewash used on Nikko’s renowned Toshogu Shrine.
Beyond standard seating, passengers have options like compartments, sofas, and lounge-style seats. The most luxurious choice among them is the ‘cockpit suite,’ a roomy and opulent ‘mobile suite’ with an expansive front window vista, evoking the ambiance of a private jet.
The “GOEN” café in Car 1 offers a selection of Nikko beer, Nikko blend coffee, locally brewed saké, desserts crafted from Nikko saké kasu or lees, and snacks sourced from the Nikko region. Furthermore, the café supports the local community by donating a portion of its craft coffee sales to the training of Nikko tour guides from the area.
“The Nikko All Area Pass from Tobu Railway, available for 1 to 4 days, covers round-trip travel between Tokyo’s Tobu Asakusa Station and Nikko, along with transportation within Nikko and access to various attractions and experiences in the Nikko area. However, when using the SPACIA X in conjunction with the Nikko Pass, travelers will need to buy an extra express ticket in addition to the standard pass. This requirement applies to all Tobu Limited Express trains. Details regarding Spacia X fares can be found here:
https://www.tobu.co.jp/spaciax/en/ticket/index.html#sale_ticket
Represents Tobu Railway in Malaysia to promote the tourism area that Tobu Railway covers and to share news information with travel-related partners.
Tobu Railway’s massive network extends through Tokyo as well as
four surrounding prefectures: Chiba, Saitama, Tochigi, and Gunma. With 463.3 kilometers of operating track, Tobu is Kanto’s largest private railway and is used by commuters, students, business travelers, and tourists.
Desmond Haw
+6010-236 2611
de*****@*********on.com
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 6, 2023 | Business
GCash launches prepaid debit card in partnership with Visa
GCash has launched a prepaid debit card in partnership with Visa to help its users with cashless payments.
In a statement, GCash said fully verified users of their app can get the card by go to ”View all”, then find the “Manage” section. Users can then click on “Cards” and tap “Order a GCash Card”.
With the GCash Card, customers can make cashless payments in groceries, restaurants, retail stores, transportation, and make online payments.
The partnership with Visa also means the card can be used in over 200 countries and territories, at over 100 million merchants that accept Visa as payment.
Users who have availed of the GCash Card will also have access to GInsure, where they can get free insurance of up to P20,000 coverage for unauthorized transactions for the first 30 days after activation.
This also includes the P185 price for card replacement in the event of accidental loss or damage to the card, as well as the shipping fee of up to P225.
G-Exchange president and CEO Ren-Ren Reyes said the card will be helpful for Filipinos with informal sources of incomes like freelancers and independent professionals as well as micro and small enterprises.
“GCash is giving every Filipino, whoever or wherever they are, the benefits of owning a card, especially those with no bank accounts or documents typically required to apply for a card,” he said.
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 5, 2023 | Business
ToursOnTheWeb, the easy way to find that great tour while booking at the tour operator
ToursOnTheWeb.com is the most comprehensive global travel search and comparison platform for organised multi-day tours and cruises, not only in English.
Organised group tours and adventures continue to be a
success and this mainly because it is so easy and convenient to travel from A to B to C, to discover, do and see things, to meet other people and make friends. Finding that great tour, trip, adventure or
package online could still be quite a hassle. There are just too many operators, too
many websites and too many options and not everything is relevant to each and
every traveler.
An Australian is not looking for a tour to the USA that
starts in Paris or Berlin, nor is an Indian interested in a tour through
Italy, Argentina or China that starts in London, Singapore or Sydney. A proper
search should include not only destination, but also departure country,
language, age group and budget.
For people who speak English as a 1st or 2nd
language, it should be possible to choose an international
group, or local tour group with fellow country men and women, or a
private tour group of friends and family. The choice of tour group and tour
language will have an obvious effect on the kind of experience and (new) friends one makes along the way, especially
for singles.
Group tours with local companies that include a flight may
sometimes be cheaper, but international tour operators offer a lot more choice
of travel style, comfort, worldwide destinations, itineraries and departure
dates.
ToursOnTheWeb.com, the largest comparison platform for tours, already
features 15,000 group tours, private tours, self-drive tours, walking &
bicycling tours, safaris, overlanding, (river) cruises and luxury expeditions
to 180+ countries and territories on all continents. Tours can begin at
home (with flight) or at the destination.
Tours, cruises and expeditions exist for all age groups in
budget, comfort and luxury segments with prices per person between US$500 and
US$50,000 and duration from 5 days up to 300 days (10 months) with
departure dates in 2023, 2024 and beyond. Tours and platform are currently
available in English, German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Chinese and Indonesian
languages.
Most listed operators are bonded with financial protection
for their travellers. Many are socially responsible global citizens who are
taking big steps towards sustainable travel. They are among the best and most
reliable.
ToursOnTheWeb does not accept any bookings, but creates highly qualified and interested referrals. Travelers can
use comprehensive filters and run side-by-side comparisons to
find their next tour. Upon selection the platform will redirect the user to the
specific tour page at the operator’s website for even more and up-to-date
information, current availability, online booking and knowledgeable support.
ONLY the Terms and Conditions of the operator apply after
booking. Especially for multi-day tours, where changes are common but more complicated,
this is an obvious advantage compared to dealing with intermediaries like
travel agents.
A few global Online Travel Agents exist for organised tours
and cruises, but they are not really ideal for all types of multi-day tours. It is common that a traveler will prefer to book directly at the tour operator, avoiding complex Terms and Conditions of a far-away foreign booking website.
ToursOnTheWeb, based in Singapore, combines convenience
with choice and confidence on one easy to use platform and can include ALL types
of tours without restrictions. It is a one-of-a-kind alternative to large online
travel agents as well as travel fairs.
ToursOnTheWeb Pte Ltd is an independent software company based in Singapore. We are specialised in travel and tourism.
Paul van Schaik
pv********@***********eb.com
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 5, 2023 | Business
Global telecom vendors achieved an aggregate revenue growth rate of 5.4 percent in Q2 2023
The Global Telecom Vendors Update Q2 2023 offers a comprehensive evaluation on the financial and geographic performance of the top 5 prominent global telecom vendors – Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia and ZTE.
Cisco achieves impressive revenue growth, while ZTE face headwinds due to economic uncertainties
The revenue performance for each vendor is as follows:
Exhibit 1: Revenue trends YoY basis, Q2 2023
Source: Company reports and filings, Twimbit analysis
Cisco leads the chart with excellent performance across all revenue streams, increasing overall revenue growth by 16 percent, totalling USD 15.2 billion. This can be attributed to 3 key factors – product revenue, service revenue and a substantial growth rate of 28.2 percent in its carrier network business. While the enterprise business is a current focus for other telecom vendors, Cisco’s carrier network business has grown significantly due to the success of its Secure, Agile Networks portfolio.
On the other hand, ZTE faced several challenges in Q2 2023 when ensuring peak performance across all revenue streams. This led to an overall decrease in revenue by 1% percent YoY, reaching USD 4.5 billion in the same period. The factors owing to its decline primarily stemmed from its enterprise and consumer business, which reduced by 12.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.
Innovation sustainability and competitive advantages pressure vendors to think differently
With an increased commitment to accelerate innovation and maintain a competitive edge, R&D investment has recorded an overall increase, with telecom vendors aiming to be more digital-centric.
The R&D performance for each vendor is as follows:
Exhibit 2: R&D performance of vendors, Q2 2023
Source: Company reports and filings, Twimbit analysis
ZTE set the gold standard in R&D investments during Q2 2023, increasing investments by 62.6 YoY, totalling USD 1 billion. This can be attributed to its efforts in increasing the computing power for its infrastructure products and solutions. These include reinforcing the capabilities of their Data Technology, Information Technology, and Communications Technology (DICT).
The result – substantially enhanced competitiveness across all the business sectors of ZTE.
Following closely is Cisco, recording a significant 36.1 YoY increase in R&D spending, totalling USD 2.0 billion in Q2 2023. This expansion was a meticulous decision by the company to increase its investment significantly across its international sectors, specifically India, its 2nd largest R&D centre.
“With significant opportunities to become more digital, such as the rollout of 5G, changing regional dynamics and newfound strategic collaborations, telecom vendors have a plethora of options moving forward in 2023.” – Siddanth Ranjan (Research Analyst, Twimbit)
Twimbit clients can read more in the “Global Telecom Vendors Update Q2 2023”
Twimbit is a research and advisory firm driven by a singular mission: to empower businesses making a difference. We specialize in providing invaluable industry intelligence to executives and teams, acting as a catalyst for innovation and growth. Twimbit’s proprietary research platform seeks to revolutionize the way enterprises consume insights, making it effortlessly enjoyable and accessible to all.
More information on Twimbit is available online at www.twimbit.com. Follow news and updates from Twimbit on Twitter and LinkedIn. Members of the media can find additional information in the Twimbit newsroom.
Vansh Sehgal
va***@*****it.com
by Ferry Bayu | Oct 5, 2023 | Business
District Race: Where technology meets fitness and sustainability in 100 global cities
District Race, the world’s premier urban exploration experience, is set to revolutionize how people engage with their cities while promoting physical activity and supporting global reforestation efforts. This innovative event series combines cutting-edge technology with the thrill of exploration, all while making a tangible impact on the planet.
The Ultimate Urban Adventure:
In an era where technology often keeps us indoors, District Race is breaking new ground by
seamlessly merging the digital and physical worlds. Using the District App, participants
embark on exhilarating journeys through their cities, racing against time to collect
checkpoints and complete a wide range of physical and mental challenges. It’s a city-wide
scavenger hunt, fitness challenge, and adventure, all rolled into one.
Active Living Through Exploration:
District Race encourages people to get active in a unique and engaging way, transforming
cityscapes into playgrounds. Whether navigating city streets, discovering hidden gems, or
scaling iconic landmarks, participants experience their urban environments in an entirely
fresh light.
A Race for Sustainability:
But District Race isn’t just about personal fitness and exploration; it’s also about global
impact. Launching in 100 cities across the globe, each race contributes to a monumental
mission: planting 100,000 trees worldwide. In partnership with reforestation organization,
One Tree Planted, District Race aims to create a greener, more sustainable planet.
Redefining Fitness and Fun:
“District Race is more than just an event; it’s a movement,” says Chris Cable, CEO of District.
“It showcases how technology can be harnessed for good, promoting active lifestyles, while
also addressing the pressing issue of deforestation. We’re thrilled to be at the intersection of
fitness, technology, and sustainability.”
“Celebrating this impactful collaboration with District Race, One Tree Planted is thrilled to
join hands in their mission to plant 100,000 trees across the globe” Says Louis Lagoutte,
Head of Partnerships at One Tree Planted. “Partnering with District Race is a remarkable
opportunity to not only enhance environmental sustainability but also engage a diverse and
active community passionate about positive change. Together, we are making a lasting
difference in reforestation efforts, one exhilarating race at a time.”
Join the Movement:
District Race invites everyone to be a part of this global movement for a fitter, more
sustainable future. With events in 100 cities and the goal of planting 100,000 trees, District
Race is setting the standard for fitness events that make a difference.
District Technologies is an innovative technology company that enables anyone to get activethrough exploration. Founded in 2017, District Technologies was born from a desire to reignite the spirit of discovery in all of us and enable everyone to lead an active and social lifestyle.
District Technologies’ key offering is District, a first-of-its-kind urban exploration app that combines ground-breaking location-based tracking and augmented reality technology to motivate people to rediscover their cities and level up their fitness by completing in-app challenges built around the urban environment. District Technologies also holds District Race events around the world that are built around the District app. District Technologies is
headquartered in Singapore and has since established a global presence, with key markets in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
exploredistrict.com
About One Tree Planted
One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating
a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at onetreeplanted.org.
For further information and media queries, please contact Chris Cable, chris@district- technologies.com
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