Pioneering New Horizons in Travel
With the travel sector advancing past recovery into a period of dynamic expansion, the conference addressed the critical question: “What comes next?” Participants showed keen interest in exploring future growth domains, particularly emphasizing the role of sustained innovation and technological advancements. Keynote speaker Mr. James Liang, Co-founder and Chairman of Trip.com Group, underscored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, showcasing TripGenie, Trip.com’s AI-driven travel assistant, as a groundbreaking tool set to revolutionize travel planning and booking.
“Every industry needs to innovate and so does the travel industry. We are constantly innovating in terms of efficiency, quality, customer service and even marketing. For instance, AI such as TripGenie can enhance customer service and marketing by integrating technology and content, to provide the best value to our customers,” Mr. James Liang, said.
Mr. Liang highlighted the transformative role of AI in the travel industry, noting its capacity to enhance productivity, improve customer service, and deliver highly personalized travel recommendations. He pointed out how AI-curated lists on Trip.com provide travelers with top-ranked options and exceptional deals, facilitating a more tailored experience throughout their travel journey.
Rapid Expansion on the Global Front
Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group, reported remarkable growth in 2023, with the company’s international operations doubling in size compared to the previous year. The first quarter of 2024 also started strong, showing an 80% increase in revenue year-over-year. She outlined plans for substantial investments across the Asia-Pacific region and further global expansion, aiming to leverage worldwide opportunities. The company has also formed strategic alliances with various tourism boards, hotel chains, airlines, train operators, and local travel providers, strengthening its international presence.
Trip.com now boasts over 1.7 million global accommodation listings, services from more than 600 airlines, and partnerships with over 90,000 ecosystem players, including group tours, attractions, and car rental services.
The conference also spotlighted China’s growing influence in the global travel market, underscored by eased visa regulations, enhanced payment processes, and innovative tourism promotion strategies like free layover transit tours in Shanghai and captivating marketing campaigns.
Furthermore, Trip.com reiterated its dedication to superior customer service, emphasizing the importance of human interaction in ensuring delightful travel experiences. Sustainability remains a pivotal focus, with the Group integrating robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its operations. These initiatives promote eco-friendly travel, support family-oriented policies, and aim to rejuvenate communities, benefiting customers, partners, and the broader society.
Sector Highlights
Air Travel
- Achieved record domestic travel and robust outbound growth.
- Secured the top OTA position in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hotel Bookings
- Significant growth with over 8,000 hotels offering Hotel+X products.
- Preferred Partner Program attracted over 2,000 partners.
- Trip.Best expanded to over 20,000 hotels with new themes: “boutique homestays” and “newly opened hotels.”
International Train Business
- Expanded operations in Europe.
- International ticket sales doubled in the latter half of 2023.
- 122% year-on-year growth in early 2024.
Vacation Business
- Record sales in vacation packages.
- Plans to expand ticketing services globally with 16 new sites and 8 new service languages.
- Expanding car rental services to Thailand, Japan, and other markets.
Corporate Travel
- Trip.Biz showed three-digit growth in hotel and flight bookings.
- Expansion plans for Greater China, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
FinTech and TripLink
- Expanded global presence with support for 35 payment currencies and all international card schemes.
- 25 local alternative payment methods and expanded global insurance coverage for flights, hotels, and rental cars.
- TripLink offers premium payment solutions to tourism partners.
Marketing Innovations
- Successful mega-sales events, TV advertising, and airport activations.
- Increased new user registrations and high conversion rates.
- Strong destination marketing efforts with tourism boards worldwide.
Technological Advancements
- Investments in technology centers.
- AI travel assistant TripGenie supports voice and text conversations in nine languages, with new support for Italian, Dutch, and Malay by end of June.
Customer Service
- Trustpilot rating improved to 4.2 stars.
- Continuous enhancements in AI capabilities to boost service efficiency across diverse markets and production lines.
Ms. Sun thanked the Group’s partners for their ongoing support amid these diverse new developments.
Tags: Emerging trends, Global Partner Conference, MICE travel industry news, Travel news, James Liang, Trip.com Group
