Chinese travel platforms prepared to boost business

Travel platforms in China are taking various measures to boost business despite a short-term negative impact on the sector brought by the pneumonia breakout.

The online travel agency Ctrip has opened practically 2,000 classes to its partners, tens of millions of professionals in the market and tourism colleges in the united states, contacting the sector to have training online and at home, conserve energy and reserve talents.

Another online travel agency, Tuniu, has also launched over 1,000 courses and hosted several online competitions to boost its employees’ skills and sense of competition.

Meanwhile, the two platforms, along with online tourism service agency Mafengwo and Alibaba’s tourism platform Fliggy, have given users the opportunity to visit scenic spots through audio tracks guides and live broadcasts.

As more promising signs signal progress China’s anti-virus fight is moving in the proper direction, the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism asked scenic areas nationwide to reopen to the public while continuing to implement epidemic control measures.

Data from Ctrip show that a lot more than 1,600 scenic attractions in China have reopened to the general public, including over 40 percent of 5A scenic areas.

Several online travel agencies have already launched their recovery plans and promotional activities.

Ctrip has issued a recovery plan to pre-sell its products for future trips. Another online travel company, Tongcheng-Elong, has formed an alliance with cities nationwide to supply free tourism promotion services while launching pre-sale products and promotional activities. Apart from this, Tuniu has invited tourism departments and scenic attractions across the country to talk about resources and channels to improve the recovery of the sector.

Travel agencies should implement their recovery plans step-by-step, concentrating on differentiated services, in order to seize new opportunities, said Bai Kai, dean of the institution of Geography and Tourism in Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province.