A Look at Worldwide Hotels: Cruising New Waves in Tourism and Hospitality

In a highly competitive industry like hospitality, differentiation is key to success. Owning and managing 41 hotels and over 8,000 rooms in Singapore, Worldwide Hotels has carved out a unique position in the market by offering value-driven accommodation options that cater to a wide range of travelers, from budget-conscious individuals to mid-tier guests. However, with an increasing demand for unique experiences and evolving travel behaviors, staying ahead of the competition requires more than just offering affordable rooms.

The collaboration between Klook and Worldwide Hotels started during the pandemic, a time of global uncertainty. The partnership was initially sparked by Singapore’s SingapoRediscover Vouchers (SRV) initiative, aimed at boosting domestic tourism, where Klook was one of the authorized booking partners.

“The SRV initiative raised Klook’s profile significantly in the hospitality sector. Before then, we weren’t as familiar with Klook, but the initiative proved they were a serious player,” adds Poh Yong. Since then, the partnership has yielded impressive results, showcasing the power of strategic alliances in the new travel landscape.

With traditional travel patterns disrupted during the pandemic, Worldwide Hotels recognized the need to diversify its guest profile. "The few pandemic years have caused changes to the profile of guests we receive. They have adapted to new lifestyles, now have different needs and wants, and shifted their traveling patterns,” says Poh Yong.

Working with Klook has opened doors to new origin markets, particularly for younger demographics. One of the key markets identified for expansion is the Philippines, a region where Worldwide Hotels wished to be more established. This expansion into new markets is not just about increasing occupancy rates but also about establishing a brand presence that resonates with diverse customer segments.

He adds, “We want to strengthen our presence in the Philippines leveraging Klook’s marketing capabilities to raise awareness. For us, it's important to reach out to younger generations. Klook has helped us refresh our customer base and stay relevant.”

Klook has been a game-changer for Worldwide Hotels by introducing experience bundling, a relatively new concept for the hotel group. Traditionally, online travel agencies (OTAs) and hotels have focused on bundling rooms with flights or other basic travel services. However, Klook’s approach of bundling rooms with experiences, such as concert tickets and attractions, has opened up new avenues for attracting customers.

This new bundling strategy has been particularly successful for Worldwide Hotels’ properties located near popular concert venues, such as Singapore’s National Stadium and Indoor Stadium. By offering concert-goers accommodation packages that included tickets to high-demand events—like performances by K-pop group aespa—Worldwide Hotels capitalized on its prime location to draw in practical travelers seeking convenience.

It has not only generated a new wave of experience-driven customers but also provided valuable insights into the evolving travel preferences of younger generations to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market.

“We want to present ourselves as a viable option for people who want to come to Singapore for concerts or other reasons, and allow them to find accommodation with good value. Even though this is only our first encounter for bundling, this has brought us some pleasant surprises. Our guests appreciate the convenience of staying close to the venue, and this is a unique advantage that we’ve been able to capitalize on thanks to our partnership with Klook," says Poh Yong.

With Klook's partnership, Worldwide Hotels has seen successful evidence of the collaboration, experiencing more than a threefold increase in year-on-year bookings.

One of the key takeaways from this collaboration has been the importance of staying agile and open to new ideas. The rise of social media and short-form content has transformed the way people plan their travels, and that has also inspired Worldwide Hotels to consider innovative marketing strategies. Recognizing the power of social media and influencer marketing, Worldwide Hotels is exploring new avenues to reach younger social-savvy audiences and appeal to the Gen Z demographic.

The Klook Kreator program, which partners with content creators to promote destinations and hotels, has become a key aspect of their marketing strategy. Leveraging Klook’s extensive network of global Kreators, Worldwide Hotels can tap on them to not only create engaging content but also drive bookings through their social media posts, offering valuable returns on this investment.

By embracing change and innovation, the efforts between Worldwide Hotels and Klook illustrate a key trend in the travel industry: the increasing importance of experiences and the power of collaboration to attract new audiences. 

And the secret to thriving? "The travel industry is constantly evolving, and so are the preferences of travelers. It’s essential to keep re-examining your strategies and finding new ways to attract and retain customers. Working with partners like Klook, who understand these shifts and can offer tailored solutions, is key to long-term success," he adds.

Looking towards the future, Worldwide Hotels is optimistic about their industry position and will continue catering to the growing demand for experiential travel and focus on market expansion. What lies ahead may be uncertain, but for Worldwide Hotels who is willing to push the boundaries to innovate and collaborate, it's full of exciting possibilities.