CEO Jane Sun delivers keynote speech at WTTC Asia Leaders Forum addressing the importance of global standards to ensure traveler safety
SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ctrip, the largest online travel agent in Asia and the second largest in the world participated in the 7th Global Tourism Economy Forum, with Jane Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Ctrip, delivering a keynote speech at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Asia Leaders Forum in Macau, held from the 22nd to 23rd of October 2018.
Global Tourism Economy Forum
This year’s Global Tourism Economy Forum attracted more than 1,500 guests from across the world, including ministers of tourism, business leaders and academics. 2018 is China - Europe Tourism Year, and with more relaxed visa polices and direct flight routes facilitating convenient travel, Ctrip will continue to prioritize close cooperation with the European Tourism Commission and its member countries.
During the event, Ctrip signed a strategic cooperation agreement with KLM in the presence of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The two sides agreed to improve the Sino-European route, another milestone in China-Europe cooperation in civil aviation established under the “China-Europe Tourism Year” framework.
Speaking at the forum, Ms. Sun highlighted the opportunity for Europe given its popularity amongst Chinese travelers. “Already the second largest destination for Chinese tourists, Europe is fast becoming a destination for customized tours for Chinese,” said Ms. Sun. “While group tours remain popular, millennials are becoming the main consumers for travel and are more interested in self-guided, personalized and in-depth travel.”
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e8bfb3fd-443c-43b3-859a-43b09336b15f
Caption: Ctrip CEO, Jane Sun, speaks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macau
Title: Jane Sun Speaks at Global Tourism Economy Forum
Ctrip’s statistics confirm that the customized European tour business is experiencing explosive growth. In the first half of 2018, the number of tourists who opted for tailor-made travel services increased significantly, and the demand for customized travel to Europe increased by nearly 1.2 times year-on-year.
"Ctrip has more than 300 million users and generates 50TB of data every day,” said Ms.Sun. “By analyzing these data, we can help European countries to better understand the needs of Chinese tourists. With the insights we gain, we are able to provide better tourism products and services and facilitate more Chinese tourists to travel to Europe. This is how we will drive the local tourism industry forward.”
Ms. Sun noted that Ctrip’s first overseas call center in Edinburgh is poised to play a significant role in ensuring timely support for travelers between China and Europe.
World Travel & Tourism Council
According to the data cited by WTTC in its recent report, The Economic Impact of Tourism in 2018, global tourism grew by 4.6% in 2017, accounting for 10.4% of global GDP.
As more people choose travel as their main leisure activity, two important evaluation criteria for travel experiences are whether tourism products and services are satisfactory and whether travelers feel safe and secure.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8eb6aeb6-128b-4c6a-a5e5-1a5a5bf3ab25
Caption: Jane Sun delivering a keynote speech at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Asia Leaders Forum in Macau
Title: Jane Sun Speaks at WTTC Asia Leaders Forum
Ms. Sun said, “Travel service providers need to take security into account for their users, before and during the travel experience. With nearly 20 years of experience in the travel industry, Ctrip focuses on being a travel companion for our users before, during and after their trips.”
With services including security notifications, refund guarantees, a range of insurance options, Virtual Travel Managers (VTMs) and a 24/7 Global SOS system, Ctrip ensures that travelers are well connected and supported in case of emergency situations. Such services cover common difficulties that tourists encounter, including language difficulties, seeking medical treatment, retrieval of lost goods and more.
According to company statistics, Ctrip received 3,133 SOS requests from January to August in 2018, with 70% made by outbound travelers. With a success rate of 94%, the Global SOS system was well received during incidents this year such as the ferry crash in Thailand and the typhoon and earthquake in Japan.
“Ctrip’s Global Travel SOS is designed to provide timely assistance to travelers when special circumstances like natural disasters or man-made crises occur. Meanwhile, we also need to establish a mechanism to prevent man-made crises and establish global standards to ensure traveler safety,” said Ms. Sun.
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