Travel distribution platform, TBO.com, is actively expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific, in alignment with its ambitious goal of becoming the largest travel distribution platform in the region by 2025.
Vijayeta James, who assumed the role of commercial director for Asia-Pacific and China in 2022, has been instrumental in driving this growth strategy.
She told TTG Asia that plans are right on track.
TBO.com’s Asia expansion began with the establishment of a fully equipped office in Kuala Lumpur in November 2022, dedicated to sales, contracting, and local operations.
A mere three months later, an office was opened in Indonesia; an office in Seoul follows this month.
Notably, TBO.com has maintained a presence in Shanghai since 2019, despite challenging times during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Next year, there are plans to establish three more full-fledged offices in Asia-Pacific – details will come later.
Simultaneously, there are intentions to double the workforce in existing offices, with the aim of significantly improving client services.
Additionally, TBO.com has broadened its offerings this year by introducing Umra packages, targeting agents selling pilgrimage arrangements to travellers in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Southern Thailand.
The company is also actively exploring potential acquisitions in the market, including local DMCs and regional travel distribution companies.
Vijayeta highlighted significant opportunities in the region: “Presently, 80 per cent of travellers are regional, but with the gradual addition of longhaul capacity to the market, we envision that from 2H2024, there will be substantial growth in longhaul business, both inbound and outbound.”
This aligns well with TBO.com’s strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
