Klook Success Story: From Startup Idea to Global Travel Experience App

Introduction​‍​‌‍​‍‌:

If you are a travel lover, then you must be aware of the fact that planning activities is the most time-consuming part of the journey. In this aspect alone, Klook has completely changed the way things work. Booking experiences with Klook is simple, fast and mobile-friendly. It was really hard for me to find local tours on my first trip, and I still remember that. A friend later said, “Just try Klook.” One single suggestion planning saving hours of my time.

Now, Klook’s is more than just an app. It acts as a travel companion that allows travellers to discover experiences both before and after their arrival. This commitment made Klooks different right from the beginning.

The Beginning of Klook:

In 2014 Klook came into being in Hong Kong. It was a project installed by Ethan Lin, Eric Gnock Fah, and Bernie Xiaokang Xiong. The trio was very passionate about traveling. Yet, they encountered a very common problem. While it was easy to book flights, doing activities was a real hassle.

Hence, they came up with a very simple question. Why should experiences not be booked the way flights are? The question was the trigger to Klooks. The company name is derived from the phrase “Keep Looking.” It embodies the concepts of curiosity and exploration.

On day one, the company Klooks committed itself to the customer not the transaction.

The Core Idea Behind Klook

The core concept of Klook was very clear. The idea was to provide the means for travelers to explore new cities with the least hassle. Klook decided to focus on what people could do after their arrival instead of booking more flights or hotels.

With Klook, you could book:

• Theme park tickets
• Museum passes
• Local tours
• Train tickets
• Car rentals
• Food experiences

Everything was operated through your phone. Payments were almost done instantly. E-tickets were sent within a few seconds. As a traveler, it was like a dream come true.

Since Klook was cooperating directly with local operators, the prices could remain relatively low. The direct model of Klooks was advantageous for both travelers and small business owners.

Early Growth of Klook in Asia

During the early times, Klook was operated by a small team. Nevertheless, the concept was picked up rapidly. In 2014, Klook obtained $1.5 million in seed funding. In 2015, it raised $5 million more.

Asia became the center of attention. Mobile usage was on the rise. Travelers from China, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand were the most demanding of the mobile-if lifestyle. Klook was right there to please them.

By 2017, Klook had over 10,000 experiences listed. That same year, Sequoia Capital China donated $30 million. It became impossible to stop ​‍​‌‍​‍‌growth.

Klook​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Becoming a Global Travel Brand

After dominating the Asian market, Klook was ready to take on the world. In 2018, it raised $200 million. That funding round was what made Klook a unicorn. Its valuation went beyond $1 billion.

Right after, Klook made their way to Europe and the US. The company set up shops in London and Amsterdam. Currently, Klooks has over 50,000 experiences to offer in more than 200 destinations.

By then, Klook was no longer a startup. It turned into a worldwide travel platform.

What Makes Klook Special for Travelers

Several aspects are keeping the Klooks aero plane distinct and visible.

First, the experience-first approach. While the competitors are talking about rooms, it’s is selling memories.

Second, mobile-first design. The application looks and works like a breeze. A booking is done within a few seconds.

Third, instant confirmation. No waiting. No trouble.

Fourth, local partnerships. partners with local operators. This, in turn, enhances quality and trust.

Last but not least, the Asia-first strategy was on point. Klooks went up where the demand for mobile travel was skyrocketing.

The COVID-19 Challenge for Klook

And then 2020 came along. Traveling stopped as if it was frozen in time. The impact was huge. Their business model was based on movement and discovery.

Lets say if Klook had frozen, that would be wrong, they responded by changing. The company turned into local travel platform. There was a boom in demand for local experiences.

People booked:

• Local food tours
• Outdoor adventures
• Short road trips
• Staycations

While at it, Klook helped small businesses. It introduced solutions for e-tickets and booking systems. Many local operators were saved by this move. Klooks is still around because of this turnaround whereas many others have disappeared.

Klook’s Comeback After the Pandemic

Travel was slow to return, however, was not caught off guard. In 2021, it was able to secure another round of funding of $200 million. The emphasis was on coming back stronger. In 2023, Klook was able to make a profit. That point in time was important. The company was now grown with sustainability.

The yearly booking value went up to $3 billion. This figure is three times what it was before the pandemic. A little later in 2023, raised $210 million again. Currently, more than 80% of the Klooks transactions are done through mobile devices. More than half of the customers are repeat users. This is an indication of their trust.

Today’s Klook Platform Explained

As of now, Klook’s main concentration is on 3 parts. Play incorporates various things like attractions, events, and activities. Stay covers the likes of hotels and staycations. Move is made up of transport, trains, and rentals.

On top of that, Klook incorporates AI with smart recommendations to make planning easier. Instant translation is there to help global users. Chatbots give 24/7 support. The platform is working with the likes of Disney, Universal Studios, and JR Pass Japan. In the meantime, Klook is cultivating the small local experiences.

The Future Vision of Klook

When Klook is looking forward, the main focus is on getting bigger. The expansion plans are greatly dependent on Asia and the Middle East regions. Eco-friendly travel is still on the agenda.

AI-powered trip planning will get the user experience more personalized. New collaborations will make it easy for the travelers to get to hotels, onto transport, and into events.

With the presence of profit, Klook is now investing in long-term value.

In Short: Why Klook Matters

Klooks came into being with nothing more than a basic thought. How to facilitate the booking of experiences? As travelers, we are in need of one thing: simplicity. We want to be trusted. We want genuine experiences. it provides all of them.

If you are really honest with yourselves, after the first time, planning trips will never show up as ​‍​‌‍​‍‌before.

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