CheapTickets launches Thai website, eyes Asia
The online air-ticket market is growing more dynamic after Amsterdam-based CheapTickets, the world's third biggest operator for corporate travel, unveiled its Thai website last Friday.
Thailand is the third nation in Asia for the launch, after Hong Kong and Singapore. CheapTickets, which is part of Travix International, came to Asia last year because its established markets in North America and Europe were wallowing in recession. Asia is a fast-growing region, offering a huge opportunity for the travel business.
Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company, secured a foothold in Thailand with its Thai website earlier this year.
Andre Hesselink, president of Travix International, said last week that Thailand shows great potential. There are few players in the market and the economy is on the move, which leads to people travelling more. There are also more airlines, both low-cost and full-service, flying here.
In view of trade integration under the Asean Economic Community coming up in 2015, the travel business would be gaining altitude, following on its success in the European Union, where visa barriers were dismantled and airlines were given more chances to fly to every point in the region.
Buying air tickets online is still not commonplace in Asia, where Internet penetration is 25-30 per cent. Only 5 per cent of Internet users in Thailand have clicked to order a ticket online, while in Singapore it is 15-20 per cent and in North America and Europe it is up to 40-50 per cent.
CheapTickets’ local websites will appear in India and China next year. The next step is the Philippines and Indonesia. In four years, Asia will hopefully account for half of the company’s sales, with China and India the big contributors.
With www.CheapTickets.co.th, the firm wants to become the leader in Thailand in a few years. In Singapore, it is second, selling 250-300 tickets a day, behind Zuji, an American company.
CheapTickets’ competitive advantages are a good search engine and an easy-to-use website. More importantly, it is very informative for doubtful buyers. The company claims that 75 per cent of the tickets on offer would be quoted at the best airfare.
Travix operates in 16 nations under six brands, including BudgetAir, EasyToBook, Vayama, Vliewinkel, Flugladen. Some countries like Britain and Germany use two brands. In Thailand, expanding brands would depend on market demand.
The firm has worked with 400-500 airlines globally, including Thai Airways International. Now it is in talks to list Nok Air and Orient Thai.
