Channel Manager for Trip.com

Origins and Evolution

The origins of Trip.com can be traced back to 1996 when Trip Software Systems first purchased the domain name. Over the next two decades, the brand changed hands several times, with ownership transfers involving companies like Galileo International, Cendant, Orbitz Worldwide, and Expedia. In 2017, the Chinese travel company Ctrip acquired Trip.com.

At the time of the acquisition, Trip.com already boasted over 60 million customers. Under Ctrip’s ownership, the platform became the company’s flagship brand for international markets, complementing Ctrip’s focus on the domestic Chinese travel industry. Consequently, Trip.com leveraged Ctrip’s extensive supplier relationships, technological capabilities, and industry expertise to accelerate global expansion.

Comprehensive Travel Services

Trip.com allows customers to book flights, hotels, trains, car rentals, airport transfers, tours, and attraction tickets, all through a seamless and user-friendly interface. Trip.com offers access to more than 1.2 million hotels and vacation rentals in 200 countries and regions, as well as over 2 million flight routes connecting more than 5,000 cities worldwide.

In recent years, the company has launched rail ticketing services for markets, such as South Korea, Germany, and mainland China, as well as introducing a car rental service spanning over 6,000 cities globally.

Global Reach and Localization

Trip.com is available in 19 different languages and features localized versions tailored specifically for key markets, such as Australia, Singapore, the United States, and Hong Kong. The localized platforms offer language support, locally relevant content, and customized product offerings.

For the Chinese domestic market, Trip.com’s services are provided through the original Ctrip.com website, which is available in Simplified Chinese. The separation between the international and domestic brands allows the company to cater to Chinese and global travelers alike.

Advanced Technology and Infrastructure

Trip.com has a proprietary booking software system seamlessly integrating the company’s websites, customer service centers, and supplier interfaces, enabling real-time updates on availability, pricing, and inventory management.

Another noteworthy technological component is Trip.com’s customer database management tools, which enable the platform to analyze user preferences and transaction patterns. The valuable data provide personalized recommendations and targeted services.

Expansion and Future Directions

In 2017, the company acquired the popular metasearch platform Skyscanner, further bolstering Trip.com’s global reach and capabilities in the flight booking sector.

Looking ahead, Trip.com has set sights on new geographic markets, such as Hong Kong and Macau, where the recent liberalization of travel restrictions from mainland China is expected to drive significant cross-border traffic.

Trip.com is exploring the potential of the “merchant model,” where the company aims to purchase hotel room inventory upfront during peak travel seasons. The shift could enable the platform to meet customer demand better and potentially realize higher profit margins per room night compared to the current agency model.