Technology is changing the way in which we interact and connect with friends and family, the way we pay for goods, the way we are entertained, and more recently the way we travel.
Travellers in need of a way to customise and optimise for complicated travel itineraries have finally had their prayers answered in the form of a new booking platform called Vamo. Vamo is a new website that has the capabilities of planning multi-city trips for users based on their selected preferences.
As a keen traveller who has lost countless hours and numerous dollars planning and organising trips, I had to log in and give it a shot. Based on a list of destinations I chose along with my intended duration in each location, Vamo intuitively organised an optimal route, listing the most effective and cost efficient route for me. The website also has a list of predetermined trips that I was able to use as building blocks before tailoring my trip. Not only does the website customise a travel route for you but it also gives you the option to book transport and accommodations in each location. This travel optimisation technology has the potential to take the hassle and stress out of planning the perfect trip.
In November of last year, I wrote an article exploring the rise of online travel businesses, in particular Alibaba and Amazon. Travel booking websites are nothing new to China with Ctrip and Qunar holding roughly 56% of the market. The difference between Vamo and other platforms is that instead of just listing endless flight and hotel deals, it was able to provide me with a personal and unique travel planning experience.
Interestingly enough, this platform could garner major viability and traction in one of the world’s largest markets. Last year, China recorded a staggering amount of outbound tourists from the mainland, topping over 100 million. This growth of outbound tourism is set to continue into 2015 and beyond. CLSA, an Asian investment and brokerage advisory firm, issued a report this week, which deduced that outbound travellers will exceed 200 million in the next five years. At the APEC summit, in late 2014, President Xi went as far to say that outbound travel will exceed 500 million people within 5 years. Regardless of the figures, we can be certain that the number of Chinese tourists looking abroad for holidays and leisurely travel will definitely increase in the foreseeable future.
So what factors are behind the growth of outbound tourists? While various possibilities could exist to rationalise this boom in tourism, it seems likely that the easing of visa restrictions, the increase of secondary international airports operating international routes, and the increase in spending by China’s middle class are the main driving forces.
More recently we have seen a rise in independent travellers who prefer to plan their own travel arrangements rather than joining an organised tour.
In the past, Chinese tourists have preferred travelling within an organised group or tour, or at least the majority did. More recently we have seen a rise in independent travellers who prefer to plan their own travel arrangements rather than joining an organised tour. This trend towards independent travel is being driven by the travellers of the younger generation; 38% of outbound tourists are between the ages of 25 – 34. Moreover, around two-thirds of Chinese outbound tourists would rather plan their own travel arrangements (Chinese International Travel Monitor 2014).
The trend of travellers shifting away from travel agents and organised tour groups towards independent travel arrangements have opened the door for companies such as Vamo. Vamo was founded by ex-Facebook engineer Ari Steinberg, and in 2013, the group raised $1.6 million for the project. These multi-booking travel platforms aren’t perfect as everyone has different preferences but it’s an excellent starting point.
With China’s growing trend of outbound independent travellers alongside its 641,000,000+ internet users, multi booking travel platforms, like Vamo, that optimise and customise users travels have the potential to be a true, innovative game changer.
MAILMAN PLAY
With China’s growing trend of outbound independent travellers alongside its 641,000,000+ internet users, multi booking travel platforms, like Vamo, that optimise and customise users travels have the potential to be a true, innovative game changer.