Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-14 12:48Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the issue of price discrimination in the travel industry, particularly focusing on Trip.com Group (携程), which utilizes algorithms to set prices based on individual user profiles rather than market demand, leading to significant profit margins and potential legal risks [2][5][12]. Financial Performance - Trip.com Group reported a net revenue of 53.3 billion RMB and a net profit of 17.2 billion RMB for 2024, resulting in a net profit margin of approximately 32% [2][11]. - In comparison, domestic competitor Tongcheng Travel reported a revenue of approximately 17.34 billion RMB with an adjusted net profit of about 2.79 billion RMB, yielding a net profit margin of 16.1% [3][11]. - Internationally, Booking Holdings generated approximately 23.739 billion USD in revenue with a net profit of about 5.882 billion USD, resulting in a net profit margin of around 24.8%, while Expedia reported 13.691 billion USD in revenue and a net profit of 1.234 billion USD, with a net profit margin of 9% [3][11]. Market Position - Trip.com Group holds a dominant market share in the hotel and travel sector, with a GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume) exceeding 1.2 trillion RMB, representing a market share of 56%, compared to 15% for Tongcheng and 13% for Meituan [6][15]. - The concentration of market power allows Trip.com to operate with less competitive pressure, leading to practices that may exploit consumer trust [6][15]. Pricing Strategy - The pricing model employed by Trip.com is characterized as "big data killing familiarity," where prices are tailored based on user data, leading to potential unfair pricing practices [4][13]. - The article emphasizes that the core issue is not the high prices themselves but the lack of transparency and fairness in how prices are determined, which can be seen as an invisible tax on consumers [4][12]. Regulatory Environment - Recent signals from regulatory bodies indicate concerns over algorithmic pricing, price fraud, and abuse of market dominance by travel platforms, with Trip.com specifically being called out for unreasonable restrictions on pricing [5][14]. - The article suggests that if investigations confirm the use of algorithms for unfair pricing, penalties should be substantial, including the confiscation of illegal profits and significant fines [7][16]. Consumer Trust - The article discusses how consumer trust is being monetized, with a significant percentage of users reporting experiences of unfair pricing, yet many choose not to pursue legal action due to the difficulty of proving such cases [6][15]. - The erosion of trust could lead to long-term consequences for platforms like Trip.com, as consumers may eventually withdraw their loyalty if they feel exploited [8][17].