#Asia Taiwanese online travel marketplace KKday expands to Malaysia; betting big on the growing Malay, Chinese communities

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KKDay provides consumers with over 6,000 travel experiences from 53 countries and 170 cities all over the world

KKDay, an online travel marketplace headquartered in Taiwan, has announced expansion into Malaysia with an aim to dominate the US$5 million travel and tourism market in the country.

According to the company, wanderlust for travel among Malaysians, a growing population and a thriving economy are among the key factors that KKday has chosen to expand into the country.

Also Read: Alibaba to facilitate cross-border e-commerce trade between Malaysia and China

“The expanding Malay and Chinese communities in Malaysia serve as the driving impetus for our expansion into the country. Much of Malaysia remains unrepresented in the global tourism market and the country’s growing population and thriving economy means that people will be more willing to spend on short escapes,” KKday CEO Ming Chen said. “Ultimately we wish to become the number one choice of tours and activities for Malaysian DIY travellers when they travel abroad.”

The CEO added that Islamic tourism will be playing a significant role in KKDay’s expansion. Islamic tourism is a part of KKDay’s agenda and it will be developing sightseeing tours and unique customer experiences exclusively catered to the needs of Muslim travellers. The multicultural and ethnic market of both Chinese and Muslim tourists offers the perfect environment for KKDay to grow, Chen opined.

The company officially debuted its online travel platform in Malaysia on April 19th with its #flywithpama campaign to Taiwan. A prize of 5-day, 4-night stay in Taiwan with three family members awaits the winner.

KKDay CEO Ming Chen

Launched in 2014, KKday is an e-commerce platform that allows users to connect with local tours from all over the world. The startup primarily focus on destinations in Asia but has also extended to Europe and America, providing travellers with over 6,000 travel experiences from 53 countries and 170 cities all over the world.

Also Read: 27 Asian startups that kick ass

Since launch, KKday also has expanded operations into Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Last December, KKday secured $7 million in Series A+ funding led by Singapore VC firm Monk Hill Ventures and AppWorks, with participation from Mindworks Ventures, Cathay Ventures and Substances Capital. Previously, the startup has raised US$4.5 million Series A from AppWorks and 91Capital in March 2016.

A travel industry veteran, Chen is also founder if eztravel.com.tw (acquired by Chinese travel agency Ctrip) and co-founder of startravel.com.tw (went public in 2008). In 2010, Chen took over ezfly.com and led the company to list in three years.

Image Credit: KKDay

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