[BEIJING] China has launched an antitrust investigation into Trip.com Group, the country’s largest online travel platform, weeks before hundreds of millions of people are expected to travel during the Lunar New Year holiday.
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Wednesday that Trip.com had abused its “dominant market position” and engaged in “monopolistic practices,” following a preliminary inquiry into the company’s operations.
Trip.com operates a portfolio of major travel brands including Trip.com, Ctrip, Qunar, Skyscanner and the Dutch booking site Travix, making it a central player in both China’s domestic and outbound travel markets.
In a statement posted on social media, Trip.com said it would “actively cooperate with the regulator’s investigation, fully implement regulatory requirements and work with all industry stakeholders to build a sustainable market environment.” The company added that its operations remain normal.
