Hotels.com launches Chinese International Travel Monitor

    The number of Chinese travellers making international trips was up by a 
strong 22 per cent[]1] in 2011, compared to 2010, and experts predict China is 
on track to overtake Germany and the US as the world's largest outbound tourism 
market in the next few years[]2].

    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120628/540164 )

    Launched today, the inaugural Chinese International Travel Monitor[]3](CITM) 
from Hotels.com []http://www.hotels.com ](R), one of the world's leading online 
hotel booking websites, gives an insight into how the rise of the Chinese 
traveller is changing the dynamics of the global hotel market.

    Johan Svanstrom, Managing Director of Hotels.com Asia Pacific, commented: 
"The Chinese made a staggering 70 million[]4] international trips in 2011 and, 
while many of these were to Hong Kong and Macau, the number going further 
afield is growing significantly. Implementing strategies to cater specifically 
to this burgeoning source market is moving from a nice-to-have to a competitive 
necessity."

    Surveying more than 5,000 Hotels.com's hotel partners around the world, the 
report found the majority of respondents envisage the boom in outbound Chinese 
travel continuing. One in five (22%) expect to see an increase of as much as 
40%. Many national governments are facilitating the boom by relaxing visa 
requirements. Japan and Spain are examples of popular tourism markets that have 
already done this and Korea, amongst others, will implement similar changes 
later this year. Chinese international travellers are known to spend 
significant amounts on shopping and there is a clear opportunity for the hotel 
industry to grab a share of that spend for the stay experience itself.

    The study found that the profile of Chinese guests is changing as they 
become increasingly more independent, confident, younger and more familiar with 
foreign cultures and customs.

    Among hoteliers polled, it is clear that many are starting to adapt, 
offering Mandarin-speaking staff, translated materials, Chinese menus, 
entertainment options and the China UnionPay card services for payments. 
Examples from the study found that 41% of hotel respondents are planning to 
offer Chinese TV channels, while 66% of European hotel
respondents are planning to offer Chinese breakfast options.

    The Chinese economy continues to grow at a fast rate, contributing to the 
build-up of a travelling middle class of several hundred million people. With 
the ongoing economic uncertainty in key markets, catering to Chinese travellers 
should be high on the list of priorities.

    "Hoteliers should form concrete plans in two areas. Firstly, develop 
marketing strategies to reach the Chinese source market; concentrating on 
online as the Chinese internet population has now crossed the 500 million[]5] 
mark. Secondly, adapt hotel property services to cater to the expectation and 
needs of this growing audience," concluded Svanstrom.

    For a full copy of the CITM report, please go to:

    
http://press.hotels.com/en-gb/files/2012/07/Hotels.com-Chinese-International-Traveller-MapCITM.pdf 


    About Hotels.com

    Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website with more than 
150,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and 
all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with 
all the information needed to book the perfect stay.

    Hotels.com is part of Expedia Inc., the largest online travel company in 
the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's 
best-known brands.

    Notes to Editor:

    1. Figures sourced from The Annual Report of China Outbound Tourism 
Development 2012, released by the National Tourism Administration and China 
Tourism Academy: http://eng.ctaweb.org/ 

    
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/china-business/2012/04/16/337958/More-travelers.htm 


    2. Thraenhart, Jens (2012) Essential China Travel Trends. China Travel 
Trends Retrieved: 29 May 2012 from 
http://www.chinatraveltrendsbook.com/downloads/Essential_China_Travel_Trends_Dragon_Edition.pdf


    3. About the survey: Research was conducted by Hotels.com amongst 5,000 
Hotels.com hotel partners worldwide in April/May 2012. Responses sourced from: 
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, 
India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, 
Singapore, Spain, Sweden, UK, US.

    4. Figures sourced from The Annual Report of China Outbound Tourism 
Development 2012

    5. Figures sourced from the China Internet Network Information Center 
(CNNIC): http://www1.cnnic.cn/en/index/0O/index.htm 

    SOURCE: Hotels.com