INTERVIEW: Zuji HK to tap into offline travel sales

In Hong Kong, Zuji has a number of competitors, namely Priceline, Expedia, and Webjet. But the online travel operator prides itself on the comprehensive nature of its offerings, saying that the other players are strong in only single lines of business, with partnerships with either hotels or low-cost airlines. 

Zuji, as Wong points out, differentiates its brand with its dynamic packaging tool, which allows travellers to mix and match accommodation and flight options in the most attractive combination possible, with real-time confirmations.

Travel has not been affected by the downturn in the global economy, according to Wong. In fact, Zuji's internal statistics saw a 70 per cent increase in bookings compared to Christmas in 2010, and a 20 per cent year-on-year growth rate for Chinese New Year.

Wong feels Hong Kongers are "rather forgetful” when it comes to crises. Despite the peak of the European sovereign debt crisis happening around September, the local travel scene seems to have bounced back and was “fine and dandy” by January, according to Wong, with trips booked to more diverse destinations like Buenos Aires, Nairobi, Pusan, Iceland, Kenya, Scandinavia and Lhasa.