Shanghai Maitian Culture Communication
Booking platform for experiential family-focused activities.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
* | CNY20.0m | Series C | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Shanghai Maitian Culture Communication, operating as Maitao.com, is a booking platform specializing in parent-child activities and travel, primarily targeting families with children aged 3-12. The company was founded in Shanghai in 2014 by Xie Zhen, the former COO of the online travel agency eLong. He identified a niche in the market for experience-based family tourism, launching the venture initially from a WeChat group for alumni of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).
The platform offers a wide array of products, including tickets to theme parks and exhibitions, family-friendly hotel packages, educational workshops, and both domestic and international study tours and camps. Its business model is centered on providing a curated selection of activities, acting as an online travel agency (OTA) that connects families with various service providers. Maitao generates revenue by taking a commission on bookings made through its platform, which is accessible via its website and mobile apps. The company emphasizes experiential learning and growth through its 'Tongqu Academy' (Kid's Hobby Academy), which features themed activities such as museum nights and professional experience workshops.
Maitao has expanded its operations through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, such as the full acquisition of Wuhan-based Daocaoren Camp in 2015 to enter the central China market. The company has successfully secured multiple rounds of funding from notable investors including Kaiwu Capital, Fosun Group, Semir, and most recently, a significant investment from Tongcheng Travel in 2024. This has supported its expansion to numerous cities across China, including Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, serving over 5 million families. In 2024, marking its tenth year, Maitao announced the launch of a new brand, "Maitao Humanities Tour," to provide cultural travel products for adults.
Keywords: parent-child travel, family activities, booking platform, experiential education, China, study tours, educational tourism, online travel agency, children's activities, summer camps, museum tours, family workshops, travel tech, e-commerce, cultural tourism, youth education, O2O services, Shanghai, family entertainment, kids' camps