Klook's study of 374,000 reviews finds that lesser-known cities create deeper emotional connection with travelers
SINGAPORE, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, finds from traveler reviews that people choose different destinations to fulfil different jobs-to-be-done.
When time is limited, better-known cities serve the role of enabling travelers to step out of their everyday routines efficiently, offering familiarity, convenience, and pace control.
Lesser-known cities fulfil a different job. They let travelers connect with a destination, inviting travelers to experience the place in a more immersive and unstructured way.
All Klook reviews are submitted by verified travelers who completed their experiences, giving Klook a clear view of authentic traveler sentiment at scale.
Travelers to lesser-known cities tell richer stories about their experiences
Reviews of activities and experiences in lesser-known cities stand out for their vivid storytelling and deeper emotional depth, often revealing more of the reviewer's personality, voice, and perspective.
On top of describing the things-they-do, they reflect on the people they met, the moments that surprised them, and the memories that stayed with them.
Experiences in lesser-known cities appear to leave a deeper, longer-lasting impression, extending the joy of travel beyond the trip itself.
Below are five verbatim excerpts from traveler reviews, redacted for readability:
A flight that sparked a passion — Hobart, Australia
Introductory Flying Experience
My Unforgettable Introductory Flight Experience
I had an incredible introductory flight experience in a Cessna, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I arrived, I felt excited and safe under the guidance of professional instructors.
Flying the plane was thrilling! I got a chance to take the controls and learned about the mechanical aspects of the aircraft, which was both fun and educational. The experience offered great value for money, combining excitement with knowledge.
Overall, this adventure has sparked a passion for flying in me. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique experience! |
A wondrous walking tour — Nara, Japan
Temple and Craft Beer Tour
A wonderful guide and a wonderful walking tour… our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly… I took lots of pictures for memories and we learned so much about everything on the tour… he recommended a wonderful beer that I enjoyed greatly at a beautiful brewery… the entire day was amazing and will definitely recommend this tour. |
A paddleboarding trip that shaped the next travel goal — Bohol, Philippines
Napaling Reef Stand-Up Paddle Board Experience
It was a super fun trip. The store should be a professional diving school. We booked a two-person cliff SUP paddle board. There were two instructors for two people. It was super safe, beautiful, fun, and friendly. It was really recommended. I beg everyone to try it. It was so fun that I fainted. I could take a shower after the trip, and they provided clean towels! I plan to learn free diving next time! I recommend it 10,000 times. It is absolutely worth the money! |
A sanctuary experience grounded in care — Chiang Mai, Thailand
Elephant Discovery Experience
Most memorable trip in Chang Mai. It was very touching, and our guide, Nine, is an expert when it comes to elephants. I was teary eyed when I heard the elephants roar, that's before I even saw them. Im 100% sure that the sanctuary is taking good care of them because I saw that they are healthy and very playful. |
*Klook worked with elephant welfare experts to develop an assessment framework that supports higher welfare standards for captive elephants and their local communities. Find them here.
An island escape defined by joy — Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Experience Island Life
This activity is well worth participating in. You can experience different water sports as well as the sun and beach. In addition, the staff's service is outstanding, so I can enjoy the entire vacation without any worries. The food throughout the trip was also very delicious, and there was a dedicated person to help you barbecue. It was a joy to live. There are clean restrooms and shower rooms on the island, and there are soft mattresses, pillows and fans in the tents, so you can get a very good sleep quality. All in all, the fee of more than HK$500 is excellent value for money. |
"We study traveler reviews because they offer a window into what travelers value, and serve as a mirror for Klook to reflect on the quality of our offerings," says David Liu, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Klook.
"Reviews are especially important for high-value travel experiences, where the cost isn't just monetary but also time and opportunity," he says. "Travelers have a limited amount of time in any destination, and reading about others' experiences helps them make more informed decisions about how best to spend those precious resources."
How traveler reviews inform continuous improvement for Klook
Klook analyzes traveler reviews and packaged them into concise, actionable insights to help merchants refine their offerings and raise service standards.
For instance, Klook identified recurring feedback about long wait times — even for travelers with pre-purchased tickets — at a certain venue entrance. This feedback was shared with the merchant, leading to the launch of a premium ticket option that enables fast-track entry. The solution was subsequently productized into a scalable "skip-the-line" feature, now deployed across multiple Klook offerings.
In another instance, Klook found that more than 70% of travelers cited flexible time-slot changes as a key factor in selecting a merchant for timed reservations. In response, Klook introduced "by day" and "by time slot" booking amendment options. This added flexibility benefits both travelers and merchants, allowing travelers to adjust plans easily, while helping merchants reduce no-shows and refund requests.
David says: "By incorporating traveler reviews into product and platform improvements, Klook creates a virtuous loop: supporting merchants, enhancing traveler experiences, and strengthening the broader travel ecosystem."
AI-powered tools to make reviews easier and more accessible to travelers
To encourage more travelers to share feedback, Klook has introduced AI-assisted review tools, including automatic speech recognition and AI text polishing.
These features reduce friction in the review process, making it easier for travelers to share their experiences while preserving the authenticity of each individual voice. The result is richer feedback for future travelers and more actionable insights for merchants. Since its rollout, 75.4% of users who engaged with the feature have submitted a review.
As of 30 September 2025, Klook has accumulated approximately 13 million verified user reviews on its platform.
SOURCE Klook
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