Ctrip Makes Smart Trip Into Group Buying 携程也推团购：不仅只是赶时髦

When I read the headline that Ctrip (Nasdaq: CTRP) was getting into the group buying business, my first reaction was: Here’s yet another company chasing the latest net fad to try and become the Chinese Groupon. But a read beyond the headline proved to be much more interesting, and has already turned me into a fan of this plan. (English article; Chinese article) In short, Ctrip is aiming to use its clout in the hotel space to offer group discounts for rooms at select hotels. I’m someone who frequently uses Ctrip, but increasingly I do it for the convenience and less for the good prices that seem to be rapidly disappearing as competitors emerge and the market matures. This move could bring some excitement back into the price element of the equation, and Ctrip should certainly have an edge in this space over other new group buying players due to its strong connections with most major Chinese hotels. In fact, this move fits a broader pattern that has seen Ctrip management take a much more conservative approach to new business, with the result that its new moves — while far fewer than those from the likes of Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) and Tencent (HKEx: 700) — often stand a much better chance of success.

Bottom line: Ctrip’s move into hotel room group buying combines a new buying trend with a product Ctrip knows well, giving the initiative a good chance of success.

当我在新闻中看到携程<CTRP.O>涉足团购业务，第一反应就是：又来一家一头扎入团购潮、一心想成中国Groupon的企业，但读了内文後更觉有趣，不禁为这个计划叫好。简言之，携程计划利用其在酒店领域的影响力，在一些特定酒店推房间团购优惠。我是携程的老客户，但更多是因携程方便，而非其价格实惠。其实随着竞争对手不断涌现、市场不断成熟，携程的价格优势正迅速消失。携程此举可以在价格上扳回一城，而且相比其他团购对手，携程与中国主要大酒店的关系更厚，优势是显而易见的。

一句话：在中国新的消费趋势下，携程在专长领域推酒店团购，应该有很好的胜算机率。

Related postings 相关文章:

◙ Ctrip Finds Growth Recipe in Restaurants 携程：进军在线订餐

◙ Lashou Pulls in More Bucks in Race With Groupon 拉手网拉来更多资金与Groupon抗衡

◙ Lashou: A New Race to Market for Homegrown China Groupon