China Fines Trip.com Group $770 Million for Market Monopoly Abuse

Jul 25, 2026 22:39

China's market regulator has imposed penalties totaling 5.2 billion yuan (approximately US$770 million) on Trip.com Group, accusing the country's largest online travel platform of abusing its dominant position in the domestic hotel booking market.

According to the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Trip.com exploited its traffic allocation system, platform policies, and technical infrastructure to pressure hotels into signing exclusive agreements. Under the pretext of offering the lowest hotel prices, the company allegedly prevented hotels from setting independent prices or operating freely on competing booking platforms.

Penalties Imposed

Confiscation and Fine: Authorities confiscated 1.66 billion yuan in illegal gains and imposed an additional 3.52 billion yuan fine on the company.
Deposit Refund: Trip.com has also been ordered to return 122.2 million yuan in booking deposits that had been unlawfully withheld from hotel operators.

Trip.com Responds

Trip.com Group, the parent company of popular travel brands including Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar, said it accepts the regulator's decision.

In a statement, the company said it would fully comply with all regulatory requirements and make the necessary changes to its platform and business practices.

The penalties follow an antitrust investigation launched in January as part of China's broader campaign to curb unfair competition and prevent market manipulation in the country's online platform economy.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//