Core Viewpoint - Ctrip reported a net profit of 4.8 billion yuan in Q2, a significant increase from 3.8 billion yuan in the same period last year, leading to scrutiny from regulatory authorities due to alleged price manipulation practices [1][5]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Ctrip's net profit for Q2 reached 4.8 billion yuan, marking a 26% year-on-year increase [5]. - The fastest-growing segment for Ctrip in Q2 was "accommodation booking," generating 6.2 billion yuan in revenue, up 21% year-on-year [5]. - In contrast, the combined profit of the top two hotel groups in the industry was only 1.83 billion yuan, highlighting the disparity in profitability [5]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - Ctrip was summoned by the Zhengzhou Market Supervision Administration for violating e-commerce laws and regulations, specifically regarding unreasonable restrictions on transaction prices [3][4]. - This marks the second time within 45 days that Ctrip has faced scrutiny for price manipulation, following a previous meeting with the Guizhou Market Supervision Administration [4]. Group 3: Industry Impact - Hotel operators expressed satisfaction with the regulatory actions against Ctrip, as they believe the platform has been profiting excessively at their expense [4][5]. - The regulatory body has imposed three corrective measures on Ctrip, including revising contract terms, optimizing pricing tools, and establishing a long-term compliance mechanism, which may lead to a restructuring of operational costs [4]. Group 4: Pricing Practices - Ctrip's "pricing assistant" tool has been criticized for automatically adjusting hotel prices without consent, often leading to lower prices that harm hotel profitability [22][31]. - The tool operates by monitoring competitor prices and adjusting hotel rates accordingly, which has led to complaints from hotel owners about loss of pricing autonomy [22][25]. - Many hotel operators have reported that the pricing assistant can change rates multiple times a day, creating significant operational challenges [22][25]. Group 5: Market Position - Ctrip holds a dominant position in the hotel and travel market, with a GMV market share of 56%, indicating that over half of the market transactions occur through its platform [34]. - The platform's strong market presence allows it to exert significant pressure on hotel operators, who feel compelled to comply with its pricing and commission structures [34].