Skyscanner to partner with Chinese search engine Baidu
Travel search site Skyscanner is to partner with Chinese search engine Baidu as it opens an office in Beijing.
The move to open its first office in China has led to the partnership with Baidu, which also had an existing partnership with Chinese travel search site Qunar, of which it owns a majority stake.
Skyscanner, known as Tianxun in China, will now provide its range of international flights to users of Baidu, with its results automatically appearing the search controls. Users will also be able to click through to the airline of their choice in order to make a booking.
Gareth Williams, Co-founder and CEO of Skyscanner, commented: “We look forward to partnering with Baidu to provide the very best in travel search to their many users. Overall in Asia, we fully expect Skyscanner to grow to the size of our European business within a relatively short period and we are investing with this in mind.”
Ewan Gray, Skyscanner’s director for Asia Pacific, added: “The success of our strategy in China comes down to a few things, including our ability to localise website content for the Chinese user, optimising search engine keywords, conducting online marketing campaigns and, not insignificantly, building relationships with China’s leading airlines and online travel agents.”
The company’s regional headquarters will also move to Singapore to accommodate plans to double is headcount over the next year.