The Hong Kong-based startup announced its biggest ever round of funding – a $60 million series C investment co-led by Goldman Sachs and existing investors Sequoia Capital and Matrix Partners.
Ctrip is not only growing its own technologies and data for destination marketing, but also exploring cross-platform strategies by partnering with internet giants including WeChat and Google.
Around £100 million in currency has been exchanged between 300,000 users via WeSwap since it launched in 2015, and it has partnerships with more than 30 businesses in the travel industry.
Airbnb co-founder and chief strategy officer Nathan Blecharczyk has been named chairman of Airbnb China while the firm's former China chief departed abruptly after just 4-month service.
Alipay has announced partnerships with several payments companies, including JP Morgan Chase, as it looks to increase its exposure in the North American merchant and retailer market.
CITCON, the leading cross-border mobile payment company, announced a partnership with DFS Group, the world's leading luxury travel retailer, to launch WeChat Pay.
Following the trend of travel giants launching accelerator programs, Expedia has launched its 6-month accelerator Hotel Jumpstart with Hotel.com.
Amadeus has been exploiting application of blockchain in travel sector, including loyalty schemes and identity verification.