# Tech-Focused Travel Agencies ZANADU Opened Its First Brick-and-Mortar Location in Shanghai By Joey Haar | Published 2017-10-30 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zanadu References: [retaildesignblog.net](http://retaildesignblog.net/2017/02/28/zanadu-travel-experience-space-by-shishang-architecture-shanghai-china/) Though physical travel agencies are commonplace in North America, the Chinese travel industry is far younger, and so the new brick-and-mortar store from startup agency ZANADU is a surprising concept for many Chinese consumers. Most of the activity in the Chinese travel industry is conducted online, but with its [futuristic store](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espacio-movistar) ZANADU hopes to attract customers while also giving them a physical manifestation of the image that the brand represents. ZANADU's brick-and-mortar store is aesthetically inspired by the digital realm whence it was birthed, with pixelated clouds hanging overhead and more color-shifting pixel boxes strewn throughout the space. The space also holds with [20 interactive cubes outfitted with touchscreens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/experience-stores), each of which offers a virtual journey across some foreign land. Every experience in the store is connected to [WeChat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scotch-soda) and QR codes that channel customers into ZANADU's CRM system, ensuring that the company is equipped to leverage every interaction. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Rise of Brick-and-mortar Travel Agencies:** The opening of ZANADU's brick-and-mortar store highlights a trend of physical travel agencies emerging in the Chinese travel industry. - **Integration of Digital and Physical Experiences:** ZANADU's interactive store showcases the trend of blending digital and physical elements to enhance the customer experience in the travel industry. - **Leveraging CRM and Data Analytics:** ZANADU's use of WeChat and QR codes to connect customers to its CRM system exemplifies the trend of utilizing customer data and analytics to optimize travel agency operations. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Travel Agencies:** The emergence of ZANADU's brick-and-mortar store signals an opportunity for travel agencies to explore new ways of engaging customers through physical locations. - **Retail:** ZANADU's innovative store design and interactive experiences provide inspiration for the retail industry to reimagine traditional storefronts and offer immersive customer experiences. - **Data Analytics:** The integration of CRM systems and data analytics in ZANADU's brick-and-mortar store suggests opportunities for the data analytics industry to provide insights and solutions for travel agencies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Experiential Airline Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emirates-world-travel-store.md) - [Digital Travel Retail Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-travel-retail.md) - [Shoppable Travel Storefronts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expedia-travel-shops.md) - [GenAI Travel Agencies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archers-ai-travel-agency.md) - [Futuristic Commerce Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deji-plaza-phase-ii.md) - [Instant Accommodation Bookings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-travel-agent.md) - [Flight Center Cannabis Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/union-square.md) - [AI Travel Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/extraordinary-is-out-there.md) - [Cannabis Store Rebrands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cannabis-store.md)