In the news: More partnerships formed – China’s iClick and Ctrip team up to augument marketing solutions, while Air New Zealand and Magic Leap are developing a virtual reality travel experience
Travel Technology: iClick, Ctrip collaborate to develop marketing solutions for brands targeting China’s outbound market
Chinese tourists are much sought after by many countries (Image credit: Tomwang112/iStock Getty Image)
Outbound Chinese travellers are becoming an increasingly large target market due to the volume and relative affluence. Last year outbound Chinese travellers totalled 130 million (source: 2017 China Outbound Travel Big Data Report), and were the top source of visitors to countries such as Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Russia and South Africa. They also tend to have high average spending increasing their attractiveness.
To help international brands aiming to reach the rising number of China’s outbound travellers iClick Interactive Asia Group Ltd and Ctrip have formed a strategic partnership to provide an “enriched solution” for them.
The partnership will combine the 300 million user membership base of China’s top OTA across web, mobile and app with iClick’s data analysis and marketing capabilities to create data-driven personalised marketing solutions that will reach outbound Chinese travellers.
For iClick, a leading independent online marketing technology platform in China, the cooperation enables it to to reach more tourist groups by leveraging the largest Chinese consumer database in the travel industry. Utilising the data it can also create more detailed user profiles that will benefit both parties, as well as travellers and businesses.
“As opportunities due to the increasing numbers of outbound travellers from China continue to rise we are seeing a growing demand from travel and hospitality brands to use data in a more holistic marketing system to meet their needs,” said Sammy Hsieh, iClick CEO and co-founder.
He noted that Ctrip’s wide range of customers and its support of 13 languages on their platforms was a “perfect complement” for iClick’s customised solutions. “International travel brands will now have a more effective way of reaching high-value outbound travellers in China.”
Samson Chai, overseas marketing director of Ctrip, said the company was always looking to find innovative new ways to improve its traveller services. “Our collaboration with iClick will allow us to leverage these advantages to bring value to both our customers and international travel brands who partner with us to run marketing programmes.”
Destinations: Coming soon – a ‘Magic Leap’ into virtual reality with Air New Zealand
The beauty of New Zealand’s Mount Cook and Lake Pukaki will soon be part of the VR world. (Image credit: asiafoto/iStock-Getty Images)
Air New Zealand this week announced a strategic development partnership with Magic Leap to develop a virtual reality (VR) travel experience that allows travellers to see the country in a new way.
Magic Leap, a US startup company based in Plantation, Florida, is working on a head-mounted virtual retinal display, Magic Leap One, which superimposes 3D computer-generated imagery over real world objects. Founded in 2010, the company has raised about US$2 billion from investors including Google and China’s Alibaba Group.
The two partners are teaming with London-based creative studio, Framestore, to develop a “Fantastical Journey throughout New Zealand” using Magic Leap One to highlight New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and activities.
The new travel experience will debut later this year, said Air New Zealand in a statement but did not disclose more details of the project.
Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand general manager of global brand and content, said the airline was “excited” to bring such innovative emerging technology to create a more enjoyable travel experience for its customers, “Our goal with this partnership is to continue to encourage new visitors to experience the wonders of New Zealand with us,”
Rachna Bhasin, Magic Leap chief business officer, added the airline and her company “have a shared ambition to bring true innovation to everyday experiences, including the air travel experience.”
• Featured image (Pudong Airport, Shanghai) credit: snvv/iStock-Getty Images
