(Sept 19): China opened investigations into four online hotel and travel booking platforms over suspected practices that may undermine fair competition and merchants’ rights, extending a broader regulatory crackdown on the sector.

The probes target Hangzhou Taomei Aviation Service, Tongcheng Network Technology, Tujia Online Information Technology (Tianjin) and Beijing Sankuai Information Technology, the Beijing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation said in a statement on Saturday. 

The investigations follow a sector-wide regulatory review and a meeting with online hotel and travel booking platforms convened by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The China Hospitality Association backed the investigations and urged platforms to make trading rules and algorithms more transparent, including search rankings, traffic allocation, commission rates and promotional programmes. It also called for stronger industry self-discipline and closer cooperation with hospitality businesses.

The move follows a 5.18 billion yuan (US$765 million or RM3.16 billion) antitrust penalty imposed on Trip.com Group in July for abusing its dominant position in China’s online hotel booking market.

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