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China Launches Antitrust Probe Into Trip.com Over Market Practices

By  |  January 14, 2026

China’s top market watchdog has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Trip.com Group, raising new scrutiny over the country’s largest online travel platforms and their business practices.

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    The State Administration for Market Regulation announced on Wednesday that it had initiated the probe following a preliminary assessment, according to a statement from the regulator. The investigation is being carried out under China’s Anti-Monopoly Law and focuses on whether the company has leveraged its market power inappropriately.

    Per a statement from the regulator, the case centers on suspicions that Trip.com has been “abusing” its dominant position in the online travel services market and engaging in monopolistic conduct. The notice did not elaborate on the specific practices under review.

    Trip.com, which operates accommodation booking, transportation ticketing and packaged travel services, acknowledged receipt of the investigation notice. In a statement, the company said it “will actively cooperate with the investigation” and emphasized that its day-to-day operations remain unaffected.

    The announcement triggered a swift reaction in financial markets. Trip.com’s shares listed in Hong Kong dropped about 6.5% after news of the investigation became public, reflecting investor concern over potential regulatory consequences.

    Related: China Probes Food Delivery Platforms Over Competition Practices

    Founded as a one-stop travel services platform, Trip.com runs several well-known brands, including Ctrip, Trip.com, Qunar and Skyscanner. The company went public on Nasdaq in 2003 and completed a secondary listing in Hong Kong in 2021.

    The current probe follows earlier regulatory engagement with the company. According to previous statements from local authorities, market supervision agencies in Guizhou province and Zhengzhou city summoned Trip.com last year over related issues. Those actions did not result in publicly announced penalties but laid the groundwork for increased oversight.

    Industry tensions have also been growing. Last month, a homestay association in Yunnan said it planned to pursue anti-monopoly legal action over what it described as unfair competition by online travel agencies, explicitly naming Trip.com, according to a statement from the group.

    In August, the Guizhou Provincial Market Supervision Administration held talks with Trip.com and four other platforms, focusing primarily on pricing practices rather than exclusivity arrangements. A month later, the Zhengzhou Market Supervision Bureau took a more direct approach by naming Trip.com in a notice, though it stopped short of detailing exclusive dealing concerns.

    Unlike earlier disputes involving individual merchants, the Yunnan Tourism Homestay Association represents hundreds of small and medium-sized operators. Per a statement from the association, it has accused major platforms, including Trip.com, of pressuring merchants to commit to single platforms, raising commission fees, imposing unfair trading conditions and restricting traffic exposure for certain businesses.

    Source: China Daily