Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing complaints against Ctrip for monopolistic practices in the online travel platform industry, highlighting the rising commission rates and the financial strain on small accommodation providers [1][3][4]. Group 1: Ctrip's Market Practices - Ctrip has raised its commission rates from 8%-10% to 12%-18%, leading to a situation where the total costs for some accommodations, including hidden fees, can reach up to 40% [1][7]. - The National Market Supervision Administration has initiated an investigation into Ctrip for suspected monopolistic behavior, which may require the company to alter its current profit model [2][12]. - Ctrip's practices include "choose one from two" policies and unreasonable restrictions on pricing, which have been previously flagged by market supervision authorities [2][5]. Group 2: Impact on Small Accommodation Providers - Small accommodation providers, like the one operated by Chen Lei, report that over 90% of their bookings come from Ctrip, creating a dependency that forces them to comply with the platform's demands [3][4]. - Providers often face pressure to pay for promotional services to improve their visibility on the platform, with some reporting that up to 25% of their annual revenue goes to Ctrip in commissions [4][9]. - The lack of formal contracts for "special badge" merchants leads to a de facto "choose one from two" situation, where merchants must choose between Ctrip and other platforms to maintain their status [5][11]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Market Position - Ctrip holds a significant market share in the domestic travel industry, with a reported 56% of the total transaction volume in 2024 [8]. - In Q3 2025, Ctrip reported an operating profit of 5.574 billion yuan, with an operating profit margin of 30%, although some profits were attributed to the disposal of certain investments [8][12]. - The company is also involved in the hotel sector, holding a 7.2% stake in Huazhu Group, which pays substantial commissions to Ctrip for booking services [8]. Group 4: Legal and Regulatory Implications - Legal experts suggest that Ctrip may face significant penalties under the Anti-Monopoly Law, with potential fines ranging from 5.33 billion to over 65 billion yuan based on its revenue [11][12]. - The focus of the investigation may lead to changes in Ctrip's operational practices, particularly regarding its commission structure and treatment of small merchants [12][13]. - The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring how Ctrip will adapt its business model in response to regulatory scrutiny, rather than solely focusing on potential fines [12][13].
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