The 2013 Entrepreneur China 100 Annual Awards Ceremony concluded successfully in Beijing on November 26. Youduoduo Travel Network, the largest Chinese self-guided travel service platform in China, was honored with the prestigious title of China's Top 100 Most Innovative Growth Enterprises of the Year for its innovative development model and rapid growth in recent years. Established in 2006, Youduoduo Travel Network is dedicated to creating a self-guided travel service center that integrates online information and offline services for travelers, offering services such as travel guide searches, travelogue sharing, finding travel companions, and accommodation bookings. To date, the website has amassed 6 million members, making it one of the leading self-guided travel booking websites in China.
Most travel enthusiasts yearn for freedom, whereas the unchanging service models and monotonous travel routes offered by traditional travel agencies often go against consumers' true desires. As someone who shares this passion for travel, Miao Wan’er, the founder and CEO of Youduoduo Travel Network, saw the immense potential of the self-guided travel market through the eager aspirations of travelers. Thus, in 2006, Miao stepped into the then uncharted territory of self-guided travel, giving birth to Youduoduo Travel Network.
After interacting with self-guided travel enthusiasts for nearly two years, Youduoduo discovered that travelers’ needs and expectations for accommodation had far surpassed those for attractions and food, becoming an indispensable part of their travel planning. Compared to the uniform layouts of urban chain hotels and the noisy surroundings, self-guided travel enthusiasts prefer the quiet and rustic charm of rural homestays near scenic spots. For them, accommodation is not just a physical necessity but also a mental and emotional enjoyment. Recognizing the travel habit of self-guided tourists to book accommodations in advance and the relatively underdeveloped promotional environment of the lodging industry, Youduoduo Travel Network launched its lodging booking service in 2008. This provided a showcase platform for rural guesthouses while solving the problem of finding unique accommodations for travelers, building a perfect bridge between supply and demand. To date, Youduoduo works with over 20,000 rural guesthouses, processes more than 5,000 orders daily, and holds a leading position in the guesthouse accommodation booking industry.
In recent years, with the widespread use of smartphones, self-guided travel enthusiasts have shifted much of their focus—from needs and sharing, to finding travel companions or making payments—from PCs to mobile devices. Travel has become more spontaneous, and services must follow suit. Following the major launch of the Youduoduo app at the end of 2012, in June 2013, the mobile booking and payment functions for accommodations were also successfully introduced. Travelers can download the Youduoduo mobile app or visit m.yododo.cn to book rural guesthouses anytime, anywhere. Youduoduo strives to offer the perfect service where “with Youduoduo in hand, self-guided travel is worry-free.”
The rapid growth of Youduoduo has attracted not only fellow self-guided travel enthusiasts but also venture capitalists constantly seeking high-potential returns. In mid-November 2013, Youduoduo Travel Network announced that it had secured tens of millions of RMB in Series A funding from Gobi Partners. This successful investment round also reflects how the fast-growing niche of lodging bookings is gradually gaining recognition and favor from the capital market. Miao Wan’er stated: “The company has been developing steadily, and we’re very pleased that investors are turning their attention to the niche of lodging bookings. This funding will enable us to further enhance the user experience on our website and integrate domestic lodging resources. Youduoduo will provide self-guided travelers with even more competitive lodging and other services.”
“For everything you want in self-guided travel, we’ve got you covered.” Guided by this entrepreneurial philosophy, Youduoduo continuously strives for improvement, aiming to perfect its already well-established services such as travel guides, finding travel companions, and accommodation bookings. Seven years of effort have not only earned it widespread acclaim within and outside the industry but have also made today’s recognition as one of “China’s Top 100 Most Innovative Growth Enterprises of the Year” well-deserved. It is reported that Youduoduo has also launched offline services for self-guided travelers, including car rentals and discounted attraction tickets. Enjoy self-guided travel—Youduoduo is your destination, not just now, but for the future.