Ctrip.com has signed an agreement with Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) to develop a global distribution strategy promoting MHR properties to Ctrip’s 300 million customer base. The deal, which was announced jointly at ITB Berlin, also marks the start of an alliance enabling Ctrip to offer MHR’s portfolio of hotels in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia to its China-based business and leisure travel clients.

With the new deal, MHR will partner with Ctrip’s membership programme, which will certify its properties as “Chinese Friendly Hotels” and enable them to benefit from Ctrip’s ranking system. MHR and Ctrip will also work towards customer initiatives such as the launching of a flagship store on Ctrip’s digital platforms, joint marketing campaigns as well as knowledge sharing and cross-exposure programmes for team members.

“Chinese outbound tourists reached nearly 150 million in 2018”

David Zhou, chief business officer for the accommodation business unit of Ctrip, said: “We are so grateful to be enhancing our relationship with MHR. Chinese outbound tourists reached nearly 150 million in 2018, and the growth for this year remains strong.

“By signing this China-focused distribution agreement with MHR, we are continuing to offer 300 million members the best hotel experience worldwide whilst enhancing MHR’s presence and boosting new business opportunities for them in the China Market.”

Perfect combination

Ctrip is the number one platform for Chinese nationals travelling overseas. About one in four Chinese citizens use Ctrip to book and search for outbound flight tickets, making it the world’s largest outbound travel platform.

According to Ctrip’s 2018 Travel Report, its customers’ top destinations are England, France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, and the US — all of which are home to hotels owned or operated by MHR and its associates.