Trip.com Group Limited is a Chinese e-commerce group specializing in travel. From Shanghai, it connects travelers with airlines, hotels and other tourism service providers. Its portfolio includes Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com and Skyscanner. Available at trip.com, its international brand offers a multilingual booking interface, while its longstanding brands maintain a strong foothold in the Chinese market.
From Ctrip to an international group
Founded in 1999 under the name Ctrip, the company grew alongside the expansion of the Internet and tourism in China. Its model initially combined online booking with telephone assistance to support consumers who were still unfamiliar with purchasing travel online. Listed on Nasdaq in 2003, it subsequently expanded its services and strengthened its positions through investments and acquisitions.
The tie-up with Qunar in 2015 marked an important step in its consolidation in China. The acquisition of the British comparison platform Skyscanner in 2016 broadened its international audience. In 2019, Ctrip.com International changed its name to Trip.com Group Limited, reflecting ambitions extending beyond its home market. The group has also been listed in Hong Kong since 2021.
Booking, comparison and traveler services
Its core business is the distribution of travel services: accommodation, airline and train tickets, package holidays, car rentals and activities at destinations. The group also operates in corporate travel management. Depending on the products and markets, its revenue comes notably from commissions, service fees and advertising services offered to partners.
Its brands perform complementary functions. Ctrip and Qunar primarily serve Chinese demand, while Trip.com targets international customers. Skyscanner retains its role as a search and comparison engine, directing users to companies or intermediaries to complete their purchases. This diversity allows the group to operate at several stages of the customer journey, from researching a destination to making a booking.
Technology supports the aggregation of offers, availability updates, payments and customer service. The group is also developing recommendation and planning features that use artificial intelligence. Their value, however, depends on the reliability of the information provided and how well they align with the actual terms of sale, cancellation and refunds.
What next?
International expansion is a strategic priority, with a focus on localizing services and strengthening relationships with suppliers. Trip.com Group must contend with competition from Booking Holdings, Expedia Group and direct sales channels. Its development also remains sensitive to economic conditions, visa policies and geopolitical tensions. To retain travelers, the challenge will be as much about simplifying searches as ensuring reliable support when a trip does not go as planned.