Ctrip and Yokohama Reach Strategic Cooperation Agreement

Upgrading tourism industry in Yokohama


SHANGHAI, China, Nov. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip, the largest online travel agent in Asia met with Ms. Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama, Japan on the 19th of November, 2018. Both sides signed a strategic cooperation agreement to collaborate in tourism product development, destination marketing and more. 2018 marks the 45th Anniversary of Shanghai and Yokohama becoming sister cities.

The capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo. According to data released by the Japanese government, China has been the largest source of tourists visiting Japan for the last three consecutive years with 7.4 million trips made by Chinese to Japan representing a year-on-year increase of 15.4%. Chinese visiting Yokohama increased by 78% in 2017.

Japan has become one of Ctrip's most important overseas markets. In 2015, Ctrip established a Japanese branch with the aim of better serving travelers to Japan. In May this year, with the aim of providing timely travel-related services for all travellers, Trip.com, an independent brand primarily serving audiences in Asia Pacific markets was unveiled in Tokyo. Construction of 24/7 Ctrip call center in Japan is currently underway. 

Ctrip’s vast user base and big data resources offer insight into user behaviour, which helps to integrate personalized product design into our one-stop travel platform. Ctrip will work with Yokohama to both expand and upgrade Yokohama’s travel products and services.

Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama, said, “Yokohama is a vibrant city set to host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and is also one of the venues for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We are honored to create a partnership with Ctrip at this important moment. We hope to welcome more Chinese visitors to our city in the future.”  

Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip, said, “This partnership is not only the result of historical ties but also has far-reaching significance. As the largest on-line travel service platform in Asia, we hope to play our part in facilitating two-way travel between China and Japan and to jointly develop the cross-border cultural tourism industry.”

About Ctrip.com International, Ltd.

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. is a leading travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management in China. It is the largest online consolidator of accommodations and transportation tickets in China in terms of transaction volume. Ctrip enables business and leisure travelers to make informed and cost-effective bookings by aggregating comprehensive travel related information and offering its services through an advanced transaction and service platform consisting of its mobile apps, Internet websites and centralized, toll-free, 24-hour customer service center. Ctrip also helps customers book vacation packages and guided tours. In addition, through its corporate travel management services, Ctrip helps corporate clients effectively manage their travel requirements. Since its inception in 1999, Ctrip has experienced substantial growth and become one of the best-known travel brands in China.

For further information, please contact:

International PR
Ctrip.com International, ltd.
Tel: (+86) 21 3406 4880 ext 196455
Email: Pr@ctrip.com 

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aaa11ac3-a064-4e60-a3dc-8ed007d8190d

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e4a15de-56a1-437d-9070-e6c82123911a

Photo: Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip and Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama signing strategic cooperation agreement Photo: Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip and Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama