Mobile is Becoming the Key Booking Platform for Ctrip
SHANGHAI, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTRP), a leading travel service provider of hotel accommodation, ticketing services, packaged tours and corporate travel management in China, today officially launched a new version of Ctrip's mobile application, "Ctrip Travel 5.0". Following the launch, the company announced that Ctrip's mobile platform contributed to over 40% of total hotel booking transactions at its peak level, which exceeded the respective booking percentages from its websites and call centers. Mobile is becoming the key booking platform for Ctrip.
"We are excited with the new functions introduced to our travelers and pleased with the contribution of mobile transactions to our business," said James Liang, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Ctrip. "The development of mobile technology will reshape the travel industry. By using our mobile applications, customers have easy access to the comprehensive product offerings, industry leading services and competitive prices that Ctrip is renowned for. Our application is a 'one-stop shop' putting our services at the fingertips of travelers wherever they may be."
The Ctrip Travel application provides compelling product choices and user flexibility. Version 5.0 boasts new features and enhances travelers' ability to plan, book and manage their trips. Besides booking hotels, air and train tickets, group tours, local activity tickets and car rental across the world, users are now able to choose dynamic packages with even more competitive prices and service value. The update expands the last-minute deal section and incentivizes booking through mobile-exclusive offers. Meanwhile the popular location based search has been enhanced to facilitate impromptu bookings. Ctrip Travel's "smart itinerary" function enables users to integrate their bookings to a user-friendly agenda, synchronize with their calendars and share with friends.
Ctrip's experience and ability to consolidate a multitude of travel services makes the Company best positioned to capture the opportunities of the mobile travel industry in China. The Company believes that this factor, together with Ctrip's superior service quality and strong branding power, will enable Ctrip to become China's leading mobile travel agency.
In China, Ctrip Travel is the most popular mobile application for on-the-go travel. As of June 30, 2013, the application reached over 50 million cumulative downloads. Over 20% of Ctrip's hotel booking transactions and around 15% of air ticketing transactions were booked through the mobile platform in the second quarter of 2013. The mobile contribution to Ctrip's total booking transactions continues to grow significantly.
Ctrip Travel App Features
"Ctrip Mobile, Anywhere to Everywhere"
The Ctrip Travel application provides a "one-stop shop" for travelers to plan, book and manage trips conveniently at their finger-tips.
Key Features:
- 280,000 hotels world-wide with guaranteed lowest prices, mobile exclusive rates, group-buy hotels and last-minute deals - at up to 90% discount.
- Domestic and international air tickets at lowest rates across all Ctrip platforms with ticket cancellation support, flight status updates and airport guides.
- Full range of packaged tours: version 5.0 includes dynamic packages with flexible choices of flights and hotels - at up to 50% discount.
- Train tickets, cruise tours, local activities tickets and car rental.
- More coupons for mobile booking of hotels, air tickets and local activity tickets.
- Destination guides featuring over 60,000 destinations, and more than 180,000 reviews and opinions in Chinese - support offline browsing.
Additional Features and Functionalities:
- Voice search.
- Location based search.
- Smart itinerary: manage the itinerary, synchronize with calendars and share with friends.
- Take photos, write reviews and share them with just a few taps.
- 24/7 call center support only 1 touch away.
- Support multiple payment methods – all major credit cards, Union Pay, Ali-Pay and more.
The application is available to download at app.ctrip.com.
SafeHarborStatement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "future," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "is/are likely to," "confident" or other similar statements. Among other things, quotations from management and the Business Outlook section in this press release, as well as Ctrip's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Ctrip may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 20-F and 6-K, etc., in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Ctrip's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the slow-down of economic growth in China and the global economic downturn, general declines or disruptions in the travel industry, volatility in the trading price of Ctrip's ADSs, Ctrip's reliance on its relationships and contractual arrangements with travel suppliers and strategic alliances, failure to further increase Ctrip's brand recognition to obtain new business partners and consumers, failure to compete against new and existing competitors, failure to successfully manage current growth and potential future growth, risks associated with any strategic investments or acquisitions, seasonality in the travel industry in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, failure to successfully develop Ctrip's corporate travel business, damage to or failure of Ctrip's infrastructure and technology, loss of services of Ctrip's key executives, inflation in China and in other countries, risks and uncertainties associated with PRC laws and regulations with respect to the ownership structure of Ctrip's affiliated Chinese entities and the contractual arrangements among Ctrip, its affiliated Chinese entities and their shareholders, and other risks outlined in Ctrip's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F and other filings. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the issuance, and Ctrip does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.
About Ctrip.com International, Ltd.
Ctrip.com International, Ltd. is a leading travel service provider of hotel accommodation, ticketing services, packaged tours, and corporate travel management in China. Ctrip aggregates hotel and flight information to enable business and leisure travelers to make informed and cost-effective bookings. Ctrip also helps customers book vacation packages and guided tours. In addition, Ctrip corporate travel management services help corporate clients effectively manage their travel requirements. Since its inception in 1999, Ctrip has experienced substantial growth and become one of the best-known travel brands in China.
Website: www.ctrip.com
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations
Ctrip.com International, Ltd.
Tel: (+86) 21 3406 4880 X 12928
Email: [email protected]
IR Website: ir.ctrip.com
SOURCE Ctrip.com International, Ltd.
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