Klook Cofounder Ethan Lin Eyes U.S. Market for Asia's Travel Giant
One of Asia's largest travel platforms targets American travelers for expansion.
1The Founding Story of Klook
Inspired by their challenging Nepal trip, Ethan Lin and Eric Gnock Fah founded Klook after quitting investment banking careers. Recognizing gaps in travel planning, they launched the platform in 2015 with third co-founder Bernie Xiong, creating one of Asia's largest travel platforms.
2From Asia to Global Expansion
Klook initially focused on independent travelers in Asia-Pacific, growing rapidly through their 'FITs' demographic and achieving unicorn status in 2018. Now the company is capitalizing on increasing interest from Western travelers to expand its global footprint.
3Focus on the U.S. Market
Klook's gross transaction volume outside Asia grew 13.4% over three years. The platform sees particular potential with West Coast Americans traveling to Asia, whom CEO Lin identifies as a key demographic in one of their largest markets.
4IPO Plans and Financial Status
Klook filed for a NYSE IPO in late 2025 but delayed to early 2026 due to market conditions. The company reported $407.4 million revenue with $141.5 million loss in the first nine months of 2025, holding less than 1% of the global experiences market.
5Targeting Young Travelers
Klook specifically targets millennials and Gen Z travelers who prioritize unique experiences and are heavily influenced by social media. The platform collaborates with over 30,000 content creators to capitalize on this trend.
6Shifting Travel Trends
Asian outbound travel grew 32% from 2023-2024 according to Visa. Post-pandemic, travelers increasingly seek life-enhancing experiences. India and China are becoming major sources of outbound tourists as their middle classes expand.
7Klook's Future Vision
Klook plans to strengthen its brand through creator collaborations like the 'Kreatorverse' summit. By focusing on young travelers and innovative experiences, the platform aims to shape travel trends and continue its global expansion.
Original article: Fortune | FORTUNE — Klook'un ABD Pazarına Genişleme Stratejisi