SiteMinder pioneers new two-way XML integration with China’s leading online travel service provider, Ctrip

One of the world’s leading providers of online distribution technology, SiteMinder, has announced a strategic integration partnership with Ctrip to secure a pivotal connection for hotels looking to access China’s soaring online travel industry. The new two-way integration puts the more than 14,000 hotels using SiteMinder’s Room Distribution Exchange (RDX) platform among the first in the world to have direct access to the country’s largest online travel booking channel, via its new XML connection.

With sales in China’s online travel market hitting nearly US$10 billion for the second quarter of 2014 – a year-on-year increase of 17.1% – the hotels are also in an optimal position to directly tap into the booming travel market in China.

“We are very happy to partner with SiteMinder, a company that is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and respected in online distribution,” says Ms Maria Sun, CEO of Hotel Business Unit & SVP of Ctrip.

“This integration will allow hotels around the world to directly access the Ctrip platform and its enormous booking potential, while also capitalizing on the robust connectivity between SiteMinder and Ctrip."

“As China’s market continues to consume travel in a number of ways – the number of accumulated downloads for Ctrip’s MobileApp, alone, has now reached 200 million and continues rapid growth – it is crucial that hotels are front and center for the Chinese traveler. Via Ctrip, hotels that use SiteMinder products to distribute to Ctrip can now achieve exactly that.”

With approximately 80 percent of Ctrip’s total transactions booked online or through mobile channels during the second quarter of 2014, SiteMinder’s Co-Founder and CEO, Mr Mike Ford, says he is delighted about the integration partnership and welcomes its role in Ctrip’s strategy for international growth.

“RDX powers more than 60 channel management solutions worldwide, including SiteMinder’s own offering, The Channel Manager. This connection with Ctrip is therefore exceptionally exciting for our hotel clients, as they can now leverage this opportunity to attract new guests from anywhere in the world,” Mr Ford says.

“China’s online travel revenue is estimated to reach around US$75 billion by 2017 and, with online users continuing to increase in the country, SiteMinder is very excited about discovering the potential this partnership with Ctrip will have for our hotels.”

sourced:traveldailynews.asia