You’ve tried it all—Facebook ads, SEO, curated Instagram posts. But the cost per click keeps climbing, attention spans are shrinking, and that “book now” button isn’t getting hit like it used to.
Meanwhile, you’re seeing whispers (or maybe shouts) about livestreaming blowing up in Asia’s travel market. Hotel tours on TikTok. Flash sales on Fliggy. Influencers taking audiences through the streets of Kyoto or the beaches of Bali—in real time. And the craziest part? People are actually booking.
So you're now wondering: Is this just another passing trend? Or is there something here I should be paying attention to?
Here’s the thing—livestreaming isn’t a gimmick. It’s a high-converting, engagement-rich channel that travel companies across Asia are using to shorten the path from scroll to sale.
In this article, you’ll see exactly how they’re doing it. You’ll get seven real strategies being used by Asian travel brands right now—complete with examples, context, and ideas you can adapt for your own campaigns.
Whether you're running marketing for an OTA, hotel group, or destination brand, this is the blueprint to rethink how you engage today’s travelers.
Why Livestreaming Is Booming in Asian Travel Marketing
Let’s cut to it—Asia’s not just ahead when it comes to travel tech. In many ways, it’s rewriting the rulebook entirely. And livestreaming? It’s right at the center of that shift.
In countries like China, Thailand, and Indonesia, livestreaming isn’t just entertainment—it’s commerce. Platforms like Fliggy (Alibaba’s travel arm), Trip.com, and Klook have tapped into livestreams to do what static ads and travel blogs can’t: build real-time connection, create urgency, and convert that buzz into bookings.
Here’s what’s fueling the rise:
1. Consumer Behavior Is Already There
Asian consumers are highly mobile-first and already accustomed to livestream shopping for everything from skincare to snacks. Travel fits right in. They're used to interacting with hosts, asking questions live, and making fast purchase decisions on-stream.
2. Trust Is Built in Real Time
Seeing a hotel room or destination live removes uncertainty. It’s not a polished promo video—it’s raw, unedited, and honest. That transparency builds trust fast. And in a post-COVID world, trust is everything.
3. FOMO Is a Powerful Booking Driver
Livestreams often include limited-time offers, countdowns, or exclusive deals. It’s like a flash sale with an audience watching—and booking—in real time. The urgency is baked in.
4. Influencer Power Meets Actionable Content
When a popular travel influencer takes viewers on a real-time street food tour in Hanoi, it’s not just aspirational. It’s shoppable! Platforms now integrate booking buttons directly into livestreams, turning inspiration into action with a tap.
5. Platforms Are Pushing It Hard
Chinese platforms like Taobao Live, Douyin (TikTok China), and Fliggy are doubling down on livestream features. Meanwhile, Klook and Trip.com are investing heavily in their own livestream channels, with some reporting double-digit growth in bookings tied directly to livestream campaigns.
Livestreaming in Asia isn’t just working—it’s redefining how travel is marketed and sold. And if you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind.
7 Strategies for Tour Operators to Jump to the Livestreaming Trends
Strategy #1: Real-Time Hotel Room Tours
Instead of relying on polished photos, travel brands in Asia are going live to give viewers unfiltered hotel room tours. Hosted by staff or influencers, these livestreams walk through different room types, amenities, and views—while answering questions in real time.
It turns passive browsing into active engagement. This builds trust quickly. With travelers more cautious than ever, seeing the actual space live removes doubt.
The result? Thousands of bookings in under an hour—driven purely by a smartphone and a strong sense of connection.
Strategy #2: Flash Sales via Livestream Events
Livestreaming creates urgency—and travel brands in Asia are using that to power flash sales. These high-energy, limited-time events feature hosts promoting exclusive travel deals, like hotel stays or attraction passes, often for just a few hours or minutes.
Viewers can ask questions, see the offer in action, and book directly through the stream. The mix of live engagement and countdown deals fuels serious FOMO—especially when the host says, “Only 10 left!”
One standout example comes from Klook, which hosted a series of livestream flash sales featuring discounted theme park tickets, hotel stays, and dining packages.
By combining slick visuals with live Q&A and countdown timers, they created a shopping event vibe—one that felt urgent, entertaining, and action-driven. The result? Massive spikes in real-time bookings, often selling out featured deals within minutes.
Strategy #3: Influencer-Led Destination Showcases
Asian travel brands are partnering with influencers to livestream real-time destination experiences. Instead of polished ads, these are unscripted, immersive tours—like food walks in Bangkok or sunset cruises in Bali—where viewers can ask questions and even book on the spot.
Fliggy mastered this by hosting a livestream from Kyoto during cherry blossom season. A Chinese influencer answered live questions about hotels and dining, leading to a surge in bookings for Kyoto tours.
By making travel feel personal and interactive, this strategy turns inspiration into instant action.
Strategy #4: Behind-the-Scenes with Local Guides
While influencers offer reach, local guides bring depth—and that’s exactly why travel brands in Asia are putting them front and center in livestreams. These streams go beyond the tourist spots, offering a raw, insider perspective you can’t get from a brochure.
Local guides take viewers through hidden alleys, introduce them to street vendors, or explain cultural traditions in real time. The experience feels more intimate and authentic, which builds trust and sparks curiosity. Viewers can ask questions, get local tips, and connect emotionally with the destination.
For example, Trip.com has used livestreams led by local guides in Vietnam and Thailand to highlight food tours, night markets, and heritage sites. These sessions not only entertained viewers—they drove bookings for the exact tours featured, all from within the stream.
It’s a low-cost, high-impact way to show off a destination’s personality—and make it bookable in the moment.
Strategy #5: Interactive Q&A for Travel Planning
Livestreaming isn’t just about showcasing destinations—it’s a powerful tool for reducing booking hesitation. Interactive Q&A sessions let travelers ask real-time questions about visas, family-friendly activities, or the best travel dates, eliminating the need to search elsewhere.
Hosted by local experts or travel consultants, these sessions feel more like conversations than sales pitches, making travelers more confident in booking. Klook uses this strategy effectively, hosting livestreams where they build sample itineraries based on viewer input and offer exclusive deals on the spot.
By combining helpful insights with instant booking options, this strategy turns engagement into conversions.
Strategy #6: Festival or Event Livestreaming
Festivals and cultural events already attract interest, but livestreaming them turns that interest into bookings. Travel brands in Asia are using real-time event coverage to create urgency, inspire travelers, and drive sales.
A host or local guide livestreams from major events like Songkran in Thailand or cherry blossom season in Japan, offering viewers a front-row experience with travel tips and exclusive deals. Seeing the energy of a packed festival builds FOMO, especially when paired with a call to action like “Book now for next year’s event.”
Trip.com used this strategy at the Harbin Ice Festival, showcasing sculptures and performances while offering bundled ticket and hotel deals. The result? A surge in bookings from viewers eager to experience it firsthand.
By livestreaming events, brands don’t just promote destinations—they make audiences feel like they need to be there.
Strategy #7: Cross-Border Livestreaming Partnerships
Travel brands in Asia are teaming up across borders to co-host livestreams that reach wider, more targeted audiences. These partnerships—between OTAs, tourism boards, hotels, and influencers—combine local content with international reach.
For example, a tourism board in Japan might partner with a Chinese platform like Fliggy to livestream a local food tour to Chinese viewers. The stream is hosted in Mandarin, includes booking links, and feels tailored to that specific audience.
One standout example: Trip.com collaborated with South Korea’s tourism board to host livestreams aimed at Chinese travelers. The streams featured Korean guides showing off local spots in Seoul, while Trip.com’s host handled questions and bookings in Mandarin. This helped bridge the gap between cultures—and boosted bookings by delivering a seamless experience to the viewer.
Laatste gedachten
Livestreaming is no longer just a trend—it’s a proven strategy helping travel brands across Asia drive bookings, build trust, and connect with audiences in real time. Whether it’s hotel tours, flash sales, or destination showcases, the format feels personal, interactive, and urgent.
You don’t need a big budget to get started. A phone, a good host, and a clear offer can go a long way. What matters most is showing the real experience and creating a sense of connection and exclusivity. And with cross-border collaborations on the rise, livestreaming is also a smart way to reach new markets and international travelers.
In a crowded digital space, this could be the edge that sets your brand apart—and turns viewers into guests.
