36氪·2026-01-15 09:41Core Viewpoint - Ctrip Group is under investigation by the State Administration for Market Regulation for alleged monopolistic practices, including requiring merchants to choose between platforms and automatic price adjustments [4][5]. Group 1: Investigation and Complaints - The investigation was initiated following complaints from local regulatory bodies and businesses regarding Ctrip's alleged monopolistic behavior in the online travel agency (OTA) sector [5]. - The Yunnan Province Tourism Homestay Industry Association reported multiple complaints from its members about Ctrip's practices, including "choose one" clauses and unfair trading conditions [5][6]. - The association, which has nearly 7,000 member hotels and homestays, is collecting evidence of Ctrip's alleged monopolistic actions [6]. Group 2: Market Practices - Ctrip's practices reportedly include requiring certain merchants to delist their products from other OTA platforms, which raises concerns about market access for smaller platforms [6][7]. - Ctrip has adjusted its display rules for hotel listings, removing visual distinctions between "gold" and "special" merchant labels, which previously indicated a level of certification [7]. - A Ctrip representative indicated that the platform's pricing algorithm automatically adjusts merchant prices based on competitor pricing, which can lead to what is termed "price locking" [8]. Group 3: Market Share and Competition - As of the end of 2024, Ctrip's market share in the core hotel and travel market is estimated to be 56%, and when including its strategic investment in Tongcheng Travel, the "Ctrip system" holds nearly 70% of the domestic OTA market [9]. - This market dominance significantly surpasses competitors such as Meituan (approximately 13%), Fliggy (around 8%), and Douyin (about 3%) [9].