How to Make Your OTA Listings Go Viral

Klook’s general manager weighs in on how to optimize your listings, the importance of video content, and the types of experiences that perform best, at Arival Activate | Bangkok 2023

Reading Time: 1 minute 40 seconds

by | 11 July 2023

PARTNER POST | SPONSORED by Klook

With online travel agencies (OTAs) the fastest growing channel for distribution, getting found on OTAs becomes increasingly important for operators of tours, activities and attractions. 

After the “OTA Town Hall” at Arival Activate | Bangkok, which was one of the liveliest and most well-attended sessions, I caught up with one of the panelists — Nathan Szabo, General Manager for Europe, Americas, Middle East & India at Klook. 

He offered some insights on how operators can “go viral” on Klook by increasing conversion levels, optimizing your content and listings, participating in campaigns and promotions, and benchmarking yourself against your competition. 

Szabo emphasized the importance of including video and images on product description listings and finding ways to differentiate yourself in order to stand out above your competition by offering different, unique traveler experiences. 

He also shared some insights on what types of experiences are performing best on the platform, and the things that seem to be growing in popularity among travelers, such as outdoor experiences, culinary experiences, and the growing focus on sustainability. 

Watch the full conversation here:

Nathan Szabo from Klook offers insights on how operators can ensure their listings stand out on OTAs at Arival Activate | Bangkok in June 2023
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The OTA Town Hall at Arival Activate | Bangkok featured senior representatives from GetYourGuide, BeMyGuest, Grasshopper Adventures and Merlin Entertainments in addition to Klook, and was the most attended breakout session of the entire conference.  

Watch the full on-demand recording of the OTA Town Hall (coming soon!) with an Insider Pro Access membership. 

Better yet, join us at the upcoming Arival 360 | Orlando this October to dig deeper into working with OTAs and other distribution channels, and so much more. We hope to see you there!

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Tags: ota, klook, video, Featured, Interview, online travel agency, Arival Activate | Bangkok, optimize your listings, Nathan Szabo, Conversations At Arival

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

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