Trip.com, one of the world’s largest OTAs, is focusing on sending its global users to local regions in Japan. “We are introducing unknown charms in Japan not only Chinese users but also global users,” Sunny Sun, Trip.com Group Vice President, said at an interview with Travel Voice. “Our Japan team always considers how they can contribute to local regions from a long-term perspective.”
One of the efforts is addition of shopping cart function on trip.com live commerce, which issues a coupon to a customer who purchase combination of multi-destinations in Japan. Sun said, “The function motivates users to visit another destinations in addition to Tokyo or Osaka.”
Also, Trip.com emphasized ‘TripGenie,’ a AI-based travel guide on the app, which proposes tourism routes in local regions.
Sun said, “We can send our users to local regions because we have deep partnerships with suppliers in Japan,” showing her idea that the OTA continues enhancing partnerships with local governments and suppliers.
Trip.com is appealing Osaka Kansa EXPO 2025 not only as ticket sales but also as a experience-typed package tours. Sun said that EXPO becomes an opportunity for users to visit another destinations in Kansai area.
「最近三重県を訪れて、その美しさに感銘を受けた」とサン氏。
Forecast to increase bookings before or after International Labor Day
Sun said, “Our business grew faster than we had expected after the pandemic.” Outbound travel bookings from China increased by 30% in 2024, and those from global by 70%. GMV exceeded 1.2 trillion CNY. Sun said, “It is a proof that our G2 (Great Quality and Globalization) strategy has been succeeded.”
In the Chinese New Year period this year, trip.com received 200% more bookings for Japan. The grow rate was higher in the outbound travel market from China than the domestic travel market, and it received more bookings before or after the holiday period (January 28 to February 4) than during the period.
Accordingly, Trip.com has forecasted that bookings before or after International Labor Day period (May 1 to 5) may increase.
