Online travel agency joins forces with mobile phone giant
Updated: 2015-10-29 17:02
By Shi Jing(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||||
Amsterdam-based online travel agency Booking.com, owned by online travel giant Priceline Group, has joined forces with China’s largest telecommunications carrier, China Mobile Communications Corporation, to integrate customers, products, services and distribution channels of both companies.
Under the deal, a China Mobile user will be rewarded with a minimum 1 GB of domestic mobile data traffic after booking a hotel room on Booking.com through a mobile phone. China Mobile users in Shanghai will receive a minimum 2 GB of domestic mobile data traffic. This service will cover the 800-million-plus users of China Mobile.
Booking.com is also seeking cooperation with China Eastern Airlines, Air China, China Merchants Bank and Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd to provide comprehensive transportation and financial services.
"Outbound trips have grown rapidly in China in recent years. With the statistics that China Mobile obtains, we will be able to predict the potential consumer behavior and recommend suitable accommodation," said Oliver Hua, managing director of Booking.com Asia Pacific.
While Booking.com mainly caters for outbound trips, the company has noticed a growing number of Chinese consumers booking hotel rooms for domestic trips. At present, technology savvy young consumers who prefer self-guided tours and managerial level business travelers are groups which have expanded most significantly, according to Hua.
"When we first entered the Chinese market, most customers were from first-tier cities. But over time, we have seen more demand from lower-tier cites. We believe that lower-tier cities will become the driving power of the online travel booking business in China," he said.
Hua also pointed out that the key to success for Internet companies is to focus on areas they specialize in rather than a diverse business portfolio. The swap and partnership between Ctrip.com International Ltd and rival Qunar Cayman Islands Ltd is good news for the industry which has long suffered from price wars, said Hua.
Related Stories
Ctrip and Qunar join hands to create biggest travel agency 2015-10-27 07:07
Chinese tourists to Britain sets record with promising future 2015-10-17 15:11
Carnival brings two more cruise brands 2015-10-15 07:12
Chinese holiday tourism enthusiasm continues 2015-10-07 11:07
Rural tourism blooms, villagers benefit 2015-10-03 09:57
Today's Top News
Refugee crisis continues to create rift between pro-Europeans, Eurosceptics
Rescue operations continue in quake-stricken Afghan provinces
Dutch King receives Dutch rabbit with Chinese characteristics
Silk Road Fund to invest $100m in China International Capital Corp's IPO
Over 200 dead as huge earthquake shakes S. Asia
British pub becomes tourist attraction after Xi's visit
King's visit to boost partnership: Dutch FM
Balkan, EU leaders agree to coordinate on migrants
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Xi just needs to turn up for a grand welcome |
Stepping up |
Rural families still hope for male heirs |
Blue skies over Beijing ... for now |
V-Day parade for 70th WWII anniversary |
Tianjin blasts: Death, damage and bravery |