Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net revenue of RMB4.7 billion, marking a 10% year-over-year increase from the same period in 2024 [26] - Adjusted net profit rose to RMB775 million, reflecting an 18% year-over-year growth, with adjusted net margin expanding to 16.6% compared to 15.5% in the same period last year [26] - Gross profit increased by 10.6% year-over-year to RMB3.0 billion, with gross margin rising slightly to 65% [29] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 29.7% to RMB1.2 billion, with a 25.4% margin compared to a 21.5% margin in the same period last year [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The accommodation reservation business achieved RMB1.4 billion, representing a 15.2% increase from the same period in 2024 [27] - Transportation ticketing revenue reached RMB1.9 billion, marking a 7.9% year-over-year increase [28] - The hotel management business sustained healthy expansion, with over 2,700 hotels in operation and nearly 1,500 in the pipeline [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international air ticketing volume reached a historical high, delivering nearly 30% year-over-year growth [14] - The cumulative number of passengers served on the platform reached 2 billion, suggesting a stable user purchase frequency of 8 times per year [20] - The twelve-month annual paying users climbed to over 250 million, representing a 10% year-over-year increase [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its core OTA business while enhancing its brand awareness and market share [34] - There is a commitment to leveraging technology, including AI, to drive growth and improve user experience [21][23] - The company aims to deepen its presence in the hotel management sector, targeting over 3,000 hotels in operation by the end of 2025 [73] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the Chinese travel market, anticipating steady year-over-year growth in both top line and bottom line [33] - The shift in consumer preferences towards experiential travel is seen as a significant opportunity for growth [56] - The company plans to maintain a disciplined approach to sales and marketing spending to ensure optimal returns [56] Other Important Information - The company announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in Wanda Hotel Management, which is expected to diversify brand metrics and strengthen market presence [17] - The balance of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments was RMB13.5 billion as of June 30, 2025 [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can management provide more color regarding the volume growth, ADR, and take rate in the accommodation business? - Management noted that the domestic ADR has stabilized year-over-year and is expected to continue growing, driven by a shift in user behavior towards higher quality products [41][43] Question: How does the company balance strategic resource allocation between core OTA and pursuing a diverse business portfolio? - Management emphasized that the OTA business remains the foundation and strategic focus, while also pursuing organic growth opportunities and selective M&A [46][48] Question: What are the reasons for the low growth in domestic airline ticketing volume? - Management indicated that the industry has returned to a normalized growth trajectory after two exceptional years, but expects the OTA business to outpace overall market growth [52][54] Question: Can management share more details on outbound travel performance? - Management reported significant growth in international air ticketing and accommodation volumes, with a focus on improving marketing efficiency and ROI [58][59] Question: How does management view the impact of JV and BaBa's investments in the OTA market? - Management believes that the competitive landscape remains stable, as new entrants face challenges in replicating established relationships and operational efficiencies [64][66] Question: What is the expected margin outlook for the OTA business? - Management expects steady year-over-year improvement in margins, driven by reduced sales and marketing expenses and improved operational efficiency [69][70] Question: What is the latest development plan for the hotel management business? - Management aims to operate over 3,000 hotels by the end of 2025, with a focus on enhancing quality and brand recognition [73][74] Question: Can management comment on the standalone app's user base and revenue contribution? - Management reported that the app accounted for over 8% of core OTA revenue in Q2, with ongoing efforts to grow the user base and engagement [82] Question: How is AI evolving within the company? - Management highlighted the integration of AI into the travel planning process, improving operational efficiency and user experience [85][86]
TONGCHENGTRAVEL(00780) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript