Member Article

London-based Splyt partners with Ctrip to unlock global ride-hailing inventory for Chinese travellers

Ctrip, China’s largest and the world’s second largest online travel agency, today announces that it has partnered with Splyt, the London startup behind the world’s first on-demand mobility marketplace. Ctrip app users travelling abroad will, for the first time, have access to a global ride-hailing inventory wherever they are in the world.

From today, users of the Ctrip app can instantly book a ride from the leading local mobility provider without having to download any other apps.

Ctrip customers now have global ride-hailing access from the world’s largest mobility companies in over 1000 cities globally through Splyt’s Application Programming Interface (API). Users arriving in countries will be able to simply and easily hail a ride from companies including Careem, Gett and Cabify. All payments will be taken via Ctrip’s app and users will be able to pay for their rides using their local currency. In an increasingly fragmented market, this will ensure Chinese travellers avoid the complex process of downloading and using unfamiliar transport apps when arriving in a new country. Users will also have access to in-app chat supported with auto-translation, allowing seamless communication between passengers and drivers who may not speak the same language.

Splyt, which is based in Holborn, London, has established itself as the world’s pre-eminent transport and mobility marketplace, and it already works with the largest mobility companies in the world. Through these companies it provides coverage to on-demand transportation in more than 50 countries worldwide.

This partnership comes in response to increasing consumer appetite for on-demand solutions, helping Ctrip to capitalise on the fast-growing ride-sharing sector, a market projected to reach $276 billion by 2025 off the back of growing urbanisation and falling car ownership.

Ctrip, headquartered in Shanghai, China, is China’s largest Online Travel Agency (OTA) with more than 300 million registered users. Ctrip is a leading travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management and has established itself as a world leader in the online travel market. Ctrip’s International Ground Transportation team has been continuously striving to make ground transportation easier for travellers. The new ride-hailing function will firstly be available on Ctrip with Ctrip’s Asia Pacific brand Trip.com to follow later this year. The new integration is now live, with Ctrip customers able to book international on-demand rides today.

Philipp Mintchin, Splyt CEO, said: “We are thrilled to partner with one of the world’s largest online travel agencies, giving their global customer base easy access to the world’s first integrated mobility marketplace.

“The number of outbound trips from Chinese tourists hit 131 million in 2017, making China the largest source of outbound tourists in the world. By unlocking a truly international inventory, we are revolutionising travelling abroad for Ctrip customers and cementing our commitment to the Asian market.”

Chris An, Head of Ctrip’s International Ground Transportation Department, said: “With an ever improving digital infrastructure, coupled with increasing disposable income and fewer visa restrictions, the Chinese outbound tourism market has significantly increased over the last few years.

Our customers rightly demand the very best service, and with this new partnership, they will be able to access a comprehensive, tailored, and convenient ride-hailing marketplace without ever needing to leave our app. As a one stop shop model, Ctrip strives to provide the best quality service and this integration will change our travellers’ experiences entirely.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harry .