An online travel startup targeting Chinese users via WeChat, Wegogo, is adding two notable names from the travel industry to its advisory team as it enters a new phase of development.
Former CEO of an AirAsia-Expedia joint-venture and currently AirAsia’s president of China, Kathleen Tan is joining the Singapore-headquartered company as strategic advisor.
Tan, who has been been credited for AirAsia’s success in China, has further made an undisclosed personal investment in the start-up.
Wegogo is also welcoming Asia president of The Travel Corporation (TTC), Robin Yap, as strategic advisor.
A seasoned professional in B2B travel, Yap, in his role at TTC, oversees 25 travel brands – including Insight Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays and Uniworld Cruises – in 14 countries.
Yap was previously with Singapore Airlines and now sits on the advisory council of PATA.
A social trip sharing platform on WeChat connecting travel businesses and hosts to Chinese users, Wegogo has offices in China, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
The company’s next phase of development includes incorporating blockchain technology to the app-in-app WeChat offering, according to chairman of Wegogo Wong Toon King.
Wegogo’s WeChat app has seen over 5,000 bookings for 400 activities in 10 islands across Asia. With the upcoming launch of Android App, the start-up aims to cover 125 island destinations and offer 16,000 activities by 2020.
Update: The article has been amended to reflect Kathleen Tan’s current position at AirAsia.
