Two of China's biggest digital brands are collaborating in a bid to develop "intelligent tourism" in the country.
E-commerce platform Baidu will deploy its Baidu Cloud platform and computing capability to help online travel agency Ctrip improve a range of internal and customer-facing processes.
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Baidu is best known for its search engine, launched in the early 2000s, but has since made a big push into artificial intelligence and other next-generation technologies.
Elements of the partnership include powering tailored travel plans based on a user's interests and preferences across the networks.
As well as helping with its IT infrastructure, Ctrip will also use Baidu's platform to assist with other elements of the company, including a project to digitize the online travel agency's customer services unit.
A conversation with James Liang
We speak to the founder and chairman of Ctrip for our China theme month.
The pair have committed to developing other so-called smart services such as voice technology and autonomous driving capabilities.
Baidu's platform will also be used in Ctrip's marketing, sales, customer acquisition strategy and web performance tools.
* Check out this interview with Ctrip's chief financial officer Cindy Wang during The Phocuswright Conference 2018 in Los Angeles.
PhocusWire @ Phocuswright 2018 - Ctrip on reaching new audiences, home and abroad