反垄断调查：商家困在携程里

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing antitrust investigation against Ctrip, highlighting the grievances of accommodation providers regarding high commission rates and restrictive practices that limit their ability to sell on other platforms, leading to a significant impact on their business operations [2][3][4][5][15]. Group 1: Ctrip's Business Practices - Ctrip's commission costs for accommodation providers have remained high, reaching 30%-40%, while the market demand has decreased, leading to complaints from merchants who feel they are working for the platform [2][3][12]. - The "Special Label" (特牌) system implemented by Ctrip requires higher commission rates and restricts merchants from selling on other platforms, which has led to significant dissatisfaction among providers [4][5][6][8]. - Ctrip's practices have prompted regulatory scrutiny, with the National Market Supervision Administration launching an investigation into potential monopolistic behavior, including the use of big data to manipulate consumer pricing [3][16]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Merchant Challenges - The supply-demand imbalance in the Yunnan accommodation market has intensified, with many merchants relying heavily on Ctrip for bookings, leading to a situation where losing access to Ctrip would mean losing a significant portion of their customer base [8][11]. - Merchants report that the effectiveness of Ctrip's advertising and promotional tools has diminished, with rising costs for clicks and competition among providers leading to increased financial strain [12][15]. - The article notes that Ctrip's market share in the online travel agency (OTA) sector is substantial, with estimates suggesting it controls nearly 70% of the market when including its strategic investments [15][16]. Group 3: Regulatory and Industry Implications - The ongoing antitrust investigation could lead to significant penalties for Ctrip, similar to those faced by other major companies in the past, which may include fines based on their annual revenue [16][17]. - Industry experts suggest that while regulatory actions may address some issues, they may not resolve the fundamental challenges of oversupply and insufficient demand in the market [17][18]. - Ctrip's international expansion efforts are highlighted as a potential avenue for growth, as the company seeks to tap into the inbound tourism market, which remains underdeveloped compared to other countries [18][19].