Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
Jofie Yordan · · 4 min read

Klook CEO on scaling through travel shocks

Welcome to Tech in Asia’s daily newsletter, your essential dose of Asia’s tech and startup buzz. Not yet a subscriber? Register here. Got a story tip? Send it to editors@techinasia.com.

In focus


Hello reader,

Social media has become my go-to source of information when I’m planning a trip. I went to Japan last year and made my itinerary based on places I discovered on TikTok.

My go-to search terms were probably “What to do in Tokyo” or “10 must-visit places in Tokyo.” One thing I like about TikTok is that it immediately shows you visuals of the recommended places.

Many online travel platforms are recognizing the growing role of social media in how customers plan their trips. Klook, for example, manages more than 30,000 creators across 88 markets to strengthen its presence on social media.

On the sidelines of the Tech in Asia Conference in Singapore last week, I caught up with Ethan Lin, Klook’s co-founder and CEO, for today’s first Top Story.

We talked about how social media has become an important engine for Klook’s growth, and how the travel giant is navigating a world shaped by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

Along the way, Lin has learned that what the travel industry thinks is cool isn’t always what travelers actually want. So how is Klook adapting? Read our Big Interview to find out.

Meanwhile, layoffs at tech companies show no signs of stopping. Bitsmedia, the company behind lifestyle app Muslim Pro, axed 21 employees across its offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh in August.

However, CEO Nafees Khundker says the Singapore-based company has met all of its obligations to affected employees.

Jofie Yordan, journalist


Top Stories

1️⃣ Klook CEO on scaling through shocks, not building what’s ‘cool’

Image credit: Ulla


From our archives


Trending news


Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.

TIA Writer

Jofie Yordan

Based in Jakarta. A correspondent at Tech in Asia who covers startups and VC, with a primary focus on the ecommerce sector in Southeast Asia.