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Agoda eyes domestic tourists with GoLocal Tonight, HygienePlus
Agoda's GoLocal Tonight and HygienePlus aim to provide flexibility and comfort for its customers when making a reservation.
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First launched in 2005, the Singapore-based Agoda has offered more than 2.5 million properties in more than 200 countries and regions. (shutterstock.com/I AM NIKOM/File)
T
raveling domestically has become the preference for people looking to kick back and relax after being stuck at home for months as international borders remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a GoLocal Domestic Travel survey in June, conducted by Kantar Profiles Network by market research firm Kantar and commissioned by travel platform Agoda, 76 percent of Indonesians were eager to explore local areas in the next 12 months. Bali topped the ranking of the most desirable tourist destinations, followed by Jakarta and Yogyakarta in the second and third positions, respectively.
“It’s good news for the travel industry in Indonesia as people are ready to have staycations,” said Agoda’s country director for Indonesia Gunawan during a press conference on Tuesday. “Those who live in Jakarta can take staycations in the capital, while those who reside in Surabaya [East Java] can take staycations in the city or Malang.”
Agoda is targeting the domestic market in the country by rolling out several features, including GoLocal Tonight and HygienePlus, which have been implemented by its accommodation partners.
GoLocal Tonight is an extension of the platform’s GoLocal feature that was launched in June to stimulate domestic tourism. GoLocal Tonight allows travelers to get additional discounts of up to 30 percent for same-day booking. “For instance, if I book an accommodation and stay there at the same day – no matter how long, then I’m eligible to get the discount,” Gunawan said.
Gunawan added that the feature was beneficial for Agoda’s accommodation partners, particularly to lure guests who make last-minute bookings. “Amid the pandemic, our customers are really cautious in making a reservation and they tend to do it at the last minute,” he said.
Another feature, HygienePlus, aims to answer travelers’ concerns about sanitary measures, comfort and health during their trip. HygienePlus consists of criteria that must be fulfilled by hotels following the local administration’s standards aligned with the government’s cleanliness, health, safety and environment (CHSE) measures. Around 3,000 hotels apply the feature and have received the “HygienePlus” label on Agoda’s page.
“Hotels in the HygienePlus [feature] are responsible for their guests’ comfort and safety amid the COVID-19 situation,” Gunawan said, adding that their accommodation partners across the archipelago were constantly monitored.
Launched in 2005, the Singapore-based Agoda features more than 2.5 million properties in more than 200 countries and regions. It also has the EasyCancel feature that allows customers to book and cancel free of charge less than 24 hours prior to their arrival. (wng)
