Trip.com Hit with $765 Million Fine
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has fined online travel giant Trip.com Group 5.18 billion yuan ($765 million) for violating anti-monopoly laws. The penalty follows an investigation into the company’s suspected abuse of its dominant market position through anticompetitive practices.
The SAMR found that Trip.com had engaged in practices such as implementing “exclusive dealing arrangements” with hotels and forcing some operators to “forgo operations on other competing platforms”. This conduct excluded or restricted competition in the relevant market, harmed the interests of hotel operators and consumers, and hindered the industry’s regulated and healthy development.
Trip.com, which operates train, flight, and hotel bookings within China and internationally, has stated that it “sincerely accepts” the state regulator’s findings. The company will use this penalty as an opportunity for deep reflection and self-transformation, and will resolutely abandon inefficient, cutthroat competition.
The fine imposed on Trip.com is a significant regulatory action taken by China’s market regulator, following a similar crackdown on tech and e-commerce giant Alibaba in late 2020. This move demonstrates China’s commitment to enforcing its Anti-Monopoly Law and promoting fair competition in the online travel market.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fine | $765 million |
| Confiscated illegal gains | 1.66 billion yuan |
