Ctrip to end exclusive deals after competition authority ruling

Chinese online travel agency Ctrip Group announced it will implement 19 corrective measures after receiving an antitrust ruling from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). The company stated it "fully accepts and resolutely obeys" the decision, which it described as a "profound warning and education."

The measures include immediately ceasing "exclusive cooperation behavior" and "lowest price on the entire network" requirements. Ctrip will discontinue its "Level 1" and "Level 2" distribution cooperation models, which were found to be non-compliant with competition laws. The company will also remove pricing adjustment tools and refund approximately 122.8 million yuan (around $17 million USD) to hotels affected by past pricing practices.

Ctrip has pledged to uphold the rights of hotel operators to independent pricing and business operations. It will also eliminate previous fees associated with its sales systems and promote greater transparency in platform rules. As part of the reforms, Ctrip will reduce the burden of promotional activities on hotels and invest in offering free VIP services from its data centers, alongside developing an international marketing network.

The company also emphasized strengthening consumer rights protection, including enhancing personal data security and preventing "big data" price discrimination. Ctrip plans to reinforce its internal compliance systems and provide anti-monopoly training to its employees.

Ctrip stated it will proceed with the reforms in a stable and orderly manner, aiming to minimize disruption for all parties and seek mutually beneficial outcomes within the regulatory framework.