Travel and hospitality is a sector comprising many services that aim to enhance the journey of people with safety and make it a memorable one. The interest of people in the exploration of new places, this sector has improved and made access to travel a lot easier than before. It helps individuals travel and explore different cultures, landscapes, and cuisines. The travel industry comprises several modes like air, rail, road, and sea travel.
In Taiwan tourism is one of the sectors that contribute largely to the country’s economy. With the effect of COVID and the lockdown due to restrictions on traveling Taiwan has seen less reduction in the economy and 2019 it has contributed 4.4% of its GDP. This also has resulted in a smaller number of visitors, in turn, has seen less income from that sector. One of the companies which were started to enhance the travel and lodging experience of the traveler in Taiwan is ‘AsiaYo’. In this article let us discuss the entrepreneurial journey and the challenges faced by the founder Chao-Kang Cheng in making AsiaYo a successful company with a strong foundation.
Chao-Kang Cheng: Founder & CEO
Chao-Kang Cheng has a vast experience in his career journey in different roles and responsibilities. He is a graduate of BA degree in the stream of Electronic Engineering from Taiwan National Chiao-Tung University. He completed his master’s degree from HEC Paris. Later he held the role of the Head of Research at CLAS, which is the leading investment group in Asia. This company has a high reputation in the market of Asia, which is a Hong Kong-based one. After that, CK Cheng has around 15 years of experience in the role of the research team which used to analyze semiconductors, digital components, and other various IT components.
CK Cheng has worked in other companies of capital and management consultancies like AsiaTech, Stern Stewart & Co, etc. Later he made up his mind to start his own company which is based on recommending the best lodges to travelers and helping them enjoy their tours. AsiaYo was started in the year 2013, CK Cheng is a founder and serves the role of CEO in the company. The company has its operations across different countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It has eventually from the start year, made its establishment in the market accounting for a team of 100 people initially, and now has around 300,000 people.
About AsiaYo
AsiaYo is the most popular and famous vacation rental online company in Asia which provides a multi-language experience and support to customers. It provides recommendations for lodges with affordable prices and focuses on the vision of becoming a customer-centered company and the best online travel agency in Asia. It has differentiated from others by having unique designs of around 60,000 and covering almost 60 cities in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, etc.
AsiaYo has gained more than 2 million visitors monthly on the website and 200,000 members, It also makes around 18,000 bookings per month. AsiaYo has also attracted international customers but has a strong existence in the Asia region and it connects with local people who wish to rent the unutilized space for outsiders and travelers to explore Asia with cost-effective service.
The service provided by them includes free service which does not take any fees booking and handling process. They aim to offer unique stays for both family and friends with easy booking and accommodation services. To make an improved user experience it is made mobile friendly which is easy to use and content is personalized according to user choice.
The important key feature is the availability of websites in multiple languages, hence enhancing the user’s understanding and relating to their choice. The company has created partnerships with other companies like Shopback, VacationStay, Shinseage, LinePay, Shopee, and many more. One can visit the website and access services available at various locations. CK Cheng with the use of technology and an online business model approach has made access to information easy and has solved the issues of accommodation, hence making the tours enjoyable and memorable with their family and friends.