Articles tagged “elong”

Ctrip – with the help of some useful allies – continues to dominate China's fast-expanding travel industry. It will be interesting to see whether 2018 brings further expansion into Europe and North America.

Sometimes Qunar wants us to believe it can sail through a hurricane unscathed in a sailboat. We'll have to see how the Chinese economic crisis ultimately impacts the Chinese travel market -- and the world.

Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi couldn't have been more vehement in recent months about his company's long-term investment in and commitment to eLong. Well, there goes that.

Qunar is the fastest growing online travel company by far among the Big Three in China, although it is less than half the size of industry leader Ctrip. Can Qunar keep it up? Ctrip is feeling the pressure and is having to dial back on profits to ensure it will stay on top.

It's all about the numbers and execution so we'll be able to view Qunar's quarterly reports over the next few years to see if CEO Chenchao “CC” Zhuang can make good on his boast that the company will out-execute Ctrip, Alibaba and everyone else. Let's see if all the confidence adds up.

Profitability isn't a concern right now as Expedia's eLong invests in expanding its hotel business, and it is in the game for the long haul.

Expedia doesn't comment on rumors and speculation unless it is convenient or necessary to do so. It has done so regarding eLong sales rumors because Expedia has a long-term commitment to grow eLong in the highly competitive and strategic Chinese market.

Malaysia Airlines reportedly has taken some unspecified steps to enhance security onboard its flights. This likely won't do much to change Qunar's stance in the short term until the cause of MH370's disappearance has been detailed.

Qunar has one helluva powerful partner in Baidu with its technology and big wallet.

Competition in the Chinese online travel market is intense these days, and eLong's transition into the highest tier on Nasdaq is just another signal that the business is maturing.