RateHawk, an online system designed for booking hotels, air tickets, and transfers for travel professionals, has initiated operations across the Asian region with a new headquarters established in Singapore.
This strategic move aims to target travel agents in the rapidly expanding Asian market by offering an advanced booking tool tailored to local needs.
The launch of the Singapore hub marks a significant step for RateHawk, positioning the company as a notable player in the industry within the region. The platform allows local travel agents, operators, travel management companies (TMCs), and other industry professionals access to a variety of travel services.
Services include booking over 2.5 million accommodations globally, flights from more than 400 airlines, transfers across 150 countries, car rentals, FIT bookings, and group reservations. The platform supports the Thai, Chinese, and Korean languages, with dedicated support lines available in Thai and Korean during business hours and a multi-language support line operational 24/7.
The establishment of a legal entity in Singapore aims to simplify payment processes, thereby minimising additional costs related to currency exchange rates. Travel professionals will benefit from the ability to make payments in several local currencies, namely the Singapore Dollar (SGD), Thai Baht (THB), and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
Felix Shpilman, CEO of Emerging Travel Group, commented on the strategic expansion: "The preliminary market evaluation revealed a strong demand among travel industry players for a user-friendly, comprehensive B2B platform offering a full range of services at competitive terms, powered by advanced technology and high-quality support. Our early operations in the region have demonstrated the product-market fit of RateHawk in Asia. Therefore, we are now ready to elevate our operations and establish a robust presence in the region."
"We expect that our new legal entity in Singapore will significantly enhance the user experience for partners in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. For us, launching this hub means laying the foundation to become the leading preferred B2B booking platform in Asia. We will continue to further localise the product and ensure full coverage of the entire region."
RateHawk's entry into the market is supported by a dedicated commercial team comprising over 30 individuals within the business development and sales departments, overseeing activities in South-East, South, and East Asia. Each registered partner with RateHawk is assigned an account manager to facilitate onboarding, customise contract settings, and assist with financial matters. The company plans to expand the team further to ensure comprehensive support across the continent, given the potential of the B2B travel sector in Asia.
Jennifer Chua, Head of Business Development South-East Asia, added: "RateHawk is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of travel agencies and operators of all sizes, including collaborations through API and tech platforms. Our extensive 2.5 million strong accommodation supply spans over 220 countries, with particularly strong coverage in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, which are in high demand among local travel professionals."
Chua further revealed plans for 2024, mentioning a focus on strengthening the team and scaling the business in Asia by increasing local reach. RateHawk will participate in several major regional travel fairs, including ITB Asia, to showcase its advanced solutions tailored for the local market.
