Ctrip boosts customized marketing capabilities with iClick partnership

Ctrip, China’s largest online travel agency, is enhancing its digital marketing services through a partnership with iClick Interactive, a Hong Kong-based marketing technology company.

The deal will allow iClick to access Ctrip’s database of 300 million Chinese consumers to create user profiles that can help both Ctrip and its international partners provide customized offers to those travelers.

“iClick has a profound understanding of demand from international travel brands and a wealth of data insights and audience data in China,” says Samson Chai, Ctrip’s overseas marketing director.

“Our collaboration with iClick will allow us to leverage these advantages to bring value to both our customers and international travel brands who partner with us to run marketing programs."

Ctrip estimates about 130 million Chinese people traveled internationally last year, and they were the top source of visitors to countries such as Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Russia and South Africa. That volume, combined with their high average spending, has made the  Chinese market very attractive to international destinations and brands.

“As opportunities due to the increasing numbers of outbound travelers from China continue to rise, we are seeing a growing demand from travel and hospitality brands to use data in a more holistic marketing system to meet their needs,” says Sammy Hsieh, CEO and co-founder of iClick.

“Ctrip has a wide range of customers and supports 13 languages on their platforms, which is a perfect complement for our customized solutions. International travel brands will now have a more effective way of reaching high-value outbound travelers in China.”