Zuzu Hospitality, a Singapore-based hospitality tech startup, is expanding its services to Vietnam amid the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The startup provides revenue management and distribution solutions to independent hotels, and is currently working with over 2,000 hotel partners across eight markets in the Asia Pacific region.
It has grown threefold since the beginning of last year. The company had expanded its operations to Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand in 2019.
“We enjoyed a strong year, and our performance validates our approach. We believe in focusing on the right things, delivering meaningful value for our hotel partners, and growing responsibly,” Zuzu Hospitality co-founder Vikram Malhi said in a statement.
To smoothen their process in penetrating the Vietnamese market, the company has appoint Ho Vu Phuong Chi and Nhung Nguyen as the new head of sales and country manager respectively of its Vietnam operations. Ho and Nhung will be immediately tasked with acquiring independent hotel partners in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Hanoi.
“Between our recent hires and the staff that have been with us since the beginning, we have now assembled a strong team of leaders. We’re confident their skills and experience will continue to fuel our growth in the region,” added Malhi.
With the COVID-19 crisis severely impacting tourism throughout the world, 2020 is widely expected to be a challenging year for the hospitality industry. Independent hotels, which are unable to diversify their online pipelines are among those at greatest risk. More than ever, it is vital for hoteliers to become discoverable on platforms such as Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). In light of this global crisis, the hotel industry has taken a hit, and it will take new approaches, channels, and attention to mitigate the situation. Zuzu Hospitality helps these small players by equipping them with the latest technologies and skilled resources.
“Our data-driven online revenue management and distribution services are even more necessary, valuable, and urgent during this period, as they can help independent hotels access new channels of demand to mitigate the losses of current travelers,” said Dan Lynn, Zuzu Hospitality’s co-founder.