Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte formalizes Ctrip and KLM cooperation to
further develop China-Europe flight routes
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Oct. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Netherlands Prime Minister
Mark Rutte, Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip.com International (Ctrip) and Pieter Elbers, President and CEO of KLM, oversaw the signing of a
strategic partnership agreement between Ctrip and KLM. The agreement represents one of the most significant outcomes of the
Netherlands-China Trade and Economic Forum, and a milestone for cooperation in the civil aviation industry under the framework of
the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year.
Founded in 1919, KLM is the oldest airline in the world operating under its original name. Air France-KLM Group,
its parent company, is one of the most important airlines operating flight routes between China and Europe. Pieter Elbers,
President and CEO of KLM, said, "With so many complementary areas across our businesses and supply chains, the partnership with
Ctrip has the potential to help us realize significant innovations in areas including customer service, data operations, flight
route development, and product marketing. This will help to solidify and grow The Netherlands’ position as the ‘Gateway to Europe’
for Chinese travelers and enterprises.”
As an important partner of KLM in the Chinese market, Ctrip will deepen its cooperation with KLM under the
framework of the agreement. Leveraging its large base of mid and high-end business customers, Ctrip is committed to helping foreign
airlines develop innovative membership service systems, and to providing passengers with more abundant and distinctive travel
products.
Xiong Xing, Ctrip’s CTO and CEO of Air Ticketing Business Unit, said, "KLM has rich and long-standing experience in
operating flight routes, and Ctrip has great advantages in technology and customer service. With so many complementary areas across
our businesses and supply chains, the cooperation announced today has the potential to help the global travel industry realize
significant innovations in areas including customer service, data operations, flight route development, and product marketing."
Along with the continuous expansion of its global footprint, Ctrip’s international air ticketing business has
maintained solid growth momentum, increasing 40% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2018. Trip.com, Ctrip Group’s independent
international travel brand, also recorded triple-digit growth in air ticket bookings for seven consecutive quarters. The direct
booking business of Ctrip’s online travel search platform SkyScanner has seen rapid growth, with an approximately 600% increase in
revenue for the second quarter of 2018 as synergies with Ctrip have become increasingly apparent.
With 2018 officially designated as “EU-China Tourism Year”, the cooperation between China and Europe in the civil
aviation industry has further deepened, with several new flight routes recently beginning operation.
Ctrip’s new travel trend report shows that Europe is increasingly a popular destination for Chinese tourists. In
2017, the number of Chinese outbound tourists to Europe ranked second among all continents, increasing 26.3% compared with 2016.
Average travel spending per person also increased by 36% year-on-year.
Netherlands is known as the “Gateway to Europe” and is China's third largest trading partner in the EU. China is
also regarded as the most important market in Asia by major European airlines.
CEO of Ctrip Jane Sun said, “With the great opportunities presented by the EU-China Tourism Year, Ctrip will help
more Chinese tourists travel to Europe, broadening horizons and benefiting business partners in the region. We hope Chinese
tourists can become a bridge promoting trade cooperation, cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy between China and
Europe.”
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
travellers 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
Two photos accompanying this announcement are available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4d1a8e43-ac42-4a9c-b622-d0cc6ab948b8
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d9b7647-a621-4e22-b89c-d38929c2b99c
