（Stilltravel Editorial）People still abound at the CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART 2008 held in Shanghai. However, many are starting to worry and pondering about where the Chinese travel industry is going in the alleged challenging 2009 after a turbulent 2008. after months of study, Stilltravel.cn presents you two potential market leaders and their growth mood for your reference.

After the SARS breakout in 2002 and the enlisting of the online travel company, Ctrip.com (NASDAQ：CTRP) in 2003, China travel industry entered a phase of steady growth. Many are beginning to see it transiting from a sunrise industry to an afternoon one. However, a study made by iRearch.com recently reveals to us that morning is still here and the China travel industry is only in its rising phase.

The iRearch study shows that the top 3 American online reservation companies take only 33.8% percent of the market, showing very small rate of monopolization — the manifest of a mature economy. In China, however, Ctrip is now the sole biggest player in the market. 90% other companies provide similar homogenized services and are hardly posing any danger to Ctrip. Even customers are feeling dull when nobody brings about innovations other than lower prices.

Qunar? Where are we heading?

Then Qunar.com (the Chinese pinyin for “Where are we heading”), a travel search engine, was established in 2005. Since its birth, Qunar has been living under the spotlight and immense competition. A new era of chaos and challenge came consisting of marketing campaigns and lawsuits with Ctrip.

It is not only concept that Qunar has brought with it. It has broken the old concept that travel industry is low-class and low-tech, leaving many agency bosses marveling at the might of the internet. The air ticket search engine was taken as the starting point and was changed tremendously.

In recent years, air ticket agencies have competed excessively over a limited number of customers, resulting in price battles, liars and inside stories. All agents lose in such a market and gives Qunar a best chance. Instead of selling tickets, Qunar sells comparison between prices and agents. It not only breaks the former regional operation mood, but visualizes all air tickets in front of customers. The recent direct-selling proposal made by airlines will as well offer a better core competitive power to Qunar. Then, do you have a Qunar for your own company?

Besides Qunar, We Also Need TripTM

Web 2.0 is now gradually losing its radiance since the financial crisis. People are now busy deserting concept and try to make a living. However, the Travel 2.0 initiated by TripTM Global Theme Travel Club brightens our eyes.

TripTM is not really a travel agency. It is more like a club where you make new friends. It’s indisputable that making new contacts and touch new cultures are parts of our travelling experience besides the beautiful sceneries. When people are not satisfied with where to go, the who with becomes the most asked question. Stilltravel.cn believes that socialization travel is another trend in travelling. We need good companions as well as nice scenes.

At a first glance, TripTM won’t catch your attention: outbound travelling, beaches, old cities and towns. But take a closer look you might be amazed: travel with Liang Dong (former vice president of Baidu.com, the biggest search engine in China), or Chen Hong (Chairman of Hanneng Group) in Scotland or Wall Street and get together after trip. Is that tempting to you, if you are planning your trip? Best companions and special themes is what TripTM is selling. Should we dig deeper and find our own special zone to make the China travel industry prettier?

The emergence of Qunar and TripTM is giving us encouragement that the sun is still low for China travel Industry. It is still vigorous, still hopeful, and still growing. China travel industry never lacks participators. It is the spirit of persistence and innovation we are asking for. Do you smell a scent of spring from the two cases we introduced? Certainly we hope so. (Stilltravel.cn Editorial) READ IN CHINESE

StillTravel - Focus on China Travel and Tourism Industry

Tags:China Travel Industry, china travel industry in financial crisis, qunar and ctrip, triptm