With the travel industry bouncing back post-pandemic, Klook, a titan in the realm of experiences and travel services in Asia, unveils its most robust performance yet, marking its 9th successful year.
Despite an initial slow recovery in Asian travel and flight capacities that haven’t reached pre-pandemic numbers, the platform boasts an impressive threefold growth since 2019. A massive leap, Klook’s annualized gross booking value now stands at a whopping US$3 billion, reiterating its prowess as Asia’s leading experiences-first platform.
Ethan Lin, the CEO and co-founder at Klook, commented, “2023 is proving to be a record year of Travelsilience, where travel and resilience intersect. While we are in the early stages of travel recovery in Asia Pacific with persisting constraints in flight capacities, we’ve achieved astounding growth. Travelers are showcasing their resilience, and our business has surged threefold, primarily driven by a remarkable increase in spending—soaring by over 30% on our platform. This growth is underpinned by the diverse variety of additional products and services we’ve introduced, ranging from rail and car rentals to staycations and even more unique experiences. We anticipate that by 2024, as flight capacity fully recovers and travel becomes more affordable, it will unlock even greater demand, further solidifying our position as the region’s leading experience-first platform.”
Experiences: The Preferred Choice for the New Generation
A paradigm shift in travel priorities has experiences emerge as the prime currency for the younger travelers. A recent survey of Asia Pacific travelers spanning 12 origins revealed a staggering 85% of millennials and Gen Zs eager to invest in one-of-a-kind experiences.
Addressing this change, Klook intensifies its focus on social content marketing by introducing ‘Klook Kreators’. This pioneer influencer affiliate program, centralizing around social media, is set to mark a transformative phase in the company’s marketing endeavors. Beginning with its 9th-anniversary festivities in September, the majority of Klook’s advertising capital is transitioning from traditional media to digital content creators, marking the brand’s inaugural Social and User-Generated Content (UGC) powered online campaign.
Eric Gnock Fah, COO and co-founder of Klook, shared, “We’re witnessing a profound shift in how the next generation of travelers find inspiration for their holidays. This transformation is no longer a trend, it’s the new normal, especially among Gen Z travelers in Asia Pacific who heavily rely on social media. To meet this demand for authenticity and immersive experiences, we’re significantly increasing our investment in digital content creators. Our focus isn’t just on any content, it’s about diving deep into user-generated content that’s mobile-friendly, snackable, authentic, and highly shareable—everything that ignites wanderlust and enhances travel experiences. As authenticity now shapes the way we travel, our aspiration is to build the world’s largest social travel community, facilitating exploration and discovery of destinations and experiences.”
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9 Years, 9 Million – Klook’s Grandest Celebration Yet
Klook’s 9th anniversary syncs up with the festive year-end travel season, leading to the launch of its most significant travel festival ever. The festival, running from 8-22 September, promises over US$9 million in deals and prizes.
The grand fest includes:
- Exciting mega deals like Buy-1-Get-1-Free tickets to tourist favorites like Everland Korea and Universal Studios Japan.
- The flexible Joy Saver Vouchers with up to 80% off, which can be used later, ensuring hassle-free refunds if plans change.
- ‘The Great Travel Quizventure’, a travel trivia game, promising delightful prizes for wanderlust-driven participants.
For an in-depth look at the anniversary specials, travelers can head to Klook’s official website.
