Core Insights - Tongcheng Travel reported strong mid-year performance with revenue reaching 9.05 billion yuan, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year [1] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first half of 2025 was 2.34 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 35.2% compared to the previous year [1] - The adjusted net profit stood at 1.56 billion yuan [1] User Growth - As of the end of Q2, Tongcheng Travel served 1.99 billion users cumulatively, marking a 7.2% increase year-on-year [1] - The number of paying users reached 252 million, setting a new historical high [1] Business Segment Performance - Accommodation revenue grew by 18.8% year-on-year, totaling 2.56 billion yuan [1] - The company capitalized on new booking scenarios such as weekend getaways and events, achieving record daily room nights [1] - Transportation revenue also saw an 11.6% increase, reaching 3.88 billion yuan, with international flight bookings growing nearly 30% in Q2 [1][2] International Business Growth - International ticket volume in Q2 increased by nearly 30%, driven by relaxed outbound travel policies and rising consumer demand for cross-border travel [2] - Other revenue, including online vacation services, reached 1.36 billion yuan, up 24.1% year-on-year, indicating a shift in user travel preferences towards more diverse experiences [2] Market Trends - Domestic tourism showed robust growth, with 3.285 billion trips taken by residents in the first half of 2025, a 20.6% increase [2] - The average revenue per user (ARPU) grew by 13.8%, and the number of paid Black Whale members increased by 24%, indicating enhanced consumer spending willingness [2] Demographic Insights - Over 87% of registered users on Tongcheng Travel's platform are from non-first-tier cities, highlighting a shift in travel consumption patterns [2]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a "Buy" rating to the company, with an initial coverage date of July 8, 2025 [1][4]. Core Insights - The company is positioned as a leading player in the domestic OTA market, particularly benefiting from the growth in lower-tier markets and the overall tourism boom. It is backed by major shareholders Tencent and Trip.com, which provide significant advantages in customer acquisition and supply chain resources [4][6][9]. Summary by Sections Company Overview - The company, formed from the merger of Tongcheng and eLong, is a top-tier one-stop travel service platform in China, successfully ranking among the top three in the OTA industry [17]. Shareholding Structure - The company has a concentrated shareholding structure, with major shareholders Tencent and Trip.com holding 24.07% and 20.46% respectively, facilitating deep collaboration in business operations [18][21]. Business Breakdown - The core OTA business includes transportation and accommodation bookings, contributing approximately 50% and 30% of revenue respectively. The company is expanding into hotel management and vacation services, enhancing its competitive edge [23]. Financial Performance - The company has shown strong recovery post-pandemic, with revenues of RMB 11.896 billion in 2023 and projected growth to RMB 19.624 billion by 2025, reflecting a growth rate of 80.7% and 45.8% respectively [8][31]. Adjusted net profit is expected to reach RMB 27.07 billion in 2025 [6]. OTA Industry Insights - The online travel market in China is projected to exceed RMB 1 trillion in 2024, with a significant increase in online transaction rates, indicating a robust recovery and growth potential in the sector [39][46]. Competitive Landscape - The OTA market is characterized by a high concentration of major players, with Trip.com leading the market share. The competitive dynamics are stable, with companies leveraging unique strengths to capture different market segments [49][52]. Pricing Power - The pricing power of the company is influenced by the concentration of upstream resources, particularly in transportation and accommodation sectors, which affects commission rates and overall profitability [56][59].