Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-15 09:10Core Viewpoint - The National Market Supervision Administration has initiated an investigation into Ctrip for suspected monopolistic behavior, citing the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People's Republic of China [3][17]. Group 1: Market Position and Financial Performance - Ctrip is recognized as the dominant player in the online travel market, controlling a significant portion of the industry, with a projected GMV market share of 56% in the hotel and travel sector for 2024, leading to a total OTA market share of 70% when combined with Tongcheng [4][19]. - In the third quarter of 2025, Ctrip reported revenues of 18.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16%, and a net profit of 19.9 billion yuan, reflecting a staggering growth of 192.6% [5][20]. - Ctrip's net profit translates to approximately 216 million yuan per day, with a net profit margin of 32%, significantly higher than many of its internet peers [5][21]. Group 2: Market Influence and Competitive Practices - Ctrip's market influence has led to significant pressure on other platforms and merchants, with reports indicating that many small and medium-sized businesses feel they are working for Ctrip due to its dominant position [6][23]. - The company employs a tool called "Price Adjustment Assistant," which has been criticized for allowing Ctrip to unilaterally modify merchant prices without consent, thereby undermining merchants' pricing power and forcing them into price wars [10][23]. - Ctrip has also been accused of engaging in "choose one from two" practices, leveraging its market dominance to impose unfair competition on merchants, as highlighted by various regulatory investigations [11][24]. Group 3: Regulatory Response and Industry Implications - The investigation into Ctrip marks a significant regulatory response to the growing concerns over platform monopolies and their impact on small businesses, following a period of relatively lenient oversight [25][28]. - Recent government meetings have emphasized the need for a balanced development approach that benefits both platform enterprises and their operators, indicating a shift towards stricter regulations in the platform economy [12][26]. - The ongoing issues of high commissions, opaque fees, and unfair practices have created a challenging environment for small merchants, leading to calls for reform to ensure sustainable development in the platform economy [13][27].